Freelancing

A freelancer is a self-employed individual who pursues a given profession without having a long-term commitment to a single employer. Science communication fields where freelancing is common include [Page 314]journalism and other forms of science writing, copywriting, editing, and public relations–media consulting. Each plays an important role in communicating science.

Freelancers typically come from the ranks of traditional journalism, university public information, and corporate communications positions where they gained work experience and editorial contacts prior to striking out on their own. Other freelancers are scientists turned writers. To make the transition and be competitive in the market, scientists often take courses on journalism basics, interviewing skills, and feature writing; attend specialized science-writing seminars and workshops; and/or complete science-journalism fellowships or certificate-degree programs.

Freelancers generally enjoy a greater variety of assignments than those in a full-time staff position and usually have more freedom to choose their work schedule. The experience can lead to a broader portfolio of work and the establishment of a network of clients. A major drawback to freelancing is the uncertainty of obtaining work, uneven cash flow, and the lack of benefits usually provided by an employer such as a pension, health insurance, paid holidays, sick leave, and bonuses.

Freelance science journalists sell their work to local newspapers, syndicates, magazines, and electronic media outlets. The pay for freelance science journalism varies from pennies per word to dollars per word. For decades, the industry average for magazine articles has been $1 per word. But consider that a 3,000-word magazine article may take a month to produce, and one such article per month translates into a $36,000 annual salary for an experienced freelancer. This is hardly a living wage; thus, freelancers must either juggle a great many assignments to make ends meet, hold a fulltime job and freelance on the side, or have other means of financial support.

Freelance medical writers can earn more by writing for hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, medical schools, or nonprofit organizations. This type of writing may include writing educational booklets for patients, clinical study protocols, regulatory documents, and brochures for investigative drugs. Freelancers may also be called upon to ghostwrite articles or research papers for physicians or create in-depth presentations based on materials provided by a client.

Freelance technical writers, as the name implies, write and edit highly specialized material for biotech, pharmaceutical, and technology companies. This type of science writing is sparse in that ideas must be communicated with a minimal number of words. Successful technical science writers tend to have very strong organizational skills and a keen eye for detail, plus a keen awareness of audience to judge what background knowledge can be assumed and what must be provided.

Freelance science marketing writers produce sales materials, news releases, annual reports, Web content, catalogs, and other collateral material for biotech and pharmaceutical companies. While these companies have marketing professionals on staff, the insight a freelance science writer brings to the marketing process can make the end result more effective.

Freelancing is first and foremost a business. While a flexible work schedule and a variety of assignments are attractive to those considering this career option, the reality is freelancers are entrepreneurs responsible for finding work, negotiating contracts, managing their time to complete assignments, and handling myriad details required of a small business, ranging from licensing, marketing, bookkeeping, and taxes to insurance and retirement accounts. Sometimes a freelancer finds it advantageous to join forces with one or more other freelancers and/or vendors to form a virtual agency to serve a particular client's needs for short- or long-term projects. This versatile agency model can help a freelancer land jobs that require targeted, specific experience and skills outside the scope of one individual. The composition of a virtual agency's talent base can expand or contract depending on client needs and the availability of other work.

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