Wow. Another month gone by. Can you believe we’ve got one under our belt for this year already? For me, it’s been a busy January – happily so. After a December that was busier than expected but still weak, I was glad for the extra work. Just in time for April’s taxes. Joy. Freakin’ joy.
Taxes aside for now, it was a month where the business took on a new complexion. Last year at this time I was focusing on magazine work, client copy, and finishing up an unwieldy catalog job. This January, I’m the blog queen. I now put together seven of them, and I love every minute of it. Fun work, great clients, and neat topics.
One of the best things I’ve done this past month was part ways with an ongoing project that had turned into a huge time sink and decreased pay. There were other things going on that were unacceptable, but those two were enough. Because it offered steady income, I was reluctant, but when I really looked at it, I realized it was well past time. No regrets, either.
So let’s get to it:
Queries:
I’ve sent out three this month, all to different publications. No answer on two, but one didn’t quite make the mark. The editor is new and is still getting her footing, so I hope to work well with her once she’s up and running.
In general, I did little proactive marketing. You’ll see why in a minute. But that’s something I’m hoping to pick up on in February despite the many projects going on.
Job postings:
Right. I don’t even look anymore. But I did run across one someone had sent me and applied. Despite having the criteria for the job, no response. I suspect their price didn’t match my expectations. C’est la vie.
Existing clients:
Favorite clients were back with neat projects. They came to me, which is wonderful when that happens. It shows we have a good rapport and we understand each other. Had one quickie project and promises of a few more as their budget sees daylight again.
Also, ironed out a brief misunderstanding with a new client, one that had me a little frustrated, but one that was fixed with patience on both sides. Amen. That’s opened things up for both small and large projects from this one.
And I now have a signed contract from a long-time client that gives me weekly deadlines and frequent larger projects. I love working with this client, so that was a bonus.
Had a contact from years ago get in touch asking my price and my current status. He then said I’d be contacted because his company is looking for writing help. I’m so thankful he thought of me. I’ve always admired him and his company’s work. Fingers crossed.
And darned if Friday didn’t bring one more ongoing project from an existing client. Mind you, the job hasn’t been formally offered, but I’m hopeful. It would put me squarely in the middle of my specialty and make me happy as a clam.
Earnings:
Still not up to last year’s benchmarks, which are this year’s benchmarks, but January is typically slow, so I’m not worried. My targeted goal is just under $2K away and if the above-mentioned projects get going, that will be reached easily.
Bottom line:
Like I said before, marketing was passive this month. That’s changing as of today. One thing freelancing has taught me is that the financial picture is built on a soft foundation. You never know when one or more ongoing client projects will disappear.
As with last month, Twitter and LinkedIn continue to be the best source of marketing successes right now. I say right now because as you know, what works today may not work tomorrow. Like never putting all our client business in one client, we shouldn’t put our marketing efforts into one area. Just saying.
So how was your January? What was strong for you? Where can you improve?
This January is light years away from last January. Jan 09 was abysmal. This January, I broke my personal record for highest monthly income. The first week in January, I just sent out emails letting people know I was available. My first quarter is completely booked. I'm outsourcing some small, tedious projects to two other writers so I can have plenty of time to write the fun stuff.
Last week, another client wanted a project completed with an April 1 deadline. I've never turned down projects from good clients like this, but regrettably, I had to turn this one down because I could not shoehorn one more thing into my schedule. So they asked if I could accommodate them if they pushed the deadline back a couple weeks. Yes! Now I have my first project for 1st quarter booked as well.
If I knew what was bringing all this work my way, you can bet I'd repeat it. But I think it's external; clients are finally moving forward with projects they delayed due to budget reasons last year.
Correction: that should be "Now I have my first project for 2nd quarter booked."
That's fantastic, Eileen! My notes are going out this week, so I'm hoping to fill my dance card, as well. It's close now, but there's a little room for more.
I lost the bulk of January's income due to webhost problems that my current host refused to deal with. Thank goodness I'm moving hosts. I lost either three or four large assignments because of glitches. I don't even feel comfortable using anything from my host until after the move, because I can't afford, on any level, to lose anyone else.
If you're ever looking for a webhost, avoid 1and1.com at all costs.
I did get quite a bit done, and my first short story for kids 7-9 was published.
The details are up at: http://goalsdreamsresolutions.wordpress.com.
I'll put up February's To Do list tomorrow.
Love your list, Devon! It's always a great reminder of where we need to focus our energies.
