What’s on the iPod: Almost Famous by Eminem
How was the weekend? Ours was an emotional roller coaster of sorts. We went from a funeral to a Celtic festival on the same day. His coworker, a lovely, 31-year-old woman, succumbed to sarcoma. It was a lump that appeared two weeks after the birth of her second child, which she thought was pregnancy-related. Unfortunately, it spread rapidly. It was a heartwarming service at her church, but there wasn’t a dry eye, including mine. I knew her only in passing, but the thought of her two boys unaware of what they were there for just knocked the wind out of me.
We were thankful for the long ride to Bethlehem, PA for the Celtic festival. Amazing lineup of musicians, and crowded. I think the funeral was still fresh in our minds — we weren’t really feeling it. We did see a musician we’ve come to really enjoy — a local guy — who was playing at a cafe nearby. If we hadn’t bumped into him, we’d never have known. That was the highlight of the entire day. Maybe it was the familiar face mixed with his amazing vocals, but we were feeling right as rain after listening to him.
So on to the business of looking backward a bit. I have to tally it all now because it’s been too busy to look up to this point. Thankfully today is slower; just one project to complete and setting up interviews for a quick article due in two weeks.
Here’s what happened this month on this side of the monitor:
Queries:
I sent one. Friday. That resulted in two assignments, one of which is due in late December and will be paid for in January. Always great to start the year with a known cash flow.
LOIs:
I sent none because I was so busy with no end in sight (and that’s still true). Instead, I followed up on many that I’d sent. That resulted in a few upcoming conversations.
Existing clients:
Whoa, did this lot keep me busy! I’ve now signed on for a monthly retainer with one client, where the bulk of my work this month has come from. Also, I handled newsletter content for another clients, and an article for a favorite magazine.
New clients:
Though one client is new, it’s someone I signed on with a month or so ago. I delivered website content, which they’re reviewing this week. Also, I started working with a really nice client I met at the trade show. I’m providing blog posts, which are always fun.
Referrals:
I don’t think there were any, though there may have been one I’ve forgotten. Either way, no new business this way. Instead, I farmed out a job to a writer friend because my dance card was filled to overflowing. Happy to share the workload and earnings.
Earnings:
I like this earnings pace. This month, I was once again over my targeted income goal, this time by $1,600. Call me a nervous person, but I love stocking the revenue larder as December comes closer. I don’t mind sitting idle during the holidays if in fact I have the cash stored up to do so. Though, I suspect this December I won’t be idle at all. Projects are already lined up.
Bottom line:
Still reaping the benefits of that one conference, and happy to have made some strong connections with the editors and clients I’m working with. While at the moment I’m looking at one unpaid invoice in which the client has gone completely mute (and that late fee will go out today), I’m also seeing a lot of invoiced fees coming shortly, with a bit more on the way. Thanks to the retainer and that one query, my October target is met. Nice way to start the month!
Time also to start marketing for November and January (and beyond). Even though there’s a retainer in the works, I will not assume it’s a done deal, for that’s financial suicide. As much as things are going well today, you never know what changes come tomorrow that could mean you’re no longer needed. So we keep marketing.
How was your September?
September was good and busy, and October will be so, too. I'm pitching for November and beyond, and I'm up for a steady local gig — pay wouldn't be that great, but it opens a lot of doors for me for other things, so, as a short-term thing, it's worth it, if I get it.
I'm working in CT this week, and it's more stressful than it should be. I think I'll be easing away from this client. But at least I can meet with an agent while I'm here on Wed.
September can be summed up in one word: Disappointing.
Yes, I was sick for a week, but I worked through it, so that's not the issue.
Instead of queries I focused on LOIs this month and sent out five. One had to be sent snail mail since I couldn't find the editor's e-mail address, but that let me include a lot of clips that I would otherwise have had to attach. And I don't like attaching files to cold-call LOI e-mails.
I replied to two job listings that dovetailed nicely with my experience, and both were for respected companies. That was just last week, so no word yet.
For existing clients I turned in one column and three articles, and picked up one fun assignment from Favorite Editor.
My only new client continues to be a résumé client who can't decide what to list from her most recent job (apparently she hated it). It took a couple weeks to convince her the old "format" she loved made absolutely no sense. The biggest problem is she takes about 1-2 weeks to reply each time I send follow up questions.
No referrals.
Earnings were dismal. Less than half my modest monthly goal. Why? Chronic late payer is now two months past-due (based on his lax terms) on something that ran in July, and as of today is past due on something that ran in September. Like Lori's slow-payer, neither of the top contacts at this place have the courtesy to reply to my messages. Also, a regional magazine I write for is slow – but that editor contacted me, saying the accountant had to remind her to approve invoices and get them to her, but promised she'd do that the next day. I expect their check to arrive today or tomorrow.
The work I did for the late-payer and the regional slow-payer combined is nearly the same as my monthly goal.
Bottom line: Chronic late-payer has to be replaced. Soon. So I'm redoubling my LOI efforts effective immediately.
Good way to make lemonade from that lemon, Devon! Good luck with the agent inquiries.
Paula, I agree. That late payer is long overdue for the door.
My September was pretty disappointing too, Paula. I'm working on improving things for October.
Hang in there, Kim. Better things are coming. 🙂
Is it October already? Sept. seemed to go by in a flash… it was pretty good to me actually…
Late-Payer update. I just sent the Final Notice, and cc-ed their very nice (and put-upon) editor. She replied to me saying they told her they'd mailed my check this weekend. I don't think she quite believed it, since she asked me to let her know when it arrives.
The funny thing is, in each e-mail to the bosses I ask them to reply directly, like they used to. Now everything comes through the editor. I think I scare them.
Also good news: I may have picked up a quick little editing job through my sister. The same client of hers I've edited bios for before again asked her if "your editor" could so a small job!
Could do a small job. Yeesh, thank goodness I don't get paid for blog comments. I'd need to fire myself thanks to all my typos.
My September was pretty good to me, too. The past two weeks were crazy trying to get it all done. But I figured it was necessary since July and August were decent, but I didn't do much to make them fantastic.
October's scheduled, so I have to now start focusing on November. But I'm like you, Lori. Been building up those recurring monthly projects so that if I get no other work, I've still got an acceptable income base.
I currently have three regular projects (two that require weekly work, and one that requires monthly work). I also have a fourth that's every other month. It's not enough to live on, but it's slowly grown over time. Hallelujah!
Glad you had a good September, Gabriella! Hallelujah, indeed!