RE: Rates (was The Lone Writer)

[JB Foster <jb -dot- foster -at- shaw -dot- ca>]

I agree with you Keith ... but there are lots of people (still) not prepared
to accept changing their career-path, every time the wind changes direction.
The person from Orlando, made a point, when saying that he was constantly
being under-cut by graduates entering the market-place. How do you compete,
when an employer who's only concern is about cost, and willing takes anyone
off the street who can meet that need.

What his post suggests - is that he believes that employers have no desire
(or unaware) about maintaining quality, and creating an image, for the
'written' work being produced. If someone with years of experience can be
replaced, at a whim, with someone fresh out of school - then these companies
aren't concerned about any uniform standards with their printed products. In
other words, technical writing isn't being treated like an actual product
(maintaining a certain look, ease of use, etc.), but instead as an office
function - like memo-writing, and filling. I find that there are often
stricter rules for creating a fax-header, than for the style (if there is
one) used for tech-manuals.

IMHO, attitudes of "no one reads our manual, but it has to be provided," and
"anyone can write clearly, it's the first thing children learn," are part of
the problem with why some executives look for the best wage-deal. No concern
for 'common standards' within the industry, also contributes to this
problem. However, this industry, is one where a portfolio is really needed,
to survive. Most medium-sized companies think that they are only capable of
a look 'right out of a typewriter', and that a 'professional look' is
financially un-attainable with their corporate size.

The company I do work for, never thought about an image, or what could be
produced, until it was shown to them. I'm afraid (maybe) that this
individual in Orlando, was never taught how to market himself, before he
graduated with an English degree. And if he had no artistic fair, just
grammatical skills - he would probably find that he was 'a-dime-a dozen'
after a while. I don't believe that just knowing 'English', is sufficient to
survive in this field. There is more to commanding a price, and - like
selling real-estate - not everyone will want your services.

Anyway, just my $0.02 worth!

Bruce


Keith Cronin wrote:

> Between price wars and changing demands, it is unrealistic to expect any
> job to always be available/profitable. That harsh reality extends from
> milkmen to tech writers.
>
> I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. One of the most
> pragmatic men I ever met worked with me on a loading dock, but was
> studying to be a prison guard, explaining that he was sick of getting laid
> off, and he figured the job would be steady because "there would always be
> bad guys in the world." He's right, and probably has a job for life now.
>
> If that bitter poster you mentioned wants total job security, he may need
> to investigate fields like that, or possibly explore the mortician/funeral
> director path. Those are probably the safest bets.




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