January was a busy month for me. I did acquire a couple of new clients, but my total monthly income was weak.:(
Part of the reason is I'm working on a new project – developing content for a niche site/portal that's near and dear to my heart. It will also provide an opportunity to earn some "passive" income in the near future.
I didn't market as much at the beginning of the month as I should because I was still waiting on some brochures and business cards to come in. No excuses now – I'm on it!
My marketing successes and failures are too long to go into here (maybe I'll do my own post about them), but January was a very solid month for me, on par with months prior to the recession. So I'd have to agree with Eileen when she said, "clients are finally moving forward with projects they delayed due to budget reasons last year" and add that overall clients are finally in spending mode again, whether it's delayed projects or new projects. Let's hope that trend continues.
My January turned out okay. Not great, not horrible, but a solid start to the new year.
My income was within spitting distance of my monthly goal for 2010. Had two late payments arrived, I would have met (if not exceeded) that goal. One of those checks is *supposedly* being sent today.
Turned in three major articles, five columns and my first two blog posts.
I also began the year by e-mailing my editors (one beat me to the punch to tell me he had an assignment for me). Two of those editors assigned stories that are due this week and next. A third editor asked if I was familiar with "Ghost Whisperer" since he needed some articles on that – alas, I've only seen a couple of episodes, and none in over a year, so I didn't get that assignment.
As for queries: I sent some ideas a regular editor, who I hope will start assigning this week or next. I also sent two ideas to the editor of one of the articles I'm currently working on. I plan to ramp up the queries in February.
I tracked down a contact at a custom publisher I've long been interested in working with. He loved my clips and added me to their freelance list – so I'm hoping that some of their magazines will be making assignments for their next issues soon.
I only replied to one job listing – a duo of trade magazines looking for writers. (Unknowingly, I used Devon's, "that's not my area of specialty, but here is why I'm the writer for you…." approach.)
Hi Lori.
OK, let me start where I left off. I didn't give November and December's month-ends because I was out of town each time.
November was about the same as the rest of last year–decent, but not like 2008. December was a sloooow month! I billed enough to cover expenses, but I took off from Jan. 20 on, so that really cuts into the profits, no?
I thought Jan. would be a bust–which, frankly, scared me–but I ended up getting busy toward the end, and I was able to eke out a decent month.
February and March, however, are suddenly crazy. I've got more work than I have in three months, so perhaps others are right that the wallets are opening up.
On the new client side, I did some work in early January reconnecting with old clients through email and with lunches. Nearly every one has assigned work since then.
I also did some research to identify new potential clients and called one, had a nice chat, and sent off emails to the rest. No response, but that's OK. I'll ping them once in a while to let them know I'm a professional who's not going to disappear if a full-time job opens.
All in all, then, what started out looking like a scary year has transformed into a gangbusters first quarter.
Yippee!
Eileen, you are my hero! Go girl!
January was good to me.
One client that I had some doubts about early in the month has turned out to be far, far more reliable than I'd hoped, making it possible for me to keep that big continuing job and do it on a regular schedule–thus freeing time elsewhere in the month for other projects. Big plus when you work as few hours as I do!
Another continuing client (small local pub) pretty much gave me a carte blanche invitation to submit whatever I like, whenever, to keep his pages full. I like that arrangement!
A third client has had lots of problems the past couple months but looks to be back on track, so the work I do for her is also back on track.
I did one small project for an occasional client, and that has turned into promises of more related small projects this spring. I don't doubt she'll follow through; she's a good one.
I met a great new contact who invited me to present to her local group the March. The schedule is a problem at this point, but if I can manage to work it in, this event has the potential to be a major marketing/PR boon for me.
My business model changes are finally, finally coming together. With a little luck, all that mess will be behind me long before February is. Woo hoo!
And last, I had some doubts about whether I'd see a big check that was overdue from December work, but lo and behold, it showed up. Turns out my mail had been misdirected! So while the month/year started out in the red, it ended in a very good place, back solidly in the black.
Overall, no complaints. 🙂
Can't wait to see that new project, Kim! Keep us updated.
Kathy, I think the trend is reversing and, for now, budgets are back. Hopefully they won't dry up again mid-year, but I guess that means work extra to get those magazine gigs and copywriting gigs in and done before June!
Sounds like a pretty solid start, Paula!
Wow, great start, Gabriella! I like the idea of chatting with new folks. Networking isn't instant payoff like many people think, and I love that you hold that in escrow until later. 🙂
AnnaLisa, that sounds like a productive month! Congrats! Glad that check made it home. 🙂