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Resources & Links
If you would like to submit an article for consideration for our Resources page, please send the article in PDF format to our our SIG Manager. Please only submit articles that are directly related to working as an independent technical communicator and are not advertising. The leaders of the CIC SIG reserve the right not to accept articles for any reason.
Many thanks to
and
for helping
compile many of the resources and links on this page.
If you know of a resource that is not listed on this page, please contact
with the pertinent information.
CIC SIG Online Book
The CIC SIG book includes information on working as an independent technical writer.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
This section is under construction, and we need your inupt. If you have a question and/or an answer, please send it to .
One excellent source of information for new contractors and consultants is the Rocky Mountain Chapter's FAQ, located at http://www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/freefaq.htm.
General Consultant's Resources
N E W Dice's Discussion area, with 1300+ messages on Contracting.
business vs. employee relationships (click the Oct. 2003 link)
Audio Conferencing Tips & Tricks is a short article by Jim Bersie. If you often participate in conference calls and meetings, this article is a must-read.
Freelancers Network This site maintains an open database of UK and global Internet freelancers. It is free to be listed, and free to search for freelancers.
PENgroup.com Presents the Expert Marketplace This site links client organizations with qualified consultants in a wide variety of technical areas. They boast more than 140,000 registered business professionals. Cost for membership: $50 per year. A sophisticated online tool helps clients set criteria for consultants and match you to their needs.
DICE Résumé Bank DICE stands for Data Processing Independents Consultants Exchange. You can list your resume with this group. One source says that you'll get a lot of calls from just one posting, but you can only post once a month.
Cyberrecruiting Starting Points Visit these sites for some of the best information available on recruiting and human resources.
Guru.com Welcome A listing of "gurus" like you; also career, business, and other information vital to work as an independent professional.
Freelancing/Small Business Resources
N E W Legal Forms from LegalMessenger.com - Business and Personal Legal Forms & Contracts
N E W Internet video podcasts created by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Postal Service, about how entrepreneurs found success.
Third Party Agencies: Worth the Commitment?
SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership provides good general information about marketing, public relations, and advertising in the "Marketing Mall" section of its site.
MoreBusiness.com offers short, useful articles on marketing. www.morebusiness.com/templates_worksheets/bplans/printpre.brc offers a sample marketing plan.
Jay Conrad Levinson's site contains a lot of useful information. Be sure to download the free list, 100 Guerilla Marketing Weapons.
About.com provides a useful marketing calendar and instructions on how to write the marketing plan section of your business plan. Also see sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/businessplans/a/bizplanmarkplan.htm.
Jill Konrath's newsletter, Quantum Leaps Selling includes sales strategies and tactics.
Microsoft Office Template Gallery provides free templates for both start-up and established businesses, plus separate spreadsheets for start-up expenses and break-even analysis. (Search on "business plan" to find these templates.)
BizPlans.com offers sixty free samples to help you write a plan, or you can purchase software that contains 400 customizable plans.
Center for Business Planning provides business plan software, samples, and strategy--much of it free.
STC-related links and valuable articles can be found at this site.
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential face-to-face and email business counseling.
Financial Planners lists of financial planners by region.
State Resources for businesses.
Working From Home provides Lifechoice Coaching services, including books, free telephone seminars, online courses, and FAQs about "Living the life you want to live, doing the work you want to do."
Entrepreneur.com has lots of info about running your own business. In particular, you may want to read "How to Create a Marketing Plan" and (similarly named) "How to Create a Marketing Plan".
CreativeBusiness is a site for "creative" businesses such as designers, illustrators, and copywriters. However, it contains useful information for anyone running a small business. Particularly helpful are the free forms and articles for downloading.
IRS Self-Employed Info includes information relevant to self-employed individuals.
IRS Forms & Publications includes information copies of tax forms.
nolo.com is a self-help law center presented by Nolo Press, publishers of self-help law books and software.
Small Business Taxes and Management includes tax tables, articles about managing a small business, and a glossary of business tax terms.
Small Business Administration includes information about starting and expanding a business. In particular, you may want to visit www.sba.gov/starting_business/marketing/basics.html and www.sba.gov/gopher/Business-Development/Business-Initiatives-Education-Training/Marketing-Plan for marketing plan information.
How Do You Set Consulting Fees?
Top 3 Secrets to More Billable Time
How To Create An Organized Filing System
Writing Sites
Rockley Report features content management case studies, best practices, and lessons-learned.
The Copyright Web Site includes copyright information for print and online.
The Elements of Style is an online version of the classic reference guide by William Strunk, Jr.
Writer's Block is a creative reference for today's writers.
