Learn to Email Clients: May Wrap-Up

Unlike April, May has been a month of hard work that still somehow felt relaxing.

You may remember that I went through a few set-backs in April. As hard as that was when it happened, in the long run I think it was incredibly good for me.

It forced me to think more critically about what sort of work I want to be doing, how I spend my time, and what my long-term goals are.

Lessons Learned – Take on New Challenges When Finding New Clients

While losing any amount of work is always painful for a freelancer, it presents us with an opportunity: branch out and find new and different work.

Most of my April losses were among my wedding industry clients. (I think the end of the first quarter and tax time caused a lot of businesses to look at their finances and panic, which is understandable, if difficult for me.) So I took the opportunity to focus on my other writing.

You may know that I am also available to write on business topics including career development, freelance work, online business, and social media. I am also available as a social media manager and to help websites create editorial calendars for their blogs. In May, I took on more of this type of work — and honestly, the change of pace was refreshing! I began working with several new clients, including writing for three new websites.

Shameless plug here: if you need a writer or social media manager for any career, online business, or freelancing topics, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Learn to Email Clients and Land New Work

Click to get your free report!

Last month I mentioned the secret project I was working on, and this month I was thrilled to send it out into the world! (Or, you know, into the Internet.)

If you’re wondering where to find new freelance clients, or if you know where to find them but are too scared to click “send,” check out my free download, Hot, Warm & Cold: Three Email Templates That Will Help You Land Clients.

In it, you’ll find not just tips, but a fill breakdown of three types of emails that I successfully use to find new work.

Blogging My Writing Process

I finally got back to my plan of posting about my novel-writing progress here. In May I talked about some unusual research sources I’ve found. I also confessed that I need to revise some of my goals due to a combination of physical injury and general sluggishness. I’m still feeling solidly on-track, which makes it easy to press on. I’m still loving the story I’m working on, which helps, and I’m so grateful that my work schedule allows me to take time to focus on it.

Some Playtime!

Birthday trip to Longwood Gardens — one of our favorite places!

Another reason May always feels relaxed for me is that it’s a month full of personal things.

My husband works in academia, so the end of the semester at the beginning of May always means our lives get a lot calmer for a few weeks.

Both our birthday are also in May, his at the beginning of the month and mine at the end, so we usually set aside time for a few fun day trips and visits with friends to celebrate.

Part of me feels a little guilty for taking that time (or really any time) off work, which I suspect is something all business owners feel.

But I try not to let that bother me too much. After all, that’s one of the perks of working for yourself, right?

Around the Web

If you love beautiful writing, you should check out James Somers’ moving post, You’re Probably Using the Wrong Dictionary. And if you’re anything like me, your first reaction will be, “I need a new dictionary.”
No matter what industry you’re in, networking is part of the deal. Check out my article for Career Addict if you need to brush up on some rusty networking skills.
Carol Tice of Make a Living Writing explains 5 easy ways that you can stand out as a freelancer — and they don’t just apply to writers!
I had fun researching career fields where women are achieving equal representation for Moxie Lady.
If you’re starting to work from home, you should develop these 5 healthy habits.
On Leaving Work Behind, David Schnieder reminds us of the danger of comparing ourselves to others — something that’s very easy to do in the online world!