Monthly Assessment: November 2013

What’s on the iPod: Burn by Usher

I thought December would be quiet, but it’s turning out a bit busier than expected. I met with a new client last week and I have to get some ideas out to another client by Friday. Even if the work doesn’t arrive in December, it will be there in spades come January.

Today will be spent marketing, updating my poetry blog, getting together some updates for my website, and giving the business plan another review. Today is also another chance to check in with you, my accountability partners, and let you know how I did against my goals.

Here’s how November ended for me:

Queries:
I sent out 3 last month. So far, nothing from the queries to magazines. Not unexpected — they’re new-to-me publications, and I suspect their budgets are gone for the year. I’ll follow up the middle of this month.

LOIs:
I sent out over a dozen LOIs. Because the conference is in April, I’m starting now with getting in touch. I don’t expect to hear from anyone this month, but it positions me well for follow-up contact in January. I did notice an increase in the number of people viewing my LinkedIn profile, so that’s a good side benefit.

Existing clients:
Once again, the bulk of my work came from those who have been happy with my previous work. Right now I’m working with three such clients, one who got in touch again after a two-year hiatus. I’m excited to be working with them again as they are among my favorite people.

New clients:
I met with a new client this past week to hear about his projects and how I might help. We’re almost to the NDA and contract stage, so I’m hopeful to get going either this month or into next month. Also have a few more contacts to put in my pocket thanks to social media and phone conversations.

Earnings:
It was a slightly disappointing month for me despite all the work. A pricier project wasn’t completed in time to count toward November, so I’m at half my intended goal. No matter — that will make December even sweeter.

Bottom line:
Keep contacting potential clients, keep talking to current and past clients — that’s how I’ll pull out a December miracle. I let a huge project that ended in October suck up all my time, and I’m paying for it now in the form of fewer projects than I’d like. Not horrible, but not my best, for sure.

How was November for you? What worked? What didn’t? How will you find work in December?