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Helping You to Make Money Online in Kenya

How Tom earned $2,600 in October 2018 doing freelance writing jobs

Last Updated on July 26, 2019 By Walter Akolo 44 Comments

Tom's high paying client

Tom’s October 2018 payment in BTC. At that time, this converted to KSh. 260k (or USD 2,600).

What’s your biggest win right now?

Mine is the story of one of my trainees – Tom Nyarunda. He’s now getting high paying clients.

He sent me an email on Saturday that has been in my mind throughout the week. I just had to share his story.

Tom joined my freelance writing course in September 2017. He was very hardworking despite of the different challenges he faced.

Back then, he was earning Sh. 200 to Sh. 300 ($2-$3) per 500 words. He wanted to go way higher…

His aim was to start earning $100 a day

When he finished my course, he told me this:

This email came exactly 1 month after he finished the course. I usually follow up with all my students at that time to see how they’re doing.

As you see, Tom had moved from $2 to $3 per 500 words and by this time he was doing $25 per 1,000 words. He was well on his way to get high paying clients.

Impressive, right? You haven’t seen anything yet. There’s more.

Let’s go back to his goal; $100 per day. If you work for 26 days a month (daily excluding Sundays), that comes to $2,600 per month.

Exactly one year after the above email, Tom had hit this goal!

Tom earned 0.41BTC in October. That’s almost KES. 260,000 (2600 USD).

The above exchange rate applies at the time of writing this post (2nd Nov 2018). It may be different if you read it later.

And no, he did not use Upwork. His Upwork account was suspended.
Upwork suspended

He focused on my other methods to get direct clients. I’ll tell you exactly how below.

Meanwhile, here’s the email he sent me on Saturday, October 23rd 2018, one year after he finished my course.

Earning well as a freelance writer

Judging by the typos in his email above, I can tell he was writing in a hurry hehehe. Feels great to hit your goal. Even if it takes a year of hard work. The attachment he sent above is the very first image on this post if you scroll up.

Read on to see his actual writing on a site.

Here’s a breakdown of what he’s done

✔️ He used to do low paying $2 to $3 per 500 word jobs before joining the course last year.

✔️ After the course, he focused on the sizzling hot 🔥 cryptocurrency niche, just like my other 6 (KES) figure trainee Johnson Gitonga Nderi

✔️ He wrote for Cryptosumer. That’s where he learnt about this niche.

✔️ In September, he earned approx. KES 120k ($1,200). He got the job from Reddit.

✔️ He also gets writing gigs from Listiller and Crypto Jobs.

✔️ He made the $2,600 writing for Blockchain Reporter.

✔️ He’s started writing for Block Explorer. See his article here 

✔️ His rates are now between $0.08 per word to $0.15 per word ($40 to $75 per 500 words).

I like saying this about successful trainees

I’m not the one who made them successful. It’s first God. Then the trainee himself/herself.

I give them the promised information (training and in-depth mentorship). They then push hard to get results.

There’s no success without effort.

Tweet: There's no success without effort. https://ctt.ac/U3844+ via @freelancerkenya

You’re free to follow in Tom’s footsteps above.

If you need in-depth guidance and mentorship, you can always get info about my course here.

God bless you.

What’s your big win? Please share in the comments. I love reading success stories!

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About Walter Akolo

I'm a freelance writer, blogger, trainer, and internet marketer. My joy is to see you making money online. Feel free to browse around and leave a comment. I strive to reply to all queries. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter .

Comments

  1. Douglas says

    June 22, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    I must say Tom’s story is really very inspiring. I’m doing the course and I have encountered some challenges but this story has given me the resolve to perceiver. With determination am sure I will make it. Thanks Walter.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      July 16, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      Yes, Douglas! It’s very inspiring. With hard work and dedication, you can make it.

      Reply
  2. Maina Mwangi says

    December 12, 2019 at 9:09 pm

    Hello Walter, your content and training never disappoints. Tom’s story is a source of encouragement and a wake up call to all crypto enthusiast who do not know what to do with the vast knowledge they have in that space.
    After finishing your course late last year, I have been able to earn consistent income over 2019. However, the crypto space has been tough to enter. If you and Tom would be kind enough to create an article as how Kenyans can maneuver in such a space, that would be great.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      December 13, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      Hi Maina,

      Thanks for your kind words. It’s good you’ve been earning consistent income. Kudos!

