PIC Newsletter - November 2014
 
Hope you enjoy the latest edition of The Buzz!

A message from the PIC chair, Sharon Aschaiek

 
At a recent PIC social, I had a productive conversation with fellow member Patricia Davies. Pat is a seasoned communicator and a former PIC board member who has 20 years of experience providing writing, editing and consulting services to government, companies and non-profits. One of the topics we discussed was the limitation of providing only writing services, and the growth opportunities in offering more communications consulting and training. Pat was generous with her insights about her own experience making this shift in her business. The conversation helped me think more clearly about next steps for my business.

Last week, I received an email from another PIC member who works full time in content development for a non-profit. She would eventually like to branch out on her own and contacted me for advice about pricing some freelance writing assignments. I offered my perspective based on my years of working as a freelance journalist, and shared my own approach to calculating fees for writing projects in general. She shared more details about her career plans, and we're aiming to continue our conversation at a future PIC meeting. While I'm still figuring out a lot about communications, it felt great to be able to offer her whatever wisdom I've gained to help her break into freelancing.

Both of these interactions got me thinking about how the knowledge sharing, networking and spirit of helpfulness within the communicators' community play a role in our success as independent communicators. As much as we rely on our own talent, skills, energy and drive to get ahead, we also depend on each other for insights and tips on best practices, industry trends, lucrative markets and success strategies. I know that over my 10 years in business, the many conversations I have had with communicators of all levels of experience have been enriching in different ways.

To build on this aspect of mutual support that can often be found our community, PIC is considering introducing an informal mentorship program for members. We'd like to bring together seasoned communicators who have the time and interest in sharing their professional insights with newer communicators seeking guidance to advance their careers. PIC would facilitate the connections, and participants would take the lead in arranging the terms of their mentorship relationship. Would this appeal to you, either as a prospective mentor or mentee? As we on the board work through the details of such an initiative, we'd be interesting in hearing what you think - email me at [email protected].

Meanwhile, enjoy our latest newsletter. It includes a review of our last seminar by Sue Horner, insights on finders' fees, information on upcoming PD events, and more.  

Continued success,
 
Sharon

In This Issue
A message from the PIC chair
Be social on Dec. 3
Nov. 13 recap: Collaboration
Do you mark up subcontractors?
Jan. 13: Be a 6-figure freelancer
Jan. 29: Mitch Joel
PIC Personalities returns next month
Explore the PIC blog
Quick Links
Newsletter archives
Find back issues of The Buzz here.
Join Our Mailing List!
We want your talents!
Interested in writing, editing or contributing ideas for PIC's The Buzz or IABC/Toronto's Communicator? We'd love your help. Let us know!
Tidbits of knowledge
Visit the Professional Independent Communicators - Toronto blog for tips on such topics as pricing and running your business, as well as pre-event podcasts and post-event reports.
PIC 2014-2015 Executive
Contact any of us with questions, comments and ideas for speakers or topics!

Chair: Sharon Aschaiek
Past Chair: Donna Papacosta
Communications: Sue Horner
Membership & Events:
Sohini Bhattacharya
Programming: Jane Langille
Social Media: Andrew Wright
Next event December 3: Seasonal social
Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 7 p.m. onward
The Bedford Academy, 36 Prince Arthur Ave., Toronto

Come join your fellow indies and friends to toast the season and chat about what lies ahead for 2015. PIC will spring for a few platters of appetizers, while drinks and anything more substantial will be on your own tab. As always, expect great company and great conversation!

We're meeting at The Bedford Academy, a gastro-pub housed in a converted mansion near Bloor Street and Avenue Road (St. George subway station, Bedford Road exit). Help us reserve enough space for our group by sending an email to Jane Langille at [email protected].
Hope to see you there!

Nov. 13 meeting report: Team up with other indies for growth and fun
by Sue Horner

Working with other independents can help you bid on projects bigger than you can handle alone. It's a growth strategy when you can't fit any more work into your day. And sometimes, it's simply a way to work with people you enjoy.  

At PIC's November 13 meeting, four panelists outlined the pleasures and perils of working with other independents:  

How to find and work with other communicators:

  • Look for people with complementary skills (graphic designers and writers are a great match!).
  • Start small and check the relationship over time.
  • What are your goals? If it's to win awards, you might partner with someone whose expertise in a particular area is likely to earn an award.
  • It can be as easy as meeting others, enjoying their company and suggesting you work together. Graphic designer Deana De Ciccio  met a group of fun people from IABC/BC at a World Conference, and one year later was spending 80% of her time working with them.
  • "Only work with people you like," the group stressed in the handout shown here that was -- what else -- a collaboration between the panelists. (Download a copy of the infographic here.)

What kind of projects cry out for collaboration?

