My way really works. (Well, really my rav’s way.)
Get in touch with a ‘smaller one.’ If they like you, they will quickly befriend you and talk to shadchanim for you because, for the most part, they know each other. After, the shadchanim call you. From personal experience, it works. Oh, keep in touch with a rav throughout just to make sure everything is according to Torah, and you don’t fall prey to the reputation this world has.