What’s on the iPod: Quiet Little Voices by We Were Promised Jetpacks
What a month it was, and what a month it is about to be. Our floors are done, furniture is starting to come back, and my work day doesn’t revolve around sanders and smelly varnishes.
What it does revolve around, and will for the next 18 days, is weddings. Two. We are nine days away from my daughter’s big day, and even though my part in planning is paying for a few things, there’s a lot to do. We picked up her dress at the salon last night (it’s getting real now!), and we’ll be finalizing everything and getting it sorted to be carted off to the venue. June 14th, she’ll be a married woman.
Then there’s the other wedding — my stepson’s wedding. June 21st is the day, but he’s having a rehearsal dinner here on the 20… for 80 people. Do you remember when rehearsal dinners were just those rehearsing and maybe their parents?
So not only do we have to get the house cleaned, we also have to get the deck and patio put in. I don’t see it being finished, but on its way would be excellent.
Meantime, this writer has to earn a living. It’s been tough with the noises going on, but I’ve already billed $1K for this month, so we’re on our way. Last month, despite the week of smells and the two weeks without a proper desk, I did okay. Here’s how it all shook out:
Queries:
I sent four. I scored no gigs, but they were sent later in May, so it’s too early to tell.
LOIs:
I lapsed a little on this, but I did send out about 22 this past month. A few inquiries, but nothing solid.
Social media:
I was able to get conversations going around a few article links of mine, and I connected with a few people directly on LinkedIn. I’m hopeful that down the road, these connections will turn into something.
Existing clients:
Four existing clients made up my entire earnings this past month. Two are editors and the other two are long-time clients. With just those four, I easily met my earnings target.
New clients:
Plenty of nibbles, but no new clients. Yet. I’m always confident someone will need a terrific writer.
Earnings:
It’s great when you can look at the invoices and say you’ve made it. This month, I hit my earnings goal easily. I didn’t go over it, which I’d hoped to do because of the summertime drought that’s about to happen, but I did okay.
Bottom line:
I’m going into summer in a precarious position. I didn’t market as heavily as I usually do because of the disruptions around me. That may not bode well for me when it comes to mid-July bill paying, but I have a few clients I’m approaching with ideas. Hopefully they will be accepted. Marketing is being bumped up considerably, too. I’ve started the month in full marketing mode, and I won’t stop until I have projects enough to meet my earnings goal and carry me into July. Weddings or not, I’m looking to work and earn amid the chaos.
Writers, how did you do in May?
Were there any surprises?
What worked? What didn’t?
Leave a Reply