Course Title: Provide freelance services
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2023
Course Code: PERF5097C
Course Title: Provide freelance services
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4405 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent
Course Contact Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)
Course Contact Email: pwecoordinators@rmiteduau.onmicrosoft.com
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Sue DeGenarro
Email: sue.degenarro@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
None
Course Description
Do you want to break into the publishing, arts or communications industries? Make a living as a freelance writer or editor? Be strategic about your new creative career? This class covers everything from effective networking to making contracts, managing competing deadlines and creating professional business plans. You’ll learn from industry professionals and build the skills and knowledge you need to treat the business of writing and editing…like a business.
This course is titled Working in the Arts Industry and comprises two competencies, which are co-delivered and co-assessed:
- CUAIND402 Provide freelance services
- CUAIND311 Work effectively in the creative arts industry.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAIND402 Provide freelance services |
Element: |
1. Promote self to potential clients |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Establish, follow up and regularly maintain industry contacts 1.2 Participate in and maintain relevant industry, employer and other networks 1.3 Identify and implement strategies to enhance a professional reputation 1.4 Produce material about the services provided and promote across a range of media outlets and platforms |
Element: |
2. Negotiate work arrangements |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Establish clear project outcomes with client and agree on fees, schedules and expenses 2.2 Confirm contracts or agreements contain payment terms and conditions that provide a viable cash flow 2.3 Confirm contracts or agreements include obligations of all parties and include a process for varying terms and conditions 2.4 Seek specialist advice to review contracts or agreements before signing, if appropriate 2.5 Store signed contracts or agreements securely for future reference 2.6 Adapt to client work demands without compromising ethics or reputation 2.7 Negotiate contract or agreement variations as required |
Element: |
3. Manage financial and business aspects of service |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Set up and use effective systems for managing budgets, finance, taxation and project documents, seeking expert advice and support where necessary 3.2 Set a realistic fee structure for services provided 3.3 Plan and maintain a viable work schedule and cash flow outlined in a business plan 3.4 Send invoices in line with payment terms and conditions and promptly follow up any non-payments 3.5 Keep accurate and up-to-date financial accounts and records 3.6 Submit all taxation documents, using an accountant if necessary 3.7 Comply with business regulations, taxation and insurance requirements |
Element: |
4. Undertake strategic planning |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Implement strategies to identify work opportunities and risks 4.2 Identify and act on opportunities to expand the client base, either alone or in partnership with others 4.3 Seek constructive feedback about work performance from clients and other relevant people to improve work practices 4.4 Identify opportunities for ongoing professional development and ensure skills and knowledge keep pace with industry developments 4.5 Regularly review and set realistic work objectives measured against quality of life, artistic and commercial goals 4.6 Identify risk factors and take action to minimise when planning work activities |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
You will be able to:
- launch and manage a freelance business
- quote for jobs and negotiate terms of contracts
- develop arts industry knowledge and networks.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- Lectures and demonstrations, which provide the framework for exploring different kinds of technical content
- teacher directed group activities/projects and collaboration
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures, clarify course content and practise relevant skills
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work during which you will develop the practical skills necessary to create designed content for a range of audiences
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials
Teaching Schedule
*Please note: The Syllabus is subject to change - some guests or content could move weeks where needed - please check the electronic version regularly.
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Week 1 |
Introduction to working in the Industry
Review of all Assessment Tasks and Digital Workbooks 1-3 Guest Speakers Networking/Industry events Engagement Task
Business Plan . Industry Trends . Opportunities
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Engagement Activity Due
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Week 2 |
Business Plan . Vision . Objectives . Business Purpose . SWOT analysis . Risks . Goals and Tactics |
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Week 3 |
Business Plan . Review and feedback
GUEST SPEAKER : Kate Mildenhall |
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Week 4 |
Business Plan . Marketing plan . Key marketing message
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Week 5 |
Business Plan . Networks . Marketing goals and strategies
GUEST SPEAKER : Louisa Syme
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Assessment 1 DUE
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Week 6 |
Knowledge Questions
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Week 7 |
No Class Complete Assessment 4 and submit |
Assessment 4 DUE |
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Semester Break 28 August- 1 September |
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Week 8 |
Participating in Networking Opportunities . Be self promotional . Creating a cover letter
Please complete before class this week:
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Week 9 |
Participating in Networking Opportunities . Preparing a resume
Resources at RMIT
GUEST SPEAKER : TBC
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Week 10 |
Participating in Networking Opportunities . Participate and writing an 800 word report
GUEST SPEAKER : Nova Weetman |
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Week 11 |
Participating in Networking Opportunities . Circulate your resume
GUEST SPEAKER : Astrid Edwards (Podcasting)
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Assessment 2 DUE |
Week 12 |
Contract Negotiations . Creating a quote
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Week 13 |
Contract Negotiations . Deliverables . Costing worksheet . Hourly rates . Financial spreadsheet
GUEST SPEAKER : Sarah Vincent
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Week 14 |
Contract Negotiations . Negotiating skills . Contract Agreement . Professional Communication Skills
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Week 15 |
Contract Negotiations . Invoices . Comply with Australian regulations and standards . Chasing up unpaid invoices
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Assessment 3 DUE |
Week 16 |
NO CLASS |
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include a range of practical and theory components. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.
This is a Vocational Education and Training qualification and is assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard required in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment Task 1: Business Plan
Due: Week 5
Complete all sections of your Business Plan.
Assessment Task 2: Participate in Networking Opportunities
Due: Week 11 To complete this assessment task, you must examine a scenario provided and create a portfolio of works. Assessment Task 3: Contract Negotiations Due: Week 15In this assignment, you are to work on a hypothetical freelance job, costing and then quoting a price for the work, drawing up a contract/agreement to send to the client and then producing an invoice for the completed job.
Assessment Task 4: Knowledge Assessment
Due: Week 7
This assessment is a short-answer knowledge assessment designed to assess your knowledge of working effectively in the creative arts.
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
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.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
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.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview