Last week I posted a 12-month, week-by-week calendar for beginner freelance designers, from an older publication that I found in HOW Magazine, that helps new freelancers structure and organize their marketing strategies.
While the goal of the ‘Beginner’ calendar was to introduce marketing discipline for newcomers, in this post I follow up with u a week by week calendar for ESTABLISHED freelance designers that focuses on building your already established design business, keeping the momentum in your favor and establishing yourself as a true professional.
January
» Week of 1/7: Send a press release, new work samples, or update via snail mail
» Week of 1/15: Send email newsletter
» Week of 1/28: Review last year’s newsletters, determine which articles could be developed for outside publication (blog posts, publication, public speaking)
February
» 2/4: Identify major design industry conferences and events; locate contact information and/or “call for presentation” for each
» 2/7: Valentine’s Day mailing
» 2/15: Send email newsletter
» Week of 2/25: Submit an article proposal to trade magazines
March
» 3/15: Send email newsletter
» 3/17: Submit your speaking credentials and three proposed topics to industry conference in 2009
April
» 4/3: Send a press release, new work sample or update via snail mail
» 4/15: Send email newsletter
» 4/21: Submit a white paper to a website or association in your target market
May
» 5/15: Send email newsletter
June
» 6/2: Send out a set of recent work samples to your entire contact list
» 6/15: Send email newsletter
» 6/23: Submit an article proposal to 2 or 3 trade magazines
July
» 7/7: Send a press release, new work sample or update via snail mail
» 7/15: Send email newsletter
August
» 8/15: Send email newsletter
» 8/18: Submit a white paper to a website or association in your target market
September
» 9/8: Fall mailings of your choice (more work samples, press release announcing competition win, awards, etc.)
» 9/15: Send email newsletter
October
» 10/15: Send email newsletter, submit an article proposal to 2 or 3 trade magazines
» 10/24: Halloween mailing
November
» 11/15: Send email newsletter
December
» Throughout the month: Mail holiday marketing effort; take note of your progress and areas of improvement; plan for 2010!
Don’t forget to check out the beginner’s freelance design calendar for scheduling your 2009 calendar.
Happy New Year everyone! I look forward to your comments and discussions in 2009! 
*UPDATE: Recently brought to my attention by Ilise Benun, the above calendar has been expanded upon and is now available for purchase.
You’ve done a nice job with these two articles, Brian - well done. I will soon be returning to freelancing as my primary work activity, and I will definitely be revisiting your suggestions.
Thank you so much for these articles! I’m a beginner freelancer but I’m printing out both articles to show my friends. This blog is pretty awesome too, you have another reader!
Paul,
Thanks so much for the comment and kind words. Best of luck with your freelance career and I’m looking forward to hearing more from you on TDC
This is good but I think it’s important for all creatives to realize that they don’t have to follow a set plan for success. Carve out your own niche but do keep up with marketing:)
Oh but of course Kristen! However, it is a good starting point. It just so happens that I am going to be attending a conference in New York this month but that was by chance. I would not have thought of attending conferences [at least not immediately] if I hadn’t read both of the articles.
@ Brian: I’ll definitely be coming back here, there is always much to learn, no matter how experienced one may be.
Kristen,
You’re absolutely right! There is no set plan for marketing as long as you remember to do it and make time for it — the purpose of this post. When I first started freelancing and once in awhile now, I get caught up in other things and forget the importance of sending out newsletters, networking, and keeping the momentum in your favor. Thanks for the comment
Paul,
Good. I’m glad you took something away from the article! Which conference are you attending? I’m only a 40 minute train ride to NYC, so I may have to check that one out. Glad to hear you be coming back to TDC. Let me know if you have any suggestions for posts or other information you would like to learn about.
It’s not really a design conference, it’s one focused on a bunch of vendors and wholesalers networking. My mom does a lot of wholesale work with her sites and she’s a vendor herself. I come from a family of entrepenuers so we all have a bunch of personal projects. I asked her to take me to the conference so I could gain more contacts. Even if I don’t meet anyone needing a site overhaul or something like that, they might be interested in clothing designs and such. =D
I’ve never been one for the conventional and retail is not for me so freelancing is definitely what I want to make my fulltime job this year.
Did your calendar work out for you? I sure hope so, best of luck!