#22031
One of the more challenging parts of being a contractor or managing a writing project is developing an estimate of the fee or costs. Sure, there are various techniques out there, some more accurate than others, but generally no hard and fast rules applicable across the spectrum of potential assignments. Therein rest at least part of the key to doing a viable estimate, i.e., what kind of document development are you doing.
#26153
Estimating the Cost of Writing and Editing
The cost depends on how long and complex the document is, and how much editing is required. Most editors have a fixed hourly rate, and will quote for a job after they have studied the document. Skilled wordsmiths usually charge more per hour, because they do the job faster. When you find a fine wordsmith, handle with care. They are not exactly thick on the ground.
McAlpine, Rachel. Quality Web Content (2004). Careers>Consulting>Writing
#19638
A Field Guide to Technical SMEs 
Although not rare birds in urban high-tech environments, technical subject matter experts (SMEs) are a fascinating species to observe—and a challenging breed for corporate communicators to manage. This tongue-in-cheek field guide identifies four common sub-species, and explains how to spot each by its distinctive markings and how to cope with its behaviors for companionable nesting.
Lange, Penny L. Intercom (2003). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>SMEs
#23707
Tens of thousands of magazines and non-magazine freelance markets exist.
Yudkin, Marcia. Yudkin.com (2001). Careers>Writing>Journalism
#28865
Finding Technical Writing Jobs
Technical writing as a field covers a variety of different skills and positions. Many people, when they think of technical writers, think of user guides and installation instructions. That is certainly one area a technical writer might work in, but it is far from the only area.
Finding Technical Writing Jobs. Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>Blogs
#31076
Finding the Right Technical Writer
A no-nonsense approach to finding a great tech writer, even when you don't know what to look for.
Springsteen, JoAnna. CIO Magazine (2008). Careers>Management>Interviewing>Technical Writing
#22029
Job search websites for technical writers.
#31708
Five Questions to Ask Yourself While Creating a New Documentation Department
Being asked to take the reins of a brand new documentation department is a challenge that many professional technical writers relish, even though the training and development activities they participated in may never have prepared them for such a rewarding challenge. This article looks at forming a new documentation department and determining what's needed, when it's needed and what resources are available to help the new department carry out its mission.
Butow, Eric. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Documentation>Technical Writing
#25225
Five Reasons Why I Write for a Living
This article isn’t so much about copywriting itself, but about the reasons why I choose to write for a living.
Usborne, Nick. Excess Voice (2004). Careers>Writing
#22028
The essentials for the budding tech writer including reference, style manuals, optional recommendations, and other various books on Technical Writing.
#23424
Formalism and its Impact on Technical Writing
Discusses briefly the work market for technical communicators and their careers.
Baumert, Andreas. TC-FORUM (2000). Careers>TC>Multimedia>Technical Writing
#31130
The Freelance Copywriter's Six-Pack 
This 24-page e-book is a compilation of six articles, all focused on starting and growing a successful freelance copywriting business. In addition to the articles, there is also a resource page with suggestions for courses and further reading.
Usborne, Nick. FreeIQ (2007). Careers>Freelance>Writing>Business Communication
#25218
Freelance Copywriters: Double Your Income
Freelance copywriters are a strange group of people when it comes to running their own businesses.
Usborne, Nick. Excess Voice (2005). Careers>Web Design>Writing
#24071
If you're a freelancer/contract tech writer, you need to promote yourself. Think of yourself as a store with exactly one product, namely your time. You can only sell that product to one customer at a time. What you need to do is make sure each sale is a good one, and that you sell as much of your time as possible, because no one pays you for down time if you're independent.
Tech Writing Jobs. Careers>Freelance>Writing>Technical Writing
#24305
A web portal for freelance writers, with career advice and articles about a variety of topics.
#22056
Freelance, Independent, Contractor, Consultant...
If getting into the technical writing business is a challenge, and it assuredly is, defining our employment status often poses a few questions too. Naturally, there’s the common full-time employee status we all know and understand fairly well, but when we find ourselves dealing with a technical services or technical consulting firm there can be some murky waters, and more than a few aberrations of the “traditional” understanding of the term. So, we need to define some “terms” of employment since the majority of technical writers will ultimately encounter variations.
#19732
Freelancing in Technical Writing – Part I
Freelancing is one of the most lucrative options available to Technical Writers. While being your own boss may sound pleasant, it is not as easy as it sounds.
Pandit, Makarand M. Indus (2003). Careers>Freelance>Writing>Technical Writing
#31775
Technical writing exists to communicate and disseminate technical information. And it's clearly a different animal from some other kinds of writing…say screenwriting.
Harper, Judith. Between the Lines (2007). Careers>TC>Writing>Screenwriting
#23701
Writing spots were becoming fewer and farther between, and it was clear that I'd have to make a career change. I used to pick up temporary secretarial spots during lulls, but with the downswing in the economy and the proliferation of PCs, the demand for word processing gurus had dwindled considerably. Most of the writing jobs that did come my way over the last three years were dreadful. Job satisfaction had reached an all-time low.
Lookabaugh, Nancy K. MetroVoice (2002). Careers>Writing>Legal
#21269
From Technical Writer to Book Author
Technical writers conceive, plan, and write documentation needed by their company or organization, including user guides, reference manuals, white papers, reports, and proposals. This paper describes one career growth opportunity: that of authoring a book that is published by a commercial publisher and sold in bookstores. The rewards of writing a book for publication include satisfaction in the jinished book, reaching a wider audience, and working with a professional publisher The goal of this paper is to encourage technical writers to consider this career path and to give specijic, practical advice on how to achieve it.
Keene, Sonya E. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Writing>Publishing>Technical Writing
#21404
Getting a Technical Writing Job, Even If You Have No Experience 
Technical writing jobs can be hard to get if you have little or no experience. But there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting hired.
#14138
Getting Started in Technical Writing
This summary provides a collection of tips and advice for getting started in the technical writing profession. The following categories are included in this summary: Finding and Getting That First Job; Types of Technical Writing; Types of Technical Writers; Degrees and Technical Writing; Transferring to Technical Writing from Other Professions: From Journalism; From Teaching; From Academia; From Marketing; From Law; Essential Skills; On Being a Technical Writer.
#27838
Ghostwriting has a lot to offer the young (or not-so-young) writer or editor with the right personality, professional skills, and appetite for variety and adventure. But it's not for everyone. You can make money, have fun, learn new things, and meet interesting people. You can also get horribly ripped off unless you know your value and how to use it. If you put someone else's name on your work or push someone else's favorite cause or ideas, do it so you come out a winner. Below are a few suggestions and observations gleaned the hard way.
Briskin, Dennis. Editorial Freelancers Association (1994). Careers>Freelance>Writing
#18180
Going Beyond $1 a Word: Syndication
With the recent downturn in the economy, newsrooms, newspapers, magazine and Web outlets are letting staff writers go, and are looking for cheaper content alternatives. Buying content from syndicates is becoming more popular for these publishers. Watch for this trend to continue.
Price, Lisa. Communication Circle, The (2001). Careers>Freelance>Writing
#18179
Going Beyond $1 Per Word: Getting Paid on the Internet
Paying by the word comes from the print publishing world. Web editors have continued this model.
Price, Lisa. Communication Circle, The (2001). Careers>Freelance>Writing
