What’s on the iPod: Temporary Ground by Jack White
Three articles in four days — yes, it can be done. I finished a 2K-word piece yesterday around noon. That made a total of 4,200 words for the week in just client work. I might even take today off.
I was embarrassed to find out that I’d totally missed giving my June assessment. If Paula hadn’t mentioned it, I’d not have noticed. More embarrassing — I earned so little that month that it could look like I’d done it on purpose. Look, two weddings, plus a rehearsal dinner (for 80 people) here at the house the very day the deck/patio construction is finished — I just forgot. However, I’m a woman of my word. So guess what you’re getting this month? Two reports.
Monthly Assessment: June 2014
Let’s shorten this a bit — my earnings sucked. I didn’t even break $1K. I hardly worked thanks to the nuptial chaos, so I’m not surprised. I marketed, but not much. Bottom line: it wasn’t a month I want to repeat. I’ll remember it if only to prevent the same result in the future.
Monthly Assessment: July 2014
Better. Even though this is typically a slow month, I shot off a few magazine queries and managed to come close to my earnings target. Here’s what I did:
Queries:
I sent out five ideas. Three sold. Not bad. One idea went to a household-name market, so I didn’t expect to get any love. However, my plan is to continue sending ideas and gain their attention (and possibly their trust).
LOIs:
Twenty went out the door by the end of the month. Not my usual volume, but I turned my attention to social media a little, which did pay off. More later. The LOIs hit home with three potential clients, two of whom are still talking to me. We’ll see.
Social media:
A quick note to a contact resulted in an ongoing conversation about projects the company needs help with. Nothing sewn up yet, but I’m hopeful. I sent out a few quick “available” mentions, and retweeted some published article links.
Job postings:
I went there. Normally, you know I don’t like job postings, but when they’re vetted like the ones at Jenn Mattern’s All Indie Writers, I’m more inclined to spend a little time sending out my portfolio. Plus I found some local companies needing contract help, so I got in touch. In all, I sent out seven notes. Two responses, and neither one paying enough to warrant my attention. One is a possibility. I have to decide if the pay matches the effort.
Existing clients:
My favorite client came by with a project last week, and there are a few more in line for August/September. Also, some of my favorite editors are still keeping me busy.
New clients:
Like I said, I’m in talks with a few potential clients. Nothing concrete, but the conversations are ongoing.
Bottom line:
June bit me squarely in my assets. I knew it, couldn’t get the usual workload in the pipeline, wouldn’t have had the time even if I did secure the projects, and my bank account felt it. Luckily, nearly all the kids are married off and we won’t be having this dueling-weddings drama again.
July turned out better than I could have hoped given that it’s usually the slowest month of the year for me. I was able to get close to my target — within $1,200. Not superb, but I’ll take it.
Writers, how were June and July for you?
What are your toughest months? Do you notice any cycles where one month is slower than another?
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