I have 15 years of freelancing following 25 years working for big companies, including tech companies. > I’ve asked both Claude and ChatGPT, and they agree tha

I have 15 years of freelancing following 25 years working for big companies, including tech companies. > I’ve asked both Claude and ChatGPT, and they agree that finding contracts in the range of $150–$200 per hour should be realistic. Not reliable sources. I would call those rates realistic for established freelancers with in-demand skills, extensive business domain expertise, and a network of professional contacts. Rates vary a lot by city/region, the business sector, and supply and demand. Rates have little to do with what you describe as a “skill set.” > What are the best ways to find $200/hour contracts? Do companies typically post these, or is it more about networking? Mostly word of mouth and referrals. Freelancers in that price range get work by reputation. The gigs you find online — Upwork and Fiverr — I call piecework. Race to the bottom on price, too many people chasing the gigs, too much non-billable time, difficult to build long-term relationships. > how did you find your first clients, and what advice do you have for making the switch? Companies I used to work for, former colleagues and their professional contacts. I signed on with an agency ten years ago, they take care of the marketing and admin now. Maybe start with that kind of arrangement.