Getting contracts

So I've been thinking about how I can build my business in the future and what other avenues I can go down.

I was wondering how would I (us geeks) go about getting long or short term contracts with other business to 'guarantee' a regular income.
I mean things like modeling/dance/theater/drama schools, event company's, night clubs etc

Does anyone have experience of doing this? Any tips? How did the business relationship go? Is it something that worked or did you find lots of obstacles?