David Hochman started this post at the Upod Yahoo group:

Okay, this is a call for a list of rules for freelance living. What are your three or five or ten most reliable or useful guidelines, philosophies, personal strategies, etc. for surviving, nay, thriving as a freelancer? Anything come to mind? Here are three from me:

1. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Think before sending emails to editors. Proofread before submitting pitches or articles. Research before doing interviews. Be prepared.

2. Write like a Supermodel: If you're fast and write beautifully and don't agonize or let your time fritter away with run-on sentences like this one, you can make $1,000 a day or more.

3. It's All About Relationships: Pitches don't matter, ideas don't matter, clever sentences don't matter -- unless you have an editor willing to buy your stuff. Focus on the relationships and the rest will follow.

I thought this topic deserved being opened up to more people. So come on, fess up: what are some of your freelancer lessons to live by? Send them in, please--yours could make somebody else's day. (Let me know if you want credit and a link or what have you.)