Devon, I'm sorry. I'd be finding ways to collect on that client — collection agency would be the best way, I think. Hang in there. If anyone can do it, you can.

Not a bad month at all, Paula! Good stuff. Don't you love those favorite editors? As long as their budgets hold out, there's always a yes there somewhere.

Cathy, given the challenges you've had this year, I'd say you're doing pretty great. And just think what your November totals will look like! Wow! 🙂

Existing Clients Two came back with new projects in October – case studies.

New clients I'm pretty hopeful at least one will close this month. I have a meeting in San Diego with someone I used to work with and their marketing director. I also spoke with someone in a different division and state of a current client and almost certain I will have work from them soon. I missed out on one project because of their delivery deadline, which is while I'm in San Diego.

Marketing The leads came from email marketing efforts. A postcard marketing hasn't delivered yet, but hope springs eternal.

I'm not closing the year as well as I thought (seeing where I was in June and with all the health issues). But, things could always be worse. I could still be working corporate. 😉

Good luck with the deadbeat client, Devon. I'm already about to go after Late Payer again, and he's only one day past due on my most recent article (and one month past due on the other). Sent them a preemptive reminder the other day: Pay it all. Now.

Now, to play along….

Queries – Sent a batch of ideas to Favorite Editor, resulting in one (really fun!) assignment.

LOIs – Sent two new LOIs by snail mail, both led to editors asking for more info and e-clips to send their co-editors. Positive vibes from both. Followed up on five previous LOIs, resulting in four encouraging replies. (One asked my rates, but didn't respond after seeing them.)

Existing Clients – Finished one article for Favorite Editor and started the new assignment. Wrote three columns. Edited several batches of executive bios for the new-ish client. Longtime client asked me to update an old web article.

New Clients – None right now, but I'm optimistic about a couple of those LOIs.

Referrals – Finished a résumé for a friend's niece. Yesterday a friend of my sister asked me to help her edit an essay for a job application to fit the 500 word limit.

Earnings – Less than $250 away from my modest monthly goal, but invoices out now total way more than that monthly goal.

Bottom line – Always follow up!

Not too bad for a month with some major interruptions. The storm damage repairs and the meetings to discuss the details took a good chunk of time (and we're not done yet). And last week when my dog was sick I couldn't focus much on work – thank goodness she's healthy again!

Feeling discouraged this month.

Love those retainers, huh? I just finished the last project for a client that put me on retainer this year, and I was fretting, "Was this a one-year project? Did I do something wrong, and I'll lose that hefty income?"

Nope. She said she'll be in touch soon on the next installment. Yay!

My October earnings were much better than last month and slightly higher than last year. Most of my time was spent working with existing clients, and I got two new clients (waiting to get project details – one is based in NYC and is dealing with the after affects of the storm). I was supposed to have completed one of my personal writing projects this month, but life happens.