Freelancing without odesk and other exchanges?

Question

Python

I seriously plan to switch to freelancing, and in order to minimize the risks I think about the possible consequences, one of the main questions is how to look for permanent employers (for six months, a year, two, etc.).
Let's say there is an odesk that works quite well, which has a good hourly payment system, etc.
But what to do if at one fine moment something happened to the clothes? For example, studios / contractors flooded it, Indians flooded it, or your account was banned (for example, due to a complaint from an inadequate customer). It turns out that all the work ends here and what to do next is unknown?
As a solution to the problem, I see only this approach: work with the maximum number of customers on Odessa and, if something happens, continue to work with them past the exchange.
And actually the questions:
- does anyone have experience working with customers directly , with the legal withdrawal of money (through individual entrepreneurs), and what is the general scheme of work?
Are there any good resources to find a freelancing employer directly?
PS:
We are talking only about foreign customers, but if someone earns $20-$40 per hour, which is comparable to normal for odesk, it would also be interesting to know.
Thank you.

Answer 1

about what to do if at one fine moment something happened to the outfit?

Odessa is not the only freelance exchange.

Answer 2

IMHO oDesk is a great starting point. You should not try to jump several steps at once, when you find a good customer and he sees that it is worth doing business with you, then you will most likely receive new projects from him directly.

Answer 3

And if you work for a company, it may close, you may be fired. What then? Basically a stupid question.

Answer 4

Are there any good resources to find a freelancing employer directly?

And what is the benefit for them?
odesk has a fixed percentage, so people try to do big projects directly
.

Answer 5

It seems to me that there are a lot of freelance exchanges, and besides, working for a long time on the same Odessa, you will have a lot of regular customers, even if Odessa closes, you can easily work with them without it.