      Entering the space is exactly as Tom put it. You’ll need to reach out and pitch to brands. He elaborated here https://freelancerkenya.com/money-online/freelance-writing-success/

      Reply
  3. Nancy says

    April 1, 2019 at 7:38 am

    Hi Walter thanks on the writing about Tom’s success story it really made me to have a wake up call because I started your training also in 2017 finished but was not consistent in my work if I was i know I could be competing with Tom. anyway its not too late I will continue where I left off thanks again. with God’s help see you at the top too.

    Reply
  4. Ken Arek says

    February 1, 2019 at 12:59 am

    how can i acquire an account and is involved

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      February 4, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      Hi Ken,

      This other post can help with account issues https://freelancerkenya.com/money-online/successful-freelancer/

      You can also try out the methods in this very post you’ve just read.

      Reply
  5. George Phabian says

    November 8, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Glad to be taking this training, l’m already learning a lot. l believe am the next to write his success story

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 8, 2018 at 11:23 am

      It’s a great pleasure training you, George.

      Reply
  6. frank says

    November 7, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    such An inspiration i value the zeal of the guy,i also like the way Walter you encourage people with your emails.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 7, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      Thanks Frank. Yes, the zeal here is amazing. I looooove seeing people succeed.

      Reply
  7. Lexie says

    November 6, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    What an encouraging story! It’s testimonies like these that push me when I am ready to give up. Thanks Walter for sharing.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 6, 2018 at 9:15 pm

      Never give up Lexie. You can do so much.

      Reply
  8. Fridah says

    November 5, 2018 at 10:34 pm

    Wow!! What an encouraging story this is!! Walter you always make me feel truly humbled by the things you do for us. More success stories loading…….. hehehe

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 5, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks Fridah. Sure, more loading. Seeing people succeed gives me indescribable joy.

      Reply
  9. paul says

    November 5, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    This is the reason I keep encouraging people to look for you, subscribe for your courses. I always follow your posts as you are doing an amazing job….Waiting to be mentored want to be an internet marketer soon I’ll be knocking your door

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 5, 2018 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks Paul.

      Keep them coming.

      Internet marketing is great.

      Lots of work but can have amazing results when done well.

      Reply
  10. Grace Ngari says

    November 5, 2018 at 10:48 am

    Wow! This is so inspiring. Sounds surreal. I am a Translator but would like to venture into writing. I will contact you soon to enroll in your training course.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 5, 2018 at 3:40 pm

      Hey Grace,

      Cool. Looking forward.

      Thank you.

      Reply
  11. Grace JUDY says

    November 4, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    Hi Walter am really looking for the fee hoping by end month I will get it. Have been following you keenly and I believe I will make it.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 5, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      Hi Grace,

      No worries. It will be a pleasure seeing you succeed in this.

      Reply
  12. kellen says

    November 4, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    An inspiration indeed. I have just started my course with you and hope to celebrate my success soon.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 4, 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Thanks Kellen. Do your very best. You can meet and even exceed that income.

      Reply
  13. David says

    November 3, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    A real inspirational story! Still amazed on reading Tom’s journey! Thanks Walter for being a great mentor! Looking forward to joining your course. God bless

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 3, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      Inspiring indeed. Tom has come a long way. You can get there too. God bless immensely.

      Reply
  14. VIRGINIAH. says

    November 3, 2018 at 7:44 am

    Hey Walter,

    That is so encouraging. I just finished my training with you and I really appreciate how you focus on someone. You train so well and always willing. You want to see all of your students make it and may you be blessed.
    Even if i have not had any client yet i believe i will be the next to share my inspiring story here.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 3, 2018 at 9:26 am

      Hey Virginiah,

      Thank you so much. Yes, my goal is to see people succeed.

      Keep learning and implementing. Never hesitate to ask when stuck.

      It will be a great pleasure to soon share your success story.

