#18649
Guerilla WriteFare™: Nice Work If You Can Get it -- Here's How
My experience in the corporate environment has been that larger companies don't go out of their way to hire home-based freelancers. That's not to say that they never do -- it simply hasn't been my experience with them. I run into this problem all the time. Finding off-site work is a challenge. I scour the top 20 or so job search engines and other places for work and, while there really are quite a few contract positions out there, nearly all of them require on-site work. That's the bad news. Here's the good news: I have figured this thing out, believe it or not. In fact, I'm working on a book and a seminar about it. To locate good work that allows you to work out of the home office, you must know three things: How to look. Where to look. Hw to build trusting relationships with your customers.
Knowles, Michael. AIPMM (2003). Careers>Freelance>TC>Case Studies
#27837
Conventional wisdom defines business success largely by company size; the steeper the growth curve, the better. But is this model appropriate for freelancers? Most freelancers in publishing work independently; the amount of work we can accept is limited by the number of hours we can work and how many pages we can edit, proofread, or index per hour. For this reason, if we cultivate too many clients, we’re forced to turn down projects we’d like to accept. On the other hand, few freelancers have arrangements for receiving regular, predictable assignments from clients.
Shore, Lys Ann. Editorial Freelancers Association (1995). Careers>Freelance>Management
#27772
How to Find Clients Who Need White Papers
Freelancers often wonder where to find clients. What kind of companies need white papers written for them, anyway? Here's three simple questions that will tell you the answer.
Graham, Gordon. WhitePaperSource (2006). Careers>Freelance>Writing>White Papers
#31302
How to Start a Business: Five Key Steps to Getting on Track
I received a slightly panicked call the other day from a colleague who had recently ventured out on her own after many years of working for others. She had been lured into self-employment by an opportunity that matched up her passion and her skills—but it wasn't going to pay all the bills. So she needed to get serious about starting up some kind of freelance business. But where to start? Although my colleague had taken the necessary legal steps in her state (notably, applying for a business license), she didn't know what to do next. She was, in her own words, paralyzed.
Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Careers>Freelance>Business Communication
#23029
How to Write Your Own Contract 
This presentation is designed to help independent contractors write their own contracts. Before attending the presentation think about your current approach to using contracts in your business.
Costanzo, Louis C., Richard H. Weiss and Joanne Smestad Claussen. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Freelance>Contracts
#19941
Increasing Visibility: Building Demand for Technical Communication Services
Good technical communication is critical to the success of products and ultimately to the success of companies. But even the most perfect manuals may go unread, and the most elegant help systems may go unnoticed unless you take the time to promote the quality and necessity of your work. You need to showcase your talents and to encourage people throughout your company--and the community--to value and understand the work that you do. This will ideally lead to more respect, better pay, and more interesting work.
Huettner, Brenda P. TECHWR-L (2003). Careers>Freelance>TC
#31445
The Independent Contract: What's In, What's Out
Many years ago I was asked to develop a marketing package for the environmental practice group of a large, Washington-based law firm. When I submitted the draft I got exclamations of delight and a promise to provide quick feedback from all the principals. It never came, and my phone queries went unanswered. So I waited, and waited, and waited—and then waited some more.
Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Freelance>Marketing>Environmental
#14178
The IRS' 20 Questions for Independent Contractors
Independent contractors who don't know about — or who ignore — the relevant aspects of current contractor tax law are endangering their own livelihood and pose a significant threat to their client companies. They're complex, arbitrary, and inconsistently applied, but knowing the rules can keep you and your clients safe. So here they are, in a nutshell.
Synergistech.com (2000). Careers>Freelance
#25224
Is the Freelance Writing Life for You?
Freelancer writers tend to develop something of a superior attitude at times. Some of us feel that we are a cut above our brothers and sisters who work as employees.
Usborne, Nick. Excess Voice (2004). Careers>Freelance>Writing
#14694
Is the Independent Life for You?
Frick lists thirteen questions for people who want to know if they have the personality to succeed at self-employment.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance
#30757
Offers comprehensive advice to information professionals considering taking up self-employed freelance information consultancy. Draws attention to the risks associated with leaving the protection offered by corporate employment, alongside the benefits of empowerment through being self-employed. Emphasizes the need for prior business planning and offers advice on business name, web presence, logos, business cards, professional subscriptions, the need to have an accountant and register for value added tax, and dealings with banks and with the local Business Link. Advises against acquiring company status, joining trade groups, untargeted advertising, brochures and mailshots, and professional indemnity cover. Suggests ways of seeking work through networking with contacts, advises on the risks associated with imprecise agreements with clients, and emphasizes that the most important aspect of successful self-employment is self promotion.
