Italian visa for freelancers (Rome)

I'm after current and accurate information on getting a visa for freelance work (marketing and communications consulting). I've looked on the Ministry of Immigration, Stranieri and Polizia di Stata websites regarding lavoro autonomo and flussi quotas. I've been to the Chamber of Commerce and Immigration office. I now know what documents to submit when starting a business (register business) but I do not want to start one. Some sites state that I need a letter from a company that proves I have been contracted and my financial statements but it's not clear.

Can anyone here who has successfully been through the entire process of obtaining a freelance visa please advise me? I would be extremely grateful!

Grazie mille!