Sooooooooo close

[mythteller]

I got the proofs today for the pamphlet for my new biography business. Of course, I had to make a couple of changes to it, but they were mostly textual. I'll be getting the final proof as a PDF in the next couple of days and then production begins! I'll be starting with a run of 2500 copies of the pamphlet and then start marketing the service.

You can see what the pamphlet looks like by going to my makeshift website at: www.documentia.ca/milestone/

Also, I got a call from the approval committe from the Conseil des Arts et Lettre du Quebec (CALQ) who say they need one more piece of information from me (a confirmation letter from Edmonton) and they're ready to approve my travel grant. Wheee!

On the flip side, I also got a lead on a new technical writing contract. This is a bit of a conundrum for me because if I want the biography business to work, I need to be dedicated to it. But the new contract would be a sweet amount of money... Maybe if I can work it out to be part-time work, I can have the guaranteed contract income while hunting for new biographies to write.

It's all about risk management and leaping from what's comfortable to what's unknown and dangerous, but potentially so much better.

Comments

[silly-imp.livejournal.com]

Do you know another writer (that you trust and charges less than you) to subcontract the tech writing project to? The you could simply oversee the prject, take a cut of the job earnings that way and still be free to pursue the biography business.

[jdhobbes.livejournal.com]

When the contract only calls for one writer, there really isn't a need for a project manager. If I had a constant need for contractors, I could invest in building this relationship. But the work's just not that steady.

If the contract's not too long, I should be able to juggle both. But at some point, I'm going to start either turning down contracts or sub-contracting stuff that comes my way. It's a difficult page to turn.

[silly-imp.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know what you mean. When you're building your business, the attitude is "get business, build relationships" so refusing a job is rare. Once the business is established then you have to start refusing business or else risk taking on too much and sabotaging the relationships and reputation you've built.

I hit the got-to-refuse-business mark a few years ago and the transition in mindset was much more difficult that I anticipated, especially when the projects looked interesting.

I've been told the key at this point is to selectively take on business, ie, take on the projects that will pay the best with the minimal amount of fuss. That's the transition I'm trying to work with now. The trick seems to be how to unload problem projects/clients without burning bridges.

I jacked up my rates last fall, thinking that should get rid of a few of them (and the extra hourly rate would make up for the loss of business/less hours worked), but so far I haven't lost any clients at all. I've even gained. Go figure.

My new strategy is to say, "I'm not taking on new business right now, here is another writer. S/he's not as experienced as myslef, but I'm sure s/he can handle the job. If you'd like me to consult on the project, I'd be happy to." Then I can charge them an even higher rate to consult, and everyone is happy. So far THIS is working. (Well at least it is now that I've got good writers to recommend.)

[richgoalie.livejournal.com]

Well, good luck. Sounds as if at least someone I know is having good luck professionally.

[crimson-prime.livejournal.com]

Good luck, my friend. You'll have the support of your friends throughout your various endeavors.