Hello! In my opinion, the best way to get started is to subscribe in one of those translation job websites. You will have to pay an annual fee to be able to bid on jobs. The fee is high... usually around U$120 dollars, but I think it's worth the money and they seem to have a lot more jobs in the Port/Engl pair than this one... probably because this one is newer.

Hello Resende,
Lack of work is a problem in most professions. The solution for a translator, I believe, is the same as that for people in any other professions. To find the first jobs you must use your creativity because there is no established formula that is good for all. If you were a recently graduated doctor you would perhaps open an office in a busy street and place a sign in front of your window. Saying simply "doctor" might bring no clients, but stating your specialty "eye doctor", for instance, might increase your chances. Local newspapers would also be a good place to advertise. If you were a wall painter you might do the same as the doctor, but you might as well walk the streets looking for houses in need of painting and offer your services. If you do your work well, other homeowners would surely soon come to you for your work! I no longer feel the problem you feel, because I have many years of experience as a Portuguese>English translator and agencies and other companies often send me work. What I want to do now is to improve my income by doing work only to direct customers rather than for agencies. In this respect I also have to expand my client base, just like you do!
Lázaro - S.Bernardo do Campo, SP Brazil