Re: Employment vs. Consulting vs. Contracting & Getting Hired
I currently have three concurrent jobs I'm working on. One is chip-level documentation, one is for detecting and identifying encryption embedded in applications, and one is writing reports in conjunction with a team of usability analysts. All my clients know I have other clients. Some weeks one client gets 100% of my time, sometimes 0%. It's a juggling act, but we are all comfortable with it. When and if all three have concurrent deadlines, I'll let you know how I cope, but so far we've been able to amicably handle the ebb and flow of project needs. It requires me and my clients to look ahead and plan things rather than waiting until the last possible second. Good medicine for all concerned, IMHO.
Like John, I currently live in Vermont and I have been both captive and freelance writer (in CA, AK, OR, NM....). I recently finished a period where I worked for two clients concurrently, both with similar deadlines. I was upfront with both clients about my other responsibilities and they were comfortable with the situation. Working multiple clients taxes you, but it can be done and done well with good planning. One client uses me on an irregular basis and will use me again. We have that good of a business relationship. The other has recently elevated my contract from upgrading existing manuals to be their outsourced tech pubs department tasked with developing the foundation for their next generation documentation (print and web based). Although these newly expanding opportunities reduces the need to look for new clients (or a gig as an indentured writer), my ears are always open to new opportunities.
Al
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References:
Employment vs. Consulting vs. Contracting & Getting Hired: From: Michael L. Wyland
Re: Employment vs. Consulting vs. Contracting & Getting Hired: From: John Garison
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