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.
Again, thank you all for the thoughtful replies. William, I'm glad you
brought up some of the legal aspects of contract work. That is something
I've talked to people about before, and it's really helpful to get advice
from people who have "been there."
Aside from needing to watch my back legally, I need to be prepared for
lower pay from small businesses. That seems like maybe the second biggest
hurdle, the first being getting people me to hire me in the first place.
I appreciate your advice. I've got a lot of stuff to think about now, but I
think I'm closer to being able to work out a plan of action.
On Fri, May 22, 2015, 6:34 PM William Sherman <bsherman77 -at- embarqmail -dot- com>
wrote:
> I am headed out so this will be short, but I thought you might want to know
> this and I'm sure others will comment.
>
> There are two main types of contracts: locals and life on the road.
>
> Local is typically less money. You compete with all who are willing to take
> less just to stay home.
>
> Experience is money. If all you have is 10 months, ride it out for a bit
> longer. Otherwise, you will be working for minimum rates for some time.
>
> Like Peter said, 1099 is a trap for most. To use one, you really need to be
> your own company. You will have to pay out taxes, SS, and the rest. As
> such,
> your 1099 rate should be about double your W2 rate, but typically shops
> wanting you to work 1099 means they want to get you on the cheap. The main
> company avoids 1099 to individuals as there are too many pitfalls for them,
> getting stuck with paying you employee benefits due to lawsuits and
> government actions. A 1099 doesn't insulate them enough from you.
>
> Temp to Hire is another trap. Say the rate should be $35 but they tell you
> it is only $30 because it is Temp To Hire, as though you get some huge
> benefit by being hired. It is a carrot. If you do get hired, your pay and
> benefits probably won't equal the $30, let alone the $35, because they will
> say your $45,000 salary plus the benefits equal the larger amount.
>
> Learn to save. You without question MUST have 3 months of money to live on.
> You need to increase that to 6 months as soon as possible, within the first
> two years. A contract can end at any second and there isn't any recourse,
> so
> prepare to weather the financial storm. For example, you go 1000 miles to a
> job, work a week, and it ends. You are out all the money traveling there,
> having to pay hotel rates for a place to stay for a few weeks, and travel
> back home, if you have one.
>
> Live light. If you can't pack it in your car, SUV, van, or truck, you don't
> need it.
>
> You are NOT an employee. Never mistake that status.
>
> There are lots of rules and laws you need to know. Learn them.
>
> One is overtime. There are laws that allow them NOT to pay it for some
> contractors, HOWEVER, if it is in your contract, they must. ALWAYS get that
> in the contract or do not work OT. Contracts are written agreements between
> you and the shop you are working for who rents you to the client. You can
> always change a contract before signing, as it is what you agree to. As
> long
> as they are small changes, they almost always agree. Regardless of what
> they
> tell you, they do not have 100 others for the same job, or they would not
> be
> sending you a contract. You are it.
>
>
>
>
> Now it can be rewarding. You get to see a lot of the country. You get to
> learn new industries. You don't get bored. You gain a sense of freedom most
> will never know. When a company begins layouts, you shrug your shoulders
> and
> don't worry, because you probably have one bag in the place and can leave
> with 5 minutes notice, unlike those whose world just fell apart and have no
> idea what they will do now.
>
>
> Have a good weekend and safe holiday.
>
>
> In memory of those who served, thanks.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karl Norman" <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>
> To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:40 PM
> Subject: Freelance, contract part-time
>
>
> > I've noticed a number of contributors here and in other tech writer
> forums
> > have gone rogue and begun freelancing at some point in their careers.
> > Seems
> > the trend is to get the feet wet with a big company for x years and then
> > make the switch to freelance/contract work. Maybe some of you could
> > expound
> > upon your decisions to make that change. What were the determining
> > factors?
> > How did you feel confident that you could go it alone?
> >
> > I'm at the beginning of my career. I've been with a medium size company
> > for
> > 10 months, and I'm working on building a document control department.
> > There's plenty of opportunity for me to grow here, but a significant part
> > of me doesn't care about the work. I've pursued working with nonprofits,
> > helping with procedures and ISO documentation, and I like that kind of
> > work
> > better than my current position. I just like the working relationship I
> > have with small organizations. But, obviously the bills have to be paid,
> > and tech writing as a value added service is a hard sell to small
> > businesses and nonprofits. Do any of you rogues have advice for someone
> > who
> > might want to leave his cubicle? Most importantly, how do you ensure the
> > bills get paid?
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > Adobe TCS 5: Get the Best of both worlds: modern publishing and best in
> > class XML \ DITA authoring | http://adobe.ly/scpwfT
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as bsherman77 -at- embarqmail -dot- com -dot-
> >
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> >
> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> > http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> > info.
> >
> > Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> online
> > magazine at http://techwhirl.com
> >
> > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> > email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 2015.0.5941 / Virus Database: 4347/9829 - Release Date: 05/20/15
> >
>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Adobe TCS 5: Get the Best of both worlds: modern publishing and best in class XML \ DITA authoring | http://adobe.ly/scpwfT
