Real talk: I went from competing for scraps to earning $5000 in a month than I used to make in six. Here’s exactly how I did it (and how you can too)
Welcome! Let’s have an honest Conversation about money
Have you ever scroll through LinkedIn and see people casually boasting about earning $75 an hour, while you’re still hustling for $10 gigs? Or watch friends secure remote jobs that pay them in a single week what takes you an entire month to make?
I get it. I’ve been there.
I’m sharing this because I believe you deserve better than settling for scraps just because you’re not in Silicon Valley. Two years ago, I was that person refreshing job boards at 2 AM, applying for anything that paid more than $5. Today? I just finished a $3,200 project and have three more clients waiting.
The difference isn’t luck or connections. It’s knowing where to look and how to position yourself. Let me show you exactly what worked for me.
Turning Point: When I Almost Quit Remote Work and What Changed Everything
Picture me, laptop balanced on my kitchen table, working on a complete website redesign for… wait for it… $25. When I politely suggested the scope had grown beyond what we originally discussed, the client’s response was brutal: “I thought people in your country would be happy with any work.”
That stung. Not just because it was disrespectful, but because I realized I’d been training clients to undervalue me.
That night, I made a decision that changed everything: I was done competing on price. Instead, I’d compete on value. Within six months, my monthly income jumped from $400 to $4,000. Here’s how.
The Truth About Remote Work Nobody Talks About
Myth: “Good remote jobs only go to people in expensive countries.”
Reality: Companies care about results, not your address.
Myth: “You have to start cheap to build experience.”
Reality: Starting cheap often traps you in a cycle of low-paying work.
Myth: “All the good opportunities are taken.”
Reality: New businesses launch every single day, all needing help.
Here’s what I learned: The internet doesn’t care where you live, but it does care about the problems you can solve.
Step 1: Stop Looking in All the Wrong Places
Where NOT to Waste Your Time
The $5 Trap Platforms:
- Sites that promote “cheap” or “budget” services
- Platforms where everyone competes purely on price
- Any job posting that starts with “Looking for cheap…”
These places train clients to expect discount work. You’ll burn out before you break even.
Where the Real Opportunities Hide
High-Value Job Boards:
- FlexJobs: Curated, legitimate remote positions (worth the small membership fee)
- We Work Remotely: Quality companies posting real jobs
- AngelList: Startups with actual budgets
- Remote.co: Hand-picked remote opportunities
- LinkedIn: Where business owners actually hang out
The Secret Sauce: Don’t just scroll job boards. Use them to identify companies you want to work for, then reach out directly.
Step 2: Position Yourself as the Solution, Not Another Vendor
Your Profile Is Your Storefront
Would you shop at a store with a handwritten sign and messy displays? Your profile needs to scream “professional” from first glance.
What Works:
- Professional photo (doesn’t need to be expensive, just clean)
- Headline focused on client results: “I help e-commerce stores increase sales by 40% through email marketing”
- Portfolio showing transformations, not just pretty work
- Testimonials that mention specific results
What Doesn’t Work:
- Generic titles like “Virtual Assistant” or “Graphic Designer”
- Portfolios without context or results
- Profiles that focus on what you need instead of what you provide
The Magic Formula for Your Bio
Hook: Start with your biggest win or unique angle
Proof: Share specific results you’ve achieved
Process: Briefly explain how you work
Call to Action: Tell them what to do next
Example:
“Last quarter, I helped three small businesses increase their social media engagement by 200%+ while cutting their content creation time in half.
I don’t just post pretty pictures – I create content strategies that turn followers into paying customers. My secret? Understanding what makes your audience actually want to buy.
Ready to turn your social media into a money-making machine? Let’s chat about your goals.”
Step 3: Research Like Your Income Depends on It (Because It Does)
The 5-Minute Client Check
Before applying anywhere or responding to any opportunity:
- Google the company – Real businesses have websites and social presence
- Check their recent posts – Active companies post regularly
- Look up the contact person – Professional emails, not just Gmail
- Read their reviews – What do others say about working with them?
- Trust your gut – If something feels off, it probably is
Red Flags That Scream “Run Away”
- Vague job descriptions with unrealistic promises
- Requests for free “test” work upfront
- Payment only “after project completion”
- Pressure to start immediately without discussion
- Communication only through platform chat
- Any mention of “easy money” or “no experience needed”
Step 4: Master the Art of Professional Outreach
The Wrong Way to Apply
“Hi, I’m John and I can do your project cheap and fast. Please hire me.”
The Right Way
“Hi Sarah, I noticed your recent post about struggling with consistent content for TechFlow. Many SaaS companies face this exact challenge. I recently helped CloudSync (similar B2B software) increase their LinkedIn engagement by 240% in 60 days. Would you be open to a brief chat about your content goals?”
