Words on the Page

On the Search for Leprechauns

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Rain by Scott Blasey Today is the last post you’ll get out of me until the end of the month, but stick around. Plenty of folks have helped fill this blog with excellent information and advice. I spent yesterday putting things in order. Let me say I LOVE AT&T Wireless. Setting…

Let’s Be Consistent

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Sweet Sophia by Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers Many thanks to my camera company, Fuji, which responded quickly to my call asking for help. I’d sent the camera in for repair and had received mixed messages on when I’d get it back. I explained calmly but with a little “oh dear”…

Of Weekends and Strong Drinks

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Clowns by The Clarks With weekends like the one I just had, I’m glad to be able to come to work and sit for a while. Not only are we preparing for a vacation, but let’s throw a party in there three days after we get home. Oh, and four…

What I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Ah! Leah! by Donny Iris Yesterday was great. I managed to finish a lot of blog posts for the entire month of October for one client, and tried to get some work lined up for when I return. I had time to get some invoices filed and get some work papers…

You, Sued

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Rebecca by Daphne du MaurierWhat’s on the iPod: Happiness Is by The Airborne Toxic Event Yesterday was one of those days. I was motivated enough, but couldn’t stay focused on the projects. Thank goodness there were only two small ones. Never thought I’d rejoice in the lack of work. Daughter called with…

Why Marketing is Simple

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby FooteWhat’s on the iPod: Wasted Words by The Allman Brothers Band In case you missed it, I have a post up over at About Freelance Writing. Check it out and join the discussion. Busy day yesterday. Between vacation plans and trying to stockpile work, I…

Rallying Around the Cause

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Pearl by John SteinbeckWhat’s on the iPod: Just Another Girl by Pete Yorn Maybe someone can explain to me why companies tend to say one thing and do another. My new digital camera went back to the company for repair on September 15th (flash wasn’t working). The website says 10-15 days…

Stress Balls

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Rebecca by Daphne du MaurierWhat’s on the iPod: I Want to be Sedated by The Ramones Today starts the marathon. Time for me to inhale deeply and power through a lot of small projects so I’ll have some money post-vacation. I’ve asked one client to double up on the projects until the…

Grammar Cops Gone Bad

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Rebecca by Daphne du MaurierWhat’s on the iPod: Dream by Priscilla Ahn The tickets are bought! Our official time away is now October 13-27. I can’t believe it. The itinerary is sketched in, and I’m getting the details sorted here at home before leaving. Paying bills, making sure instructions are left for…

Monthly Assessment: September 2010

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Same stuffWhat’s on the iPod: Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event September was a somewhat abbreviated month thanks to surgery. Who knew that and an impending vacation would impact the workload so much? Oh hell, I did. It’s happened before. And par for the course, I’ll be heading off on…

Cathy

The best news in September was I passed the total amount I made in all of 2009.

I picked up a new client that pays well, pays on time and looks like one that may turn into long-term.

I also picked up two longer ghostwritten feature articles for a client that was unexpected and there is a chance it could turn into a regular gig with the industry magazine. I already have one regular gig (ghostwritten) with the same magazine for an article every other month-woo-hoo! 🙂

Diane

Biggest news on the September front was 2 new purchase orders for activity annuals, a rather nice pay rise at the (editing) day job, and a slight increase in responsibilities and knowledge requirements at the day job.

I made some big decisions, most notably to do with NaNo (to do or not to do and what to do). But I don't seem to have achieved a great deal.

Irreverent Freelancer

I'll be back with a better assessment in a few days, but I suspect September was slightly underwhelming thanks to a vacation. What I'm most concerned about is October. I have tons of *potential* projects that could have me tearing out my hair if they all come to fruition. Right now, however, all of those would-be clients are dragging their heels, so I could be twirling my hair around my fingers instead. Whatever happens, I have to keep reminding myself to take advantage of any slowdowns that come my way.

