How do I find freelance work?

So I have been court reporting for about four months now, and I cannot find steady, if any, depo work at all!! I've only had five depositions in four months' time.  How should I go about finding work in northern California?  It seems as soon as I mention I am somewhat new firms lose interest, or depo firms say they are too slow.  But other reporters I know are keeping super busy!!  What am I doing wrong?  How did you guys start out finding work?  Any tips or advice would help!!  

I would try to use the down time to sit out, both in depos and court.  I can't emphasize enough how much that experience will pay huge dividends, maybe not monetarily but experientially, which is priceless, and you will get your name out there with reporting firms.  I think there is more work in court than depos and so sitting in court might really lead to something.  Some court reporter might be sick some day, and since you're licensed they may just put you in and having sat out, you will be ready.  Don't be discouraged; your business will build.

Always be ready for a last-minute depo/hearing, always look your best, make the best possible impression on the judges in your circuit/area, but be YOURSELF, and network with the court reporters in the areas you potentially want to work in.  BE FUN!  Always say "anyone wanna do happy hour" at the end of the day.

Jobs are short-lived, friendships that you build with our clients are not

When you call the firms looking for work, ask them if they might have a workers' compensation depo or a personal injury depo they would be willing to send you out on just so you can get your feet wet.  Normally reporters that have been in the business a long time have passed on these jobs because they are short depos, but, as everyone has said, it is very slow, so everyone is scrambling for anything.  It may seem to you that you are not getting work because you are new, but I think it really has to do more with the recession.  Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!  :)

One thing that's good about Northern California is they do not stipulate away your extra copy order like Southern Cali...  So when things really get rollin' for you, you'll be making good money!

So from reading your post, it seems your friends are busy (so you know there's work) you just haven't found an *in* yet with a good agency.

Do go on www.courtreporterconnect.com and sign up to receive job offers.  I'm on staff with an agency but have made a handful of great connections via having my profile on that site - a handful is all you need.

All the advice here is great.   Take bits and pieces of them and try it out.   You never want to seem *too available, though.*   

I find the best times to pick up last-minutes is between 8 and 10 am and 5 and 6 pm for the next day's calendar that attys are calling in late settings and all of their regular reporters are most likely booked.  

Forget about the agency owner - you need the calendar person!   Get their name so when you call or email (hopefully, from your phone that gets email so you're reachable...) You  say, Hey, Sally.   I know it's 5:00 o'clock, but I just found out I'm available for tommorow - so if any last minutes come up...    Do the same thing in the morning.   Email is better.   Shoot them a quick email - individually - not a blast.   Personally using their name,  Hey, Sally   My morning just got cancelled.  Let me know if you have any emergencies.  If you've worked with them before, use it!  Say, it was great working with you guys last week.

That's it.  Short and sweet.   Don't take up their time on the phone with how badly you need to work.   You're a busy girl in demand; right?  Right!

Now when an emergeny comes in, they already have in mind who to call.   *Oh, pb33 just called in - she's available!   Let's call her quick!

Getting their calendar covered and quick - makes them look good.  Helps them get their job done and keep clients.   When attys don't have a reporter and they need one, they call around to several agencies and the first one to respond that they can cover it wins!

There's nothing wrong with being new.   You're proud... you've earned it... you're ready to go!   Maybe it's not the best thing to announce.   Maybe package your experience a little more agency-friendly!   I find when they're covering a last-minute, it doesn't really matter.   I wouldn't mention it unless asked.   But if they say, Great!  You can cover our job... and how long have you been reporting?   You can say, I'm in my first year.   I've covered (fill in types of areas covered so far) .   Or if you graduated last year in '09, you can say, I graduated in 2009 and have been working ever since!  

Don't pigeon-hole yourself into only work comp and car accidents - they really suck, to be honest.   Play around with them a little while longer but don't get stuck there.   You should be open and willing to take a business case or more.  You can do it!  We all did!   You don't have to sit out... you can't make money doing that.   Presumably, you've completed your intern hours before you got your license.  If that's all the State says you need, that's all you need.   It's time to get down to business!

You'll never realize and grow your strenghts and gain experience *volunteering* for the schlep work nobody else wants - (although it's good to have a short depo once in a while...lol!   feels like a day off...)

Go get 'em!