Are You Prepared for Unpredictable Business Losses?

Freelancing is business. Loss from unexpected problems, such as a robbery, is a business loss, not a reflection of who you are.

Maislin, Seth A. Editorial Freelancers Association (1995). Careers>Freelance

Are You Ready for the E-lance Economy?    

According to an analysis conducted by Daniel Pink, former speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore and contributor to Fast company magazine, approximately 25 million Americans are self-employed, independent contractors, or temporary employees. This means more than 16% of the U.S. workforce is working for themselves. While this is a significant statistic, it begs the question, is this a temporary trend or are we in the midst of a historic transition in the way we work?

Florzak, Douglas. Technical Communication Online (2002). Careers>Freelance

Becoming a Freelance Technical Writer

If you're considering a move to the contract side of the fence, you might want to think about the questions in this blog post before making a decision.

DMN Communications (2008). Careers>Freelance>Writing>Technical Writing

Becoming Your Own Boss: 10 Points to Ponder Before You Unplug

Starting your own business is the dream of many. Is it really right for you though? Here are 10 points to consider carefully before you take the plunge.

Bucqueroux, Bonnie. Wise-Women (2004). Careers>Freelance

Becoming Your Own Corporation: Boon or Bust?

Writers today are being advised to stop thinking in terms of building a life-long career with one employer, and instead view themselves as a one-person corporation offering specialized services to whomever is willing to pay the highest price.

Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block (2000). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

The Beginner's Guide to Freelance Writing

You have to stand out from the crowd. You have to sparkle. How do you do this? Simple. It all starts with The Big Idea.

Glatzer, Jenna. Klariti (2005). Careers>Freelance>Writing

Breaking the News

How to tell your client the truth even when a project isn't working out as planned.

Holland, Anton. Writer's Block (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Business Web Sites for the Self-Employed: Part Two  

What does it take to get a Web site running on the Internet? When you have a site that is ready for some real-life testing, you are ready to put the site up. Publishing a Web site is a three-step process: getting a domain name, choosing a host, and posting the site.

Fugate, Alice E. And Elizabeth A. 'Betsy' Frick. Intercom (2003). Careers>Freelance>Web Design

The Care and Feeding of Freelancers

Freelancers can be bright, savvy, ornery, creative -- a thousand descriptions apply, but 'conformist' usually isn't one of them. Here are some tips for hiring and working with freelancers, and for keeping your employees happy at the same time.

Adams, Eric J. Creative Pro (2004). Careers>Freelance>Management

The Care and Feeding of Your Customers  

Fugate discusses how self-employed technical communicators can maintain long-term relationships with multiple clients while still catering to their current customers.

Fugate, Alice E. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance

A Career in Technical Writing: Beach Time

Beach time and bench time refer to paid or unpaid time off between consulting contracts. When you are a contractor, it is best to take initiative and find other options no matter how much you trust your recruiter. Never trust a company to have your best interests in mind.

Hewitt, John. Writer's Resource Center (2008). Careers>Unemployment>Freelance>Technical Writing

A Career in Technical Writing: Two Dates to the Prom

In the world of contracting, the entire hiring process can take place over the phone. Knowing the right tool (even a little) can get you the job.

Hewitt, John. Writer's Resource Center (2008). Careers>Freelance>Technical Writing

The Case Against Freelancing

While the 9-5 world isn’t for everyone, neither is freelancing. There also comes a time for everyone when freelancing is no longer the viable and exciting option it once was.

Contract Worker (2008). Careers>Freelance

The Changing World of the Independent: A Broader Perspective     

The past few years have brought many changes in the profession of technical communication: the expansion of professional roles within organizations, new technologies for document design and presentation, and the global cultural influence as technology expands to overseas markets. Perhaps the most important change in the profession, however, is not external like these, but internal in the ways that the core business model has adapted to the new, information-based development model.

Barker, Thomas and Kathryn Poe. Technical Communication Online (2002). Careers>Freelance

Combating Isolation as a Self-Employed Technical Communicator: Beyond Working Hours  

Small, independent business owners never really stop thinking about their businesses; after all, your latest and greatest client may be on the stair stepper next to you at the gym. However, you know that sometimes you need a change of scenery, a change of activity, a chance to unhinge the hips that sometimes feel they are permanently fixed in a sitting position. Plus, occasionally, it’s necessary to realize that there is a world out there that is full of interesting things that have nothing to do with publication deadlines, document management, or online help. Yes, really, there is.

Teich, Thea. STC Proceedings (2000). Careers>Freelance>TC

Considering Independence? Know Your Options

Anyone who’s ever considered working independently has probably approached this decision with caution. And no wonder: Outside the comfortable structure of full-time employment lies a seemingly chaotic and intimidating sea of new challenges.

Zaino, Gene. Certification Magazine (2003). Careers>Freelance

Consulting and Independent Contracting  

The Consulting and Independent Contracting progression will focus on both beginning and advanced topics relating to independent work. Independent work requires attention to two main areas: maintaining professional standards and practices; and building a successful contracting or consulting business. As the role of contractors and consultants continues to evolve practitioners face issues articulated in the topics below. Individual topics addressed are: choosing between contracting and consulting, marketing a business, and addressing legal issues. For those already established we look at ways to expand the consultant’s personal resource network and issues of incorporation as a growth alternative.

Barker, Thomas. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

A Contemporary Work Alternative: When Contracting is No Longer Something that You Do Between “Real” Jobs  

In the 90’s, contingency staffing (also called temporary staffing) has become a way of life for businesses that have had to streamline operations and reduce fixed costs in order to compete. Consequently, contract employment and independent contracting have become a way of life for many technical communicators who can’t — or prefer not to — find a full-time job.

Cheirrett, Peg A. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Contracting as a Career Alternative

The technical contracting industry provides a unique career opportunity for experienced professionals in most technical communications disciplines. It also provides a possible alternative to unemployment in view of the continuing 'down-sizing' and restructuring activity going on in today's marketplace.

Randolph, Brett W.F. Boston Broadside (1991). Careers>Consulting>Freelance

Contracting Experiences From Hell

So you've got a contract. The client seems reasonably well heeled and reliable (or you have an agency that can run interference for you). All you have to do is produce and collect, right? Not necessarily! As the following anecdotes show, having a good contract and having your professional ducks in a row are important at all stages of your client relationship.

Hilp, Robin. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracting: Flat Fee or Hourly Rates?  

Recommends that technical writers working as independent contractors quote flat fees for projects instead of hourly rates. The article offers tips on preparing portfolios and conducting client interviews.

Le Vie, Donald S., Jr. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance

Contracting: Is It For You?

In an economy that is constantly changing, many technical writers are (or have thought about being) contractors. Being your own boss certainly does have a certain cachet. But is it for you?

Turner, Gordon. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracts 101  

Frick responds to several common questions of novice independent contractors.

Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance

Contracts that Don’t Bite: Contracting for Technical Writing Services in the Real World  

The presenters examine all aspects of contracting from the viewpoint of both the contractor and the employer/client. The focus will be on the contract itself which provides a clear starting point for maneuvering through the critical issues, including what constitutes a legal contract and topics a contract should cover. The ensuing discussion will cover the different ways that writers work and are paid, managing the inevitable changes to a project, and a closer look at the pros and cons of working on an hourly or term contract compared to fixed price contracts, or contracts with an upset limit.

Forsyth, Diane and Duncan A. Kent. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting