Fly on Your Own Wings

by Alida Franco

Unemployed, and tired of sending out resumes? Or perhaps you’re looking for a professional change, more variety in your work, or wanting to use a great set of skills that your current job doesn’t seem to need?

These are some of the feelings that set independent contractors in motion. Think about it. Maybe life is opening a door and presenting you with a chance for a new professional opportunity. If you haven’t considered becoming an independent contractor, maybe you should.

So, what are the benefits?

It may seem odd to some that there are professional writers who are willing to forego paid holidays, a paid vacation, health and dental insurance, paid Social Security, and other benefits to work for the best boss in the world—themselves.

Independent contractors have a penchant for relying on their own personal and professional resources. They love structuring their own time. They like the creative process of selling a job and negotiating the terms of a contract. They have the opportunity to bid for and select from a variety of jobs, depending on their own individual skill sets. And, they have the right to turn down and refuse contracts that do not meet their standards. Very few jobs provide these benefits.

Independent contractors define their businesses and differentiate themselves from their competitors by providing a specific skill or service. For example, web designer, human factors expert, technical writing and consulting, marketing and copywriting, and so on.  But in reality, independent contractors are really selling themselves. Any client who has worked with independent contractors knows that no two are alike, even when they possess the same skills and provide the same services. As an independent, you are your business, and the business relationships you develop with clients reflect your unique style.

If you are ready to give independent contracting some concentrated thought and effort, here are a few starting points:

• Identify what type of legal business status your company should have. Call 303.892.3840 and ask for a copy of the Colorado Business Resource Guide, a comprehensive publication on starting up a small business and the deciding factors in determining your legal status. Learn about becoming a sole proprietor, a limited liability company, or a corporation.
• Contact the Small Business Center at your local Secretary of State’s office to register your company name and legal status. For Colorado, check out: http://www.sos.state.co.us/
• Determine what type or types of skills and services you plan to sell. If you haven’t already, start networking and talk to other independent contractors.
• Join the STC Contractor and Independent Consultants Special Interest Group (CIC-SIG) at the local and national levels. Go to http://www.stc.org/membership/sigDescription01.asp?ID=1 or contact Alida Franco.
• Educate yourself on the mechanics of running a business as a freelancer. Learn about setting up and maintaining a home office, marketing your skills and services, writing contracts, managing state and federal taxes, and more. Check out: http://www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/freelance.htm

Finally, plan to attend the CIC-SIG fall meeting in November. What are you waiting for?

Alida Franco is the current chair for the Rocky Mountain CIC-SIG group. She is also the owner of Communiqué, LLC, a firm that provides technical communication services and consulting in the Denver metro area. You can contact her at mailto:alidafranco@earthlink.net