What I’m reading: The Hamlet by William Faulkner
What’s on the iPod: Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles
April. Really? I’m still getting used to 2012. If you must know, I’m still getting used to the 20– part instead of 19–.
It was a slightly slower month mainly because I focused on marketing for the conference. I turned down one assignment thinking I wouldn’t have time for it. In the end, I wouldn’t have. The client’s “need it by” date was actually her “I’ll have it ready for you to look at” date. With April being busy, I fully expect my time to be gobbled up. There are a lot of projects about to be handed to me, and I know the conference will breed more. There’s already preliminary talk about what clients need.
So, let’s see how things went this month.
Queries
Just two sent this month. I didn’t net assignments right off, but I do expect to complete one in June (waiting for legislative changes).
LOIs
Here’s where things got a little nuts. Thanks to the conference this month, I sent out 73 intro notes. Seems like a lot, but I was shooting for 100. Still, it was obvious potential clients are ready to spend — I had to stop sending notes because my calendar filled up quickly. I haven’t had that happen since…. well, since never. Glad to see things picking up.
Existing clients
I rattled the cages of three existing clients, but to no avail. They’re all headed the same place I am in a few weeks, so their concentration isn’t on projects, but last-minute preparations. I did a few projects for an ongoing client, so that kept me busy enough to feel useful.
New clients
Nothing concrete here, but plenty of inquiries. I had two from my website (one ran away after hearing the price), and all those LOIs netted the interest of twelve companies, which I will meet in a few weeks. One is calling today to get a project going.
Referrals
I had two referral gigs this month. One turned out to be one of the nicest clients I’ve worked with in a while. Not that my clients aren’t all nice, but this was someone who paid instantly and was very congenial to work with. The other was just as nice and I was glad to make them both happy.
Earnings
I’m close. I’m just a few hundred off what I normally bring in, and I keep thinking I’ve forgotten something — an invoice. No matter. Money will be in the bank, amen. Tax time is looming.
Bottom line
I may be slightly off my target this month, but I know I’ve laid a great foundation for April and May and probably well into the summer. The strategic approach to this conference should pay off (it’s already paying off), and I’m hoping to have some time to enjoy myself. Three days could net me most of my income for the next year, so I’m definitely going to be prepared for this conference.
How was March for you? Any surprises?
Still can't get the 20– part? That's funny!
Had a publisher state that some work is coming my way soon and a previous client has some website work. However, they were slow on payment, so I'm not sure if I'll take it. Not much happened in March, but I was busy with my other job and family. We are taking furlough days this week, so I will market my butt off. I feel like things are going to take off this spring and roll right into summer.
Keep us posted on how many gigs come from this conference, Lori. I remember you stated that last year wasn't as successful as you hoped. Hopefully, this year will be better.
Walk Like an Egyptian! Awesome.
Two pleasant surprises of note: A consulting company that's been pretty steady became even steadier (and more voluminous). Lots of it has been rush, but I dig rush…probably more than most people. This week, I need to jam out a case study on a big player in green energy (not Solyndra, ha).
And I just got the call last week to edit a 2nd version of a compilation-style book that I worked on last year–with a 50% rate hike. Woohoo!
Congrats, Jake!!! And, Lori, if I haven't said so before, thank you for doing this every month. It compels me to do the same. 🙂
March for me was met with a finally. Income exceeded target by 30 percent. Of course, February stunk so the happy dance isn't quite as demonstrative.
Keeping up with my visibility campaign and some freebies I wanted to get done. All part of the master plan. 🙂
No new clients and I'd like to try to establish another anchor client. So will be working on that. Two anchor clients have picked up the projects, so that's good.
Can't wait to get past tax time-paying again-despite me paying at least 15 percent each quarter last year. Sigh. And I will be getting hit with some major health care bills. Nothing serious (healthwise-it just ain't cheap).
So, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's back to work I go. Have a great week, everyone.
hmmm… my first comment disappeared?? This happened on another blogger blog the other day. Do you see it Lori?
Here's the ironic side of freelance life: Sometimes the least income arrives during your busiest months.
March was incredibly busy for me – at one point I knocked out six articles in one week. Yet the grand total of payments I received wouldn't have been enough to buy a month's worth of groceries. Luckily I had enough in my checking account so I didn't need to dip into savings. On the bright side, the hefty check for five of those six articles should arrive any day. That will cover April bills and taxes. (I hope it will cover both what I owe and the 1Q payment.)
Queries – One targeted query to an existing editor. No reply.
LOIs – sent fives LOIs (three or four to custom publishers) and followed up on an LOI I sent to another custom publisher after seeing a new job listing by them seeking freelance writers and editors. No replies as yet.
Job Listings – replied to two listings last week, so no replies yet.
Existing clients – turned in one long article to the Late Payer (who claims to have a new, faster payment process in the works), five articles to Favorite Editor, three columns, and am currently working on one long article for another long-time client. Business seems to be picking up for another old client, who contacted me recently to see if I'd be available to take on some work.
New Clients – none.
Referrals – none.
Earnings – see above.
Bottom line – as proud as I was to have kept up with LOIs while slammed with so much work, I need to increase the number of queries, too.
Walk like an Egyptian? Wow, haven't heard that one in YEARS!!! 😀
Glad you like the music selection, Jake. 🙂 Awesome news on the extended work and especially that 50% rate hike! Wooo indeed!
Cathy, I'll do the demonstrative dance for you. 🙂 I'm the same about taxes. They scare the bejeezuz out of me even when I pay them on time and in full.
Let me rescue it, Wade. Sorry!
Yup, it's April already! 2012 is just breezing by… But it's already so much better than 2011 in terms of business and earnings on my end.
I've been invoicing and crunching the numbers for March. I did better than February and a lot better than March 2011. Unfortunately, one client contributed significantly to my bottom line due to lots of projects, but that makes me nervous. I just can't afford to rely too much on one client.
I had no new clients last month. All of this is evidence that I got lazy and wasn't marketing enough. I have to think long-term success, so I created a new plan and I'm working it daily.
LOVED Anne & Lori's webinar about trade pubs. A lot. I plan to query a couple this week that I've been eyeing for a while.
Bottom line: I'm happy about my earnings, but going forward need to market more for new business, and get back into the habit of doing follow ups.
Found it, Wade. Sorry. Blogger does that sometimes.
Sounds like the timing is perfect for you, Wade. If you get the gigs now, summer will be busy and lucrative!
Paula, thank goodness for a healthy savings account. Just think what April will look like with all those checks rolling in. 😉
Both Sides, I'd totally forgotten it was on the iPod! Nice little surprise.
Kim, that would make me nervous, too. I could live with one-third of the monthly coming from one client if the other two-thirds are regular work, too.
And I'm glad you liked the webinar. 🙂 Remember to ask questions in the forum! We're there to help.
Lori, how I wish my savings account were healthy. Slightly anemic is more like it. Shelling out money lately on house repairs – relatives will gather here for Easter and at least three are showing up early (weather permitting) to help prep & prime/paint the exterior trim, and the cousin I'm making the pool table pocket nets for is going to rebuild one of my porch rails that just can't withstand another piecemeal repair. So my money all seems to be going to Menard's this week!
The good news? The big check from Favorite Editor arrived in today's mail. And my sister is feeling well enough to have her dogs back at home.