What I’m reading: Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck
What’s on the iPod: You Don’t Know How it Feels by Tom Petty
What a weekend. For the first time in ages, I had a project to complete by today. Since the client is a favorite client, I was happy to be able to help them out of a tight situation.
Thanks to that project, October’s earnings took a nice climb. Just in time for my monthly assessment, too.
Here we go.
Queries:
Between poetry and magazine queries, I sent out just over a dozen queries. No acceptances, but it’s still early by query standards. Many of the poetry queries are months from any decision. So I’ll keep sending, and I won’t wait for answers.
LOIs:
I sent out just under 30 of these. There’s a trade show about to happen, so I didn’t expect any fast responses, but I’ve set it up so that I can send reminders two weeks after the show. One LOI has netted me an invitation to reach out to the client this week. I intend to do just that.
Social media:
I’ve been off social media for the most part. A large project had my time occupied, but I did get active on LinkedIn forums and with a profile update. I’ve been reaching out via LI to some contacts in hopes of profiling them on my risk management blog.
Job postings:
I made the mistake of applying to one contract job. It was a mistake because once I did, I was inundated by offers from way too many insurance companies wanting me to be a producer. Thanks, Monster. I should have been given a chance to opt-in to that kind of spam. And thanks also for making it tough to locate just where to hide your resume from view. Won’t be applying to any jobs that way again.
Existing clients:
Two existing clients were the bulk of my earnings this month. One is a newer client, and the project is all but finished. The second client is one I’ve worked with in years past, so I’m happy to be back on their radar. Also, the first client has another big project they intend to start this month, so I hope November is just as busy. In other news, a client got in touch, but has yet to get back in touch with the projects they’re needing. I have to follow up this week.
New clients:
Right now I am in conversation with two new clients. Hopefully something will be finalized this month.
Earnings:
Not bad at all. I’m just slightly off the target, but had one of those other projects/clients come through, I’d have surpassed the goal quite easily. There’s always November!
Bottom line:
October was busy with one project and a few smaller things. It could have been busier, but I was happy to have the time to devote to a new client. I think we’re a good match, too. I didn’t market as much as I normally do, so I have to ramp that up this week.
Writers, how did you do last month?
How often do you market and for how long each time?
October was my highest income month of the year. Admittedly, part of that was carryover from September (Sept-billed invoices received in Oct). But since I met my target in September, too, I'm a happy camper.
One long-time client has had more projects than usual, especially this time of the year.I had two new clients. One would be a feather in the cap to keep (although their payment speed is not the greatest). The other was a small project but simple & enjoyable to do.
I continue to receive assurances from a former client who I had an ongoing gig with until they hired someone new and neglected to tell her about me. The new person thanked me for "nudging" her and says she will contact me soon for their quarterly newsletter.
I reconnected with a LI group and have had some interesting discussions. Hoping something comes from that. Continue to connect with an industry expert who is consulting and has long talked about future collaboration. I also have been doing a regular email campaign. No nibbles yet but hope springs eternal.
I leave next week for San Diego so I am particularly happy with October as I will be gone for two weeks and then we roll into the holidays. I'll be meeting up with existing clients and a couple of prospects while in San Diego.
All-in-all, life is good. 🙂
Cathy, walk proudly in San Diego!
Sounds like you're going to have a great finish to the year! I hope for the same. There's a promised project, though I'm hoping they don't push it back. I'm marketing like it's not coming in, so I hope there will be work somewhere.
I'm this month's poster girl for why you shouldn't slow down on marketing when you're super busy. After an intense couple of months, work slowed down in the last half of October, so most of the queries, LOIs and job listing replies below have been done in the past week or so.
Queries & LOIs: Sent three queries (one included multiple ideas), sent two LOIs built around some great clips that were published in October. One of the queries has already netted an assignment.
Social Media: Not sure if it falls under social media, but I started building my Contently portfolio, so I can include one URL to multiple articles in future queries. Added a couple more people to my LinkedIn connections.
Existing clients: Sent one article to Favorite Editor, wrote two columns, and wrote 46 executive listings for yet another industry Best Of list. I ran into a former résumé client at a grocery store, she said she'll be in touch soon for a résumé for her daughter and an update of her own résumé; she also said several co-workers will need résumés soon because a competing company is entering the local market early next year and they all want to apply. Picked up two article assignments from a local client, and one from one of my queries.
New Clients/Referrals: Another former résumé client sent a former co-worker of his to me, and as soon as she gathers her information I'll do a résumé for her.
Job Listings: replied to two. No response.
Earnings: Not too bad, only about $120 below my modest monthly goal. But the invoices I currently have out (the largest won't be paid until late December) equal more than double that modest monthly goal.
BL: Even if I don't pick up any more assignments that will pay by the end of the year, my gross income will be higher than last year. But that doesn't mean I can slack off with the marketing.