Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2016
Course Code: PERF5075C
Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact: Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Michelle Deans
Michelle.deans@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There are no pre-requistes or co-requisites for this course.
Course Description
In this course you develop the skills and knowledge required to operate as a freelance writer and editor. You learn how to plan strategically, to promote yourself and your business, to negotiate terms of employment and to manage the financial and business aspects of freelance work.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFIND401A Provide services on a freelance basis |
Element: |
1 Promote yourself to potential employers |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Establish, follow up and regularly maintain business contacts within industry 2. Participate in relevant networks to support your freelance activity 3. Identify and follow appropriate strategies to enhance your professional reputation 4. Maximise your reputation by circulating current and succinct information about your experience 5. Join and maintain regular contact with relevant employment networks 6. Advertise your services in relevant media outlets as required 7. Produce and distribute promotional material as required |
Element: |
2. Negotiate work arrangements |
Performance Criteria: |
8. Establish clear performance outcomes for jobs and agree on fees, schedules and expenses 9. Ensure that contracts contain payment terms and conditions that provide a viable cash flow 10. Ensure that contracts contain a clear statement of the obligations of all parties and a process for varying terms and conditions 11. Ensure that the terms of contracts match agreements and securely store written copies of final signed contracts for reference during the course of jobs 12. Negotiate variations to contracts as required 13. Seek specialist advice in the development of contracts where appropriate 14. Be willing to adapt to the demands of others, but without compromising your personal work ethic and reputation 15. Be prepared to reject work offers that do not provide sufficient financial remuneration or job satisfaction |
Element: |
3 Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work |
Performance Criteria: |
16. Seek advice on and determine the most appropriate way of operating as a freelancer 17. Set up and use effective systems for managing budgets, finance and paperwork 18. Establish and maintain effective support services 19. Establish a realistic fee structure that takes into account all factors associated with your freelance activity 20. Plan ahead to organise and maintain a viable work and cash flow 21. Send invoices in line with payment terms and conditions and follow up any non-payment of invoices promptly and in a businesslike manner 22. Keep simple but accurate and up-to-date accounts and records 23. Submit annual tax returns, using the services of an accountant as required 24. Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements relevant to freelance activities |
Element: |
4. Undertake strategic planning |
Performance Criteria: |
25. Identify and implement strategies that help identify work opportunities at an early stage 26. Seek constructive feedback from relevant people about your performance and evaluate feedback to identify personal development needs 27. Identify opportunities for ongoing professional development and take appropriate action to ensure that your skills and knowledge keep pace with industry developments 28. Identify and act on opportunities to expand your client base, either alone or in partnership with other freelancers 29. Regularly revisit, review and set realistic objectives 30. Continually monitor and analyse work options against quality of life, and artistic and commercial outcomes 31. Identify risk factors and take action to minimise risk when planning work activities |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- market yourself to potential clients
- negotiate work contracts
- develop and maintain effective records and financial documentation
- plan strategically in a way that takes into account the need for adequate cash flow
Details of Learning Activities
In-class activities may include:
- lectures
- industry speakers
- teacher directed activities
- class exercises
- class role plays.
Out-of-class activities will include:
- online research
- project work.
Teaching Schedule
| WEEK | CLASS CONTENT | ASSESSMENTS | |
| 1 | Introduction to course |
Assessment 1: Freelance Business Plan - Assessment brief handed out |
|
| 2 | Online Skills Focus 1: Setting goals |
|
|
| 3 |
Online Skills Focus 2: Marketing yourself Developing a Marketing Plan including: |
Assessment 1 Business plan for review due 14 May 2016 Assessment 3 Negotiate, quote and invoice Available on Blackboard |
|
| 4 |
Online Skills Focus 3: Working as a Freelancer Financial and compliance skills including: |
|
|
| 5 |
SEMINAR Panel discussion: |
Teacher assesses student role plays in class on 28 May 2016 |
|
| 6 |
Finalise Assessment due |
Submit Assessment 2 Online bio by 1 June 2016 Submit Assessment 3 Documentation by 1 June 2016 |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed texts |
References
Other Resources
Notes and references available on Blackboard.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 1 and 2. Marking guides and the graded rubrics can be found on the Blackboard site or in your workbook.
1. Business Plan - due Saturday 14 May
You develop a personal business plan that identifies the business aims and objectives, finances, long and short-term goals and a SWOT analysis. This assessment is graded.
2. Online bio - due Wednesday 1 June
You create copy for the website or other relevant online site for the real or imagined freelance business described in your business plan. This assessment is graded.
3. Quote and negotiate, draft a contract and issue an invoice - due Wednesday 1 June
You engage in a simulation, which involves you role playing (in class and via email with your partner) to develop a quote, notes for a draft agreement and a professionally formatted invoice.
Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Criteria for the graded assessments can be found on the course Blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students
Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Assessment Feedback:
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1
Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress
Adjustments to Assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kehn9bz22r41
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=az8fl470ucg41
Course Overview: Access Course Overview