Independents' Success Depends on Business Skills
http://www.stc.org/intercom/PDFs/2003/200311_35-37.pdf

Frick, Elizabeth G. 'Bette'
Intercom
2003

Abstract:

I went independent in 1990 as a technical writer/instructional designer, and I now teach technical writing in corporations. My business has grown steadily, albeit slowly, in these thirteen years. I learned quickly that independents are businesses first and technical communicators second. Our work may feed our souls and pay the bills today, but if we ignore business matters, our practices will ultimately fail. It is not enough to be 'technically' smart— independents must be savvy in business to succeed in any economy.