FREELANCE DESIGN VS A STEADY PAYCHECK?

Design is a huge part of my life. It's a passion, a hobby and my profession. I have never stepped into the uncertain world of being a full-time freelance designer because not knowing when and where the next gig is going to come frankly scares the sh*t out of me. I have freelanced on-the-side for many years but it's never been a steady flow of projects. It never fails that projects all come at the same time and then I have a dry spell for a month or two. I do wonder if potential clients see I am a fully-employed designer and think I don't have time to spend on their projects. These new "bidding" websites are a disaster for the designer as well. There are people bidding on projects with fees as low as $5 an hour. That may be a livable wage in some countries but not here in the Bay Area.
I ask, what is the best way to put yourself out there if you are trying to pick-up freelance work? I promote myself as much as I can through Linkedin, Flikr, Behance, blogging and even buying several urls (www.bayareagraphicart.com & www.berkeleygraphicdesign.com). It's a never ending struggle to market myself. One thing that wasn't taught in design school was how to be your own business person and marketing yourself. That is a huge part of being a designer today. So, until I can figure out how to get 2 or 3 steady clients doing freelance design, I will continue to work for a large company picking up a steady paycheck. I do have to admit, I think freelance work would be a very lonely existence. I do love the team atmosphere working on large projects brings with it. I'm letting the world know - I'm looking for some freelance design gigs!!