Devon, it's that time of year. Burned out is kind of normal in January/February, right? Hang in there.

You feeling better yet, Gabriella? I'm starting to thanks to penicillin, amen. LOVE that you lunch with creatives! What a great way to network.

Paula, glad you finally got that money! Sounds to me like losing the loser isn't going to hurt at all. Three referrals? Super!

Anne, it doesn't hurt that we're getting our ducks in a row on the forum projects, either. 🙂 Glad January was good to you.

Our weather has been strange, but promised wind hasn't' hit us.

The minute I decided to dump LatePayer once he paid, three potential clients seemed to come out of nowhere. One was a job listing I sort of replied to. (Instead of replying as directed, I got the editor's attention with an LOI.)

Queries: Sent several ideas to Favorite Editor (resulting in four assignments), and one to the editor I sent the LOI to. He immediately wanted to assign my idea, but it fell through when the photo shoot couldn't be coordinated in time for their schedule – and the topic couldn't be pushed to the next issue. Drat.

LOIs: In addition to the LOI above, I followed up on the LOIs I sent in December.

Existing Clients: Turned in two articles to Favorite Editor and am working on those four new pieces. Wrote two columns. Had another long-time editor ask if I'd be open to more work this year.

New Clients: Although my first pitch fell through, the new editor asked me to keep sending ideas. I'm also wrapping up my first batch of four short articles for a new local client that's running 10 special issues this year.

Referrals: I actually had referrals! Three, in fact. Two people referred me to the local editor I mentioned above. And my sister referred me to one of her clients who just launched a new business. No work there yet, but it sounds promising.

Earnings: I should have a payment from Favorite Editor soon for the two pieces I turned in this month. If that arrives today I'll be over last year's monthly goal, but a couple hundred dollars shy of my new monthly goal.

Bottom Line: I'm currently working on projects that easily surpass my new monthly goal. With any luck there are no late payers in the bunch! But the marketing must continue.

My February, however, is gangbusters, with so much work that I'm in that "how-will-I-get-it-all-done?" zone. But things always get done. Hooray for that.

I had one client ask me for my rates on project-managing several pubs from start to finish, but I haven't heard back. It'd be nice if those came through, but I'm not counting on it.

Another client also had a staffer leave, and I'm taking on her weekly newsletter work indefinitely. Not crazy about the project, but I can do the work, and it's a nice regular gig.

No formal marketing right now since I seem to be doing really well (I can hear you saying that's a bad idea!)

But I have started lunching with two other writers and a graphic designer, and we share ideas on work, contacts, etc. I'm finding that personal contact helpful. No business, but still worth it.

Mostly, I'm just feeling tired and burned out, but there's a lot that needs to get done in the next few weeks.

On the good news side, I heard from four prospects from marketing campaigns I have done and had another query from an old client. No signed contracts yet although the old client has committed to a big project and is starting the contracting process. This is a public entity so that means it is a loooong process.Last time it took 6 weeks to get a fully executed contract + the deposit.

Of the four prospects, two look very positive and one I am dying to hook up with so fingers crossed.

I have an ongoing blogging project with an existing client and an article for another regular, and a resource document for a long-time client.

It's been a strange couple of months, but hope springs eternal.