Enjoy the vacation. You've definitely earned this one!

Paula

Queries: I only sent four queries, no news yet. Most were to an existing client who should be assigning within the next week or so. Fingers crossed.

I've had to follow up on one query multiple times. The high-end magazine insists all queries be submitted via an on=line form. The website states 3 weeks for replies. Some 7 weeks later, still no reply. Two weeks ago I did as directed by their FAQ and e-mailed their articles department for a status update. No reply. I also tried the alternate follow up approach and called the voicemail box set up specifically to handle status update requests. Mail box was full. Operator was unavailable. Argh!

New Clients: Sent one LOI which resulted in an assignment withing 24 hours. It looks like it could become an on-going client, but the amount of work for what they pay means I'll only take assignments from them when I have a bit of time to fill. I'm currently working on my first article for this trade magazine.

Job Postings: Replied to two job postings. (Do I hear crickets?)

Existing Clients: An existing client has been keeping me busy with a flurry of quick projects. I have an article due today for another existing client. I also turned in an article a couple weeks ago for another long-time client.

Only turned in two blog posts (the company I blog for sends me the yarn and patterns for my blog projects, but back-to-back shipping errors meant more than a month for the yarn to arrive).

Turned in four columns.

Earnings: Things are slowly starting to improve, but earnings were still about $500 short of my monthly goal.

Have another $1500 worth of projects invoiced or soon-to-be invoiced.

Lori

That's GREAT news, Cathy! Congratulations!

Great news from you as well, Diane! And I'm with you on NaNo. Good luck!

What a delicious dilemma to be in, Kathy. Too many clients and too much work – amen to that! LOL Here's to hoping the offers are accepted in sensible intervals. 🙂

That's just irresponsible of them, Paula. Now just imagine if that were your check lost in their maze – be thankful, I guess!

Jake P

I haven't done the math, but like Cathy, I'm guessing I've surpassed 2009 already. Part of that was being in Canada all last year, which hurt my in-person mojo, but the reality seems to be that there's more money being spent out there. I've been my busiest since maybe 2007 or so.

The one downer was the final death rattle of a long-time newsletter client. I knew it was coming, but it still stinks. They cut my business in half last year, now the other 50% went bye-bye when they went bankrupt. But, as always, an illustration of why a freelancer must be diversified! If you want to eat and pay the mortgage, anyhow.

Cathy

I know I do, Jake-the eating part. 😀

Gabriella F.

Hello, Lori!

Glad you're recovering nicely!

On the business front, Cathy and Jake prompted me to check my earnings last year. I can't remember my exact earnings last year–and I'm too lazy to check–but I'm pretty sure I'm there or have surpassed them. Good for all of us!

On the query front, I didn't send a single one. I'm in a bit of an unmotivated funk, and I can't seem to snap myself out of it. It's dumb of me, I know.

On the monthly earnings front, I had a good but not a month that makes me burst with pride. I was going gangbusters during the summer, and now fall is less busy. (Refer back to the unmotivated discussion above.)

I did get an unsolicited call from a publishing company asking me if I was interested in doing a six-month-long project management assignment. I am, and they're still considering me.

HOWEVER, that will require a few off-site meetings, which I loathe! Yet I'll do them if I get the green light.

Have a great and relaxing vacation, Lori. You've earned it!

Paula

Quick update on that high-end magazine that still hasn't replied to my query, now 8 weeks after the fact: Yesterday I had a call from their subscription department trying to get me to renew. I know the caller has no connection to the editorial department, but I said, "No matter how much I enjoy the magazine, I will not be renewing my subscription until the editorial office responds to my article query."

After I hung up I tried their special phone line for requesting status updates. The mail box is still full. Operators are still unavailable.

becky @ misspriss

Argh – how frustrating, Paula!

I was in a holding pattern in September. No better, no worse than previous months, but hoping to hear back on several things.

October's looking slightly better, though!