Looking back on 2011 while looking ahead to 2012

As I look back on 2011, it comes to mind what a challenging year it was in its own way. Just when I thought my first full year of the agency in 2010 was difficult, 2011 proved me wrong. In many ways it was harder.

The challenges of 2010 were getting the agency established, promoting it, finding clients, and getting and keeping the work. While the agency was already well established by 2011, the other items on that list still remained a factor coupled with a continued down economy and less work overall than 2010. There were some months in 2011 that were downright scary for the old pocketbook, but somehow I managed to scrape by.

I guess in some ways I consider the freelance life a trade off of sorts. I trade a steady salary and job with benefits for being my own boss, deciding which clients I do and don't want to work with, and setting my own flexible schedule. And in a lot of ways, that trade off is overrated! The least fun part of being self employed is the making ends meet part. Some days I really miss having a salary I could rely on. You tend to take it for granted when you have one, but let me tell you that when you don't have it any more, you value it a lot!

I'm grateful for the existing clients that enjoy working with me enough to give me new pieces of business to work on with them. I'm also appreciative of colleagues who send business leads my way. It's nice to know that they think of me and my agency when the topic of marketing comes up in conversation. I'm happy for new clients that decide to take a chance on the high-strung redhead with all of the energy and ideas. And I'm especially appreciative that my little gamble two years ago paid off and that I've been able to make a go of this agency thing for another year.

So, for 2012 my wish is a return to 2010 levels of activity with good clients who pay on time who have interesting projects from which I can learn and grow. Here's to year three of Blabbermouth Communications and whatever may lay ahead!

Happy New Year everyone!