Paula, that's hardly "under" your goal! Good job! Feels pretty good, doesn't it? 🙂

Okay, here we go again….

Queries: Sent a big batch to Favorite Editor who is busy assigning the biggest issue of the year. A couple of my ideas were assigned along with some of their own.

LOIs: Only sent one LOI, but got a positive response. Fingers crossed.

Job Listings: I saw three that were great fits. No word as yet.

Existing Clients: They're keeping me busy! Turned in three of six pieces to Favorite Editor, wrote two columns, and accepted new assignments from two long-time clients. Turned in four articles to a new client (already published, already paid!) A former résumé client also hired me to write a cover letter.

New Clients: A custom publisher I started courting last summer finally offered up two short assignments. I'm writing copy for their client's website. If all goes well, they might have ongoing assignments.

Earnings: Like Cathy, I don't count earnings until I have cash in hand. That said, I was about $400 under my new monthly goal, but this week alone I've already sent an invoice totaling more than half my monthly goal and am currently working on projects totaling way more than that.

Bottom line: Persistence pays off!

It's definitely slower and one new targeted market has totally surprised me with the lack of activity.

Cathy, like you I saw a large retainer evaporate in December (it was contracted for five months and that was the last month). Replacing that in December is NOT easy.

What have you in the pipeline? Are you finding things a bit slower these days?

Existing clients I took a major hit at the end of last year that trickled into 2013 when 1 of my largest contributors to my income was downsized, another was acquired, and a 3rd is struggling with no new sales.

Another existing client is going steady and has one of those "promised" projects from another department within the company. And another existing client has had a project for me each month that keeps me hanging on.

New clients I have one old/new client who has several "promised" projects. It's a public entity and the process is between slow & slower. No, make that slooooowest. It's just the way they work. I've been waiting for the contract since Jan.

I have other "promised" projects from two new clients.

Earnings I would exceed targeted earnings for the month if I had payment on all my invoices. I don't count the $ until it is in my hot, little hand. Especially since the latest fad is slow payments. I feel your pain, Devon.

Like you, Lori, March will be very busy IF all the talked-about projects get under way.