i experiment with freelancing as c++/java developer for 2 years mainly along with my day job in well known freelance marketplace site. i probably dont need to tell you folks how very hard it is to get good quality work there and get the pay that your work is worth.
i call it "red light district of freelances" . even though i managed to do very well there and got very high reputation for my work manly to learn how is it to be freelance.
but the pay is low .and i found out that employers that usually using those sites don't like to pay more if you keep working for them out side the site. (maybe a little more)
and the competition with the low bid'rs from developing countries is very hard. BUT now as i want to go full time freelance i can't count on such site's. i want to get to known by people that needs contractors and willing to pay as i deserve. not 20$ for hour for c++ job hi.. i got 15 years experiences. and from where i am my type of developer worth 70$ and more. how do i break out ?