Maybe it was the dread leading up to April 15th, but this month seemed to drag for me. I was busy, but not with client work. We had company for ten days, then taxes in the middle of that visit. But the guests are gone (sadly) and the taxes are paid (thankfully).
This month’s earnings were off the mark as a result of the distractions. Not greatly off, but I’m feeling it this week. I’ll be glad to see some checks. Let’s see what the month looked like, shall we?
Queries:
I managed a few, though my paper tally is hiding on this desk somewhere. I sent out three notes to clients. Scored on all but one. The one has me scratching my head – I’m included in a collective email, but my direct emails aren’t answered. Not sure if that’s the sign of a busy person or someone who’s not interested. Either way, I’m not waiting. Business must move ahead.
Existing Clients:
My ongoing client’s projects continue. A few things came in on their own this month. One was my favorite client’s project, which was fun. Another was an editor coming to me with an article idea. And more work from a newer client that promises to keep me busy with ongoing projects. Yet another client contacted me on her annual project – one I’ve grown to really enjoy. That’s work scheduled for July. It makes me feel good knowing I’ll have something during the slow period.
New Clients:
Right now, no new clients this month. I’ve already stepped up efforts to get at least one more. That corporate client who contacted me last month hasn’t been back in touch. Then again, it hasn’t been three or four months. Corporate clients often shuffle work to and from the back burner. They’ll get in touch in due time. Meanwhile, I’m working on other things.
Earnings:
Thanks to an interruption mid-month, I’m off my earnings target by $1,900. But that’s okay – I had enough banked to pay all my tax bills and still have ice cream money left over.
Bottom Line:
I knew April would bring abbreviated earnings, but with the summer slow-down coming, I want to secure some new clients and maybe tap some existing clients to make sure the earnings goals are reached for May and beyond.
How was your April?
12 responses to “Monthly Assessment – April 2010”
April sucked on every level.
Let's hope May is better.
April was good to me. Got a bunch of new clients–some from trying to get new clients and some a complete surprise. I'm just trying to store my nuts for slow season.
April started off well, but slowed. In my world, summer is often the busy season, so it's not uncommon for there to be a brief lull before the work (fingers crossed, knocking on wood) floods in.
At the first of the year, I said I'd play along with the monthly assessments, so here goes:
I sent three queries, two of which were filled with multiple ideas, just the way my editor likes it. I also sent one LOI to a knitting magazine editor I "met" through a social networking site for knitters. This morning I discovered a new website that's similar to another association site I write for, so I'm about to contact them, once I track down an editor's name.
For existing clients – one on-going client has farmed a bit of work my way, but I only turned in one article, three columns, and three blog posts this month. Not good enough. I checked in with five of my regular clients. Learned a special section I'd pitched ideas for has been "delayed," and given the timing involved, it's likely to be canceled.
No new clients in April.
No job ads answered that I can recall.
Earnings were on target, if not a little higher than the monthly goal. But one of those checks should have arrived in March, so I probably shouldn't count it.
Taxes were filed in March, but the IRS sent me a nice little letter last week saying my refund would be smaller than expected…why? They were only counting one of my quarterly payments. I printed copies of my other three canceled checks with a very polite note asking them to correct their records.
April wasn't bad, but I was disappointed it wasn't better. One very small client I'd suspected for several weeks was now a "former" confirmed the hunch. Another cut back on new articles–again, a small client, but it's a downer. And a third client asked for a proposal to expand our ongoing work significantly, but so far (three weeks and two gentle reminders later) she has not made a decision one way or another. Granted, she's spinning a lot of plates right now, so that may be a big part of the ambivalence. But it just doesn't feel like a good sign. So much for my hope of making up a few small losses in one shot.
All that said, I'm glad May is coming. I'm confident things will work out.
Devon, I'm hoping your May is better, too.
Yo, can you bottle that success? If so, I'll take a case of it.
Oh Paula, good luck with the IRS! That's awful. But it sounds like your month otherwise is pretty good.
You can just get the feeling, can't you AnnaLisa? I knew a few of mine were going. Not surprised and it wasn't a huge hit, but it's disappointing, like you said.
Hi Lori.
Even if I'm late, I always want to show that I value your openness and share my monthly assessment as you do.
So here goes.
Moneywise, April was mediocre. It would have been fine, but through a mixup, an editor thought I hadn't accepted a feature article assignment that I had. So he assigned it to someone else. He apologized and promised me more work–and I've been so swamped I was happy to have a less-stressful workload.
I didn't contact any potential clients, either.
But I got a new ongoing project with an existing client that makes me happy. It's adequate but not great pay, but in addition to the ongoing work, it gives me more marketing and web-writing experience. It also puts me in closer touch with a marketing/publishing consultant also on the project who if I impress, may call on me later. So overall I thought it was worth taking on.
In addition, another editor I work with is moving to a big magazine I've tried to break into but haven't cracked. Unsolicited, he told me to contact him once he got settled. I'm hopeful I can parlay that into a new market.
So in terms of dollars, meh. In terms of strengthening my career, I'm satisfied with April.
Hey, Lori, that anonymous was me, Gabriella. Dunno why, but Bogger didn't pop up the space for me to insert my name!
Hi Gabriella. 🙂
I LOVE that the editor is heading right to where you want to be – and has invited you along! Fantastic!
It's hard for me to accurately assess April since I took a 10-day vacation. If I hadn't, my income should have still been on the high end of my goal range, which would have made two months in a row. I already have quite a few projects lined up for May so I'm hoping the trend will continue. Getting back into the regular marketing groove is an aim for May.
Yes, but look at the vacation you had! 🙂
Believe me, I will always try to share when possible. As for bottling it, too late–Britney Spears already did. Just pour some Curious on your head, Fantasy on your chest, In Control on your fingers and Believe on your palms and you won't be able to stop all the incoming work. Also, you will not be interrupted by an interpersonal business, so you will have plenty of time to work.
Hey, I just noticed I said Bogger instead of Blogger! I should have at least said booger!