It's not always easy/fun, but I've found that a) working like a fucking maniac (12+ hours a day), b) never turning down a chance to talk about a job, seem to help. You brothers girlfriends aunt wants a website for her garage sale this year? Yeah, not going to get you $10k, but talking to her, being awesome and giving some advice (even if you don't actually help, and do a "favor" by pointing her to ebay or something). You'll end up making a connection, and she might tell her wealthy relative about a really awesome developer (you). I've gotten a few well paying jobs this way. For me, it seems that not being a greedy presumptuous asshole seems to have paid off well. Also, did I mention working really hard?