Member-only story
How I Went From $13/hour to Over $50/hour As a Writer
The two things that made it all possible
When I first started as an online writer, I was desperate to get work.
Like many starters, I found my way to Upwork. I applied to a couple of jobs and finally got a translation gig that paid $13/hour.
I was fortunate.
I was fortunate that I lived in a low-income country like Bolivia where I could afford to work for such a low rate.
And so I continued doing a couple of Upwork jobs and I slowly raised my rates from 13 to 16. Then to 20, and 24, and even 25.
Great rates if wanted to stay in South America, and yet still underpaid on a global level.
Since I wanted to move back to Europe, there was only one thing to do: Raise my rates. And so I doubled them.
It’s the best decision I made. (Thanks Jess)
As a result, I attracted bigger clients, more serious projects, and thus better references.
I went from $13/hour for some irregular work to a retainer contract worth just shy of $60/hour.
But how was it all possible?
Again, I must make a confession.