Newgass, Oriole. Business Information Review (2007). Careers>Consulting>Freelance
#14647
Lathrop identifies the red flags that might indicate an uncooperative client.
Lathrop, Lori M. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance
#24370
Lessons Learned After Two Years (Almost) in the Self-Employment Trenches
Taking the plunge into self-employment in the field of marketing and technical communications is a major step to contemplate. The many factors that one takes for granted when working in a corporate environment become problematic when one goes out 'on one’s own.' On the other hand, staying in a boring, less than challenging, or limited job largely because of the security it carries might be called 'sure-a-cide.' In making the transition to self-employment, it is necessary to pay close attention to a number of issues, but these issues may not be obvious at the beginning. On the other hand, many concerns that might otherwise appear to be essential to this transition may basically take care of themselves and can be lowered in priority. The 'trick' is figuring which is which.
Teich, Thea. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Freelance
#26215
Lessons Learned After Two Years in the Self-Employment Trenches
The advantages of staying in the same profession as when you we employed in a standard way: you already know the job; no need for immediate additional training; you probably have a good idea about procedures, costs, processes.
Teich, Thea. STC Orange County (1998). Careers>Freelance
#15160
LOA 101: Intro to Letters of Agreement
Answers some common questions about Letters of Agreement, documents used by independent contractors to define the specifics of particular projects.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts
#15164
Offers tips for independent contractors on staying efficient and productive.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#31425
This month's column doesn't focus on business strategy per se, but rather on how independents market themselves once they identify their markets and know what it is they want to convey.
Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Freelance>Marketing
#27843
Marketing yourself is an attitude, not an activity. It is learning to think of yourself and your skills as a product that someone can use.
West, Elizabeth. Editorial Freelancers Association (1990). Careers>Freelance>Marketing
#10708
Marketing Yourself as an Independent Technical Writer
Some technical writers go into business for themselves as freelancers or independent contractors. A number of those become successful enough to form a writing company and hire a staff of other writers. In either case, the technical writer who is in business for him- or herself must continually perform marketing to maintain a steady income.
Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2000). Careers>Freelance
#27834
Moonlighting: A Guide for the Part-time Freelancer (How to Keep Your Head While Wearing Two Hats)
Working as a part-time freelancer in addition to holding down a full-time job can certainly have its drawbacks: telling a friend you can't go to the movies with her this weekend because you have a deadline, or turning down a large job you would love to do because your schedule just won't allow it. But in today's financial climate, more and more of us are finding it a necessity, and we're learning how to work it into our lives. It can be a way to supplement income or, for some, a way to test the freelancing waters. Whatever your reasons, the overall message is to get out there and do it. You'll never know if you can until you try.
Penney, Beth. Editorial Freelancers Association (1997). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#27840
Negotiating: Theory and Practice
Some negotiating situations can be extremely difficult. If you find yourself in such a situation, recognize it. Don’t conclude that it represents a failure on your part.
Benison, Denise. Editorial Freelancers Association (1993). Careers>Freelance
#24877
Note to Contractors: Expose Your Writing Tasks
Some contractors short-change themselves by failing to reveal in cost proposals all of the tasks they perform. Argues that full disclosure can improve a contractor's bottom line.
Hall, Mark D. Intercom (2004). Careers>Freelance>Proposals>Writing
#30323
As a technical writer with over seven years of experience and a Master's degree, I am disappointed with the lack of part-time jobs and lack of responsiveness by employers to create part-time technical writing positions.
Fass, Lisa. Boston Broadside (1992). Careers>Unemployment>Freelance
#13484
Power to Change: Professional Growth in Place
After a number of years in the field, many of us in technical communication see our careers becoming stagnant but are reluctant to make the choices that could offer renewal, professional or personal growth, additional skills, or simply a temporary break from the usual routine. Employers cat always provide career ladders for technical communicators. Enriching our careers is, to a great extent, our own responsibility and there are myriad ways to do thaif we accept our power to make changes for ourselves.
#25348
Professional Organizations Give Freelance Writers an Edge
There are all sorts of professional organizations for writers, and all sorts of reasons why you should probably join at least one. The organizations fall into two rough categories – those that serve writers in general and those that address a specific group of writers.
