Search for venues that feature acts similar to yours. Contact the owners of the venue or the manager of the concert series and ask to arrange an audition or submit a demo.
Play at weddings, quinceanearas, bar/batmitzvahs and funerals. People often employ solo musicians for these events, since a single musician is cheaper than a band or ensemble. It can help to learn popular wedding tunes so that you will have to practice less before the gig.
Create a website and a business card. This way, you can refer potential employers to a place where they can find more information about you, including what style of music you play.
Support other musicians. This can mean accompanying a singer or instrumentalist, or it can mean playing in a band, ensemble or choir. Though you may market yourself as a solo musician, you will need to play with others at some point if you plan to make a living as a musician.
Inquire at local churches about playing weekly gigs there. No matter what their religious preference, many freelance musicians enjoy the regular weekly work that having a church gig provides.
Play on a cruise ship. According to Musician Wages, musicians can obtain cruise ship jobs through a talent agency or directly through a cruise company. These gigs pay around $65 a day (as of August 2011) and a cruise ship contract can last several months.