Going Independent Offering Your Information Professional Skills in the Marketplace
Books
Bates, Mary Ellen. Building & Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional. Cyberage Books/Information Today, 2003. 472p. ISBN 0910965625.
Don't even consider becoming an information broker without reading this book first. Those who have heard Bates speak at LIS conferences will recognize her voice here: smart, funny, realistic, and supportive. Bates walks readers through the entire range of issues related to starting, running, and growing the business, plus takes you through a "day in the life" scenario that provides a realistic view of what this career choice really looks like. She makes it clear that if you're thinking about this line of work, you'll need to master both your core marketable skills and the competencies necessary to be an entrepreneur - and then provides the insights necessary to do so. A key resource for both students and practitioners, with a new edition due out soon.
Edwards, Sarah and Paul Edwards. The Practical Dreamer's Handbook: Finding the Time, Money, and Energy to Live Your Dreams. Putnam/Tarcher, 2000. 304p. ISBN 1585421251.
Sarah and Paul Edwards are prolific authors of excellent books on working independently. They are always enthusiastic, optimistic, and supportive, but also quite practical. This book has more of a new-age feel to it than most of their others (Secrets of Self-Employment, Getting Business to Come to You, Finding Your Perfect Work, etc., all published by Tarcher), but is nevertheless a useful and engaging resource for organizing your thoughts regarding working as an independent.
Pink, Daniel. Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself. Warner Business Books, 2002. 384p. ISBN 0446678791.
Daniel Pink started the "free agent nation" discussion when he published an article in the December 1997/January 1998 issue of Fast Company magazine. This book is a further exploration of the economic trend toward free-agency - i.e., working as an independent - with an overview of what it means, how it works, and why it represents the future workforce. Pink is an unabashed champion of this career choice so tends to gloss over some of its more difficult aspects, but the book is nevertheless an interesting and motivating read if you're considering free agency.
Sabroski, Suzanne. Super Searchers Make It On Their Own: Top Independent Information Professionals Share Their Secrets for Starting and Running a Research Business. Cyberage Books/Information Today, 2002. 336p. ISBN 0910965595.
One of the popular "Super Searchers" series, Make It on Their Own is a collection of interviews with 11 independent information professionals. The individuals profiled represent different industries and areas of expertise, and among them touch on such issues as client relations, starting up, day-to-day business realities, balancing personal and professional responsibilities, time management, and similarly useful topics. Each profile concludes with a hit list of "Super Searcher Power Tips," and the book concludes with a listing of the more than 200 resources mentioned throughout the text. Like sitting down with a group of really successful mentors and listening to them share war stories, best practices, and their best tips.
Sheth, Jagdish and Andrew Sobel. Clients for Life: How Great Professionals Develop Breakthrough Relationships. Simon & Schuster, 2000. 288p. ISBN 0684870290.
If one of the biggest challenges in becoming an independent is getting clients (and it is), then one of the best responses is to make sure that every client you do land stays landed. Sheth and Sobel focus on how to build client relationships that benefit both your client's best interests and your bottom line. Clients for Life is based on the assumption that your business is a proactive rather than reactive one; in other words, you actively seek to understand and contribute to the client's goals rather than waiting for the client to call you with a question. It's a position that takes time and effort, but wouldn't you rather be doing that than cold-calling?
Sinetar, Marsha. To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring. St. Martin's, 1995. 210p. ISBN 0312141416.
Sinetar gained attention in the late eighties for her popular Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow (Dell, 1989). In Build the Life You Want, she focuses on the spiritual aspects of an independent path and the various ways in which our careers (and their transition points) may lead us to it. Affirms that it's possible to be an entrepreneur without abandoning your personal values.
Varian, Hal R. and Carl Shapiro. Information Rules: A Strategic Guide to the Network Economy. Harvard Business School Press, 1999. 352p. ISBN 087584863X.
Varian is Dean of U.C. Berkeley's School of Information Management and Systems, and Shapiro Professor of Business Strategy at Berkeley's business school. This book represents an interesting melding of those two vantage points, and should be required reading for those who develop and market information products and services for the technology-driven network economy. Although the authors focus on major corporations in their examples, their ideas about pricing, customer lock-in, and product versioning (among others) have value to even the smallest enterprise.
Weiss, Alan. Million Dollar Consulting: The Professional's Guide to Growing a Practice. McGraw-Hill, 2002. 292p. ISBN 007138703X.
Weiss's books are legendary among independents for their practical, hands-on advice and counsel. Million Dollar Consulting is useful even for those who would be happy billing out substantially less than that, as it addresses so many questions that independents of all sizes deal with every day. Topics include landing clients, pricing, growing the business, building sustainable client relationships, and many other strategic topics. Other equally valuable books by Weiss include How to Establish a Unique Brand in the Consulting Profession (Pfeiffer, 2001) Value-Based Fees (Pfeiffer, 2002), and Getting Started in Consulting, 2nd ed. (Wiley, 2004).
Periodicals
Connections. Association of Independent Information Professionals, 1986- . quarterly. ISSN 1524-9468. http:www.aiip.org/
Connections is available to AIIP members only, but the current issue can be read by going to the AIIP website and selecting About > Newsletter. This will give you a good sense of current issues of interest to the membership.
