Happy birthday to my youngest bairn! Today she is 23 and a lovely young woman she is. Both she and her brother make their mom proud.
I’m glad last week is over. Every bit of technology I touched went wonky. I’m hoping the weekend “reset” my abilities. If it were only that easy.
Hard to believe, but it’s that time again. This month, I’m not anxious about the assessment. It was beyond expectations. I had a ton of work come in the first week and into the second week, which kept me busy through last week. Last week, I did a lot of sitting idle, but that gave me time to hit the marketing hard and get some writing done on a personal project. Plus I had time to wrangle with technology. It won. For now.
So here’s this month in a nutshell:
Queries:
I sent out eleven new queries and resent about six older ones. Also, I tweaked a few and sent them to other markets. One query came back already in assignment form. The others were sent not that long ago, so it’s too soon to tell. One magazine I’ve sold to has now received three queries from me. Each time I have to beg an answer, and each time it’s a short “no thanks.” Wondering what went wrong there. On to the next…
Job postings:
I may have responded to one (honestly can’t remember), but I did more ad posting than ad responding. Instead of trolling past $5-an-article gigs, I created my own ads and placed them locally.
Existing clients:
Amen for the clients who love me. I had not one, but seven articles to finish for one magazine. Other client gigs included a website rewrite, a catalog project, a press release, plus the ongoing blog post gig. I saw a beloved client’s work drop off considerably, which is upsetting. I really enjoy working with her. Still, she’s relaunched a new brand and there’s hope.
New clients:
The conference attendance is about to pay off. I was contacted Friday by one of the folks I’d met with, and a project is headed my way. Also, I’m still courting another client whose schedule must be insane, for she’s wanting to talk but not answering emails. The call will go out this week to her.
I was playing email roulette with a potential client, but he was being too dodgy on the facts (like what his name was and where he was located). I grew tired of playing, so I gave him my price. He vanished from my in box, but reappeared on a forum I frequent – soliciting for writers. Whatever. Not my client. My client doesn’t mind paying a fair rate for excellent work.
Earnings:Here’s why Lori is smiling this month. I billed 68 percent more than what my monthly target is. I came very close to billing more than double, but an expected project was pulled.
Bottom line:
It’s true what they say about 80 percent of your sales coming from 20 percent of your clients. Every ounce of work I got in came from existing clients. I managed to reach out to a few new clients (nearly all of the queries went to new-to-me publications), and I’m checking back with conference folks hoping that they’re in their post-summer work mode.
I’m continuing the daily marketing. It’s working. Plus I’m continuing the networking. Many of September’s assignments came from folks who contacted me – not the other way around.
How did you do in September? What seems to be working for you?
It's times like this that I love that you do this little accountability exercise, Lori. 🙂
September was my best month yet in terms of receipts and the 3rd quarter blew all others away, despite August being absolutely dismal. There was a lot going on in August, just not much coming in (mostly due to a large project with a client dragging their feet).
But, what it shows is hang in there because sooner or later it pays off. Isn't that a metaphor for freelancing? 🙂
Hi Lori.
Glad you rebounded!
I, too, had a great month. That's my second month in a row with 50 percent more earnings than my average for the first half of the year.
I got almost all of it through existing clients, but it's helped to have that new client who first contacted me, then went radio silent, and then got back in touch. They're pleased with my work, and that's gratifying.
Also have a telephone call on Wednesday to talk to a potential new client about providing regular copy for their redesigned online magazine. However, I'm guessing that my medical "issues" may spook them and they'll prefer to have someone who can absolutely promise that there will be no complications in meeting their deadlines.
I've already informed them of my surgery and post-surgical treatment, and they still want to talk. So maybe I'll be wrong. We'll see.
We'll also see how my earnings are affected by surgery and chemo in the coming months. Hope that's not another kick in the head!
Cathy, that's our motto! LOL
Isn't it great to have something that nice to report? 🙂 I will say this – keeping up this monthly assessment has caused me to track more closely what I'm doing. I can see much more easily what's working and what isn't. Plus it's a visual reminder of how much I actually did versus how much I think I did. 🙂
Good for you Lori, that sounds like an excellent month. I like where things are going. I sold a piece last month and queried the same publication and got another yes. Maybe, this will turn into a beautiful relationship. I'm taking it slow for now as teaching is taking up much of my time, but I feel I'm headed in the right direction.
You're right Lori – the monthly assessments help me see what is and isn't working, and adjust my approach as needed.
After roughly four weeks of virtually no paying assignments (mid-August to mid-September I had one, count it one, quick, piddly $250 editing assignment) work finally began picking up in late September – naturally I got that pesky cold which is still trying to hang on in the form of congestion, hoarseness and a cough. I'm working through the cold, so it is no excuse for my dismal assessment:
Queries: Sent seven well-targeted queries and followed up on one query and one LOI. Following up on the LOI netted me an immediate offer of an assignment.
Job Postings: Responded to two legit postings in my areas of expertise, too soon to know if either will pan out.
Existing clients: The weekly paper I write my column for finally got current, so I sent in a column. (they've now paid for that, so I'll knock another out for them today). Picked up two quick assignments for Favorite Editor. One has already been turned in (she said it was the first article anyone turned in for the new issue), and I'll have the other one done by tomorrow. (Another reason she's my favorite editor? After excerpting a new book about the founder of The Weather Channel, she sent me the book.)
I also followed up on the chronic late-payer, instituting my new plan of throwing their own words back at them (they said in writing that they pay 30 days after invoices are accepted). I told them that's a long time t o wait, but is acceptable if and only if they actually pay at that time. I told them a "standard 10% late fee" will be added if payment is not made by October 1. They claim to have mailed my payment on Friday. We'll see.
New Clients: I recently added two new magazines to my roster. Both via LOIs. The first editor loved the running list of ideas I sent her for the piece due in November so I know I'm heading inthe right direction; the other new client is the editor who responded immediately after I followed up on the LOI I'd sent her. I hope these are the first of many assignments for each of these magazines.
Earnings: Blech. About 1/3 of my modest monthly goal. Unacceptable.
Bottom line: If the new clients can become regular clients, and if late-payer can be trained to pay me on time (even by their standards), I might be able to set the thermostat higher than 62 this winter!
Has the spam folder eaten my post again?!
I saved you from spam, Gabriella! You'll be happy to hear that I'm in the process of moving the whole thing to WordPress. 🙂
Prayers and hugs, doll. If you need someone to jump in and give you a hand on the projects, just shout. I'm right here. You might even pitch it to them that you do have backup. There are plenty of us here who would help.
Wade, you're getting closer to that leap, aren't you? Good for you!
Paula, you have everything in line – now reel 'em in, sister!
A note to Gabriella – Lori's right about having a back-up plan in place. When my sister (a freelance graphic designer) was in your situation, she had a trusted graphic design friend lined up and assured her clients that all of her sub's work would be approved by her before it was submitted. I think the only thing she had him help out with were a couple minor projects. She never missed a deadline or had to turn down any projects.
With a substitute writer waiting in the wings to pitch in if necessary, hopefully you won't miss out on any assignments while you focus on the important thing: getting healthy.
Good luck with your surgery, treatment and recovery!
Thanks, Lori and Paula!