      Many thanks,

      Walter

      Reply
  15. Carol Mtange says

    November 2, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Walter, Tom’s story has really inspired me. I’ve been procrastinating to enroll for your course for the longest time I can remember and I can’t any more. I will be taking your course soonest. Thanks for mentoring all the people who read your posts, including me. I will be talking to you next week.

    Regards,
    Carol

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      Hi Carol,

      I’m glad it has inspired you.

      And it will be an absolute pleasure training you.

      Next week it is.

      Many thanks,
      Walter

      Reply
  16. James Nguma says

    November 2, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    Hello Walter, this is so inspirational. I’m willing to train with you and even celebrate as he has with you as soon as I get there. Thing is, I come from a very humble background and you surely need to prove that the 4k fee won’t be in vain. I’ve been following you and hustling since September and I got the fee now. Kindly allow me to contact you on phone soon enough so that I can start my success story. Congratulations to him and may God bless you

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      Hi James,

      Thanks for your comment.

      Sure, I’d like you to only join if you feel it will be of value to you.

      Please check exactly what you’ll receive here https://freelancerkenya.com/training

      You can WhatsApp or text me at 0720754933.

      God bless you too immensely.

      Reply
  17. Tobias Kumwenda says

    November 2, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    I will be the next Tom. I am in last week of traning. Surely the course content is superb. Potential benefits outweight the fee paid.

    With the knowledge gained so far, I have been able to set up my own writer’s blog http://www.freelancermalawi.com

    I encourage those of you who are dreaming of becoming professional freelance writers to please register for the course even without consulting your grannies :). The benefits are amazing.

    Receive my greetings from Malawi, Tom.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks Tobias. Glad to see how far you’ve gone. Keep doing your best. Pass my regards to your people in Malawi.

      Reply
  18. Sylvia Nkatha says

    November 2, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    Tom’s story is really inspiring. His persistency is amazing. I’ll try and emulate the same.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 4:38 pm

      Please do, Sylvia. Do your very best. You can really go far.

      Reply
  19. Tali says

    November 2, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Hi Walter… The story is quite inspiring… Used to be a transcriber but would like to shift to writing… Will contact you soon for training.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 4:37 pm

      Hi Tali,

      That’s great. I’ll be happy to train you.

      Reply
  20. George Asigoh says

    November 2, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    A motivating piece indeed.

    Reply
  21. Rachel says

    November 2, 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Hi Walter,

    Thanks for this email. Its quite motivating; its a real push-forward. Its true it requires hardwork and nothing comes on a silver plate. I also love my progress in writing. At least I have been top-rated on upwork and that’s my big win. Hoping to get my first direct client. I find these sites discouraging. Anytime they offer a well paying job its for natives. Those that are not for natives are lowly paid. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Rachel,

      Thanks for your comment.

      Congratulations on becoming top-rated in Upwork. That’s a great achievement.

      They don’t only offer high paying jobs for native English writers. I’ve gotten many who hired me using my very African profile. In fact, I even use some of the posts in this site (FreelancerKenya) as samples. Clients literally see “Kenya” on the name and know I’m African. That doesn’t stop them from paying me well.

      Don’t let anything discourage you or hold you back. Keep sending those awesome proposals and looking for direct clients.

      I know you can make it.

      Reply
  22. Ann says

    November 2, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    Hello Walter. My biggest win for the month is that I was able to train myself how to transcribe, did the QA test and passed. I haven’t undertaken any assignment yet because I want to master their FAQ and then dig my skills in to the job.

    I am also writing different articles one every day and giving them out to a friend who is correcting me and my everyday is a learning experience.

    Thank you for giving hope to those who were once hopeless.

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      Hi Ann,

      Good to know that. Congrats on passing the QA test. Don’t take too long to start though. Just take a day to master those FAQs then get started.

      I’m happy your writing is improving as well. Go for the awesome clients and learn more on the job. You can use the tips shared by Tom above.

      Reply
  23. Mohrewkey says

    November 2, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    An inspiring story indeed..

    Reply
    • Walter Akolo says

      November 2, 2018 at 2:37 pm

      True Mohrewkey. I’m glad Tom agreed to share.

      Reply

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