Design a website displaying the type of art you do as well as contact information where you can be reached. The website can be as simple as a Wordpress template, a Myspace music page or a Facebook template. The platform your website takes doesn't matter, having a page where your art and contact info are displayed in a professional manner is the most important step first step before reaching out to potential clients.
Log on to a free business card website such as Vistaprint and design business cards there with your contact information and website. You'll want to have these handy to handout as you meet people in person whether at networking events or just out during day to day life. When you design the business card, paying a little extra to upload an image of your art to put on your business card as another great tool of self marketing.
Make a list of all the types of performances you could potentially make money from and don't forget to include teaching, whether that's group classes or private instruction. Many artists mix and match teaching with live performance or art shows in order to make money. Performance opportunities also tend to arise from those types of teaching situations. Open up an Excel spreadsheet and make a category for contact person, venue name, phone number and email. This will keep your information organized in one easy to read format.
Search your alternative weekly newspaper websites for performance venues and research your local community colleges, community centers and primary schools, gathering contact info for department chairs to pitch teaching workshops or classes in your art form. Gather the contact info for art museums in your area as well as they can be a great resource for teaching as well as showing work.
Make phone calls and email inquiries at least an hour a day to begin with. The more potential students or clients know you're out there and available to work, the more possibilities for artist money-making opportunities.