The fastest way to receive the career recognition you want is to be different. It isn't really important whether this means offering specialised skills, being unlike the rest of your colleagues or catering to an underserved segment of the community. The important thing is to find gaps in your field of interest. At first, you'll be lucky to get one or two clients. Once you do a spectacular job, your phone will ring with increasing frequency. When you achieve success, it will happen virtually overnight. Be patient.