Nice Work If You Can Get it -- Here's How

The secret to finding off-site work is to change the way you think about work. You must first and foremost be doing a type of writing that lends itself well to off-site work. It's easy to say that all writing can be done off-site. But you'd be wrong.

Knowles, Michael. Write Thinking (2002). Careers>Consulting

The Ones That Don't Come Back

On occasion, (and only about 5% of the time) a client will not renew with us. They give us various reasons for this, the most common of which has something to do with 'not the results I was expecting.'

Wilkie, David. Search-This (2005). Careers>Consulting>Web Design

Open Sesame! Selling UX Services

For some UX professionals, selling consulting services is as difficult as opening a magic door without a secret password. There is no simple password that can magically open prospective customers' minds so they can see what you can do for them. However, there are a few strategies you can use when opening a dialogue with new customers that will lead to your sales success.

Schreier-Fleming, Maura and Janet M. Six. UXmatters (2006). Careers>Consulting>User Experience

Outsourcing and Virtual Corporations: Implications for Technical Communication Professionals and Their Employers  

New models of client-vendor relationships, competition, and cooperation are guiding corporate contracting strategies. Client companies seek service providers who can help them maintain agility, flexibility, and responsiveness in the face of constant change. Consequently, companies are “outsourcing’’ in-house functions to competent service providers. In addition, service providers themselves confront the same challenges of responding to change. They preforming “virtual corporations”, in which they pool skills and resources with complementary partners into made-for-the-task alliances to respond to business opportunities. Outsourcing and virtual corporations are related concepts that will shape the careers of many technical communicators.

Davis, E. Berry III and David M. Orchard. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Consulting>Outsourcing

Paper and Electronic Portfolios: Saleskits for Technical Communicators in the Twenty-First Century  

In the twenty-first century, technical communicators are discovering that portfolios (electronic and/or paper) are indispensable career tools. Portfolios have many uses because they contain a variety of documents that have been developed with the tools and skills claimed on the resume. In addition, portfolios can be instrumental in getting a promotion or winning a contract.

Smith, Herb J. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>Portfolios>Consulting

A Path to Success: Interview with Patrick Jordan

In addition to providing clients with top quality design work, it is also important to help them think strategically. It adds a great deal of value for your clients when you help them to understand more about their users and their markets and about what the implications of this are for their designs.

Lisney, Eleanor. uiGarden (2005). Careers>Consulting>Graphic Design

Positioning for the Future: From Technical Communicator to Information Consultant  

In the spring of 1992, one of Digital Equipment Corporation’s largest technical documentation groups funded a training program that helped shift job roles from “technical writing” to “information consulting.” The primary goal of this effort was to provide training and resource materials to 60 documentation developers (and their managers) to enhance their skills as documentation consultants. The following paper highlights some of the learnings gained from the experience of training a corporate documentation group to perform as information consultants.

Murphy, Debra-Jo. STC Proceedings (1993). Careers>Consulting

Pricing and Selling Web Design Services

Price your services appropriately in line with your competitors. Never sell yourself short - always make sure your clients appreciate what they're buying.

Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Careers>Web Design>Consulting

Protect Yourself: Write a Contract  

For independent consultants, contractors, and business owners, operating with contracts is paramount to your success. Contracts permit you to define the project, how it will be completed, and how you will be paid. They offer methods of restitution should things not proceed as planned or anticipated. Contracts also demonstrate how serious you are about yourself and your client, and make a profound statement about your professionalism. Contracts are not to be taken lightly. Never go it alone; always have a competent lawyer review and provide legal advice when writing a contract or before agreeing to any terms dictated by your client. This paper presents a number of terms and conditions for your consideration.

Maggiani, Rich. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>Consulting>Legal

The Quest for Work

For consultants and independent technical communication contractors, keeping your eyes and ears open will go a long way toward keeping you busy.

Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block. Careers>Consulting

Requirements vs. Solutions

Your requirements will assist you in delivering a software solution that meets your users' needs. You can find all sorts of templates and formal processes for requirements of various kinds, and while they are useful, the biggest problem I've found is that most people confuse defining the need with proposing a solution. As soon as a requirements document contains any part of 'how we're solving this', you've crossed the line into presupposing that you already know what the problem is and can stop listening.

Ferlazzo, Ellen Lawson. Sprezzatura Systems (2002). Careers>Consulting>Specifications

Resources for Starting a Business  

An outline of resources for starting a tech comm business in Wisconsin.

STC Four Lakes (2003). Resources>TC>Consulting>Wisconsin

Rules of the Game: Contract Consulting and Negotiating Skills  

A panel of experts will discuss how negotiating with vendors, business partners, peers, or employees can turn differences to mutual gain. Whether the technical communicators finds professional fulfillment and financial success from permanent or contract employment, as an employee or as a manager, the panel will offer suggestions, rules of thumb, and examples of how to optimize success in the work environment. The perspectives offered will be from the viewpoints of the consultant, the contractor, and the organization. Two papers, “Successful Contract Consulting” and “Negotiating Rules for Technical Communicators” provide background for this panel.

