Ask HN: Which software specializations are in highest demand for consulting?

I've established my own LLC and am aiming to pursue c2c or 1099 contracts through it. Though, for the most part - I am landing Software Engineering Contract roles, which is not exactly the "consulting" I was hoping for.

I read the Kalzumeus blog, and specifically this thread: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4805091

And the comments there are vastly related to Kalzumeus not offering a Software Engineering solution but some kine of Online Advertising/Marketing Service.

What Kalzumeus says makes sense - explain to employers how you can make money for them and then do it.

While it makes sense in theory -- if your background is something else -- how do you justify who else needs it?

For example, my background is in HPC and Software Systems. In most of my roles I've looked to improve software systems, the interactions of the different pieces together, performance bottlenecks, cost optimization, operations etc.

While marketing/ads seems very easy to reason and quantify results about, my niche is not that clear. Furthermore -- if basic engineering principles are followed it's very easy for a company to not need a guy like me. But in my experience, having worked in so many companies during my career, I've seen a lot of inefficiencies in processes but also poor solutioning.

While I do think that I can bring value to companies, it seems rather challenging to explain it or to seem distinct from a regular Software Engineer -- to which it would be very easy for them to say: well, we don't need you, we just need more headcount.

If you are truly trying to pursue a Freelance Consulting business approach, what are some things you can do to Echo the value you bring clearly, and also further define it so that you don't go hungry & broke.