Boulder Writer's Alliance Resources for Independent Contractor and Freelancers lists references on this page primarily to home office operations: professional organizations; information concerning equipment, communications, etc.; and marketing
Colorado Independents has a very informative newsletter.
Creativepro.com offers resources for creative professionals (graphics oriented, but very useful for tech writers, especially independents).
IEEE Standards Development has links to the IEEE Standards Style Manual and model operating procedures.
Free templates for desktop publishing (Adobe, Corel, Macromedia, Microsoft)
ComTech's Dependency Calculator use when estimating how long projects will take.
The "Blue Book" Form and Style for ASTM Standards
Job Sites and Finding Clients
Just Tech Writer Jobs Most of the jobs are for employee (W2) status -- but a few will also consider 1099 applicants.
Tips for Finding Clients from our Manager, Linda Gallagher. (If you have additional tips, be sure to let know!)
Professional Organizations
The following links take you to web sites maintained by other professional organizations that you may find helpful as an independent contractor or consultant:
Association of Professional Communications Consultants (APCC) provides a Marketing Forum Digest in the Members' Resources, but you must be a member to access it.
Toastmasters provide help in gaining self-confidence and speaking ability.
Association for Processional Communications Consultants (APCC) has a great e-mail discussion list that serves as a forum for professional discussion about issues relating to communication consulting.
National Writers' Union is a trade union for freelance writers of all genres who work for American publishers or employers.
International Association of Business Communicators IABC is a worldwide organization of approximately 13,000 communicators in more than 45 countries. It provides professional development, consultation, and support to members through local chapters, district regions, and international conferences.
American Medical Writers Association This group's mission is to promote excellence in writing, editing, and producing printed and electronic biomedical communications.
International Women Writers' Guild The IWWG is an international support network primarily of women writers. A bimonthly newsletter, group travel, and a week-long annual writers' conference help members to stay informed about the activities of other members and provide important skill development.
The Authors Registry A nonprofit organization with royalty collection and distribution service, licensing service, and large contact directory for authors.
National Writers Association An association for freelance writers.
American Marketing Association The AMA offers many programs and publications for the professional communicator.
Public Relations Society of America PRSA is one of the largest professional associations for public relations practitioners in the world. Its electronic message base is available through the PR & Marketing SIG on Compuserve (GO PRSIG)
American Society of Journalists and Authors The nation's leading organization of independent nonfiction writers. ASJA offers extensive benefits and services focusing on professional development, including regular confidential market information, meetings with editors and others in the field, an exclusive referral service, seminars and workshops, discount services and, above all, the opportunity for members to explore professional issues and concerns with their peers.
Society of Professional Journalists Dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.
The Alliance for Computers and Writing Supports teachers at all levels of instruction in their intellignet, theory-based use of computers.
Association for Women in Computing A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in computing professions.
Association of Teachers of Technical Writing
Writers in the Schools Engages children in the pleasure and power of reading and writing. Sends professional writers into school classrooms to work with students and teachers.
Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (PRWRA) The PRWRA empowers its global members to utilize innovative and proactive resources in their complete career development, resume writing, and employment practices.
Open Directory List of Useful Associations for Technical Writers From the Technical Writers of India to the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow to the Spanish Society of Documentation and Scientific Information, you'll find an interesting list of associations here.
More Resources... A list of interesting associations, maintained by Ball State Univ.
Tech Pubs List of Resources A list of resources for technical writers, maintained by Tech Pubs.
And yet more resources... Another list of resources and associations.
HTML and Web Development Resources
Links to Basic (and somtimes more) Information on HTML:
http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/WWW/HTMLPrimerAll.html
http://www.webstyleguide.com/
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/
http://www.cc.ukans.edu/~acs/docs/other/forms-intro.shtml
http://www.ology.org/tilt/cgh/
http://www.w3schools.com/
http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/Controlling backgrounds: http://wp.netscape.com/assist/net_sites/bg/index.html
Stock Graphics Resources at Foto Search
Apache open source software projects: http://www.apache.org/
Technical Communication Resources
N E W Ecological Diversity and Technical Communication, an article by Geoff Hart.
Job Hotline "The NWU Job Hotline is a nation-wide, non-profit alternative to job shops, temp agencies, and brokers. The Hotline is a way for employers to locate the writers they need, and writers to find jobs. The Hotline is a project of the National Writers Union and is run by, and for, the writers who use it. Employers list contract jobs for free. Writers contact and deal with employers directly." You must be a member of NWU to access and use the lists and you must agree to pay a finders fee of 10% of your first 4 months income from jobs obtained through the list. Kinda pricey! You can view the lists for free but you have to pay for the contact information.
