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.
Bonnie Granat provided additional information: I should have said that
I don't have PageMaker (if I did, of course, I could have determined
how to do it), so I'm interested in simply what to tell the client that
he needs to send me.>>
Ah. Definitely RTF, then, and graphics in appropriate formats.
<<Now, what should I charge the client? Project rate? Hourly rate?>>
My philosophy on hours is that they aren't making enough of them for my
taste, and if I'm going to give up my scant remaining supply to a
client, they'd better pay me well for the privilege. Thus, my hourly
rate is as constant as I can keep it, and set high enough to scare off
the riffraff. <g> If they want you to bid on a per-project rate, insist
on a few sample files so you can determine how messy they are. That's
the only way to know how long it will take you.
<<My normal hourly rate seems too low to me, though.>>
And this is different from the rest of us, how? <g> Market rate is
"whatever the market can bear". No idea what your local market can
bear. Perhaps check with a few locals to find out?
<<What I'd be doing is setting up the manuals for them to maintain
themselves.>>
<insert uproarious laughter here> Okay, I'm done now. If you figure out
how, please tell the rest of us. <g>
<<I could probably justify a substantial rate by including some extras
that would make their lives easier as they go forward on their own.>>
You certainly could, and should. If they perceive value, they'll come
back for more.
--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
www.geoff-hart.com
WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo: http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Technical Communication Certificate online - Malaspina-University College, Canada. Online training in technical writing, software (FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Dreamweaver, Acrobat), document & web design, writing manuals, job search. www.pr.mala.bc.ca/tech_comm.htm for details.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
