Many thanks again to Devon Ellington (aka Jenny Storm) for spending time last week with us answering writing and publishing questions and sharing her process with us. If you have any more questions, you’re free to ask them here or visit her on her blog.
Another month, another assessment of how things went. May was only slightly better than April (minus the IRS, as well). I was busy, but not overly so. I marketed more, including putting together a mailing list and a new sales letter for a specific target market. I’ve yet to mail them, for as slow as things are, I’m kept busy with the steady gig. It’s a case of one job causing me to slack off on the others. No more.
Queries –
I was determined to get circulating more, so I sent out a number of queries to different industries and publications. I made the acquaintance of a few more editors who need specialized writing on occasion – never a bad thing. No new work – yet. I’m determined and hopeful, though. I did manage to get out a group of brochures to that list I’d made in April, but no takers yet.
Job postings –
I responded to a few hand-selected postings. Two gigs as a result. I’m pleased with the result as I spent much less time writing useless queries for low-paying work. I decided if price wasn’t stated in the ad or if anything seemed off, I wasn’t going to bother. I’m content with that choice.
Existing clients –
The bad news – one of my favorite “quick” gigs has lost its freelance budget for the remainder of the year. Other existing clients haven’t responded to my email queries, though I’ll keep in contact. When clients don’t respond, I suspect it’s because they don’t have anything at that moment. I refuse to believe otherwise until told differently.
Earnings –
Dismal. I invoiced just over half of my earnings goal. That’s not acceptable. I know there’s a recession, but that’s no excuse. There’s work out there. I need to shift focus or approach in order to find more.
Bottom line –
More marketing in new ways. The follow-up calls I should be making I’m not. I blame lack of time, but I need to budget the time. I did bring in two more regular clients, and that helps. It won’t bring me to the earnings level I need, but I like both clients and the work.
How was May for you? What are you doing going forward?
May was better than April. Finances were up, although still not where i want them. DIXIE DUST RUMORS released (early!), so I’m on the promo wagon for that. I’ve got some stuff coming out in June, and some possibilities for longer-term material coming up.
The fiction is outpacing and outpaying the business writing at this point, which is just fine with me.
Oh, boy, am I embarrassed to report that my May was horrid–and it was all my fault.
I just had no motivation. I obviously need a vacation! So after about a week of working at a snail’s pace, I finally told myself that I should just take it easy in May and rejuvenate. The result was less revenue than I need to pay my monthly bills. Oy!
I’m okay with that because I have savings and obviously I needed the mental break. In addition, I already have assignments for June that may rival my best month ever.
So I can proudly report that May stunk to high heaven!
On the new business front, I’ve been equally unmotivated. However, I appear to have fallen into a good gig. A big client is launching a new Web site, and I’ve already been told the client may want half to all of my time for six months. Not sure how I’ll juggle that, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
Viva la slacker!
Gabriella, have you considered a gig in politics? You just made a sucky month sound fantastic! LOL
Devon, I hear you. It’s time I get myself going on my fiction work. I’ve made a promise to myself I intend to keep. 🙂
May was a great month for me after four months of billing only about 60% of what I like to. June looks pretty good too, but I’m slacking a bit on the marketing because of my busyness. I’m aiming to fix that issue this week. I brought in one new client in April that spilled over to May, but most of the pickup came from former clients I haven’t worked with in a while–a good case for one of your regular marketing strategies, Lori: keeping in touch.
I hope you keep that promise to yourself. I’m so busy writing for other people that my personal projects are always getting pushed to the backburner. I think it’s important for us to take a step back sometimes and remind ourselves why we became writers in the first place.
Weird. Sounds like May was similar for both of us. One of my ongoing clients postponed for budgeting reasons and I’m ramping up marketing too. Oh, and I definitely only pursue gigs that post a rate. Otherwise, you’re in a blind bidding war.
May was slow for me. Mostly because of personal circumstances beyond my control. Several of my existing clients are also sending less work my way. Time for me to activate high-voltage marketing techniques. Can't stop now.