January Chapter Meeting: Independent Consulting and Contracting

By Marj Hermansen-Eldard on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3
Length: 90 min.

Unlike the consistent schedule, workload, and wages of a 9-5 technical writing job, going it on your own as a consultant or contractor is a lot like riding the tide. Sometimes the tide is “in” and you have plenty of work to keep you happily tapping away on your keyboard; the projects are queuing up, the money is flowing, and all’s right with the world.

Other times, the tide is “out” and you find yourself walking on a desolate beach, staring out at the horizon, waiting for your ship to come in — and, if you’re lucky, picking up the occasional small job still lurking in a hidden tidal pool; money is scarce, and as the siren song of Corporate America tempts you back into the relative stability of captured employment, you question the wisdom of continuing to go it alone.

And then there are the “tsunamis,” those times when you have more work than one person should ever be expected to handle; yet in spite of the fact that you’re barely keeping your head above water, you’re reluctant to say “no” to any of it because you don’t know how high the floodwaters will rise or how long the drought that is sure to follow will last.

Lyn Worthen, a noted independent consultant, and owner of Information Design Co., will share her insight and experience of owning a successful consulting/contracting business. This event, our first in new year, will feature Lyn discussing her experience as a technical communicator working independently in a wide range of roles. Her expertise extends from writing, editing, course development, and project management, to document design services for local and out-of-area clients on an outsourced basis.

Lyn’s professional portfolio is extensive. Besides her long list of clients, she is an active member of the following organizations: Society for Technical Communication (STC), Utah Women Tech Council (WTC), and National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

We hope you’ll plan to join us as Lyn shares her experiences of working independently in the technical communication field.

Date: January 20, 2010
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Sandy City Library (10100 South Petunia Way–1405 East)