Selling and marketing, knocking on doors, and touting your products and services “shows you as an idle developer”?
Actually, it shows you as a go-getter, exactly the type of person I’d want working for me.
The biggest difference between the top 1% and everyone else? They never stop selling.
I’ve done the same thing as OP and it works. Better yet, if you have office space, invite your neighbors over for wine and cheese (or beer and soda) Friday after work. Socialize and share. They may not become customers that day, but when they (or someone they know) needs what you offer, who do you think they’re gonna call?