April Musings & No Foolin’

I thought about writing an April Fool’s Day prank today, but quickly dismissed that idea from my tired mind. I’m certain that much of what you’re reading today is “foolish” enough without me adding my piece to the hilarity.

Instead, today is a good time to take stock in what you do. April 1 may be a day for mirth, but it is also the first day of the second quarter of the year. That means you have already expended one-fourth of the year which leads to my transitive question:

How is it working out for you?

Granted, you may not have run your quarterly (or monthly) reports yet or have paid scant attention to your checkbook. I understand that—this is a busy week for a lot of people who are observing Passover or Holy Week and are occupied with matters well beyond this earthly realm.

What I am suggesting is that when you get a quiet moment next week or after April 15 (when your taxes are due), to reassess everything. That’s what I am planning to do and have already marked it on my calendar. April 21 is the day I will review the first quarter and adjust my plans for the coming months.

Periodically, I review my writing business to see what works and what isn’t working. Usually, I need to only tweak a few things and move on, but if a customer has gone away or if new business has arrived, then I am adjusting accordingly already.

Some things to be watchful for:

Payments – I had a week in March where everyone who owed me money was late. No, they were not late according to our respective agreements, but at least one customer waited until the last possible moment to make payment. I can handle that, but not people who have missed their deadline entirely. Reminders were sent out to everyone else except to one customer who is hanging on by a thread. That conversation will take place next week when I expect to ask the ultimate question: are you planning to pay me or is this the end of the line? Take a look at the payment habits of your customers to see if a certain pattern has emerged; take action if these changes are impacting you adversely.

Schedules – For one customer I’ve moved my writing schedule from the first week of the month to the second week. Thankfully, this customer has given me that flexibility as the first few days of the month tend to be hectic. Review your personal schedule to determine if deadlines are bunched together, causing you much stress. If they are not, but you’re still stressed, artificially move up one deadline to complete an important project well before it is due. You can still submit it just before the due date, but you will have it finished before the editor comes a calling.

Queries – I have noticed that some of my magazine clients are cutting back, with at least one struggling to stay in business. This comes as no surprise to me as the transition from print to web publishing continues unabated. Certainly, some publishers want their regional or niche print magazines to survive, but market forces are dictating otherwise. Now is a good time for freelancers to explore who is making a name for themselves online, hitching a ride to a rising star while letting old and ineffectual projects die a merciful death. The operative word here is ineffectual—stay tethered to your good clients.

The business management end of freelance writing seems to intrude on what we love to do: write. But, if you keep that aspect of you work under control, you’ll find that you have more time to put pen to parchment or at least keystroke to screen, creating your best work while getting paid what you deserve.

See Also: Write Often To Write Better