Currie, Cynthia C., James T. Currie, Laurie Modrey, and Emily A. Sopensky. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Consulting>Collaboration

Rural Telecommuting: Making It Work for You  

Employees and independent contractors working at home are freed from the need for proximity to their company by modern communications tools. The path is open to consider locating your home office away from urban areas. This workshop describes some of the many issues one person considered and faced while moving to a rural office-home three years ago. Find out what worked, what didn’t work, what the surprises were, and how to evaluate and plan for your move.

Johnson, Norton R. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Telecommuting>Consulting

Schmoozing for Profit: Choose Your Event Carefully, then Start Working the Room

Two short years after the fortunes of many high-tech companies have all but dried up, Peter Zvalo discusses how schmoozing can ease the challenge of marketing technical documentation services.

Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block (2002). Careers>Consulting>Marketing

Selecting Professionals

Before you get too deeply into establishing your firm, you will need to surround yourself with business professionals who have seen all this before. Putting time and research into the process of selecting these professionals can lead to trusting business relationships that will last for years. Web design firms can count on needing at least an accountant, an attorney and a bank. Corporations will also need a registered agent if they are incorporating outside the state where the business is conducted. Some portions are repeated between professionals since the processes of selecting them are similar.

Kramer, Scott. List Apart, A (2001). Careers>Consulting>Web Design

Should You Incorporate?  

When you establish yourself as an independent contractor or consultant, you must choose the type of legal entity that your business will be. The decision to incorporate should not be made without first understanding the implications. In making this decision, some issues to consider are taxation, liability, control, and simplicity.

Flanders, Melanie G. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Consulting>Management

Six Tips for Consulting Success    

How do you get on a consulting agency's 'call-me-first' list? The tips provided in this article are a good place to start.

Gotsill, Gina. Intercom (2007). Careers>Consulting

So You Want to Get Paid on Time? Here's How to Make It Happen

'I love everything about being self-employed--except for waiting to get paid! My paychecks never seem to arrive on time. Sometimes my clients forget to send my invoices to Accounts Payable or the invoices get misplaced; other times the process just bogs down and takes forever. Whatever the reason, I'm stuck waiting for checks that don't come.' This article addresses the question: How can I get my clients to pay on time?

Fugate, Alice E. TECHWR-L (2003). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Stand and Deliver

You've got thirty seconds to sell your work to the well dressed nemesis who's paying you. Handle the next few moments gracefully, and the project will be one you can be proud of. Flub an answer, and you can kiss excellence goodbye. Are you prepared? Can you deliver?

Sleight, David. List Apart, A (2007). Careers>Consulting>Business Communication

Start a Simulated Consulting Firm

Your group of three to four students plans to start a technical communications consulting agency. Each of you should read one of the articles found under the heading 'Getting Started in the Profession' and 'Professional Associations' (in the Web Destinations section). Take and compare notes, then collaboratively write a two to three page proposal aimed at securing a business start-up loan from your local bank. Make sure you address your business's goals, marketing strategies, and services offered. All of this information should be based on your readings. To look at some short model proposals, go to the Models and Templates section of this Web site.

Lannon, John M. Pearson Education. Academic>Course Materials>Consulting

Starting a Business: Advice from the Trenches

Did that last 'fire your boss' spam push you over the edge? Do your wish-fulfillment dreams revolve around letterhead, legal entities, and avoiding arrest for tax evasion? If you’re crazy enough to start your own business, Kevin Potts wants you to learn from his mistakes.

Potts, Kevin. List Apart, A (2003). Careers>Management>Consulting

STC Consulting and Independent Contracting Special Interest Group

The Consulting and Independent Contracting SIG serves as a focal point for information about practicing technical communication as an independent contractor or consultant. It helps both new and seasoned independents practice their trade more effectively. The CIC SIG operates within STC at the international level, and supports local chapter CIC SIGs.

STC. Organizations>TC>Consulting

Successful Contract Consulting  

Many technical communicators are venturing into the world of independent contract consulting. Some have taken the bold step on their own initiative and others have been unwillingly pushed out of the corporate nest. In today’s working environment, numerous technical communicators have found that the key to professional fulfillment and financial successful is contract employment.

Currie, Cynthia C. and James T. Currie. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Consulting

Successful Independent Consulting Workshop  

To succeed as an independent consultant, technical communicators must master basic business concepts. These include properly setting up the business, marketing, and understanding basic contracts. When setting up their business, independent consultants must consider the legal form of their business, required licensees, insurance, retirement plans, and industry going rates. Marketing methods are divided into passive and active techniques. Independent consultants must know how to market to two main channels: agencies and direct clients.

Florzak, Douglas. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Freelance>Consulting