I’m not here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have oodles of fun hashing over our monthly goals and near misses, right?
So let’s get busy seeing where things are going right or wrong:
Queries –
I must have sent out fifty LOIs. I have 25 written down, but somehow I think I forgot to note the second batch. The results were terrific – I’ve secured 8 client meetings at the conference, finished one project for another new client, and have justified my expenses for this business trip. Can’t do much better than that.
Also, I sent out about 4 magazine queries, none of which met with success. I’m still doing the pitch dance with one London-based client, but nothing concrete yet.
Job postings –
I responded to one a friend had sent over because it was a perfect fit. Apparently, it was a fit for other writers, too. No response. It’s why I avoid job listings.
Referrals –
Plenty of referrals, this time from clients, writers, and PR contacts. One came from another writer who’d seen a comment of mine. His sister works in insurance and he forwarded my info to her. Then there was the new website where I pitched an idea (thank you, Susan). The idea was accepted within the hour and I’ve completed the assignment already. Nothing from any of the other referrals. Yet. I’m hopeful.
Existing clients –
The resume work has dried up substantially, but that’s been going on for the last few months. No surprise there. What did surprise was when the owner hired me to write her website copy. That was a good boost to the monthly income, and I adore her.
I’m still doing the blog for another client, an ongoing monthly blog project for another, and getting a smattering of magazine assignments from my favorite editor. I hope his being pleased with my last article means I’ll get more juicy assignments from him. In fact, I think I’ll ask.
New clients –
A good month for new clients. I have two I’m working with now, and they’re both in my specialty. One is a blog and the other is more corporate communications. And I’m hoping by the time you read this I’ll have signed on a few more new clients.
Earnings –
What a difference a little marketing makes. This month’s earnings are just slightly under my monthly target. Amen. With more work on its way, I’m a very happy camper.
Bottom line –
Tying marketing to the conference was a great idea. I started the end of February compiling the contact info from the exhibitor list, and even though I made it just partially through, the work has paid off. I didn’t stop with the magazine queries, nor did I turn down a referral. I was busy enough that I did have to refuse two smaller projects – not something I wanted to do, but with all the other projects I had to get done, I felt I made the right decision. Yes, the money would have been great to have, but something would have suffered in quality. I’d rather not.
How did April treat you?
6 responses to “Monthly Assessment: April 2011”
Most of it was spent on the final edits for the book coming out in July, working with my editor. I have to hit "send" on the final galleys today, scariest part of the process for me.
Then, that awful class, which I'm still getting over, and starting a good one.
I have a lot to do in the yard, and I have another book to write, so I need to get going. I'd like a nap instead.
April was pretty good to me. An old client came back. Ad revenues were up a bit after a previous slump. And while I fully expected to lose a long-time client (because I decided it was time to be blunt about some problems and refer him elsewhere if we'd outgrown each other), he stayed on with a nice-sized order. And there were fewer hassles than I've had in a long time. Now let's say "Yay for May!" and hope for the best again. 🙂
I like the Yay for May theme, Jenn!
Maybe all the rain is a good thing because it's keeping us all buckled in our seats. 🙂
April was a good month for me, too. I gained a new client who has multiple projects – 3 to start with – that looks like they will turn into one of those "anchor clients."
And on that note, one of those anchor clients just sent 3 more projects my way-woo-hoo.
I have my nephew, his wife & 1-year-old baby coming in a couple of weeks so I'm trying to crank out a bunch to have SOME time to spend with them.
April showed a big improvement for me, unless you consider consider how that "improvement" is simply having my income meet my modest monthly goal instead of lagging behind.
I sent five LOIs; no replies, so I will begin following up this week. Sent two quasi queries to a pair of long-time editors. ("Quasi queries," since they e-mail their top writers the broad subject they want to cover, then ask us to offer up specific suggestions. One was assigned. They should make assignments on the other one soon.
I replied to one posting but never heard back. I also saw a job post at a knitting group I belong to. It was writing web copy and pattern decriptions for a small company that design and market knitting patterns. They loved my resume,and I believe they checked out my LinkedIn profile. They sent me a couple of examples and set up a conference call. The call wasn't great,but wasn't horrible, either. I asked all the right questions – a couple of times they actually said, "What a great question – we'll have to think about that and let you know." They asked me to put together a quote for the web copy and get it to them by a specific date. Within an hour they sent a cryptic e-mail telling me not to start working on anything because "we don't feel the call went well." Could that be code for the fact that I expected actual payment, not just "free" yarn? (That's what the blog is for.) When I vented to my sister, she said I probably dodged a bullet, so I should be glad they told me to stop work before I began.
For existing clients I did a series of small projects, wrote four columns, completed two articles, started two more, and fit in a small editing job.
No referrals. No new clients.
Earnings were about $200 above my monthly goal. My campaign to collect past-due payments from a slow-paying publisher seem to be working. Amazing how setting a deadline to heard back by today and adding the words, "…or I will be forced to use alternate means of collecting my fee…" resulted in an immediate reply from the owner, who seemed surprised to sense my "concern" about the lack of payment. Well, d'uh, dude!
They owe me about the same amount as my monthly goal. So if they pay up, I'll be screaming "Yay for May!" too.
Sorry for the multitude of typos in my post above. Not only is it Monday, but it's Allergy Headache Monday, coupled with Muscle Pain Monday thanks to a Sunday afternoon of back breaking yard work.
Cathy – That's a good way of looking at it! It definitely keeps me in when it's dreary and wet outside. On the other hand I love watching the rain and there's a window next to my desk. So then I have to draw my curtains or I'll never get things done. 😉
Paula – I feel your pain. Sometimes Claritin and Excedrin are the only things getting me through the morning.