The key to success as a freelancer or consultant is relationships. If you're not making a personal connection with your clients, you're just a commodity - and there's always a cheaper commodity programmer available.
If the market rate in your area is 1000EUR/mo then you can get above market rates by being an above market candidate. A track record of working for top International brands, launching successful products, being known as the author of books on the subject etc. However, these rates will always max out at a certain level.
Start creating your own intellectual property, get involved with communities where your target audience hangs out, create a brand around yourself. When you're "the guy that wrote the book on {$niche_subject}", it doesn't matter where you live and you can compete in the top end of the International market rather than the top end of your local market.
If the market rate in your area is 1000EUR/mo then you can get above market rates by being an above market candidate. A track record of working for top International brands, launching successful products, being known as the author of books on the subject etc. However, these rates will always max out at a certain level.
Start creating your own intellectual property, get involved with communities where your target audience hangs out, create a brand around yourself. When you're "the guy that wrote the book on {$niche_subject}", it doesn't matter where you live and you can compete in the top end of the International market rather than the top end of your local market.