Ask HN: How to develop a brand and distribution network as a developer?

I&#x27;m a software developer with expertise in a highly specialized technical niche. By my estimation, only about 10,000-50,000 professionals worldwide possess comparable skills in this domain. While this specialization has served me well professionally, I&#x27;m concerned about several aspects of my career trajectory:<p>My knowledge depth is considerable but narrow, making it challenging to adapt to other domains due to time constraints. I&#x27;ve attempted to create educational content to share my expertise, but engagement has been minimal given the specialized nature of the subject matter. I&#x27;m increasingly concerned about long-term career sustainability, particularly as technologies evolve and the potential for automation increases.<p>I&#x27;m interested in building a more robust professional network and creating additional revenue streams while leveraging my specialized knowledge. Specifically:<p>How might I expand my professional network beyond my current technical niche? What strategies have worked for other specialized technologists in building a personal brand or distribution channel? How have others successfully transitioned from pure technical work to creating sustainable income streams with greater longevity?<p>I&#x27;m particularly focused on achieving financial security and independence before my current technical specialty potentially becomes less valuable. Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated.