Busy morning yesterday, but the afternoon was quiet. I took advantage of it. Instead of marketing like mad (my usual routine), I spent time on personal writing projects. I was able to make good headway on a few things, which feels pretty satisfying. If only there were checks involved. Someday…
It’s time for the monthly reality check. Time for me to be accountable for my efforts. Lucky you – you’re the one I’m telling. I suggest you join in, not because we like to kick you when you’re down or one-up each other, but because it’s a great way to keep yourself on track with the goals. I’ll start:
Queries:
I sent out about eight magazine queries, most to new-to-me publications. Very little word back, which if you editors are reading, is frustrating. At least say no thank you. It’s just common courtesy, especially if the writer has followed up cordially.
Still, I scored a gig yesterday from those queries. I’ll be working with one of my favorite editors again, which is always nice.
As for LOIs, I sent out 29 – most were follow-ups to the ones I’d sent two months ago. I did get some responses, but I’m noting which companies are remaining quiet. I’ll keep trying, but there will come a time when they’ll be removed from the list.
Job postings:
I broke my own rule and looked. Ugh. Depressing. I’ll stick with my method.
Referrals:
I received one referral from a PR contact who knew I was attending the conference. She put me in touch with a potential client with a lot of projects. We talked and will continue that next week. Fingers are crossed.
Existing clients:
This month, three clients make up the bulk of my income. I managed a large project for the first client and two smaller projects, plus the other two clients provide ongoing work. I contacted five present and past clients, but nothing back yet. A few clients with positive, upbeat responses, but no contracts.
New clients:
You can tell summer is here. No one is spending, and the out-of-office responses are frequent. As a result, I’ve not picked up any new clients. Yet. The day isn’t over.
Earnings:
Despite heavy marketing efforts, I’m sitting well below where I need to be to stay on target. Disappointing, but it’s not for lack of effort.
Bottom line:
I have to tweak the marketing approach and find new ways to draw in new clients. One thing I will continue is the contact with conference exhibitors. There were close to 3,000 exhibitors and I’m not halfway through the list yet. I know there are opportunities there, so I’ll be looking at ways to turn those into assignments.
How was your June? What worked? What do you need to change? Where is the bulk of your work right now?
10 responses to “Monthly Assessment: June 2011”
Can't believe it's the end of June. Where does the time go?
June was a month of distractions, but better than May. Still waiting on 3 sizable invoices, which will put a smile on my face.
Finished one project for a new client and expect to have another shortly. 3 new projects from an existing client with the promise of 4 more rounding out the year. After 7 weeks, finally got the deposit for a major project for a new client.
And speaking of distractions, I am dog-sitting for 10 days-my sister's adorable, white miniature schnauzer-too cute!
Ahead on earnings (knock on wood), 2 new clients in June, 3 new projects from existing client, ongoing project with another existing client.
Need to not rest on my laurels and do some marketing.
I'll be putting up my assessment on the GDR site later, and the July list tomorrow.
I planned for the summer to be lean, but it looks like even August and September will bring in more than I expected, which is good. I just have to survive July, and, by mid-September, I'll be ahead of where I expected.
I'm being very ADAMANT of no 9-5 schedule, doing things like taking the 4 hours of my usual morning routine to go to Yoga on the Beach in Chatham instead, and, since it's the best teacher I've ever had, will do that regularly. That reshifts the routine, but for yoga, I'm willing.
Everyone else has to schedule meetings with me in the afternoon.
Out in this neck of the woods, it's about personal interaction, not phone or email, which is a mixed blessing. Small businesses aren't interested in a corporate model — they want someone they KNOW and TRUST. Fortunately, I am becoming that person. More face time, but more long-term benefits.
Ugh. I haven't been looking forward to this. I've been extremely busy all month, but have nothing to show for it.
I sent one batch of ideas to Favorite Editor and let her know I might have more ideas next week. Sent a snail mail LOI and clips to a yarn-type magazine that is a perfect match for me. The editor replied as soon as she got it, sent me a stack of back issues, said she'll keep me in mind when she's assigning, and said I can always pitch ideas, too. So excited about this new connection.
