lwidmer | Words on the Page

Organized Chaos

Posted on July 13, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Blunderbuss by Jack White Yesterday was one of those days where I thought I’d have plenty of time to get one thing done, but of course didn’t. I started with interviews — had to get through them so I could get the article finished. But husband was home with his own…

The Beat of Your Own Drum

Posted on July 12, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Eyes Wide Open by Gotye Just 12 more days before the Trade Magazine Webinar begins! Don’t miss out on this two-part series that shows you how to build a trade magazine career. Click here for more info. I’m not sure I know how to relax anymore. I spent much of yesterday…

Wednesday Workshop Links

Posted on July 11, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Rifle’s Spiral by The Shins Yesterday was unexpectedly, blessedly slower. The pace up to this point has been break-neck speed with no pit stops. I was glad for a small reprieve. I wrote a radio script, pitched another magazine query, researched two current article projects, and wrote a few blog…

Your Payment Terms

Posted on July 10, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Backwards Walk by Frightened Rabbit I’m chipping away at these projects. I made some serious headway on the article due next Monday, and I managed a few client email blasts. Also, I sent over a brief assessment of a client editing project. I’ve already warned them I’m up to my neck…

Weekend Errands

Posted on July 9, 2012 by lwidmer

Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones It’s nice to have a weekend that creates enough of a diversion to push all thoughts of work out of the way. That’s how my weekend was. My plan of heading to Atlantic City to splash in the waves was trumped by dangerously oppressive heat. In my travels on…

Getting Paid on Time

Posted on July 6, 2012 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski What’s on the iPod: Sore Thumb by We Were Promised Jetpacks Finally — I made some progress on the pile of projects. My third article is waiting for some key quotes, but it’s finished a week ahead of schedule. The next one has a source lined…

Rewarding Yourself

Posted on July 5, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Turning Tables by Adele Wow. That was short-lived. I was able to spend exactly three hours on Tuesday relaxing. Then four new projects came in, three of which are due next week. One is a 2K-word article. Marathon time again. Yesterday was a nice mid-week break. There are benefits to living…

Happy 4th!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by lwidmer

I searched for a video that wouldn’t be political, wouldn’t overuse sentimentality to influence, wouldn’t once more bring up the World Trade Center, and wouldn’t insult anyone’s intelligence. I was able to avoid all but possibly that last one. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Worthy Advice: Advertising

Posted on July 3, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Don’t Stop by Foster the People Slow start this morning. With tomorrow being a holiday, I’m feeling like gearing down a bit, taking more time to meet my own needs, and maybe just taking time to breathe. June was one busy month. But the mint juleps are mixed in the fridge…

Monthly Assessment: June 2012

Posted on July 2, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: In These Shoes? by Bette Midler Nice weekend. I can now say my birthday is officially over. For some reason, I had four days instead of one. Husband and I shopped for my gift (clothes, yes!) on Saturday, so the celebration wound up that day. Yesterday was much too hot and…

Cathy Miller

July 2, 2012

This was certainly one of the busiest. I have a few invoices out for June work.

Queries Heard a not at this time response, but am glad to make this particular prospect at least aware of me. Glass half full. 🙂

Clients I had 4 existing clients keeping me busy with white paper, case studies, articles, blog posts.

For the 2nd time, a client who left one employer for a new one retained me for an ongoing ghostwriting gig. So, I keep that project and retain her old employer, too. Love spawning. 🙂 I'm hopeful to get more projects from her new employer that is a brokerage firm that has 1,500 employees vs her previous 100.

Referrals I had two referrals, as well. One was not my thing. Another is a we'll keep you in mind

Income Was slightly above target this month. All-in-all, I'm a happy camper. 🙂

Devon Ellington

July 2, 2012

If all my clients paid on time, I would have been on target. More chaos on the teaching front, but I'm moving away from teaching so much into other writing jobs without as much income fluctuation when students can't fulfill commitments.

Did a video PSA for a pro-bono client that reminded me how much I enjoy these things, and will now add that to my services.

A lot of fiction projects on deadline, which means longer hours for the coming months, since they are not quick turn-around payment jobs, but are vital to the long-term plan.

I need to do a new brochure and a mailing.

Paula

July 2, 2012

Work wise I've been busy. Earnings wise it's been rough. Like Devon, I wish some clients paid a bit faster.

Queries – sent five and nabbed four assignments. One of the five was to a magazine that only takes snail mail queries and I sent that on Friday. Wouldn't 5 for 5 be great?

Job Listings – replied to two and heard back from one. Sadly, they expected me to send them an outline for an e-book within 24 hours, but never said what the payment for writing the e-book would be. Red flags were flying that day. Buh-bye.

LOIs – sent two, one of which led to an immediate reply. No work yet, but like Cathy said, at least they know who I am now.

