Business Matters: A freelancer’s guide to business success in any economy
by Elizabeth Frick. $24.95 (print), $19.95 (ebook).
When Bette Frick launched her freelance writing and editing business in 1990, not having completed formal business training meant she would make more than a few mistakes. But not applying MBA models meant that as her company grew, her business model fit her rather than some business-school template.
As Bette learned her (sometimes) painful lessons, she shared them in her column, Business Matters, in Intercom, the magazine of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), from 2003 to 2012. Business Matters republishes those articles, substantially revised and arranged thematically, along with several new chapters.
Inside the Book
I. Introduction
- Could You, Should You, Go Independent?
- Independents’ Success Depends on Business Skills
- Business Plans Build Good Businesses
II. Business Strategy
- Attracting Perfect Customers: Developing Your Strategic Plan
- Prospecting for Your Perfect Customer
- Are You a Generalist or a Specialist? Focusing Your Business
- Telescoping for Survival
- Medical Writing and Editing Opportunities for Freelancers
- The Best Job I Never Took
- Consulting for Your Local Government
- Could You, Should You, Move Your Business?
- The Goal Is to Get It Right, Not Be Right (Admitting Mistakes)
- The Zen of Craigslist
- Reframing to Save our Sanity
- The Power of Certification for Independents
- Are You a Craftsperson or an Entrepreneur?
- The Power of Groups to Support the Freelancer
III. Marketing
- Building a Marketing Plan
- Flex Your Marketing Muscles: Tactics for Reluctant Marketers
- Marketing 101: Learning from Other Independents
- Networking for Independents
IV. Operations
- Independents and the “F” Word
- The Freelancer’s Biggest Worry: Losing Money Bidding Projects
- Time Flies! Time-tracking Software for Independents
- Time Matters
- A Room with a Window
Bibliography
Index
What are They Saying?
“Frick writes in a refreshing tone with her blatant honesty, showcasing the roller coaster of emotions you deal with in creating and maintaining your own business.”
— Kristin Kirkham-Broadhead, Review in STC Technical Communication, February 2016, Full review, courtesy of STC.
“A collection of over 25 articles, Dr. Frick’s book covers the breadth and depth of business needs and strategies for independent freelancers, from introductory materials on what being an independent entails, to business and marketing solutions, to operational strategies. Essential reading for anyone already in or considering freelancing as a career choice, the expertise provided here will be useful for years to come.”
— Liz Pohland, Director of Communications, Society for Technical Communication
Book Extras
About the Author
Dr. Elizabeth (Bette) Frick of the Text Doctor LLC teaches writing and communication to employees of corporations and governments in the Denver Metro area, nationally, and internationally. Bette holds a PhD in English from the University of Minnesota and served as president of the Twin Cities chapter of STC from 2003–2004. She is a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and serves on the Intercom Editorial Advisory Panel.
Dr. Frick is also board-certified as a medical editor by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS) and serves as the Immediate Past President of the American Medical Writers Association Rocky Mountain Chapter (AMWA-RMC). She recently completed requirements for the highest Toastmasters award, the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).