bj dooley technical information services degrees of freedom freelancing in technical communications

BJ Dooley Technical Information Services

Degrees of Freedom

Freelancing in Technical Communications


DISPELLING COMMON MYTHS


MYTH: Freelancing only works between real jobs.

A recent Intercom article talked about freelancing strictly as a fall

back possibility between contracting jobs. The writer

couldn’t imagine how it could possibly be a full time choice.


Freelancers can live quite comfortably.

I’ve done so for over 10 years!

BJ Dooley Technical Information ServicesMYTH: Freelance opportunities

are simple projects that don’t pay.

Many people lump all freelancing together, and write it off as fairly hopeless--only a means to gain

writing experience.


Freelancing can be made into a specialised profession.

I have clients in a wide spectrum of specialty subject areas, and many

require--and pay for--advanced experience and knowledge.


MYTH: Freelancing is easy.

On the other hand, some believe that freelancing is an easy way to make extra money, and is only for lazy sods like…(no names, please).


For real success, treat freelancing as a full time job.

BJ Dooley Technical Information ServicesMYTH: Freelancing is really the

same as contracting, with a few differences.

It is often assumed that freelancing and contracting are

really the same thing, with just a few minor differences.


See next section!


FREELANCING VERSUS CONTRACTING

BJ Dooley Technical Information ServicesFreelancing is LIKE

Contracting, but it is not the same:

• Freelance projects tend to be brief• Freelancers need to have many

clients• Freelancing gives more control

BUT…there are a lot of other differences to be aware of, too…


Contractor

The Contractor generally works within a company, and has clear lines of authority and responsibility.

Tech Writer1

President

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VP

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TechWriter 2

TechWriter 3

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ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

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TechWriter 2

TechWriter 3

President


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EngineeringVP

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ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

TechWriter 1

TechWriter 2

TechWriter 3

President


VP

MarketingVP

EngineeringVP

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

ProjectLeader

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TechWriter 2

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Freelancer

President


VP

MarketingVP

EngineeringVP

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The Freelancer works with numerous companies, reporting at different levels and with different responsibilities.


Contractor

The Contractor generally works on a small number of large documentation projects in a year.

2004 Projects

• Installation Manual for Giganticorp Corporation• Help System for SlowRun Computers• Technical Reference Update for Giganticorp Corporation


Freelancer

SAN for everyone

Negotiating the Best Telecom Contract

Videoconferencing Feature Comparison

Corporate colours

Feature review - Seagate160 GB external hard drive

Review: Epson AcuLaser C4100

Review: Oki C5100

Budde Updates 0404

METROTECH Copy

Eagle manages RockGas support

Service With a Smile

Database Management Systems Comparison

The Play’s the Thing

Feature review - Creative MuVo2

Budde Updates 0403

PABX Feature Comparison

Peripheral vision

Review: HP Laserjet 3020

Review: Zalman ZM-RS6F Headphones

Budde Updates 0402

SLAs: Setting the Rules for Outsrcd Rltnshps

Monitoring the market

Review-HP f1903

Review-Viewsonic VP211b

Better viruses lead to sicker firms

Antivirus: Review - CA eTrust Antivirus

Antivirus: Review - Symantec NAV 2004

VPNs and the Remote Access Market

Budde Updates 0406

Supply Chain

Telecom in Argentina (update)

Telecommunications in Italy (update)

ComPiere: Free CRM with ERP; Kitchen sink…

Software for all

Telecommunications in the UK (update)

Telecommunications in Germany (update)

Trunked Mobile Radio

Telecommunications in the Middle East (update)

Past 8 megapixels and beyond

Review: Canon PowerShot Pro1

Review: Kodak EasyShare LS753

Budde Updates 0405

2004 Projects

The Freelancer may work on anywhere from one --up to hundreds of small projects in a year.


Contractor

The Contractor generally works for a few large companies, each with a regular and fairly large salary.


Freelancer

The Freelancer generally works for multiple clients with numerous tiny payments that will seldom match a contractor’s pay…even collectively. But that’s the price you pay for freedom!


