Ask HN: Solo dev breaking into freelancing and product development

Hello HN! I've spent 20 years in tech, mostly with Android and Java, and I've just started my own business to do some consulting and work on new products using Rust. But, finding that first contract has been harder than I expected. I'm not sure if it's because of the hype around AI, the economy, a slow market, or maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. I'm also learning machine learning through Coursera to broaden my skills. I really want to build something innovative without getting slowed down by too much red tape. I dream about creating a product that uses Rust for its core, whether it's for the web, desktop, or mobile. It doesn't have to be Rust, but I like the quality and efficiency it provides. I know that being successful in tech isn't just about loving technology—it's also about networking, a bit of luck, and finding the right people. Right now, I'm feeling stuck. It seems like my CV isn't getting the attention I hoped for, and a lot of jobs out there are looking for very specific skills that I don't have. I love the HN community because it feels like we all share a passion for technology. How can I find people who appreciate what I can do? I'd really value your thoughts on: - Should I focus more on developing my own products instead of looking for consulting work? - If you've worked on developing your own products, did you look for investors or did you bootstrap? Why? - How do you handle the early stages of developing a product or starting a business, especially when the market seems tough? - Given my 20 years of experience in tech and my recent exploration into Rust and machine learning, do you have any tips for breaking into the freelance market? - How can I network effectively in the tech industry? - How do you find opportunities that see the real value in what you offer? Thanks for reading.