What I’m reading: Same stuff
What’s on the iPod: Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event
September was a somewhat abbreviated month thanks to surgery. Who knew that and an impending vacation would impact the workload so much? Oh hell, I did. It’s happened before. And par for the course, I’ll be heading off on vaca with no spare change. Invoices can’t be used as cash.
So here’s what’s what for this past month:
Queries:
I sent out a few, but netted nothing yet. I sent them just recently, so it could still come to something.
Job postings:
I actually applied to one job posting. And I got exactly the response I expected – nada.
Existing clients:
My regular gig was slow this month. There wasn’t much in the way of projects, so the income was sliced in half. Not great. Not now.
I did finish the massive project and yes, today is invoice day. That brings my total back up to something respectable. Amen.
I got out a magazine article, and the accompanying invoice.
Another existing client brought in two more smallish projects, which is good when things are tight.
And one more client project netted just a little more than usual. Amen again.
A long-time client is paying another invoice (not without a little reminding), so this month may be salvaged after all.
New clients:
I contacted two new clients and have yet to hear back from either. Until then, keep marketing.
Earnings:
Even though I sat here the last few days with just small things to do, I exceeded my monthly goal. That means I should think about increasing my monthly goal. That makes me happy.
The bottom line:
October will be short in earnings. I knew it and I’m bracing for it by marketing more now so that when I return, I’ll be busy. Magazine work is going to sustain me somewhat, but I’m in the market for larger fish right now. I want to increase earnings starting now.
How did September treat you?
10 responses to “Monthly Assessment: September 2010”
The best news in September was I passed the total amount I made in all of 2009.
I picked up a new client that pays well, pays on time and looks like one that may turn into long-term.
I also picked up two longer ghostwritten feature articles for a client that was unexpected and there is a chance it could turn into a regular gig with the industry magazine. I already have one regular gig (ghostwritten) with the same magazine for an article every other month-woo-hoo! 🙂
Biggest news on the September front was 2 new purchase orders for activity annuals, a rather nice pay rise at the (editing) day job, and a slight increase in responsibilities and knowledge requirements at the day job.
I made some big decisions, most notably to do with NaNo (to do or not to do and what to do). But I don't seem to have achieved a great deal.
I'll be back with a better assessment in a few days, but I suspect September was slightly underwhelming thanks to a vacation. What I'm most concerned about is October. I have tons of *potential* projects that could have me tearing out my hair if they all come to fruition. Right now, however, all of those would-be clients are dragging their heels, so I could be twirling my hair around my fingers instead. Whatever happens, I have to keep reminding myself to take advantage of any slowdowns that come my way.
Enjoy the vacation. You've definitely earned this one!
Queries: I only sent four queries, no news yet. Most were to an existing client who should be assigning within the next week or so. Fingers crossed.
I've had to follow up on one query multiple times. The high-end magazine insists all queries be submitted via an on=line form. The website states 3 weeks for replies. Some 7 weeks later, still no reply. Two weeks ago I did as directed by their FAQ and e-mailed their articles department for a status update. No reply. I also tried the alternate follow up approach and called the voicemail box set up specifically to handle status update requests. Mail box was full. Operator was unavailable. Argh!
New Clients: Sent one LOI which resulted in an assignment withing 24 hours. It looks like it could become an on-going client, but the amount of work for what they pay means I'll only take assignments from them when I have a bit of time to fill. I'm currently working on my first article for this trade magazine.
Job Postings: Replied to two job postings. (Do I hear crickets?)
Existing Clients: An existing client has been keeping me busy with a flurry of quick projects. I have an article due today for another existing client. I also turned in an article a couple weeks ago for another long-time client.
Only turned in two blog posts (the company I blog for sends me the yarn and patterns for my blog projects, but back-to-back shipping errors meant more than a month for the yarn to arrive).
Turned in four columns.
Earnings: Things are slowly starting to improve, but earnings were still about $500 short of my monthly goal.
Have another $1500 worth of projects invoiced or soon-to-be invoiced.
That's GREAT news, Cathy! Congratulations!
Great news from you as well, Diane! And I'm with you on NaNo. Good luck!
What a delicious dilemma to be in, Kathy. Too many clients and too much work – amen to that! LOL Here's to hoping the offers are accepted in sensible intervals. 🙂
That's just irresponsible of them, Paula. Now just imagine if that were your check lost in their maze – be thankful, I guess!
I haven't done the math, but like Cathy, I'm guessing I've surpassed 2009 already. Part of that was being in Canada all last year, which hurt my in-person mojo, but the reality seems to be that there's more money being spent out there. I've been my busiest since maybe 2007 or so.
The one downer was the final death rattle of a long-time newsletter client. I knew it was coming, but it still stinks. They cut my business in half last year, now the other 50% went bye-bye when they went bankrupt. But, as always, an illustration of why a freelancer must be diversified! If you want to eat and pay the mortgage, anyhow.
I know I do, Jake-the eating part. 😀
Hello, Lori!
Glad you're recovering nicely!
On the business front, Cathy and Jake prompted me to check my earnings last year. I can't remember my exact earnings last year–and I'm too lazy to check–but I'm pretty sure I'm there or have surpassed them. Good for all of us!
On the query front, I didn't send a single one. I'm in a bit of an unmotivated funk, and I can't seem to snap myself out of it. It's dumb of me, I know.
On the monthly earnings front, I had a good but not a month that makes me burst with pride. I was going gangbusters during the summer, and now fall is less busy. (Refer back to the unmotivated discussion above.)
I did get an unsolicited call from a publishing company asking me if I was interested in doing a six-month-long project management assignment. I am, and they're still considering me.
HOWEVER, that will require a few off-site meetings, which I loathe! Yet I'll do them if I get the green light.
Have a great and relaxing vacation, Lori. You've earned it!
Quick update on that high-end magazine that still hasn't replied to my query, now 8 weeks after the fact: Yesterday I had a call from their subscription department trying to get me to renew. I know the caller has no connection to the editorial department, but I said, "No matter how much I enjoy the magazine, I will not be renewing my subscription until the editorial office responds to my article query."
After I hung up I tried their special phone line for requesting status updates. The mail box is still full. Operators are still unavailable.
Argh – how frustrating, Paula!
I was in a holding pattern in September. No better, no worse than previous months, but hoping to hear back on several things.
October's looking slightly better, though!