Hello. I, too, am content writer. I bring some experience to share.
(To note, were one to check: I keep my profile private for a variety of reasons.) I mention that simply to note this counsel is coming from a 7-year-experienced Upwork content writer. The rest of the stats are sizeable. That embarrassing introduction now completed.
Blog writing is one of the hardest categories to win work in.
The Upwork system has a large number of freelancers in this work venue. Your rate is "high" compared to many young U.S.-based writers trying to gain a toehold in the system. Then, there are offshore writers, who commonly charge $7 to $15 an hour. There are decent to good ones, and they simply live in different economic zones. A stronger market at your price point is website content writing. Another would be business information and marketing-sales "one pagers". Can you adapt your skills to this content venue? Surely so. You have a journalism degree and real-world business experience of importance.
Your portfolio is job-losing weak.
You have two portfolio pieces. The first is an unformatted Word doc that exhibits no characteristics that often enthuse prospective clients. This is strong: https://www.thepamlicoporch.com/blog/2018/11/30/bqazeaw1rk2k7an00syyvu9v6ch04w I love your writing style. Quietly beautiful. Wish I could write like that. That related, do you have more blog or formatted/illustrated pieces to share by URL? Your portfolio would be far stronger if you would put up 5, 10, 20...
Upwork is stocked wide and deep with content developers. Yet you have a journalism degree, real-world business experience of importance, and an obviously gifted writing style. $35 an hour is a good deal for that portfolio of experience and expertise.
Improve your portfolio. Assume blogging work will be sparse to none. Branch out into high-end marketing materials development. At your price point, you would clean my clock at $75 an hour for mid-tier writing work wins.
John.
