Ask HN: Freelancers outside US and EU. How do you find quality clients?

[maouida]

I'm from Tunisia and I have been a freelance developer for about 6 years now. I get clients mainly from Upwork (oDesk). My hourly rate went like this:

2010-2013 $16/hr

2013-2015 $20/hr - $24/hr (with some occasional $30/hr jobs).

My ideal hourly rate is between $30/hr to $40. But I have been struggling for more than a year to find clients with that rate without success. I have more than 5500 hours worked on Upwork and 100% job success rate and earned the Top Web Developers badge, so I'm not sure where the problem is. I also have good English communication.

I thought it may be because of the drop in quality of jobs posted on Upwork in the last couple of years so I tried other ways including AngleList, Monthly HN Freelancer posts but still no luck.

Now it seems obvious to me that the best tech jobs prefers that the developer lives in US even if the job is remote. Am I right? Any guidance or help is appreciated.

Thanks

[nambante]

what's the language you do programming in?

[maouida → nambante]

Microsoft Stack and I do front-end development too.

[nambante → maouida]

I figure the reason is because you've been charging too cheap prices for a long time, or rather always, and it's reflected in your job history.

If you've always charged $20, why would anyone pay you more now?

Some freelancers get paid $50-80/hour only, but you probably are going to be stuck with your current rate.