Where to start looking?

To start this brief I have to pick a brief.
And to pick a brief I have to look for one.
I do not know much about finding singular briefs and freelancing. I feel this is a good opportunity to try and find our how freelancers get some work. In order to start looking for them I should make list of potential places to find work.

Portfolio websites such as Behance and Carbonmade.
Gumtree
LinkedIN
Up coming business's
Local business's
Notice Boards in supermarkets etc.
Social Networking
Networking events such as Manchester Chamber of Commerce
D&AD
Job fairs
Up and coming Bands/musicians and photographers
Art galleries such as the Cornerhouse and Whitworth
People, friends and family who might know someone who is looking


Currently these are the places I have in mind.
I think this is a good start to finding a brief as there are lots of leads and interesting places to look, weather or not I will find what I am looking for is another story. I think even though this is the first part of the brief, it will also be the most challenging and difficult. To learn how to find work and to learn what the client wants is precisely what I've wanted education to teach me, so far this is the only chance i've had within education to properly see what its like.