Where did you go, if I may ask? I'm also interested in alternatives.

I'm a freelance web developer and I found that what has worked best for me when I'm in a dry spell is finding people who are actively looking for freelancers on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

No one is going to show up to your website or Google you. You have to actively look for people who need someone now. I noticed that the ones who post on social media want to avoid terrible work that is generally associated with UpWork so you can negotiate good prices.

Send them a quick message to get the conversation started and see where it goes. It is a numbers game.

Any particular part of twitter? or is this just your list of followers.