Comments on: Monthly Assessment: May 2014

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:24:02 +0000

We were married on June 21! Enjoy both weddings. So stressful, but so wonderful to see it all come together too.

May was good for me. I invoiced more than usual. Still waiting on checks, but I'm pleased with the month!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:05:10 +0000

Thanks, Lori. I'm of the mind that using postal mail nowadays helps you stand out - it's just to easy to ignore emails (at least, I do!).

Being so busy with two weddings, can you imagine having to ask an employer for time off? It's at pivotal times like these that the freelance lifestyle really shines.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:12:17 +0000

Eileen, I use email, and I follow up by email. Though lately I've been thinking it's time to move toward phone calls. I hate them like you do, but you're right -- you get a much better result. A few clients who were on the fence did hire me after talking with me. One client I'd worked with (the work wasn't something I could handle the way they were looking for) called to tell me he didn't need my services, and by the end of the call he kept saying "We have to find a way to work with you."

People want a connection to someone real.

Paula, 2/3 is good! I hate when the checks are months out, too. It doesn't seem fair because we hit our deadlines and don't keep them waiting, but...

Jenn, patience? What's that? LOL No, I love having parties. I didn't have to do the heavy lifting with that party, and my daughter's wedding is planned down to the last few details, which I can handle in one store run this weekend.

Let's just say June 22nd, I'm sitting down and not getting up for a while. :)

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 21:21:56 +0000

Oh my gosh Lori. 80 people for a rehearsal dinner? I've never heard of anything like that. You must have the patience of a saint to handle big party plans on top of everything else you've been dealing with!

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:24:47 +0000

May. I stayed busy, but much of the work was for a client that pays 45 days after invoice, so I won't be paid until August for most of this month's work. I hate that, but they're a reliable client with a household name so I'm trying to appreciate knowing the funds will be here in time for my second property tax payment.

I didn't have nearly the disruptions you had, Lori, but I had two guest dogs for half the month.

Here's my monthly overview:

Queries: I sent a ton of queries to Favorite Editor, and another query to a longtime client that pays fast. (Still waiting to hear back about the ideas I sent Favorite Editor last week, and the other editor loves the idea I sent and is currently seeking approval from the bosses.)

LOIs: Sent two new hyper-targeted LOIs; followed up on seven previous LOIs.

Listings: Replied to three ads that seemed like good fits. No replies, of course.

Social Media: Darn. I need to start tracking it. I gained about 15-20 new Twitter followers and increased my activity on Google+ and Pinterest just to see what happens. My newest client asked if I wanted an assignment after seeing my name come up on LinkedIn.

Existing Clients: Wrote three pieces for the longtime client with the 45-day pay window. Turned in three columns.

New Clients: Landed a new client which I hope will become a regular one for me.

Referrals: A neighbor referred someone to me for a résumé. Paid upfront.

Earnings: Only took in about 2/3 of my monthly goal.

Bottom line: Not nearly good enough.

My biggest surprise was definitely getting the assignment because I'd posted a LinkedIn update!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:02:18 +0000

May was good, June will be good, but July will be a drought unless I can get something going. I learned last week that a retainer client is cutting back 75%. Gulp. They comprised the bulk of my monthly income.

So, let me ask you about LOIs. Are these via email or postal mail? And do you follow up in any way, such as by phone? I'm in the midst of a lumpy LOI campaign (10 letters per week, with a follow up phone call the next) and while I don't enjoy making the calls, I do believe it will give me more hits. Anything you'd care to share about how your LOIs work would be great!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:27:38 +0000

Oh, I didn't say I'd hit it this month, Cathy! LOL Last month I managed because the projects I had paid very well.

LOVE your store, too! It's so much fun.

Congratulations on a fantastic May!

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:22:52 +0000

Lori, I don't know how you are staying sane - and hitting earnings target, too. Enjoy the weddings! :-)

It was the highest month for earnings this year. I could have really knocked it out of the park if the check that just arrived had not been a month overdue. On the bright side, that check gave me a jumpstart on June.

That's a good thing as I go to a conference week after next so I'll be tied up there. There are some real heavy hitters from the industry so I'm hoping good things come from the networking.

I launched my new Why 60 Miles blog and my Old Lady Walking store. I've hit various niche groups for the store but not much is happening there. Still pounding out the marketing on it.

Existing clients are keeping me busy right now. I've heard from three prospects. Two sound most promising but not ready to pull the trigger yet.

I have family coming in July so I am hoping June is another good month to deal with that distraction - lovely as it is.