Before I get going, have you seen Google’s news? It’s hilarious and kudos to them for picking up on an ongoing story, and for the impeccable timing. What a great way to start a busy Thursday.
No fooling here, March was a mighty busy month. Another month of shooting past the monthly earnings target. I love it, but I know what’s coming in April – tax bills, time off, and fewer clients in the pipeline.
Queries:
Sensing a drop in business (and proof that trusting my gut is the right thing to do), I started reaching out to clients. I didn’t go overboard. In fact, I may have contacted half a dozen. The projects I’m working on now will keep me busy through the next week, so I had to look for future work, not “What do you need right now?” work. In one case, the client contacted me with an assignment, along with a raise in pay. I love that.
Existing clients:
I went from having five ongoing clients to three now. Not unexpected at all. Will it hurt? It’s tough to say. The work I picked up right after could more than cover those jobs. Will either be back? Possibly, but I’m not sitting by the phone. That’s always a mistake. We writers can’t pay bills with a promise of future work.
New clients:
One, but it’s a lucrative one. This job came as a result of ongoing work for a company affiliated with this particular client. I love that they like my work enough to refer me. Still some back-and-forth with a prospective client, whose contact is a long-time associate from my days on a magazine staff. It’ll happen, but in corporate time, which everyone knows is about six months to a year after they contact you.
Earnings:
Another great month. I know next month won’t be so great since I lost those two clients and I’ll be taking a week off, but everything evens out like that in our world, doesn’t it? The loss is about $1,100, but a new client will more than make up for that, as will the new assignment. But the marketing has to be increased or April and May will be thin.
Bottom line:
The mix of a little marketing with a lot of ongoing projects worked well. The additional projects showed up just as the older projects dried up. April will require a bit more marketing from me to keep things even keel coming into the summer months.
How was your March?
14 responses to “Monthly Assessment: March 2010”
It sucked on oh, so many levels. I'm going to take a couple of days off next week to adjust my attitude and then dive back in.
Hang in there, Devon. The reprieve is coming…
Hi Lori.
I, too, had a great month–the best I've ever had. I canna believe it myself.
I've been so busy this month that I had to turn down a quick-turnaround March assignment.
I've also been so busy that I don't remember sending any pitches or contacting any new clients. Maybe I did it. Who knows?
Truth be told, though, being this busy has really fried me this month.
I was looking forward to that March 31 date as one after which I'd get a break. Now, however, I've got more assignments, and April will be busy, too.
No complaints by any means after the year we've had! But the workload is showing on me.
Gabriella, you know what they say – if you're working too hard, you're not charging enough. 🙂
I keep a scrap of paper on the desk – seriously, it's that rudimentary – and I write down the names and dates of each client I contact. That's it. I should put it on my computer's sticky-note program, but I never remember to. 🙂
Hi Lori.
Things that make you go, Hmmmm.
Your comment about charging too little gave me pause. Not sure I can charge more, but it's certainly something to consider going forward…
I also tried to track my marketing, but I've fallen off the wagon. It's a really good idea, though, and I should restart my efforts.
Again, you make me think. Thanks!
While my income was paltry in March, my output will ensure a great April. One reason March was lacking is one of my editors misplaced one of my invoices. Luckily, I'd done a rush assignment for them, so when that check arrived before the first one, I contacted her and she apologized. This is an honest editor I've worked with for over a decade, it's her busiest time of year, and the first time she's misplaced an invoice. They pay really fast, too, so I'll have the check any day now.
I chose to kill one super-short (as in 100-200 words) article because the stats we thought would make an interesting angle just weren't very interesting. That's a loss of about $150 to me, but frankly this week the time is worth more to me anyway.
Output: 4 columns, 4 blog posts, 3 articles (one was a rush), and some ongoing work from a new client.
Queries: Sent ideas to two of my regular editors.
Job Ads: replied to one.
Taxes: For the first time since 1997, Uncle Sam owes me. I'm still stunned, but very relieved i don't have to write the IRS a 4-figure check this April. Well, not for 2009's taxes, anyway.
Outlook: I have one major article ready to write in the next week. One regular editor is already prepping for their annual summer onslaught, and said he'll be assigning soon. And the new client is keeping me busy between articles.
Now I need to send out a couple of invoices.
Paula, I should have you do my forms! I have one client who paid me over $1)K last year. Hence, I have to file another damn form and pay a stupid penalty. Again, my contention is if these returns have so many gray areas, they're too complicated and should be simplified. Preaching to the choir here. 🙂
Gabriella, I bet there's at least one area where you could charge more. Just look at each project separately and see if there's room to move up the pay scale.
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March – which in my book ends today on a Friday – was incredibly prolific and profitable. 8 articles, 3 500-word direct response product descriptions, 2 email promotions, a 16-page print magalog, and an online 10-page magalog with email promo. I'm finishing up that last magalog right now. It's due at noon, and then I take a trashy novel out in my backyard and read until it's time to report for my massage at 5pm. Somebody else is going to have too cook dinner tonight, 'cause I'm DONE. 🙂
Honey, sounds like the fork is buried right in your brain! 🙂 Super month, Eileen. Get yourself a garden swing and enjoy this glorious weekend.
A garden swing sounds like the perfect reward! Heck, I've got to do something with all this cash. 🙂
I forgot to mention the project to write corporate copy for a government contractor that kept growing and growing. Should have wrapped it up in February, but it didn't get finished til last week. One of the rare times I was on an hourly rate, and a good thing, too.
I just wrapped up March invoicing. I had a fabulous month, quite possibly my best ever. That's good since I'm taking off two weeks in April. However, it's come at the expense of working too many hours a day. I'm going to have to do some adjusting to correct that issue. I lost one long-time client, one that I'll miss since it was a regular and enjoyable assignment. The client I thought I was going to lose is still clinging but my workload has been reduced considerably (and to a position I'm not sure I'm comfortable with). If they don't end things altogether soon, I may. I've picked up a few ongoing clients to compensate for both of those situations. I did well with marketing the first half of the month (and currently have a good bite as a result) but I was far too busy to keep that effort up the second half of the month. In summation, I think any linger recessionary woes are over.
Eileen, I'm glad you're swimming in cash – maybe a pool instead of a swing? :)) And I agree – some jobs, that hourly rate is an absolute must.
Kathy, I think you're right. If there's still a recession, it's not in my world, either.
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