Comments on: Monthly Assessment: April 2013

By: Kristen Fischer

Kristen Fischer — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:52:10 +0000

87??! Amazing! I am not as organized as you, nor do I make the time to write it all down and I think that is important to stay on track. Keep truckin' at it–you are a star freelancer:) I loved meeting you!!!

By: Savannah Caden

Savannah Caden — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:11:39 +0000

You should feel proud of all you did get done, Lori!

I made almost 15 pitches last month. Not great but I'm not upset because I was also in the middle of launching my website.

Now with the launch over (phew!), I'll be launching my blog this month and sending out more pitches.

I hope the surgery goes well and you recover quickly. : )

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:19:14 +0000

Must be the month for improvement - finally. I finally received the large deposit on a project where the contracting process started in January.

I also nailed down a proposal for a new client and another large project. So, one returning client + a new client.

Existing clients continue to funnel ongoing projects that have kept me afloat.

I continue to do heavy marketing and have a possibility for another new project.

Earnings were just shy of target (although I have a pretty aggressive one), but were the best for the year - so far.

Bottom line: Finally (there's that word again) ;-)appear to be picking up steam.

Wishing you good health, Lori.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:31:54 +0000

Finally a decent month for me, despite slacking on the queries & LOIs.

Queries: One. Pathetic, I know.

LOIs: None. Well, sort of none. I did sent LOI-like replies to four job listings that sounded tailor made. Of course, the ones that asked for my rates were probably looking for people willing to work for peanuts.

Existing clients: Edited several executive bios; turned seven pieces in to Favorite Editor; wrote three columns; finished three other articles for two different publications. Currently wrapping three pieces for a local client (totally agree with you on that front, Lori, but I'm trying to fill the gap left by Ex-LatePayer - the new place doesn't pay well but they pay fast, and I'm making good local connections), and now I'm starting two longer pieces for a regular client.

New clients: Did one quick thing for a new client who might have occasional résumé work for me. It took 10 minutes and paid $35.

Earnings: Woo-hoo! They're nearly double my modest monthly goal. That's only counting what I've actually been paid. It's early May and my outstanding invoices and projects I'm currently working on are already less than $200 shy of my modest monthly goal.

Bottom line: I need to up the LOIs and queries if I expect to maintain or increase my workload.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:32:00 +0000

Devon, I've not had a ton of luck with locals. A few of them want to work with me, but it's clear their budgets aren't conducive to my rate, and that's fine. So I keep aiming toward the larger, global peeps.

I love those last few weeks before a show. The work is lining up and you're polishing the presentation -- love it!

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:29:09 +0000

Yeah, April was definitely a better month. I'm trying to get more local clients.

Got a few insulting queries -- people who want 20 articles/week for $1.50 an article type of thing, but that's a flat out "no", so I shrug them off.

Finished the novel on deadline, and am moving on the next one in the queue before starting revisions.

I have to start setting my BEA appointments -- only 3 weeks until I go to NY!