Why this works:
- It’s personal (uses their name)
- Shows you did research
- Offers relevant proof
- Asks for conversation, not immediate hire
Step 5: Price Like You Mean Business
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Old thinking: “I hope they’ll pay me something”
New thinking: “I wonder if we’re a good fit for each other”
Old approach: Racing to the bottom on price
New approach: Competing on value and results
The Three-Package Strategy
Always offer options. People love choosing, and they usually pick the middle option.
Example for Social Media Management:
Starter: $500/month
- 12 posts per month
- Basic hashtag research
- Monthly analytics report
Professional: $800/month ⭐ Most Popular
- 20 posts per month
- Content strategy development
- Community management
- Bi-weekly strategy calls
Premium: $1,200/month
- Everything in Professional
- Paid ad management
- Influencer outreach
- Weekly performance reviews
Notice how the premium is only $400 more but offers significantly more value? This makes the middle option feel like a steal.
Step 6: Handle Your Money Like a Pro
Protect Your Income
Payment Terms That Work:
- 50% upfront for new clients (projects under $1,000)
- Net 15 payment terms for established relationships
- Clear late payment fees in every contract
Payment Methods That Actually Work:
- Wise: Great exchange rates, low fees
- PayPal: Widely accepted (higher fees but worth it for security)
- Payoneer: Popular with remote workers
- Direct bank transfer: For long-term clients
The Contract Essentials
Every project needs:
- Clear scope and deliverables
- Payment schedule
- Revision limits
- Timeline and deadlines
- What happens if someone wants to cancel
Pro tip: Use simple contract templates. They don’t need to be fancy, just clear.
Real Success Stories (Because You Need to See It’s Possible)
Case Study: Maria from Lagos
Before: $200/month doing data entry
After: $2,800/month as a virtual business manager
What changed: Maria realized small business owners don’t just need tasks done – they need someone to help them stay organized and focused. She positioned herself as a “business operations specialist” instead of a general VA.
Case Study: David from Nairobi
Before: $300 websites on Fiverr
After: $3,000-5,000 per website
What changed: David stopped selling “websites” and started selling “online systems that generate leads.” Same skills, different positioning, 10x the income.
The lesson: It’s not about working harder – it’s about solving bigger problems.
Your 30-Day Action Plan (Because Plans Without Action Are Just Dreams)
Week 1: Foundation
- Calculate your target income and hourly rate
- Choose 2-3 job platforms to focus on
- Take or arrange a professional profile photo
- Write your positioning statement
Week 2: Profile Power
- Create optimized profiles with results-focused descriptions
- Upload portfolio pieces that show transformations
- Join relevant professional groups and communities
- Set up proper payment methods
Week 3: Research and Connect
- Research 20 ideal potential clients or companies
- Send 5 personalized connection requests on LinkedIn
- Apply for 3 quality job postings (not quantity, quality)
- Engage meaningfully in online communities
Week 4: Follow Up and Refine
- Follow up on applications and connections
- Track what’s working and what isn’t
- Adjust your approach based on responses
- Set up systems for ongoing lead generation
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: The difference between struggling freelancers and successful ones isn’t talent – it’s mindset.
Struggling freelancers think: “I hope someone will hire me”
Successful freelancers think: “I wonder which of these opportunities is the best fit”
Struggling freelancers ask: “What’s the lowest price they’ll accept?”
Successful freelancers ask: “What’s this worth to their business?”
Your location isn’t holding you back – your beliefs about your location are.
Let’s Be Real About What This Takes
I’m not going to lie to you – this isn’t magic. It takes:
- Consistency: Showing up even when you don’t feel like it
- Patience: Good opportunities take time to develop
- Resilience: You’ll face rejection (we all do)
- Investment: Sometimes you need to spend money to make money
But here’s what it gives you back:
- Freedom: Work from anywhere with wifi
- Control: Choose your clients and projects
- Growth: Your income potential is unlimited
- Impact: Solve real problems for real people
Your Success Starts With Your Next Decision
Right now, you have two choices:
Choice 1: Close this tab, go back to scrolling $5 job posts, and hope things magically improve.
Choice 2: Pick ONE strategy from this guide and take action this week.
The remote work opportunities are out there. Quality clients are looking for reliable people right now. The only question is whether you’ll position yourself to be found by them.
Your future self is counting on the decision you make today.
Ready to stop settling for scraps? Start with week one of the action plan above. Your $3,000+ months are waiting.
P.S. Found this helpful? I share more income-building strategies and real behind-the-scenes numbers at IncomeFlow.net. Because everyone deserves financial freedom – especially you.