If it helps, this wasn't my most stellar month earnings-wise, either. Here's to a fantastic May!

As for this month, queries sent, none. Sent 8 LOIs, got positive response from 2 but no gigs yet. Existing clients, this is where all my income came from this month. New clients, none. Referrals, one which led to a conversation but nothing concrete yet. Beyond the above, also sent 8 targeted marketing touches. One has the real possibility of turning into something lucrative. Earnings were okay but this has been the worst earning month of the year so far. Hoping the marketing efforts will lead to more clients and much better May earnings.

Paula, I prefer the cleared checks, too. But still, there's something kind of comforting about knowing there's money about to arrive…

I sent maybe 8-10 queries to four or five editors. Sent two LOIs. And replied to two job listings last week – each one fit perfectly with my background, but no replies.

Existing clients have kept me busy: a series of short projects for one client; four "capsules" for another client; and one article each for two long-time clients (one of which will pay quickly, while the other won't pay for my previously published article until he needs me to turn in the new one). Also knocked out four columns.

Picked up a new client – a magazine I sent an LOI to last summer! They assigned me an article and sidebar due later this month. Mediocre pay rate compared to my top markets, but it should be a good clip in a specialized field.

Zero referrals.

My collected earnings were on target. Of course, had the late-payer paid in a timely fashion I would have had a great month. I already have invoices out totaling as much as I was paid in April, and will invoice about half that amount again within the next two weeks. (Of course, I have no way of knowing how quickly the new client will pay.)

As much as I like having invoices out, I much prefer having the checks clear.

The other reason is I had some big projects, time-wise. The good news is there's invoices billed now that total more than all of April's income. There is a chance I could receive a check on this last day of April, which would bump the income up to an acceptable level.

For existing clients, I've got a call Wed. for another white paper, a change in scope for another gave me a bump in fee, and another is working towards another case study.

I'll be out of state for a family wedding for four work days in May. Mom is staying for a month to visit various family members so I am going to use my alone time to get cranking on some products I've been dragging my feet on.

May should be blooming. 🙂