Queries: Sent six. One was assigned the same day and is already in print. Still waiting to hear about the others.

Social Media: Joined Instagram. Added several LinkedIn and Twitter followers, and joined a couple of LinkedIn discussions.

Job Listings: Replied to four that sounded like good fits. No word. Replied to two Ebyline postings (for the same client) that sounded as if they were written for me. Unfortuately, I also realized it's the same client that I had to turn down last month when they wanted four short pieces, all requiring celebrity interviews, to be turned in January 2. I assumed January 2 was the date they wanted applications by, and contacted him to apologize for the confusion and explain hwo that is the worst time of year to try to schedule a celebrity interview (unless you're a major market and the celeb has something big to promote). He never replied to that, so I'm not too hopeful he'll reply to me this time.

Referrals: A near one. A family member knew of a place seeking a contract writer and forwarded them my resume, but they already had someone in mind. They liked my resume and will hang on to it just in case things don't work out with the other writer, or in case additional projects come in.

Existing Clients: Wrote four columns; one article completed for Favorite Editor and a second in the works; one serenditious article for another longtime editor; the aforementioned piece that was assigned immediately after I pitched it; one article done for the education market I write for and another one in progress; and last week I got word to expect another one of those massive listings to come in soon.

New: I have a potential new client. Spoke with him Friday and it sounds really promising. If it turns out as well as it sounds like it could, this could be a regular gig at a really sweet rate.

Earnings: Pathetic if based on the actual amount of money that came in during January. But less tan $400 shy of my new modest monthly goal for 2015.

Bottom line: I need to do my best to ensue the potential client becomes a regular client, and keep marketing.

Cathy, that's fantastic! Lots of project until June sounds like you can rest assured summer months won't be lean on cash. Good contrast between this year and last year — amen!

I fell a bit short of earnings but would surpass it if a deposit check I expect any day had arrived.

I landed 5 solid projects from an existing clients that go until June. I have an ongoing blog gig with another for the year.

I heard from a former colleague in January who is interested in hiring me. Will follow up next week if I don't hear.

I got behind in planning due to the year-end project so I will be finalizing plans this week.

What's different is having more contracted projects in place this early in the year.

Queries: Three – one consumer cat mag came back straight away to say that they write everything in-house, the other two were only in the last few days and waiting to hear whether it's yeay or nay.

LOIs: This is where I'm rubbish, I always intend to set a target for LOIs every week, but don't. Sent three, no responses.

Referral: One from a writer friend, due to start the project this week.

Existing clients: The bulk of my Jan work. The new editor of a pet trade magazine has emailed to say she looks forward to working with me this year, but nothing concrete yet. Five separate articles commissioned for a consumer cat magazine over the coming months, two written already, three to be completed this month. Two new projects for a major pharmaceutical client, and some little bits and bobs from others.

New clients: Three new clients, one was an individual with a personal project so possibly won't have any repeat work, but it was fun! One ghostwriting the business blog of a company's CEO, and one new pet trade magazine commission. That's my favorite, because it's the first time they're using a freelance writer – they usually do everything in-house. No pressure then!