Comments on: Monthly Assessment: March 2010

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By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:03:49 +0000

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.

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:34:03 +0000

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.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:43:03 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:55:05 +0000

Honey, sounds like the fork is buried right in your brain! 🙂 Super month, Eileen. Get yourself a garden swing and enjoy this glorious weekend.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:04:04 +0000

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. 🙂

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By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:24:19 +0000

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.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:05:54 +0000

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.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:00:11 +0000

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!