RE: Freelancing Help

["Lauren" <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>]

I've learned a lot about contracts in general by reading through the
contracts at the GSA web site that I discussed yesterday.  Reading other
contracts might help you with forming your own.

Depending on how much business you do, you might want to consider, or just
learn about, forming your own corporation or LLC.  Having your business be
its own entity helps you get a few tax breaks, plus it protects your
personal assets if you get sued and you formed your entity correctly.
Lawyers and accountants are the best resource for making the "correct"
business decisions.  

>From the posts I've read from this forum, including a waiver with your
documents to waive any liability that can be associated with your documents
is also a good idea.

Insurance is apparently good too.

Books:
"Well-Fed Writer" and "Well-Fed Writer Back for Seconds" by Peter Bowerman

The Nolo Press books on LLC and Corporation formation.  You might also want
to look at other Nolo Press books for your situation, I'm sure that they
have plenty about contracts.  Nolo is a well-respected publisher of
legaleze.

There are many other good books out there, but Peter Bowerman is pretty
trumping them all right now the way I see it.  He also provides a very
complete reading list with a selection of books that he claims every writer
must have.

Lauren
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On 
> Behalf Of David Loveless
> Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 3:49 PM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Freelancing Help
> 
> Everyone,
> 
> Due to some recent changes in life, I've decided to give the freelance
> route a try. I've been writing for seven years and have finally gotten
> tired of the bureaucracy and other pains that come with your standard
> 8-5. Believe me, this has been a long time coming.
> 
> Over the last three years, I've taken on small freelance jobs as a way
> to get my feet wet. Recently, I signed on to complete a much larger
> project. Today, I accepted my first true contract (3 month gig with
> potential for more).
> 
> So, I've dropped the hook, the fish have nibbled.... now what?
> 
> I'm just looking for any general advice you might give me. I want
> anything and everything from pursuing the next contract to handling
> disputes to writing the contract to, well... anything. Any good books,
> articles, or websites would also be greatly appreciated. I know that
> freelancing is not exactly a walk in the park, but I'm ready to give
> it a whirl.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dave
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