It is depressing that 'the solution' to finding clients was basically to send spam (highly targeted spam, but nevertheless it was commercial e-mail sent to large numbers of people without prior consent of the recipient - where I live, that would be illegal, and I understand it is also illegal in California where the author of the article is based).

The other options for finding freelancing clients are not very good - I've tried advertising on Google, and found that I pay a high CPC, get a low click-through rate, and despite my ad being clearly worded about providing services, most of the people come through on searches looking for jobs themselves, so it hasn't proved profitable (i.e. my cost to acquire a customer seems to be extremely high through that method).

I have had success with ODesk but it is hard to get clients without spending a lot of time first, even with the highest possible rating, and so effective rates there are very low, and ODesk demands a 10% cut, with contractual terms that mean that you can't do any work for the client without going through ODesk unless you wait two years without doing any work.

It is unfortunate that it is so hard for non-spammy consultants to get in touch with potential clients.

Perhaps cold calling companies might prove to be a more cost effective strategy to acquire customers.