If it could get in my way yesterday, it did. I sat down at seven am to get my NanoWriMo writing done. By nine it was obvious that wasn’t happening. I was interrupted six times, then the phone started ringing. Sorry Mom, I have to go. Then some banking and other essential errands at noon. I came back home fully intending to get tons accomplished. Right. The printer ran out of ink (at least the Canon would warn me) in the middle of a print job. It couldn’t wait – I was putting together my portfolio. I thought I’d wait until three and get it. Then the phone rang. It must have been relatives-bug-your-self-employed-relative day. I sat down again to put words to Nano (so to speak) and my daughter came home from work. Luckily, she knows that look I get when I’m stressed, and she disappeared. I got my quota done and then some, and managed to send out three LOIs and two queries.
One thing I’ve noticed is that client work comes in cycles. You’ve probably noticed that July and August are often like the Sahara in terms of projects and clients returning your calls. November and December are much like that, too. There are trends with every client type and project type that can be planned for. Here’s where to look when the droughts arrive:
Magazines in the summer months. Magazines are still flush with budgets mid-year, so if other client work is dropping off, send out some queries or ask your favorite editors for some assignments.
Corporate writing in the fall. Something about September and October makes corporations buckle down and get back to business. Perhaps they’re working on a fiscal-year budget, or perhaps they have to show quarterly results somewhere along the food chain. Either way, get in touch with them in September.
Ghostwriting and editing in January. Thank heaven for resolutions! January is a great time to pick up book writing/editing gigs from those who fancy themselves writers. They’re fresh off their resolutions and ripe for the picking.
April and May for press releases. There’s something to be said about conferences and trade shows in the spring. It brings out the newsy-ness in clients who want something – anything – to announce. Get in touch with them prior to the shows (see my post on working a trade show) and line up the press release/trade show communications work now.
April, May and June for college catalogs. I’ve worked with one college client that has tended to work on their catalog the same month it’s due, but even that system is being changed. Reach out to colleges and universities before the end of the spring semester to be considered for help on the catalog or other marketing materials.
October and November for spring conferences. We’ve talked about it already, but reaching out months ahead of the trade shows and conferences gets your clients thinking about preparations, and shows you as someone who’s on top of the planning.
What trends have you noticed? Where do you look for work when your usual sources go silent?
13 responses to “Trending”
Lori, I think yesterday was definitely "bug your self-employed relatives" day. My mom kept calling me too!
LOL! Jodi, two calls from my mom. Two. Then one from my sister, which was blessedly cut short when her cell phone battery died. I was sure nothing was getting done until that happened. 🙂
My Mom lives with me so try thinking of every day as bug your self-employed relative day. 🙂 But, it is why I moved here to support Mom and there are great benefits. I try to remember that during a day full of interruptions. 🙂
When you are writing, turn off the phones. The only way to train them is to not answer.
Many companies in my corner of the world have end of December as their financial year end. So they're under pressure to allocate money from the year ending for projects that they dind't get to, even if the job gets done the following year. So October- December is a time for me to line up work for the following year.
I also think November and December are a good time to work on personal projects I can then launch the following year.
I haven't been doing this long enough to spot trends, but what you say sounds logical. On a side note, I may have landed my first gig off of linkedin. We still need to sign the contract, but I'm hopeful. The funny thing is he actually emailed other writers before me, but none of them emailed back. Maybe, they are too busy. 🙂
My mom is in town for two weeks (mercifully, she has her own condo, but is here every night 5-9 pm chattering nonstop about relatives I don't know and events I don't remember). And my nephew, who moved from Wisconsin to start a job here in Phoenix on Monday, is staying with us till he finds an apartment. Nice young man, but our house is kinda small for the crowd. So, yah, I'm up to **HERE** with relatives right about now.
As far as trends, I used to see more cyclical behavior locally–Phoenix was absolutely dead in the summer, which it really isn't anymore. Your tip about magazines is interesting and will give that a whirl next year. As anecdotal evidence, the only mag query I sent out all year was in August and the editor snapped it up….hmmm.
Cathy, great advice. I always answer Mom's calls because she's Mom. 🙂 That's not to say I answer nicely, but I do answer. LOL
Devon, I answer Mom. Always Mom. Sister has gone to voice mail before, as has son (I'm such a lousy mother!). But yesterday I was so disrupted there was no way another call was going to make a hoot of difference. 🙂
Good point, Damaria. It does differ from place to place and company to company. The folks I target tend to head off on end-of-the-year holidays. Glad to hear that's not always the case!
YES! Good for you, Wade! Give us details when you're able. Congrats!
Jake, I feel your pain. 🙂 Nice to have them around, but not during deadline season. 🙂
I had four calls from my self-employed sister yesterday. Only one was in the evening. I believe those were the only calls I received all day. The real problem? The call I wanted to get was the publicist who's supposed to be putting me in touch with several people for one of the two rush assignments (due today or tomorrow). But she didn't call or e-mail – if I don't hear back in the next hour or so I'll let my editor loose on her. He'd been promised full access and cooperation from all parties, and one way or another he'll get it.
I know those days. And you sure are right about how work comes in cycles, although I haven't ever been able to detect any real patterns (not any consistent ones, anyway). Keep up the good work with NanoWriMo. That's discipline.
Give her hell, Paula! LOL I know they're busy, but publicists need to schedule what they promise.
EP, still working on getting today's quota done! Oy. So much to do!
This is my first year doing fulltime freelancing, and I just about had a heart attack when I saw how bare my calendar for November looked. I've been going through the want ads, but so far nothing promising. Ah, well, I've always liked macaroni and cheese–and I'll have time to finish NaNo. How's that for an optimistic approach?
Macaroni and cheese loses its luster about three boxes in, Debra. 🙂
Love your attitude. I've often had slow Novembers and yes, that is good Nano time. 🙂 Here's what I'd change up if I were you – stop cruising the want ads. Everyone and their relatives are applying for that one job that fits you. The odds of getting the call are almost as bad as the odds of winning the lottery.
Start sending out magazine queries if you're into article writing. If not, start sending out letters of introduction to companies and prospective clients. Ask around to other writers and see what their go-to projects are during the lean times.
There are definitely better ways than relying on job listings.