Your blog is GREAT! I will be recommending it to some of my colleagues.

Fanurio http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com is another tool designed for home offices. It helps with the less appealing aspects of freelancing like invoicing and keeping track of time. It’s a useful application, with a user-friendly interface.

Besides, you will receive a cease and desist letter long before you wind up in court. You’ll have plenty of time to react before you have to call a lawyer. I wouldn’t worry about patent issues until you’ve made some sales and grown your product into more of a mature business.

But this is a good point – thanks for bringing it up.

BTW, I’m not sure if there are software consulting companies that do this or if it would even be of interest to those really wanting to individuate and be totally on their own, but the management consulting company I work in ASSOCIATION with (technically I am my own business, but I’m an Associate with them also) is a great transition from working FOR an organization to working totally on my own. I get to use their company as a front for services I offer and an already established reputation, in return for working under their name. It allows for almost total autonomy, but with resources, including liability coverage and handling of finances (for the clients I work with in my Associate role). They get a percentage, but the exchange seems well worth it in these beginning stages.

Next, it’s probably time to get more sales. One thing very often overlooked by talented and busy coders and the majority of sole proprietors is marketing and branding. You wrote a great article on how to self-market (http://www.softwarebyrob.com/2007/10/19/marketing-yourself-how-to-re-write-the-rules/) people should read and follow.

But there is also value in having other “specialists” market and sell for you too.

Start with defining your brand (your image, to attract customers). If you don’t have a web site, get one. Don’t do graphics? Find a designer you can trade services with. Someone who can add some style to your web site or apply skillful search engine optimization techniques to drive more targeted business your way.

Perhaps a nice logo or business card is the difference in communicating to a client you are reputable, established and professional. Alternately, without a polished Corporate Identity, you might not get a second look or a call back, not to mention being able to get away with that higher hourly rate.

So, of course I offer these as great next steps because I am a designer and will give Rob a large kickback if you should call upon my services.

Probably the best advice that you give here is to not spend any money on this until you have work (or in the case of certain other businesses) a legitimate demand for your products or services. Know your market, instead of going with the “open and hopin’” business plan (i.e., “I think I’ll start a business and hope customers show up”).