  • As part owner of a project management company, Greg Ioannou joined forces with five other companies that each took a piece of the writing, training and other services required for a plain language project. "We would not have had a prayer of getting the job without each other," he said.
  • Alix Edmiston, ABC, recommends partnering with others for bigger or different projects. "When you join up with someone else, you can change the world," she told the group.
  • Web designer Avery Swartz uses collaboration as a growth strategy, teaming up with others for interesting or juicy challenges.
  • Support collaboration with tools like SharePoint, Google Docs, Trello, Basecamp and FreshBooks.
Things to watch out for:

  • Trust, honesty, integrity.
  • Do you smile or cringe when you see your partner's name/phone number on call display?
  • Do your goals align?
  • Check your math when adding up the various pieces of your proposal. (Ask Greg!)
  • If you have a retainer, Alix recommends documenting everything you do in case of a dispute. "There shouldn't be a big disconnect between what you deliver and the expectations," she said.
  • Consider Avery's "pause clause." That's when the client delays the schedule and you pause the project. Avery's clause kicks in when there's no feedback or communication for 15 days, and she notes that the project will resume subject to her availability.
  • Protect yourself. Decide if you need contracts, non-disclosure agreements, errors and omissions insurance. At the very least, have a detailed proposal covering what you will each deliver.
  • Greg suggests this line from the Editors Association of Canada's standard freelance editorial agreement:
    "While the Editor will make every effort to bring questionable material to the attention of the Client, the Client agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Editor from any and all claims or demands, including legal fees, arising out of any alleged libel or copyright infringement committed by the Author or Client in creating the work."

Of course, there's no requirement to go bigger. As Greg said, sometimes being crazy busy with work means you should go smaller rather than expand. You might fire a client, or turn one down. As Avery put it, "'No' is a complete sentence."
 

Recommended reading:

The Partnership Charter: How To Start Out Right With Your New Business Partnership (or Fix The One You're In) by David Gage.

A version of this recap appeared on Sue's Red Jacket Diaries blog and on PIC's eXchange site. 

 Do you charge markups and finders' fees? Should you?

During the spirited discussion about collaboration at the November meeting, the group touched on the topic of finders' fees and markups.

Deana does not use them, saying that in her network, "We just share the wealth." Alix agreed, adding, "I believe in karma." Avery said it felt odd to put a dollar figure on work given to someone else, and she would also be concerned about keeping tabs.

As part of a project management company, Greg typically does charge a 15% markup for his efforts, or as much as 40% for taking full responsibility for a project. "Think of it as the value you bring to a project," he said.

PIC member Priya Bates, ABC, MC recalled seeing a survey by IABC Vancouver member Jennifer Wah, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, which showed that most agencies and consultancies mark up subcontractor and supplier costs by 15% to 20%. The markup accounts for the management and financial risk of subcontracting.

PIC member Kara Kuryllowicz related a situation where a person referring a project made it clear she expected a 10% finder's fee of the first six months' work.

In the fee survey PIC conducted earlier this year, a slight majority of respondents said they do charge for subcontractor time, at a median rate of 15%. Two people calculated the charge as $20 per hour of the subcontractor fee and one a flat $50. The markup reflects the amount of client liaison or project management required as well as the project complexity.

As with many aspects of the independent life, whether you charge or not depends on your situation and what you feel comfortable doing!

Related reading:
PR agency billing "must-knows" (scroll down to find markup)

Find out how to become a six-figure freelancer on Jan. 13

 

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Room R318, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave., Toronto  

The Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) has lined up Steve Slaunwhite for a session packed with ideas and tactics to make more money and trade "okay" clients for superstars.

Free to PWAC members; $15 for non-members. Can't make it in person? Follow #pwacpanel on Twitter for live tweets.  

Find out more details and register here.  

Mark your calendars for a session Jan. 29 with digital visionary Mitch Joel

 

PIC and IABC/Toronto are teaming up for a session with sought-after speaker and digital marketing expert Mitch Joel from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Mitch is a passionate entrepreneur and president of Twist Image, one of the largest independent digital marketing agencies in North America. Watch for more details soon.
 

PIC Personalities returns next month
Are you interested in being profiled as a PIC Personality?

We count more than 160 members in PIC, offering a range of talent from coaching and media relations to video production and writing. Do you know everyone? Our PIC Personalities feature introduces new members and randomly profiles existing members. Let Sue Horner know if you'd like to be profiled and she'll be in touch to set it up! You can find previous PIC Personalities posted online.
 
Need help with some aspect of the independent life? Check out the PIC blog

Check PIC's IABC eXchange site, listed upper right as "PIC Toronto blog," for the information you need to help you start, run and grow your business. You'll also find past PIC event reviews, promotional podcasts and previously featured PIC Personalities, and you can download the report on our recent fee survey.

If you find a dead link or inaccurate information on the site, please let us know. If you'd like to volunteer to update specific sections of the blog, tell us that, too! 


 
PIC is a special interest group of IABC/Toronto. PIC's mission is to support independent IABC/Toronto communicators through professional development, networking and marketing. 
The Buzz is PIC's e-newsletter, intended to inform independent communicators about our activities, share professional development tips from past meetings and keep us aware of what's going on. Connect with us on the web at pictoronto.com.

As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC/Toronto provides access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. IABC helps people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication. For more information, visit the
IABC website.

Sue Horner                                                           Heather West   
Director, Communications - PIC                              Copy editor