What’s on the iPod: Blunderbuss by Jack White
How was your weekend?
I finished last week feeling rather proud of myself. I worked on not one, but four client projects Friday alone. One is a client article, so that work is just beginning, but I did a little research and studied the company’s previous newsletters to make sure I would present it as they’re expecting it.
I received also an offer. Of employment. It came from a conference contact I’d made at last year’s conference. And it came out of the blue. I was shocked. I spent the weekend mulling it over, too. The universe has sent a total of three offers this month. I’m starting to think there’s a message there.
While I get that they want a full-time contract person, I think I can handle the job without a 40-hour-per-week commitment. I have so much other work I’ve cultivated that I can’t give them 40 hours a week if I wanted. What I do have to give them are the very hours they need me. I’m about to propose to them why that’s more cost-effective for them.
It’s that time again. Time to examine the hows and whys of the career and marketing. Let’s just say it was a slow month. Too much of it was spent ramping up for the conference, but given the immediate results already, I’m not going to hang my head in shame over it. In fact, I’m going to love reporting May’s activity.
But for now, we’re still in April. So here’s the deal:
Queries:
I sent a few to magazines, but not many, and none have netted anything yet. I knew it would be nuts pre- and post-show.
LOIs:
Just a handful — maybe six. I’d sent so many in March that by the time April got here, my dance card was full.
Existing clients:
I reached out to one client whose project is due to come in. I got the timing, so I know what my next few weeks will look like.
New clients:
This was my best category this month. Post-show I’ve heard from five clients wanting either immediate projects or proposals/further conversations about upcoming projects. Plus I got a note from the contact I’d made at the previous conference.
Referrals:
None this month.
Earnings:
Slim, but it’s what I expected. The companies and publications I work with were busy getting ready for the conference, which is the biggest one in the industry. My usual article ideas are still sitting on the desks of two editors.
I’m below half my target this month. Since I did so well the first three months of the year, I’m not worried at all. I had a lot saved that my IRA ate, but I’ve no immediate expenses to handle.
Bottom line:
There was no way to hit the marketing as hard as I did and get work in prior to the show. I wouldn’t change a thing because the long-term payoff promises to help me exceed my monthly goal for a number of months to come.
What about you? What did your efforts net this month?
It was slim pickins' for me as well this month in terms of income for a few reasons. One is slow-paying clients, which hasn't happened to me before – at least not this slow.
The other reason is I had some big projects, time-wise. The good news is there's invoices billed now that total more than all of April's income. There is a chance I could receive a check on this last day of April, which would bump the income up to an acceptable level.
For existing clients, I've got a call Wed. for another white paper, a change in scope for another gave me a bump in fee, and another is working towards another case study.
I'll be out of state for a family wedding for four work days in May. Mom is staying for a month to visit various family members so I am going to use my alone time to get cranking on some products I've been dragging my feet on.
May should be blooming. 🙂
Ugh. Again?
I sent maybe 8-10 queries to four or five editors. Sent two LOIs. And replied to two job listings last week – each one fit perfectly with my background, but no replies.
Existing clients have kept me busy: a series of short projects for one client; four "capsules" for another client; and one article each for two long-time clients (one of which will pay quickly, while the other won't pay for my previously published article until he needs me to turn in the new one). Also knocked out four columns.
Picked up a new client – a magazine I sent an LOI to last summer! They assigned me an article and sidebar due later this month. Mediocre pay rate compared to my top markets, but it should be a good clip in a specialized field.
Zero referrals.
My collected earnings were on target. Of course, had the late-payer paid in a timely fashion I would have had a great month. I already have invoices out totaling as much as I was paid in April, and will invoice about half that amount again within the next two weeks. (Of course, I have no way of knowing how quickly the new client will pay.)
As much as I like having invoices out, I much prefer having the checks clear.
I've got to find a conference to go to… great job Lori, great job.
Rock that May, Cathy!
Paula, I prefer the cleared checks, too. But still, there's something kind of comforting about knowing there's money about to arrive…
Anne, it's amazed even me. I never expected this kind of response so quickly.
Seriously, what Anne said. I've got to find some conferences to go to. Thanks for this idea, Lori. Hearing of your success with this has opened up my mind to the possibility.
As for this month, queries sent, none. Sent 8 LOIs, got positive response from 2 but no gigs yet. Existing clients, this is where all my income came from this month. New clients, none. Referrals, one which led to a conversation but nothing concrete yet. Beyond the above, also sent 8 targeted marketing touches. One has the real possibility of turning into something lucrative. Earnings were okay but this has been the worst earning month of the year so far. Hoping the marketing efforts will lead to more clients and much better May earnings.
Keep sending those LOIs, Ronda. Sounds like it's working for you!
If it helps, this wasn't my most stellar month earnings-wise, either. Here's to a fantastic May!