Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: PERF5075C

Course Title: Provide services on a freelance basis

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5295 - 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

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students

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

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students

Course Description

This unit of competency requires you to demonstrate the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate as a freelancer within the creative arts industry.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUFIND401A Provide services on a freelance basis
Element:	Manage financial and business aspects of freelance work
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:	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:	Promote yourself to potential employers
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:	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

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students

Details of Learning Activities

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students
 

Teaching Schedule

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students
 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students
 

Overview of Assessment

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students

Assessment Tasks

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students
 

Assessment Matrix

Please refer to the Diploma of Profesional Writing and Editing- Program booklet for Students

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

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 go to Academic Integrity

Late Submission
Work submitted late without an extension or special consideration will be penalised. See the program website for more details.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview