What I’m reading downstairs: The Civil War: A Narrative (Vol. 1 Fort Sumter to Perryvile) by Shelby Foote
What’s on the iPod: Rain by Scott Blasey
Oh, don’t we hate having to answer to ourselves when we have a lousy month? It’s no surprise that December was going to stink. It’s rare that a December is busy unless it’s a December in a great economy and clients have money to spare at the end of their fiscal year. It happened once. Not since.
I guess that’s enough cushioning of the blow. I don’t know who it is I’m preparing for it – you or me. No, it’s me. Definitely.
Queries –
Can I just say slews of queries? A plethora? A whole big bunch? It felt like I contacted everyone on the planet. I sent out mostly LOIs, but there were a few actual queries to magazines. No word yet. Notice I said yet. Despite the dismal nature of this month’s earnings, I remain a pathetically optimistic soul.
Job postings –
One seemed to fit, so I sent off a query. Since that was two days ago and I received an out-of-office response, I can’t say if there’s a match.
New clients –
Are you kidding? I’m still trying to cling to the existing clients. No new clients showed up beyond the initial contact from one. I hope January nets some results.
Earnings –
That whimpering sound? That would be coming out of me. It wasn’t quite as bad as November thanks to a late-month set of projects, but I’m still well under my earnings target. I expected to be a little off, but not by this much. Still, on the heels of the rotten November I had, it’s an improvement.
Bottom line –
Two projects in the works will bring in new streams of income in 2011, no doubt. I was almost thankful for so much free time this month because it gave me the chance to concentrate on these projects, which will help me get to my new earnings goals for next year.
Marketing will continue, with much more follow-up on the LOIs. I’m starting out January with three projects for sure, two more tentative, and two clients who funnel ongoing projects to me. This may have been a crummy month, but January is looking much more promising.
How was your December?
20 responses to “Monthly Assessment: December 2010”
Pretty much like yours, Lori, although I don't think I did a plethora of queries. I did have the close of two bigger projects so the balance of the project fees was a nice Christmas bonus.
I do have three projects lined up for January and one is going to be an ongoing monthly project so that's good.
Hope everyone has a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year!
I knew there wouldn't be a great deal coming in initially post-move, so I was prepared. I also knew there'd be a great deal going out as I get settled.
Didn't query enough, didn't market enough. Worked on my classes for January and landed an article unexpectedly, which I turned around, and kept up wiht Confidential Job #1.
Serious marketing commences the second week of January, when I'm only teaching one workshop, company's gone, and it's just me and the cats.
I think maybe you've narrowed your focus a little too much. I think part of the reason you're not getting hits is the universe is pushing you in a new direction.
Take a few days, step back, reassess, listen to the possibility of new directions, and then try a fresh attack.
You may be right, Devon. Even as I sent things out, I felt adrift. I'm feeling something else coming.
No plethora, Cathy? 🙂 I'm glad things came in for January for you. It makes the coming new year that much sweeter. 🙂
Best December ever. By far. One referral in the spring led to a new client relationship and a blockbuster year for me. Going forward to 2011, I will be the Copy Director for the client, and the work will comprise 80% of my workload. I know it's risky from a business standpoint, but everything else about it is right. Opportunities like this seldom come along, so I'm going to grab it and enjoy it.
Congratulations, Eileen! Way to go!
Lori-no plethora, but I LOVE that word-used it in a Creative Copy Challenge. 🙂
I haven't crunched the numbers yet, but I actually had a solid December. I worked steady throughout November and December this year, which are typically on the slow side for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that's a good economic sign for 2011. Because of the holidays and my busy-ness, marketing slumped a little, but I fit it in where I could. When (if) things slow down, I have a new marketing idea I want to implement in 2011. I'll let you know how it goes. ;o) Happy (and profitable) New Year to you and all your readers!!
P.S. Oh lovely, I see you've got a spammer.
Luckily I'm a dedicated spammer swatter, Kathy. Gone! 🙂
Bank it all, Eileen. It's fantastic to see one client with that much work for you, but you're so wise to recognize the risk. I agree – I wouldn't pass it up, either. But I'd be banking a LOT of the revenue as a cushion.
Glad to give you something to blog about, Cathy! LOL I love odd words used with purpose. 🙂
Kathy, once you're able, I'd love to hear your marketing idea, if you're willing to share privately (or in a post here at some future date). But congrats on a great end of the year!
Do we have to talk about December? Really?
Lost a major client, picked up a new coaching client which helps.
Loss has resulted in a fairly major reframe and a new blog with a friend… oldfatbroadsloseweight.com
hugs
LOL! Anne, I LOVE the title! 🙂
Sorry about the major client disappearing. You of all people will bounce back with flare. 🙂
Here I go, for the last time. One full year of playing along is enough. Is it wrong of me to be glad I wasn't the only one with a dismal December? I'm so ready for 2011 to arrive.
Queries – Sent one query (with multiple ideas) to the new editor of a magazine I wrote for a couple years ago.
Job Posts – Replied to two job posts. Positive reply from one (see below).
New Clients – One of those job posts was from a major software company seeking bloggers for their website. Have been filling in the necessary paperwork so I can start writing in January.
Received my first assignment from a cheese magazine (my cheese hound of a dog is finally proud of me).
Received contract from a potential client but don't care for the "work for hire" wording of their contract. I normally only agree with work for hire deals when they aren't ideas I can resell elsewhere, and if the client pays a lot. A whole lot. This place offers about half what the other new blog client does. Not sure I'll pursue it.
Existing clients – Had handful of small quick projects from one client. Turned in one blog post, did three Santa letters, turned in a 2,000 word article, but only managed to crank out two columns this month.
Remember the favorite editor who didn't have anything for me for the February issue? She had her EIC came up with some short assignments for several long-time writers whose story ideas weren't assigned due to budget constraints. See why she's my favorite editor? (The $1/word average isn't bad, either.)
Turned down three assignments from a client who has yet to pay me for articles that ran in November and December.
Earnings – Only took in about 1/3 of my goal. Blech. Invoiced a lot more than I made. Two clients are well past due. One said they will tack on a bonus to make up for the delay. The other has so far ignored the e-mail I sent earlier this week.
Bottom Line – 2011 can't get here fast enough. I'm still waiting to be paid for $1100 of work, more than $700 of which is for assignments completed in or before November.
Oh! I forgot to mention some marketing I did in December: I sent holiday cards to editors and clients.
Well, considering I was on maternity leave for a good part of December, it's not a surprise about my earnings. I started a new project during the month, though, and will resume some others after the beginning of the year. My newest project has an end date, but it's a ways out. Planning to bank as much of it as I can (well, use it to get out of debt). 2011 is looking to far surpass both 2009 AND 2010. (And I am so very grateful for that – we needed a break.)
Hi Lori.
While I truly respect your use of "plethora," and I concede it's a perfectly good word, I don't like the way it sounds. So I can give you only half-hearted kudos for employing it. 🙂
As for business, like November, my December was solid but lower than I'd prefer. I stopped working on Dec. 22, so I can't truly complain after being a slacker for nine days of the month.
I did send one query. A friend is a Northwestern masters in communications grad, and she forwarded a great lead. However, I seldom get hits when I respond to those because (I think) people who look for work on them lean toward fellow grads. Alas. But I still had Lori W. in the back of my head pushing me to pursue new business!
Overall in 2011, I'm proud to say it was my best year ever, and I surpassed a earnings landmark I set several years ago. Yippee!
Here's hoping 2011 turns your luck around and is promising for the rest of us, too. Happy new year, and thanks for the steady advice and encouragement.
Oy, let me correct my mistakes.
In the third graf, it should read: "…people who look for WRITERS on them…"
In the fourth graf, it should read, "…I surpassed AN earning landmark…"
It's a wonder I've been able to support myself with mistakes like those.
Carry on.
LOL! Gabriella, we've all been there. And a big congratulations for surpassing that goal!!
Paula, if we have the respect of our dogs, we need nothing more. 🙂 I see why that one is your favorite editor. I see also why you turned down work for the other. Pay the bill or begone, I say! 🙂 (And I hope you can't help but report in each month in 2011 – I think it's helped us all, including you, to see your posts.)
Becky, nothing like facing a new year that's already looking that rewarding!
"Plethora" is one of those words that I could easily hate, Gabriella, like "bulghur" and "house finch." 🙂
And I'm glad I could be that voice in your head. I promise not to hum any annoying tunes, such as anything by Flock of Seagulls or Dexy's Midnight Runner….
Ooooh, "bulghur" is one I'll have to look up!
And did you notice I have a mistake in my correction? But I'm stopping while I'm behind. (God knows what mistake is in this brief note.) 🙂
LOL! Gabriella, I figure on blogs and comments, we're allowed to make mistakes. 🙂
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