Tech companies don't hire people who know their stuff. Tech companies pay contractors who know their stuff to do the things their trained employees can't. They arent looking for a full cup. They need new meat to exploit while it's still too dumb to realize how hard it's getting shafted and then to dump it before it makes itself irreplaceable.
It also doesn't sound as much like you're looking for engagement as you are employment ("people with money don't pay attention to me"). If money is the end goal, you want to do advertising, not just engagement. If engagement and community are what you truly want, then I'm afraid to tell you those things generally cost money instead of generating it.
Contracting work would be the best case of having your cake and eating it too. Contractors form their own communities wherever they go depending on the trades in question. I think you'll find the network of likeminded individuals you're looking for there. However, be advised that contracting is regulation heavy and would greatly benefit from a few focused law courses before really trying to get yourself into bidding jobs.