Contractor

Me

The Contractor generally works for a few companies in the local area.


Freelancer

MeThe Freelancer often works with a large number of clients, all around the globe.


Contractor

ManualsThe Contractor is often engaged in a few large projects, with a high degree of specialisation.


Freelancer

Journalism

Help & Multimedia

Research

Reports

Manuals

Analysis & Prognostication

The Freelancer must be a mercenary, willing to undertake projects of all types and sizes.


Contractor

Play

NIGHT

DAY

Work

30 %

40 %

10 %

20 %

Sleep

The Contractor is often able to maintain fairly normal hours and a standard work week.


FreelancerPlay

NIGHT

DAY

Work

60 %

25 %

10 %

5 %

Sleep

Freelancer work days are irregular, and there is a tendency to overdo to keep on top of things.


Contractor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage of Time

Writing/Researching

Marketing

Downtime 1

Contractors work with time in large blocks, with few requirements for use of downtime. Downtime may even include paid vacations.


Freelancer

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percentage of Time

Writing/Researching

Marketing

Downtime 1

Downtime 1

Downtime 3

Downtime 4

Downtime 5

Downtime 6

Downtime 7

Downtime 8

Downtime 9

Downtime 10

Freelancers need to spend a lot of time marketing, and have many very brief periods of downtime—which should be used for marketing. What’s a vacation?


ContractorDiet Hints: Counting Calories

Contractors make good money, but it can be sedentary work, so calories must be counted. Here’s a calorie guide to keep healthy as a contractor.


FreelancerDiet Hints: Counting CaloriesProtein

(g)Fat (g)

Carbohydrate

Calcium (mg)

Iron (mg)

Giant Water Beetle

19.8 8.3 2.1 43.5 13.6

Silk Worm Pupae

9.6 5.6 2.3 41.7 1.8

Dung Beetle 17.2 4.3 .2 30.9 7.7

Cricket 12.9 5.5 5.1 75.8 9.5

Large Grasshopper

14.3 3.3 2.2 27.5 3.0

June Beetle 13.4 1.4 2.9 22.6 6.0

Caterpillar 6.7 N/A N/A N/A 13.1

Freelancing can also be sedentary work, but money can oscillate widely. Here’s a calorie guide for freelancers.


BRIAN’S RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL FREELANCING


Brian’s Rules for Successful Freelancing

1. Never turn down a job 2. If you are not writing, you should be marketing3. Work at least up to your minimum pay each

week4. Seek quality, from planning to production5. Seek regular clients6. Remain “hungry”7. Maintain good records8. Be flexible9. Find your niche10. Remember, the client is OFTEN right!


BRIAN’S RULES IN DETAIL


1. Never turn down a job

Why?Every new job has a substantial acquisition “cost” and represents an opportunity.

How?There are almost always options. If you don’t have the skills, find a subcontractor who does; if the pay is too low, put limits on the job; if the project is too big, assemble a team.


2. If you are not writing, you should be marketing

Why?You are on your own clock. There is no such thing as free time. If you do not market when time is available, you may not be able to when schedules fill.

How?Marketing is discussed at length later, but involves Web searches, maintaining contact lists, and advertising.


3. Work at least up to your minimum pay each week

Why?Project schedules will be all over the place. The one thing that you do know is that you need to make a weekly rate to pay the bills. Work done is “money in the bank,” no matter when it gets paid.

How?Start projects early, if necessary. It is not necessary to wait until you are near deadlines.


4. Seek quality, from planning to production

Why?Reputation is important, and part of your business will rely upon word-of-mouth. It is much easier to sell if you are known for quality work. In planning, remember that accuracy, records management and good product scoping will save misunderstandings and build confidence.

How?Know what you are doing, and work to the best of your ability. Always back up your work with careful planning and a strong contract. Ensure that the customer is always aware of your actions, costs and requirements.


