I second that. "Don't go to freelancing platforms, reach out to your network and local companies" is only good advice if you happen to be in the social/geograph

I second that. "Don't go to freelancing platforms, reach out to your network and local companies" is only good advice if you happen to be in the social/geographical/economical environment that has plenty of opportunities. Local market in any of East European countries is far smaller than it is on Upwork, Fiverr et. al. and is highly unlikely to pay first world rates. One may say that freelancing platform encourage race to the bottom kind of dynamics. That is true to some degree, but for the most part that is a problem only if you are doing commodity work and primarily compete on price. There is a relatively obscure sub-economy in the world of freelancing platform with people doing professional services for professional rates even by the standards of the first world.