Ramp it up now, sister! It's better to be doing two things at once than nothing.

On a somewhat negative note, I signed on for a year-long project last summer that will soon be coming to an end, so I'll need to ramp up the marketing soon to fill what will be a rather large hole in my schedule.

I don't count those deposits, either. If I've written an invoice, I do, but that means they've also received a contract. That means they still owe.

Way to get payment, Gabriella! Good for you. Bet that felt good!

Paula, I hate those payments held in escrow. I get that they're trying to increase their interest earned, but come on. How could it make that much difference? Seems pretty inefficient, too.

The new system means all invoices for work done in March will go into the system in April and will be paid in mid May. Ugh. But at least they actually pay when they say they will.

The other invoice I'm assuming won't be paid until May is for a newer client that pays on publication. I turned the work in about a week ago, it runs the last Sunday of April, so the check probably won't arrive until after May 1. (That client will have ongoing work all year…but the pay isn't great so I only fit it in when I have time.)

My Favorite Editor supplies a steady source of ongoing work, but it's a bimonthly publication, so some months are better than others.

How does one go about getting retainers? I'm not even sure how those work. Perhaps you can do a post or three about securing and working on retainers.

(And Cathy, it's not your eyes. Those numbers are always blurry – can't tell if the one below right now starts with a 3, 5, 6 or 8.)

Existing Clients – One sporadic client got in touch and is signing me to an ongoing contract for work. May not turn out to be much in the long run, but I like that this contract makes them think of me first.

New Clients – None.

Earnings — Pretty good. Right in the ballpark of where I need to be to pay the bills–including taxes–and put a nice chunk of dough in savings. Yay.

About everybody's late payers, I had one that was five months out from the date of my more-than-$3,000 invoice–and they actually got in touch to ask me to do a new project!

Since they're the middleman, and there's a third-party client, I actually cc'd the third-party client and said I couldn't as a good businessperson justify beginning work on another project without being paid by the first.

I kindly suggested they overnight a check.–And they did!

Finally, that damn late payer paid. I know I'll have trouble getting paid this time, too, but I'm less shy about letting the third-party client know of the middleman's intransigence.

I'm with Paula and never count invoices in income until I have it in my hot little hand.

Remember that slow-moving public entity with the big project? They contacted me in January and I still don't have the deposit. Long story, but until the check's in my hand, the big deposit stays off my income.

So, March. Best month of the quarter for income, but still below target. And, yes, that big deposit would have put me over target.

I have had regular contact regarding a possible partnership should health reform activity ever get off the ground.

I am also keeping the conversation going with another prospect I hope will bring business. She has indicated she wants to find a project for me so we'll see.

Existing clients continue to funnel steady work with blog posts, resource documents, and web content. I echo your Thank goodness for regulars, Lori.

Also, a former client (with two different employers in the past) has landed a marketing executive position at a 1 Billion company and has promised to be in touch once she gets acclimated.

Bottom line – better, but definite room for improvement.

P.S. I feel Anne's pain. For me, the toughest CAPTCHA is the one with the numbers. It's typically on a colored background and the figures tend to be blurry – or it's my eyes! 😀

Fingers crossed for your play and that being your trend, Devon! I wanted to make it to your first performance, but we'll be running from Manhattan back to Philly on Saturday. I won't have the steam. 🙂

This month was mostly tied up in play rehearsals and new opportunities with mission-specific entertainment (seems I've created a new freelance category), working on the book, and pitching articles, several of which sold within a couple of days of submission, which is very exciting. Let's hope this starts a trend!

I taught less this month, which was a huge relief.

Lots of LOIs out; must do quite a bit of follow-up.

March ended with a new client and April has presented me with two more… I like that.

(and your captcha is driving me mad today… 5 views before I can see both sides. Only for you, truly.)

So how can you find a more steady revenue stream? Have you approached anyone about ongoing work or retainer arrangements?