5. Seek regular clients.

Why?Every new client has a substantial acquisition “cost,” which will include the time, effort and energy spent in getting them on board. While one job from a client may be worth, say, $1000, a regular client may provide jobs worth $100,000 or more over a period of years. In fact, I have a client that has been worth over half a million dollars over a long period of time.

How?Keep in contact with clients. Suggest projects. Send Xmas cards (a personal favourite), “tickle” them periodically for new jobs. And, of course, give regular clients red carpet treatment.


6. Remain “hungry”.

Why?Clients can be fickle, and entire markets can fold. You, the freelancer, are on the far end of the branch in the corporate “feeding chain.” The very first budgetary move is to cut down on freelancing. Also, new editors take on the job, policies change and so forth. You can never be totally secure, and income depends upon keeping client numbers up.

How?Keep marketing, looking for new clients, seeking jobs, pursuing contacts.


7. Maintain good records.

Why?Client and contact records are essential to pursuing business. You need to know who the contact is for this client, what happened last contact, what their postal, email and phone details are, what projects you have done for them, and what types of suggestions are likely to interest them. Work records need to be accurate and include all project details, plus all retained correspondence. If you use subcontractors, you need to ensure that you maintain all payment and rate information as well.

How?Use a database system or a spreadsheet for most information. A customized system is best. We developed a system in MS Access, for example, partly due to a need to handle the large amount of details for publications projects, and partly to permit multi-currency invoicing.


8. Be flexible

Why?Flexibility is a key freelancer strength. You should be ready to accept numerous work arrangements, numerous payment options, and other conditions that might pertain to different projects. For example, accepting limited “in house” contracts, payment at the end of a project, royalty arrangements and so forth.

How?Consider each proposed option carefully, in relation to your total portfolio, and work to accommodate special requests.


9. Find your niche

Why?In writing about a subject, you will often find that previous work in that area is the best advertising for the next job. It is a lot easier to convince clients to use your services, and also gives you an air of expertise in that subject, or in those subjects.

How?Every time you accept a job involving a new subject matter or new type of product (online documents versus printed documents, for example), explore the possibility of doing further work in that area when you are doing your marketing.


10. Remember, the client is OFTEN right!

Do the best that you can, but avoid pushing the client too far. If they must have things done a certain way, find a quality way to do it that it will reflect well upon both you and upon your client.


MARKETING

…how to handle the great unknown in freelancing, without losing your shirt.


Marketing is Constant

It includes:• Job seeking• Advertising• Networking• Promoting• Reminding


Job seeking

• Use the Web. Find regular job sites and look up “freelance”; go to specialized freelance sites; look in international listings.

• Use specialty publications such as Writers Magazine, Writers Market and so forth.


Advertising

Advertising is expensive, so try to find most effective possibilities:– List in Yellow Pages for different areas,– List with writer’s agencies such as

WriterFind, if they have a track record,– Place advertisements in specialty

publications within your field, if seeking corporate work.


Networking

• Maintain contact with individuals, even after they leave key companies—they will be going to other companies that may need freelancers

• Join local business organizations• Join local professional organizations• Always carry business cards, even

to informal, non-business gatherings


Promoting

• Maintain a Web site and keep it relevant and up to date

• Keep good Web statistics• Mail out press releases for

significant events• Submit essays to key publications• Publish a newsletter for existing

clients and prospects


Reminding

Make certain that you adequately harass your current contacts. Seek them out for quotes, additional projects, or just to see if they might need more work.


THE FREELANCE LIFESTYLE


The good stuff

• Live wherever you want• Travel whenever you feel like it• Work mainly on projects that really

interest you• Control your own schedule, income

and advancement


The bad stuff

• There may not be enough cash to do any of the good stuff…at least in the beginning

• Working can take over your life• Projects can come at inconvenient

times• Multiple deadlines can make

pressure intense


But think of the possibilities!

bj dooley technical information services degrees of freedom freelancing in technical communications

Documents

technical communications

contracting slide

giganticorp corporation

review symantec nav

contracting jobs

epson aculaser c4100

uk update telecommunications

freelance projects