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. 🙂

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!

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.

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. 🙂

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!

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.

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 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.

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.