I had one referral, but alas, it was not in my bailiwick. Nice to be the one receiving the referral, though.
In June I completed four articles, one column and one blog post for existing clients, and have three articles and one sidebar all due between now and Tuesday. The reason I've only done one column is because they've really slacked off on payments. When someone doesn't pay much the least they can do is pay promptly.
Also in June I did two articles and two sidebars for a new client – the editor is a former editor of mine I reconnected with at LinkedIn.
Earnings….this month is the perfect example of why I don't count anything as "earnings" until the checks have cleared: My June income was less than 10% of the amount I currently have invoiced. Like you, I can't pay my bills with money that hasn't yet arrived. (More annoying: other than the column, none are technically past due, based on the clients' stated payment policies.)
Of course, today's mail hasn't yet arrived, so I may wind up with more than a three-digit income for June.
Bottom Line: it's good to be busy, but it's better to be paid in a timely fashion.
I've got my monthly assessment up on Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions here:
http://goalsdreamsresolutions.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/june-wrap-up-2/
In a few days, I'll be posting mid-year evaluation questions, and then, shortly, questions to plan for next year, since some people like to start their writing year in September and some in January.
Steady as she goes, Cap'n.
June was quite good, and I'm trying to pack in as much as possible prior to July vacay…so I can drink top-shelf rum instead of the plastic bottle garbage. Heh.
In fact, yesterday I got two calls from what I call Halley's Clients (got an upcoming post on that). If you know Fountains of Wayne's "Halley's Waitress," you'll get the reference–they're people I haven't heard from since 2009!
Sounds like you fared very well in June, Cathy! Don't you love seeing a full schedule and big checks on your horizon? Sigh….
Paula, if you have nothing to show for it, that means you were marketing like crazy. But to be honest, it sounds like you were quite busy. Fingers crossed for the mail….
Devon, thanks again for the link. Guys, Devon's GDR site is great. She asks the questions we should all be asking ourselves. Give her link a click.
Top shelf rum, eh Jake? That's living! Actually, my goal is to get to Johnny Walker Blue Label single malt level. Regularly. 🙂
And yes, I love the Fountains of Wayne song. I've always liked them anyway. Thanks for introducing me to a new one. 🙂
Thanks for crossing your fingers, Lori. It worked!
The mail just came and in it was a nice check from my new client (paid in less than 3 weeks of invoice). My June income might be slightly lower than my goal, but it's officially in the (very) low four digits.
Now I don't feel bad that I accepted a second assignment from the new place. I told the editor I don't normally take on more work until the first invoice has been paid. But I'd worked with her before and trusted her when she said the publisher would pay within a reasonable amount of time.
It must have worked in reverse for me, Paula. I just lost an ongoing client – one that paid damn well, too. Shucks.
Hi Lori.
June was better than my May, which is good, but it's still lower than it should be.
The client who was going to hire me for regular monthly work starting in May who then went silent ended up not having money in her budget. (The entire organization just let 10 people go, so I'm guessing budget cuts are the cause of her thinking she could hire me and turning out not being able to.) Drag.
Been sending story pitches to my eds, and that's working. But I really need to focus more on bringing in new clients. Just haven't had the get-up-and-go to do that. (I can hear your voice, and I know there's no excuse!)
Been having more meetings about our possible new business ventures. Goal: Jan. 1, new ventures or bust!
So the bottom line is that my lethargy and burnout is still impacting my bottom line. But I'm trying to push through it and having SOME, but not enough, success. But I'll get there!
Sorry the gig fell through, Gabriella. And it's amazing – you're hearing what I'm thinking! LOL
Try mixing LOIs in with the magazine pitches. They can be to other magazines or to new clients. I bet you'll see something soon.
New business ventures? Aren't those exciting?! And some success definitely beats no success. 🙂