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Go to conferences and shake lots of hands. You don't need 150 clients, you need 1 or 2 great clients. Like dating, it's a numbers game.

I don't think you have to push your RoR experience, since many business owners won't get it.

Find out what problems business owners are having and offers suggestions to solve it, even if it's doesn't include your services.

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Like dating, it's a numbers game.

Exactly, business and dating have more parallels than people like to admit, it all comes down to forming relationships.

Numbers are good, first impressions are better, and solid performance are best. Once you have a track record it is a lot easier, because woman .. err .. businesses always want the guy everyone else has.

I would strongly suggest having a handful of clients. Currently the two things likely to kill an early consulting / freelancing career are: the client you're working for going out of business, or the client you're working for cutting budgets back to the point where they can't afford you any more.

Being spread across a few clients lessens your risk a great deal, but it shouldn't become unmanageable to keep in touch with all of them.

[Edit] I should have said - couldn't agree more about the conferences. Whether full on conferences or more community driven events like BarCamps, they're a great place to meet very good contacts.

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