The Official TECHWR-L, the Internet forum for technical communicators This site contains the largest listing of technical communication consultants available. The site also contains articles on consulting and contracting in the following selected topic areas: client relations, getting started, interviews, resumes, and a lot more. Check out available contracting positions under "Employment Central". You can also post a personal profile...that might get you a contract. You can list yourself in the consultant's directory.
American Society of Indexers Locate an indexer or list your services here.
Masterpiece Media Presents Technical Writers To The Rescue! This site provides a list of consultants and their services. It also contains tons of links of interest to telecommuters and freelancers.
Telecommuting Job Opportunities for Writers This site contains a very long list of links of consulting jobs.
National Writers Union Home Page You have to join this group. They provide tons of resources for independents, including contract and legal information. They have a great jobs page (not necessarily related to contracting, but definitely high tech, computer-related jobs: NWU Online Resources for Writers - Job Banks
Software Contractors' Guild; jobs, resumes, programmers, consultants "An organization of Software Contractors and Consultants worldwide. 2076 Software Contractors/Consultants offering services. 413 contract job openings for Software Contractors/Consultants."
Corporate Communications Resources
Hume and Resources, Locating Services and Recruiting Professionals in Corporate Communications This company lists consultants [you!] and finds consultants [for your projects where you need extra help]. They specialize in: Marketing and Corporate Communications, E-Commerce, Creative and Production Services. List a category of freelance projects for "Writers, Editors & Proofreaders."
Manufacturing-Related Resources
PDM Consultants This list contains hundreds of names of consultants in the area of Product Data Management (PDM). The site also contains a listing of PDM vendors along with consultants.
Chemistry-Related Resources
Chemical Consultants Network Main Page dues to join. CCN has organized a computerized database and telephone consultant referral service which is manifested by this web site. The primary purpose of the CCN Web Site is a self service consultants resource for potential clients. Other information, such as meeting notices, links to other relevant web resources, and other information deemed useful to our members is also included.
Health Services-Related Resources
HealthCareerWeb Information on employment and consulting in all aspects of careers related to health. They also have a Career Doctor section containing information about self employment and handling work pressures.
CHIM The Center for Health Information Management. Their new vision: "The association driving strategic information management and technology in the health industry." Navigate to the "Member Marketplace" page to find consultants. Join to list yourself.
Internet Services-Related Resources
Assess - Web-based survey, assessment, and testing tool.
OSHA Training
OSHNET Safety and Health Consultants Page For $40 per year you can list yourself as an OSHA trainer on this consultants list.
Associations with Consultants Listings
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
The International Salary Calculator relocation, cost of living, real estate
CIC SIG at STC Conferences
N E W CIC SIG conference planner for 2007 conference
CIC SIG conference planner for 2006 conference
Conference session descriptions with the CIC SIG session highlighted, from the 2002 conference.
Summary of lessons learned from the 2002 Region 6 conference.
Useful Model Files
These files have been submitted by CIC SIG members, as a service to their fellow colleagues. The intent is to share boilerplate and information. Here you will find templates for proposals, scope definitions, contracts, and more.
If you have a file you would like to share, please contact .
IMPORTANT NOTE: The CIC SIG nor the submitters of the files take any responsibility for the content of or the results of using these files. They are presented as samples only, and may not be appropriate for all uses and situations. By all means use them, but use them at your own risk.
- To view a file with your browser, simply click the link.
- To download a file, right-click on the link, then choose "Save Target As..." (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link Target As..." (Netscape).
Filename and Size Submitted by Description To My Reviewers...
(MS Word, 25 KB)
To My Reviewers...
(PDF, 19 Bytes)Jim Bersie A succinct set of instructions to reviewers of technical documents Sample Contract - document set
(MS Word, 35.5 KB)
Sample Contract - document set
(PDF, 12 KB)Jodie Gilmore A simple contract governing the creation of a set of documents Sample Contract - web site development
(MS Word, 40 KB)
Sample Contract - web site development
(PDF, 14.7 KB)Jodie Gilmore A simple contract governing a web site development project Sample Contract - contractor services
(MS Word, 48 KB)
Sholeh Gregory A sample contract that covers all the bases Sample Resume - "Twenty-first Century"
(PDF, 18.8 KB)Stephen Arthur as explained and prototyped by Ron McGowan in his book How to Find Work in the 21st Century: Contracting Your Way to a Job or Career. Sample Resume - "nontraditional"
(PDF, 57.3 KB)Linda Gallagher Nontraditional resume for a consultant Sample Resume - contractors
(PDF, 30.1 KB)
Sample Resume - Versatility
(PDF, 46 KB)John Hedtke good for contractors with overlapping experiences and contracts
good example of how to do things when you've got experience in a variety of venues and don't want to limit yourself.Sample Resume - Qualifications
(PDF, 9.43 KB)Betsy Frick Experienced consultant's qualifications
