Monday, March 10, 2008

If you are thinking about moving into contracting/consulting, or if you are currently consulting/contracting and have topics you'd like to discuss, consider attending this meeting to learn how two technical writers have succeeded as contractors/consultants.

Ed will discuss:

• Factors that led to his decision to "go indie"
• Personality traits useful in this mode
• Necessary skills
• Best practices
• Deciding what type of business to license
• Equipment/home office considerations
• Best practices for records keeping (income/expenses)

Karen will discuss the following in a "kick-off" presentation:

• Factors that keep the client satisfied with your work
• Growing business beyond the original project
• Maintaining a good relationship with the client
• Maintaining a positive attitude and a sense of satisfaction about each project

During the Q&A panel portion, Karen will address questions about:

• Pros and cons of working as a W-2 contractor
• Keeping skills up-to-date
• How to handle "sticky situations"
• Financial and emotional factors of dealing with the uncertainty of "temporary" employment
• Any other questions about working as a contractor/consultant that the audience cares to ask

Ed will address questions about working directly, that is, not going through an agency.

Karen Giventer is an active member of STC Boston and a career contractor. Karen has presented to STC several times on the subject of searching for employment and received excellent reviews. She is a past leader of the CIC SIG and has held many other leadership positions with STC Boston. Karen is very enthusiastic and optimistic about opportunities for contractors/consultants and enjoys sharing her experiences and techniques with others. Karen can be reached by email.

Ed Marshall is an independent consultant technical writer and the sole proprietor of Marshall Documentation Consulting, with over 20 years in technical writing. He successfully transitioned from a long-time "regular employee" to being an "independent consultant." He specializes in API, SDK, and Web Services products and other types of documentation aimed at developers. Ed is also the current leader of the Tools & Technology and Consulting and Independent Contracting Special Interest Groups. He has presented several talks at the Boston and Northern New England chapters of the STC, STC Conferences, the WritersUA Conference, and at the Pubsnet Conference. Ed can be reached by email.

6:30 - 7:00 pm	Registration and Networking
7:00 - 8:30 pm	Discussion

Openwave (note that Openwave is at a new location)
One Wall Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Map and Directions

STC-Boston and STC-NNE members	Free
Other STC members and nonmembers	$5

Please register online for this meeting by Friday, March 7.

No refreshments will be available, but attendees can bring their own food and drink.

Contact the CIC SIG leader, Ed Marshall.

To receive notices of future meetings, join the CIC SIG Yahoo group, CICTalk.