Adventures in Freelancing

I am so tired. I have been writing almost non-stop since Thursday. I have had no time to write all the blogs I planned, no time to start designing my brochures or business cards, no time to shower or do laundry. Okay…so, yeah, I have had time to shower. You know what I mean, though. I am busy.

f

So, I am not complaining about this run of good fortune, but I realize this could turn into a cobbler with crappy shoes sitch. So here’s what I’m going to do about it:

f

I am marking in my appointment book some time to work on developing my business. I will schedule my writing deadlines around this time. 

f

How are you guys doing?

I can not believe I actually had time this weekend, but I did. I finished my 2009 business plan. It’s not the formal sort of plan that I normally do for clients, but it’s still chock full of all the useful crap a business plan should be full of.

f

For those of you who plan to do your own business plan for next year, here is an outline of mine:

f

2009 Goals- this section discusses my 10 major goals for 2009 including:

-monthly income I want to make

-types of clients I want to get

-groups I want to join

-seminars I want to attend and classes I want to take

f

Methods to Madness- this section breaks down each goal, gives the details of the goal and the way I plan to achieve it.

f

2009 Resources to Obtain- this section discusses books, programs, and materials I need to buy.

f

2009 Budget- this section discusses my budget for money spent on materials, classes, etc. and a budget for my time. 

f

Some of the more exciting plans I have for next year are:

-Hiring a maid to come and clean once a month

-In 2009 I’ll be dedicating 1 day a month to working as I will need to when I am a full time freelancer. This means I’ll have to spend about 8 hours writing that day.  

-I’m going to develop some brochures and business cards for my direct mail marketing campaign.

f

I am so happy I completed the business plan. I feel much more organized and I feel like I can actually accomplish everything I’ve set out to do. 

f

If you wish to follow this series from the beginning click, “Mind Yo’ Bidnez “  under categories.

I am so dedicated to making mistakes for you guys. Seriously, you should thank me heartily. Here’s a recap of my day:

f

1. Spelled the last name of a quoted source wrong. I knew his name. Knew the spelling. Knew how to spell it. Spelled it wrong. Luckily, it was caught before I submitted it. CAUGHT BY THE SOURCE. Naturally. Of course. I apologized to him for being a hack.

f

2. I had to do a story for a local paper about a community center. There were supposed to be vendors and events at the community center. There were no vendors or events. I interviewed someone about the success of the day. They told me not to quote them under any circumstances- AFTER I INTERVIEWED THEM. Huh? Yeah, so, I guess I should make it clear from the outset that I plan to quote them? Like, my asking questions and writing down what they say is not enough?

f

3. In trying to fill out my week next week, I responded to a job on Digital Point Forum. I hate that site, but I’m trying to branch out. He says he needs a writer immediately. I chat with him online and tell him I can turn the content in by Thursday. He is upset because 6 DAYS IS NOT IMMEDIATE. He’s right. I should have realized that immediate meant…immediately. Argh.

f

Beyond that though, I had a very good and productive day. Honestly, even the annoying bits were kinda fun and exciting! It makes my life sound so interesting! Especially when the chick I was interviewing freaked out and the Marketing lady at the community center got scared I would make the event sound bad. I felt so powerful.  I told her that it would be a puff piece, not investigative journalism…..but I’m not sure she believed me

f

***NEWSFLASH*** Little update on the  DP drama. The client actually apologizes to me. Says that he expects too much for too little. Says it’s his fault and refuses to take my article the day I guarantee it. Forces me to take 2 extra days to work on it. Ladies and Gents, I’ve officially entered the Twilight Zone.

f

****ANOTHER NEWSFLASH**** Okay, so the DP client and I were talking on IM about his site, what it means to him, why he wants the content. He moved me so much that I’m doing the content for free. This is my way of maybe thanking a certain writer/ editor who has been helping me for free. Pay it forward?