Stacy, start something today. New moon. Trust me – things are easy to start today. And it gets you right back up on the bike.

Monica, that hurts. I had that happen once. I found it a week later and naturally, the job was gone.

Every prospect I’ve approached; every proposal I’ve submitted, every followup- total time-waster. I lose every job because clients are looking for super-cheap rates that used to be considered entry-level a year or two ago.

We’re talking decent-sized companies – and the rates I’m quoting are not outrageous: they’re about mid-range based upon most major markets.

So you do all the marketing legwork: mail, phone, in-depth proposals – and still have nothing tangible to show for so many hours of effort.

Okay: pity party now over: thanks for letting me vent!

Thanks for the pep talk!

Go get ’em, Amanda!

Melissa, it makes me cringe to think that once, I myself took a few of those jobs. What was I thinking?

To Devon: Thinking of you! Hope things get better for you.

Kimberly, there you are. It’s the idea that some people use job boards as a MAIN source of work that bugs me. I too have found good work there, but I can tell you the majority of my great gigs have come from my own marketing.