What I’m reading: Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
What’s on the iPod: Look Around by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Yesterday I asked everyone what they thought freelancers needed in order to adopt a better freelance mindset. Wow. Such great ideas! I thought it might be nice to examine each one. Today’s comes from Cathy Miller, super blogger, super writer, and super friend. She even spelled it out in big letters: PERSEVERANCE.
Let’s take my current marketing efforts as an example. I’m slogging through a conference exhibitor list, locating the right person to contact (or any person, in some cases), sending out emailed letters of introduction, and trying to arrange meetings while at the conference. Some days I get no response whatsoever. Other days I’m still sending out notes as the responses are coming in.
Why perseverance matters — If I’d let last year’s results dictate my marketing, I may not have bothered this year. While I did get five appointments lined up, only one company eventually gave me any work, and it was just enough to pay for the conference. I heard a lot more silence from those I’d attempted to contact than I received any positive response.
This year, I decided to continue on what I felt was a great first-time success rate. (Okay, I’m optimistic to a fault.) So I started six months ago, and made sure to follow up every six weeks with the people I’d contacted, plus I added more people to my list each week or so.
The results: Right now I have 12 meetings lined up and six “Sure, stop by our booth” invitations to follow up on. Two are with clients I’m already in negotiations with.
Plus I’m going to more hospitality suites and parties to increase the mingling. The goal is name/face recognition.
Each day, things are going to look different. Monday, I couldn’t get anyone to respond to my emails. Yesterday, there were seven responses. If I’d let Monday’s results dictate, I’d have given up too soon.
Also, results from year to year will vary. Last year, we all struggled through a bland economy or our clients’ perceptions of the economy, as the case may be. This year, things are different.
Where has perseverance paid off for you?
First off, Lori, did you realize how hungry your book and song make me? Tortillas and hot chili peppers – throw in an avocado and I'm a happy girl.
Perseverance helped me land one of my longest-running gigs. Out of the blue I decided to send an LOI and clip package to a couple of industry behemoths, despite not knowing if they ever even used freelancers. A publicist gave contact names at both places. I mailed folders with my LOI, résumé, and lots of relevant clips. (Hey, this was nearly a decade ago!) No replies. I followed up. One editor said she'd received my clips, loved them and would be in touch. The other editor said he hadn't received them yet, asked if I could re-send. He called with an assignment the same day my package arrived.
The other editor called a day or so later, hoping to assign something, but she was too late. As direct competitors, neither one will hire a freelancer who also works for the competition.
Finding Nemo popped into my head. Just keep swimming… as Dory would say. Until they say no, you still have a chance to land that big client. It's the line between being a pest and being persistent that you must consider.
Wow-arrive late to the party and I'm featured. 🙂 Thanks for the shout-out, Lori.
For me, without a doubt, perseverance has kept me going in this new career. I left a successful corporate career at the height of the recession and had plenty of insecure moments.
But, when I had my aha moment that I was really in this for the long-haul, it powered up my perseverance. No matter what, this is what I want so I need to Just do it. I stopped making the excuses, and (mostly) set the doubt aside. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day. 🙂
I've seen my business grow and I am happier and healthier than I've ever been. I know if I persevere through the roadblocks, my journey continues. And that's a good feeling.
I learned the art of perseverance while marketing my novel. 40 agent and 1 publisher submission later, I have an offer…with the publisher. Go figure. But I'm really glad I didn't stop.
After reading Cathy's comment, something else struck me.
I have a very dear friend who is also a freelance writer, but because her livelihood doesn't depend on being paid, she is pretty lax when it comes to pursuing work. She knows the monthly bills will be covered even if she doesn't land a single assignment. Occasionally she marvels at how much work I have and says, "Yeah, I probably should send out some queries or something soon."
Like Cathy alluded to, some of us don't have an option. We just do it.
There's no motivation like a looming tax payment.!
Sorry for your hunger pangs, Paula. 🙂
Just keep swimming, Wade… LOL Loved that movie.
Great epiphany moment, Cathy. Mine came when Ms. Kristen King said to me "You have to treat this job like it's your only option." Lightbulb moment. 🙂
Damn, Charlotte! That's perseverance! Congratulations!!
Amen, Paula. Tax time makes me work harder. LOL
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