Existing clients – they kept me busy. Turned in three articles and four columns, and I picked up five new assignments (three from queries, two were editor ideas). Six articles are due this week. A client I hadn't worked for in a couple months turned up last week and I did one quick project for him, more are waiting once I have time.

New clients – none to speak off.

Referrals – two people referred friends who needed resumes. Done and done.

Earnings – only about half of my modest monthly goal was received, but about 3-times that goal was invoiced….but when will it arrive?

Bottom line – clients need to pay faster if I'm supposed to keep repairing or replacing everything that keeps breaking around here. (Three weeks after having my 2-year old refrigerator was repaired, now the freezer isn't freezing – it's thawing despite being on the coldest setting. ARGH!)

Kimberly Ben

July 2, 2012

Glad you had such a fun birthday, Lori. I'm planning to see Moonrise Kingdom (with hubby). Glad to hear you liked it.

My June was meh. A lot of that is on me though – I'm trying to pack for our move and work. I've been marketing hard to line up work for after the move since I anticipate taking a week off to just dig in and get everything moved and necessities unpacked. I just received some new business cards and post cards I'd ordered for a big mail out I've planned. Wednesday I heard from a company I'd contacted last year and they say they're ready to move forward on a project. Of course nothing's certain until I get the signed agreement and down payment in hand, so we'll see.

Paula – I'm sorry to hear about your refrigerator. I swear, when it rains it pours. I hope everything improves quickly for you.

Paula

July 2, 2012

Thanks, Kimberly. (Didn't you just move?) Just scheduled the repair guy for tomorrow, but if anything opens up they'll send him today. A loaf of bread "frozen" at the coldest setting of a freezer shouldn't be soft, right? LOL

I was just at the bank making a small deposit and when the teller asked how I was, I said it was a loaded question. I gave him the short version and the woman at the next teller said, "Whatever you do, don't buy a Lottery ticket," but the teller said maybe that would turn my luck around. And you guessed it – his monitor started acting up. I left saying, "I didn't touch it!"

I'm just glad these are only things that are breaking. But when they all break at once you have to prioritize: 1) fridge/freezer, 2) AC….the other things have to wait.

Kimberly Ben

July 2, 2012

@ Paula: LOL – it feels like it! I moved my family back to my hometown to help out my mom last August. We've been living in a cozy (i.e. cramped) house. Next week we move for (hopefully…) the last time.

Paula

July 2, 2012

Good luck with the new move, Kimberly! I hope you all get settled in quickly.

Lori

July 2, 2012

Cathy, sounds like a good month! Love it when they leave and take you with them — especially if the old bunch keeps you, too!

Devon, a new area of concentration and a new direction for you — sounds like a good move. 🙂 I don't count paid invoices in my totals; I count invoices sent as I've earned it at that point. Collection is another matter!

Paula, I'm rooting for a 5-for-5 result (and hoping the fridge hangs in there).

Kim, it seems like you're moving every few months. Do you never get to rest (rhetorical question–of course you don't)? Moving would result in a "meh" month. Hope your move is uneventful and easier this time.

Gabriella F.

July 2, 2012

Hi Lori.

I'm in the same boat as most of us here. I had a very solid June, but damnitall that people aren't getting back to me so I can invoice and another is stalling on payment.

I think I count invoices like you do. If I finish the work during that month, regardless of when I invoice, it's counted as income during that month. With most clients, I invoice immediately or very soon thereafter.

Well, right now, I have one assignment I turned in May 31, and the woman still hasn't approved the project. She's always slow, but this is crazy. Just emailed her again today to say, HELLO (in an ever-polite way)!

Same with another project I turned in June 3. No feedback yet, though the article is much like the one I turned in about three weeks before, and they loved it and had no changes. I'm starting to get irritated.

On top of that, I've got an outstanding invoice from April. The place sent me copies of the published mag, but no check yet. Really?!

So the upshot is that work is humming along nicely, but I can't fathom why these situations are occurring. I've yet to get stiffed in my seven years of business, and they're all solid, financially health clients. So I don't feel like that's about to start. But wow.

P.S. At this moment, July looks slower. However, a number of people are saying, "How busy are you?" So I'm guessing July will turn out OK.

P.S.S. Paula, same boat in terms of expenses. Right now, a tooth that I just had a replacement crown put on in December is suddenly irritating me. My dentist is closed Mondays, but when I finally get in, I fear it'll be another $500-$750 tooth repair. Damn!

Lori

July 3, 2012

Gabriella, I track mine per invoice only because I date invoices and can keep it all straight in my own head. However you want to do it works, I say!

The one you said HELLO to, try this: Send her a note saying you've not heard from her in a while, and that you assume that means all is well. Here's the invoice, thankyouforyourbusinessverymuch…

Gets them moving in most cases. Currently, I have a client who's busy and hasn't gotten back to me with edits. He's about to get the notice that late fees are automatically attached at a certain point, so let's get moving…