Honest question.
Developers that don't work for a company and that don't use freelancing platforms but are successful, you're making good money, how do you guys do it? What advice would you give me, I really just started out as a developer a few years ago and I can say I'm still struggling but have high hopes for the future. Any advice is okay.

You're talking about those devs that are famous and worked for Google or sth similar?

@sebach1 does every successful dev have to fit this description?

@soapmactervish absolutely not. I'm thinking about how anyone can be wanted by a company without being known.

honestly? it is a combination of luck, charisma(social skills) and area knowledge (in whatever you do).

Back at home I managed to build a reputation with a particular industry sector when it came to mobile(which I hate) and web development. I know how to talk to people and be likeable, from the secretaries that take my calls when I look for clients to the different management levels. Being quirky and weird does not really account for "oh he must be like that cuz he is a genius!" in real life, people are more willing to work with you and listen to you by following what I call the law of the bar. As in "is this a dude I would like to sit with at a bar and have a drink with?" and thus far it has worked well. Of course, having the skills to back everything up makes a big difference, they might like you, but business is business and at the end of the day it matters how good you are. Get out there and get em bro!