Words on the Page

Worthy Tip: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Love the Way You Lie by Eminem (with Rihanna) Odd day yesterday. I managed a small, complex project and got some brainstorming for a larger project started. At lunchtime I dashed out hoping to find a coat. I have a friend in my meditation group who’s having a rough time and…

Writer, Help Thyself

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane ParkinWhat’s on the iPod: Valley of Tomorrow by Needtobreathe Yesterday was a busy day. I had three interviews for an article plus a small project to finish up in between all the calls. I managed to get some research cobbled together for the calls, so I’m happy where…

Spreading the Wings

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: 25 to Life by Eminem Crazy day yesterday. Had some research to do and a small project to handle, but mostly I spent the day going over contracts and arranging interviews for an article. Today starts what I call my Marathon Interview Week – four in two days. It doesn’t sound…

Putting Your Professional Foot Down

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane ParkinWhat’s on the iPod: One by U2 Yesterday was a day of coordinating interviews and contracts. The only writing I did consisted of a complaint letter. Here’s what happened: Daughter was called for an interview with a company seven states away. She asked for a phone interview. Nothing…

Ups and Downs

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane ParkinWhat’s on the iPod: Laundry Room by The Avett Brothers There is no joy in Mudville…. Funny how to the losers, it’s just a game (we keep telling ourselves), but to the winners, what a game! Congratulations to Packers fans everywhere. A well-deserved, hard-fought win. Had a nice…

Shipping Up to Boston

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys By the time you read this, I’ll have been in Boston and will be heading back. His mom’s 90th birthday party was yesterday and we were all gathering post-storm in Boston to celebrate. Because it’s Friday and I have a BIG weekend ahead (football…

What’s in Your Freelance Basket?

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane Parkin What’s on the iPod: The Electric Boogie by Marcia Griffiths (Oh, yes I did!) Nice day yesterday. I managed one small project, then had the rest of the day to plan out an article, including lining up interviews and scaring up some experts. The experts part was…

Yes Virginia, You Can Over-promote

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane ParkinWhat’s on the iPod: No Good with Faces by Jack Johnson Nice slow day yesterday. Slow in the sense that I had time to breathe a little and think as I arranged interviews for a new project. I took some time to read a little industry news and…

Five Stupid Freelance Moves

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: A History of Irish Fairies by Carolyn WhiteWhat’s on the iPod: True Believer by The Clarks A number of years ago today, I looked for the first time into eyes that altered my world forever. A stranger then, he melted me when he latched onto my pinkie with his little hand. He…

Monthly Assessment: January 2011

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Night Crawler by Diane Parkin (Yay, Diane!)What’s on the iPod: Where You Are by Rascal Flatts Wonderful weekend full of activity. After spending Friday’s lunchtime digging out the mailbox, I finished up an article and roughed in another. Friday night was spent with our monk, whose company is always welcome. He’s family….

Devon Ellington

Marketing, of course, fell by the wayside. I sent out far too few queries — only 5 — but 4 hit the mark for future work, but that doesn't help me right now.

I got a lot done on my list, some had to be rearranged as other opportunities came up.

My Wrap-Up for January is on the Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions site — I had a great, intense writing weekend:

http://goalsdreamsresolutions.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/january-wrap-up-2/

Lori

Good seeing you back there, Devon. I've always enjoyed reading your progress. 🙂

Eileen

My first month as copy director for my main client went very well. I enjoyed working with subcontract writers more than I expected to, and I cranked out more words myself consistently than I have ever done. I'm really enjoying the collaborative aspects of the job, which is a rare treat. I'm glad I have this steady gig, because two of my long-time customers who typically give me a lot of work in January didn't have it this year. One of the companies is essentially out of business, and the other one has been laying off people and slimming down. I haven't contacted anyone else on my list because my main client is pretty much keeping me busy full time. It's a calculated risk, but one that suits me for now.

Gabriella F.

Hi Lori.

How about we pretend you didn't ask this question, huh?

OK, here goes. Earnings-wise, January was pay-my-bills OK, but not good. However, I already have a full plate for February.

I also didn't respond to any ads because the jobs pay too little. As for new business, if we can agree on pay today, I'll begin a book project with a new client this week. That was a referral from a publishing friend. Yay!

I've been connecting with existing clients, and they're reliably giving me new work. So I feel good about that.

Long story short: January was weak. February is looking better.

Paula

I'd say my January sounds like Gabriella's, only without the possible book project.

Last year I played along with a full break down, this year I'll do quick reviews:

Very busy month. I completed four articles (including one big rush job), two columns one blog post, and several quick little projects – all for existing clients.

Sent a handful of queries, one editor e-mailed to let me know how close my pitch was to what they needed and attached their new editorial calendar to help me generate new ideas. The biggest surprise? The story I pitched was directly tied to the issue's theme, but the ones they chose had no obvious connection.

I have some marketing plans in place for the articles I wrote for that micromanager.

Actual income was about $400 short of the mark, but as Gabrielle said, it paid the bills. (The mail isn't here today, so that negative could turn into a positive if the check for last week's rush job arrives today.)

Lori

Eileen, that sounds like a great gig. Love that you're loving it so much!

No pretending, Gabriella. 🙂 Okay is good because you were smart – you now have February planned out. Sometimes the lull is needed in order to realign the ducks. 🙂

I know you weren't going to play along, Paula, but I'm very glad you did. 🙂 Amen that you're so close to this month's goal! Next month will be better.

Paula

Let's make that "surpassed" this month's goal. I just brought in the mail and there was the check for last week's rush job that officially put me a teeny bit over my minimum monthly goal.

Mind if I gloat a bit before I go submit another invoice?

Eileen

Paula – I LOVE when that happens! To give myself the same thrill even when the check doesn't come in, I have a column in a spreadsheet labeled "production." That way, even if I'm not paid $X within the calendar month, I can look at it and know I produced that much.

Diane

Thanks for the shout out! :o) I hope you're enjoying her but also hope you feel able to tell me if and why you don't.

Lori

I'm with Eileen, Paula. I don't count checks arriving as my total – I count work billed. I can't imagine what my totals would look like if I waited for those checks!

So far, Diane, I'm enjoying it immensely! Love the premise and the flow.

Paula

If I counted what I'd billed, I'd be depressed wondering where all that money was!

I do keep track of how much I have invoiced out, too.

Irreverent Freelancer

Just finished January invoicing and I hit my target range for the third straight month. Before we go celebrating though, I was hoping to up my range for 2011 like you, Lori. In that case, I'm a little bit below where I'd like to be.

None of my spur-of-the moment marketing paid off in January (although I suppose it still could) and I wasted a lot of time on a project that didn't pan out thanks to major contract issues. However, previous clients I haven't heard from in months (in one case years) have sought me out, keeping me quite busy. I also landed a new local client for February … still not sure how they found me. Finally, I secured one new client in January, the story behind which I believe is a good takeaway for your readers.

I have a statcounter on my blog and on an irregular basis, I check out the keyword searches that are leading to me. I saw one particular phrase a few years ago that is in one of my writing niches so I wrote a blog post about it. This new clients Googled that phrase, found the post and contacted me. Sound like a familiar strategy? That's because I stole it from Demand Studios (shhh, don't tell them ;o)) Why anyone would write articles for $15 a pop for someone else when they could set up their own site or blog for free and write targeted articles of their own that could lead to business over and over again is beyond me.

Not to stir the DS pot again, but I just may have to blog about this situation. Heck, I've pretty much just written that post to you. ;o)