Do you have any other sources of clients apart from HN? What percentage of work comes via HN vs Other sources?
Also, I took a quick look through your comment history. Perhaps you are being to subtle for me, or perhaps you just post to many comments, but I don't see to many ads for your services there
Since I am also looking around for (more) clients these days, I checked out orangethirty's comment history. I guess by ads he meant these posts on the monthly 'Seeking Freelancer' threads:
1. I can't do everything. But I can deliver 99% of the work needed out there.
2. I started out cheap. Current rates are at $100/hour with a set minimum.
3. Offer them a chance to get to know you for free.
4. Talk about what they want to hear.
I'm not sure I would want to attract the sort of clients he gets.
You mean you don't want to work with great people? People like Mark, who is focusing on disrupting the online payment industry. Or maybe even Robert, who is getting amazing growth through a simple Facebook statregy. I mean, of course I want to work with them. They are just amazing.
Maybe you just want to sit in your office all day, writing yet another interface class. Not me. I want to be where the action is.
Yes, I get clients through networking. I just email other hackers and get to know them. Not to get work, but because I really do believe that I can learn something from everybody. I'm always emailing people about their projects. One thing leads to another and they remember someone who had approached them about a project and they declined due to not having time or whatever.
I'd say its 40% HN and 58% networking with a 2% chance of rain.
Also, I took a quick look through your comment history. Perhaps you are being to subtle for me, or perhaps you just post to many comments, but I don't see to many ads for your services there