You've just pointed out the key issue - taking the time to grow professional networks. As always, it's easier to sell services face-to-face and through someone

You've just pointed out the key issue - taking the time to grow professional networks. As always, it's easier to sell services face-to-face and through someone who already knows you than it is to go cold. As you're looking to do remote work, your competition will be the local dev shops. To be able to command $80+/hr, you'll need to provide proof that you're worth that amount to take on the risk of being remote. Look at referrals, look at testimonials, share your project communication process, put out side projects to showcase your quality of work, do everything you can to help people feel more comfortable that you will be able to deliver what you're charging for. Once you've done that, I'm convinced that you can go further than $80+/per person/per hour. It all boils down to trust and relationship (or rather the level of relationship you have with the person).