Contracting

[David Orr <whitears -at- INTERACCESS -dot- COM>]

I was a tech writing contractor for two years.

I really liked it for the variety of projects. Even if with a project
from hell, it would be over in a few weeks or months. It was fun
learning all the new applications and industries and meeting different
people.

A writer can break the feast/famine cycle by letting clients know up
front that he/she will take a half day a week to prospect and keep up
contacts with clients. If necessary, the writer can work some days on
the weekends or in the evenings to make up the time. Cold calling to
keep the pipeline of new clients full is also a good idea, as is
attending STC and other professional organizations.

The isolation bothered me only infrequently, but some writers go beserk
sitting at the computer alone for days.

I particularly liked the idea that I got paid (in theory) for almost
every hour I worked, although actually getting the check was sometimes
dicey, especially with smaller companies.

Good luck, contractors!

David Orr
Orr & Associates

 TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html