Yes, once again it’s time to bare our souls – or rather, our careers – to see how we’re doing on our way to freelance success. Like always, I’ll throw myself under the bus first in hopes you’ll follow. 😉
April – what can I say? Taxes had me crippled the first week and a half, but I did manage to score another client and a few more projects from existing clients. But I worked myself nearly sick for my regular client. Luckily, this month’s paycheck was ample payment for the added stress.
Queries –
I stuck with about 2-4 queries weekly, still not scoring any new work. My old stand-bys are still hiring me, but new magazines seem to be ignoring queries from untested writers. I could be wrong, but I think our window of opportunity is open just enough so that you can’t quite latch the window, you know?
Job postings –
I did respond to a few select job postings, but a few turned out to be more wrath-inducing and time-wasting than anything. You’ve already seen my latest encounter with one job poster and how plagiarism is being remarketed. I landed one blog gig from a company that is paying decently and instantly – I think I’ll love working with them.
Existing clients –
Amen for people who already love you and your work. Court them. Please them. Walk their dogs. Wash their cars. Appreciate them fully. I did ongoing work for two clients this month, which amounted to the majority of this month’s invoices. One was a note to the client asking about a slightly overdue invoice. Got the cash and three more assignments.
Earnings –
Better than expected. Still under the monthly $5K goal, but not by much. In fact, I came within a few hundred dollars of it. I feel pretty good about that.
Bottom line –
Increased marketing did help, but not much as I didn’t implement the brochure/postcard plan I’d set up (blame the IRS for sucking up the extra time). At the moment I have two key clients making up the majority of my income. That has to change. I need at least one more regular client, so May’s efforts will focus on locating a more regular, decent source of income.
How was your April? How many projects did you handle and how did that measure up to your income targets?
I’ll post it later today on the GDR site. I did better in April in some regards, but especially due to the new Macbook, which is making me far more productive. So May’s earnings should take a huge jump.
I’m giving serious consideration to a different computer. I have another one sitting next to the desk – a newer version of this old workhorse. I’m sure the processor is at least double the speed (this one is, oh my lord, 9 years old already?). I’m just so USED to things working that I don’t want to upset the balance.
Thanks for the encouraging post, Lori. It is nice to see that experienced writers also spend time on goal setting and self assessment. I’m just starting out as a freelance writer and editor. Right now I am dependent on my existing clients (people who hit me up as soon as they heard I was going freelance), and I’m working on branching out to new clients.
Good luck with your $5K goal. That is awesome! My goal is $1K, but it’s a start, right? And I made it two months in a row so far.
Thanks again, Lori, for being so open. Here’s my assessment.
1. Income–Weaker than my average month last year, but I’m holding my own. As I’ve said before, if I can make enough money to pay bills, the IRS, and save some each month, I’ll be happy this year. So far, I’ve been able to do that. Wish I could earn more, but that’s probably not in the cards this year.
2. New business–Totally dead. I’m not even looking at job postings anymore because they’re all crap. I’m doing well by pitching new ideas to existing clients, but I really need to add a new, solid client. I’m going to really start working on that in early May.
Please let this recession end.
Jennifer, that’s a great goal! I’m so glad you’ve set one. Just make sure to revisit it monthly and adjust to make sure you get there. 🙂
I hear you on the new business, Gabriella. It’s rather brutal right now, but I foresee a busy summer for all of us. 🙂
I did pretty well in April, especially for not really marketing at all. (Oops.) My regular clients are giving me tons of work and keeping me busy, though, so a little slacking off in the marketing department is okay for now. I know I need to get back into the habit of marketing regularly, though, so I’ll make that my goal for May.
I’m glad to hear you’re swamped Katharine! Let’s hope it becomes OUR pandemic. 🙂
Well, I don’t know about “swamped” — comfortable is probably a better word. Though I definitely needed it in April, between taxes and still playing catch up from taking 2 weeks off in March!
I’ll be back shortly after I actually complete my monthly billing. However, I believe April was a much better month than January through March. As a bonus, a lot of the projects I picked up toward the end of the month are slated to run through May and some even into June.
I no i’m the student/rookie who’s OUT of the workin world at the moment, but, hey, i had goals too, lol!!
And nope, I didnt meet em. Part of the plan was to locate the sofrware/hardware that I’d need to be effective in this industry, but instead, my laptop presented technical challenges that have me now using public resources (not happy at all). So that now has to be corrected. =D
Well, January through March you had the family stuff, didn’t you, Kathy? Hardly your fault things were slow.
Katharine, I like “comfortable.” 🙂
Ruthibelle, so you didn’t meet last month’s goals. Today’s your new start. 🙂 It’s never too late to set yourself back on track.