How to navigate those daunting job boards

I have a regular conversation with a freelance friend and it kind of goes like this: She laments not being able to find work. I say hit the job boards because that's where I find them. She replies that she's tried it and it's hopeless. I believe her.
I know, not all jobs come from job boards. I landed one of my favorite gigs at a SXSW party last year. Another two were the result of having a profile up at MediaBistro's Freelance Marketplace. However, when I get that nervous feeling that I don't have enough work, I go to the job boards (right after I re-activate my Freelance Marketplace account).