As you mention, having a client pipeline is the easiest way to find contracts. My last fulltime job came out of a contract - they wanted me on board. Worked for a few years, then they changed direction.

I thought work might have dried up. But I got a call the next day from somebody who had dug up my number in an old rolodex, desperate to get me to pick up the slack on a project. So, right back in the saddle!

That works better if you have 10 or 20 years of experience at different places. So there are people out there thinking of you.