Making the Switch from Full Time to Freelance/Contract - Looking for Advice

[Louise Kasemeier <louisekasemeier -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

I've finally decided to take the plunge and make the switch from full time writing posiitons to freelance or contract positions and I'm looking for any advice or wisdom from people who have already done it. I've been a full time technical writer for ten years, here in the Atlanta area and previously in th UK. I've worked in the software industry for most of that time writing user documentation and internal/systems stuff, API references etc. In the past 2 years or so I've also been doing a lot of work with DITA and XML, both as a content writer and on the technical implementation side of things.

I'm really looking for advice on the best way to find contracts and to get my name out there. Should I use an agency or contact potential employers myself? Are there any good web sites or other resources out there that I should be looking at? Anything really that you think a newbie freelancer should be aware of.

Thanks,

Louise


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.