Table of Contents
What is an independent contributor
An independent contributor is someone who is passionate about their work, and enjoys expressing that passion in the work they do. They don’t want to compromise their values, and they work with companies who share their commitment to quality. In short, they value quality over money.
They’re artists, designers, musicians, writers. They’re people who have their own business, or a career and want to do something different with their spare time. They may be students or looking for extra cash – maybe even a stay at home parent who wants to earn an income while spending more time with the kids.
The term independent contributor comes from the fact the people working on these projects aren’t employed by the company, but contribute their skills voluntarily. They don’t work for money, they work because they believe in the project. This is a real added value because the contributors are not distracted by money issues, but focus on improving what they are doing. They do their best, and even more!
How do you become one
Becoming an independent contributor is simple. You do away with the middle-man, and take full ownership of your work. When you make a sale, the money you make is yours to keep. The only cost you might have is whatever it costs you to run your business, and the cost of any tools or applications you use to get the job done.
This is a full, step-by-step guide to getting started as an independent contributor in a number of different areas. If you are selling art and want to be a full-time artist, then this is a guide for you. If you are selling art and making only a small amount of money, then there is still some information here that can help you. Even if all you do is sell artwork online, this guide will help you understand the possibilities and how to get started. If you are selling other types of merchandise, this guide will give some tips on how to get started.
Ultimately, everyone needs to be aware that an independent contributor needs to know a few basics about running a business and keeping expenses low. If you already have experience with running your own business, then you can probably skip the business advice in this guide.
What are the benefits
There are many benefits to being an independent contributor. You have complete control over your work, and can do the work you want to do, when you want to do it. You’re in a position that allows you work independently of the company. This can be a great benefit for those who tend to be introverts, or for people who have families and other life commitments. You can decide what you want to work on and when you want to work on it. You get a say in the direction of your own career development, and can do the career development you want to do.
There are other benefits as well, but these are by far the best. What are the benefits? Let’s look at some ways people have benefited from being an independent contributor.
One benefit that people have found is that they can focus their attention where they want it, when they want it. They don’t have to wait for the project’s lead on their project or the manager of their team to get approval to work on what they want to work on. They can use the company’s resources (mostly computers and network access) to code as they need and when they need, and then move on when they’re finished. They don’t have to sit in meetings or stand up in front of other people and talk about why they’re working on what they’re working on. They can choose to do that if they want, but it’s their decision.
What are the challenges
Like with any business, it’s not a walk in the park. There are challenges to overcome, and you must be prepared for them. There will be times when you feel like throwing in the towel, but as long as you have faith in yourself and your work, you can make it through any challenge that might come your way. You must be willing to work hard and spend the time necessary to cultivate the relationships that will allow you to do your work.
How to get started
Becoming an independent contributor is easy. All it takes is a commitment to your work, and to the pursuit of excellence. Contributing your work independently can be a very rewarding experience, and can open up opportunities that you never thought possible. To get started, simply contact the companies that you want to work with and reach out to them. If you feel like it’s going to be a bit of a hassle, you should still reach out to them. They will be able to tell you upfront if they require samples of your work, or if they have their own processes for hiring independent contributors. However, if you do have samples ready, send them along and see what happens. Working independently is not going to be easy, but if you show your commitment and dedication to your work, it will pay off in the end.
One of the first things you’re going to want to do when you get started as an independent contributor is set up your own website. Your website is going to be your flagship, and will be where you direct people interested in hiring you. If you have your own portfolio, then that is what you should direct people to. However, if this is your first time working independently, or if this is a one-off thing for the time being, then it’s probably best that you don’t spend too much building out a portfolio. Instead, you should just build a website that’s simple and easy to update. Go with something that is both fast, and easy to update.
The next thing you’re going to want to do is create your portfolio site. This is where you’re going to be able to showcase your work, and hopefully find work in the future. Here’s a quick rundown on how it all works:
