TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Setting Up a Tech Pubs Department From:"Elna Tymes" <etymes -at- lts -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sun, 26 Nov 2000 16:38:16 -0800
O Mathuna wrote:
> ...So, before they terminate my contract, they want me to
> create a Tech Pubs department.
>
> Does anyone out there have any idea what to charge for
> this in the SF Bay Area? Would this be a flat rate or
> an hourly rate?
Heh. Don't even THINK of doing this on a flat rate. Setting up a Pubs
department is one of those tasks that can go on for a long, long time, with
lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. You listed a variety of
tasks (hiring new writers, creating templates, creating a style guide, and
developing pub plans) as things you'd have to do. Believe me, there are more.
In addition to those tasks you'll probably have to create a couple of manuals
that just can't wait, settle border disputes between marketing and engineering
(at least), decide just how much user interface design the pubs department will
do, etc. And good luck on finding really qualified senior writers in the Bay
Area who are willing to work direct rather than on contract - there have been
very few of those in the last 8 months or so, and if you find them, they're
really expensive. Further, you'll have to find and hire your replacement - and
again, good luck on finding someone.
To appease the company, I'd suggest that you continue to work on an hourly
basis, but against a series of cutoff points or milestones. For instance, if
you set a goal of 3 months, you can try to hire one or more senior writers,
along with other more junior writers, but you can also accomplish the
non-personnel goals. That way the company sees some progress.
Good luck!
Elna Tymes
Los Trancos Systems
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver! (STC Discount.)
**NEW DATE/LOCATION!** January 16-17, 2001, New York, NY. http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.
Sponsored by SOLUTIONS, Conferences and Seminars for Communicators
Publications Management Clinic, TECH*COMM 2001 Conference, and more http://www.SolutionsEvents.com or 800-448-4230
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
