Each day, I sent out 10-15 well edited, nicely designed emails and/or snail mail packets describing how fabulous I was and how much I could improve their profits and lessen their work load. I spent every night compiling the packets and spent every morning send them out. The afternoons were for follow up. Every day, including weekends... If I had to miss a day, I doubled up the next day. This went on for three months.
After a time, 7 or 8 publishers said they would like more information.
Eventually, 1 hired me.
800 attempts with 1 success. My business plan stated that I needed a minimum of 10 clients to stay afloat and it took three months and hundreds of hours sending non-mass-mailed outreach letters and painful phone calls to get me 1 client.
It was enough.
With that one client, I now had a job to do. I worked for Write-Stuff Publishing like my life depended upon it and a few weeks later, Avant Guild Publishing followed. In time, I had more clients than I could handle and had to hire help. It was a slow, tiring journey, but today, I have an amazing business partner, terrific clients, fantastic employees, a gorgeous office.... we are looking good!
It is hard to remember how I felt at the beginning until I speak with an author or editor who is ready to branch out on their own. I often hear the following:
"But I've SENT out SO many queries!" or "It's really tough out there.... no one is responding to my requests"
I was reading a great blog at http://www.urbanmusewriter.com/ written by a freelancer who's family is sending her emails filled with dire predictions of her starvation and bankruptcy. I was cheering her on as I read about her rejection letters and growing panic, but she kept going. As I read on, she was able to share the BEST part about taking the plunge... some one hired her.
ONE success. It is enough. But it takes a LOT of perseverance. What separates those who make it from those who don't? Lots of things... but the FIRST thing on the list is the ability to not give up.
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