Fast Company. Fast Co., Inc., 1995- . monthly. ISSN 1085-9241. http://www.fastcompany.com
Imagine hanging out with a friend who is smart, funny, hip, and knows all the coolest people. Okay, so sometimes she's a little bit out there, but she still comes up with enough interesting ideas to keep you hooked on those Saturday brunches…that's Fast Company. It covers cutting-edge business trends and ideas, showcases the insights of thought-leaders, and almost always has something useful for career strategists. More engaging than intellectual, Fast Company is a great resource if your career focus is on the business world.
Information Outlook. Special Libraries Association, 1997- . monthly. ISSN 1091-0808. http://www.sla.org/pubs/serial/io/index.shtml
Although members of SLA receive this publication as part of their membership benefits, it has sufficient value to non-SLA members as well that it is worth considering a subscription. There is substantial overlap between special librarians and independents in the resources they use, they knowledge and expertise they share, and often as clients and service providers for each other. Information Outlook is, consequently, not only a good tool for independents in their day-to-day practice, but also a good resource for staying abreast of potential clients and their issues.
Online. Information Today, 1977- . bimonthly. ISSN 0146-5422. http://www.infotoday.com/online/
Online has been covering the information industry, including its products, services, issues, and opportunities, for more than 25 years, during which time the definition of "online" has gone through several transformations. The publication continues, however, to focus on topics critical to information professionals and the work they do. Scope of coverage includes "articles, product reviews, case studies, evaluation, and informed opinion about selecting, using, and managing electronic information products, plus industry and professional information about online database systems, CD-ROM, and the Internet." The website provides title access to past issues, some of which are available for free, others for a fee. See also Online Insider (www.onlineinsider.net), a blog by editor Marydee Ojala.
Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals. Information Today, 1993- . 9/yr. ISSN 1070-4795. http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/default.asp
The complement to Online, Searcher's content is geared toward those who do professional-level database research. Coverage includes "online news, searching tips and techniques, reviews of searchaid software and database documentation," interviews with industry thought-leaders, and editorials. The website provides title access to past issues, some of which are available for free, others for a fee. A must-read for business researchers.
Articles
Longo, Brunella, "How a Librarian Can Live Nine Lives in a Knowledge-Based Economy," Computers in Libraries, vol. 21, no. 10 (November/December 2001). http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/nov01/longo.htm
A fascinating look at how one information professional's career has transitioned through time to respond to market changes and emerging opportunities. See especially the author's concluding bibliography, which is indicative of the very broad range of knowledge necessary to continually expand career horizons.
Kangiser, Angela, "After the Research: Information Professionals' Secrets for Delivering Results," Online, vol. 27, no. 1, (January/February 2003). http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-907261/After-the-research-information-professionals.html
A useful overview of creating "value-added deliverables" that reports on the best practices of numerous info pros. An excellent complement to the earlier Kassel article on the same topic (see below).
Kassel, Amelia, "Value-Added Deliverables: Rungs on the Info Pro's Ladder to Success," Searcher, vol. 10, no. 10 (November/December 2002). http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/nov02/kassel.htm
"Adding value" is a critical step in moving from a data-delivery role into a more strategic (and higher-paying) role as an information professional. A large part of that process is packaging - how you present the research you have gathered, what you add to it (i.e., rankings, synthesis, evaluation, etc.) that moves it from raw data to actionable information. This is a classic article on what to do, how to do it, and key resources that make adding value easier and faster.
Associations
Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) - http://www.aiip.org
The key resource for anyone considering a career as an independent information pro. AIIP is a very active, knowledge-rich organization whose members are legendary for their willingness to share best-practices, business tips, product recommendations, and any other type of information that will help fellow members succeed. Membership in the organization brings access to the AIIP electronic discussion list, perhaps the most valuable learning tool available for independents, and a community of colleagues who will cheer your every success. Check the website for career information, publications, and information about the organization and its events. Steeply discounted student memberships.
Independent Librarians' Exchange (ILEX) - http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/ascla/asclaourassoc/asclasections/ilex/ilex.cfm
A section of ALA's Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), ILEX provides programs, publications, and networking for librarians and other information professionals working outside of traditional libraries. If you're an ALA member and would like to connect with fellow independents (or those interesting in this career path), this is the place to do it.
Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) - http://www.scip.org
Competitive intelligence (CI) is an important component of business research across all industries and businesses. Many IIPs include competitive intelligence as part of their service offering; some specialize only in CI. SCIP membership comprises both independents and CI specialists who work for businesses, so there is a broad range of experience and knowledge to share within the group. Check the website under CI Resources for salary information, white papers, articles, career information, and several overviews of the CI process. Steeply discounted student membership fees, but for full-time students only.
Online Resources
Be Your Own Boss - http://units.sla.org/chapter/ctor/resources/career/settingshop.htm
Created by Ulla de Stricker and Ron Davis from SLA's Toronto chapter, Be Your Own Boss is an online questionnaire that will help you determine if the independent info pro career path is for you.
The Independent Information Professional - http://www.aiip.org/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=5946
An overview of the various types of independent information professional (IIP) careers, including those involving general business and industry, legal research, the healthcare industries, public records, banking and finance, government and public policy, and science and technology. An excellent starting point if you'd like to get an overall sense of what IIPs actually do.
Just Getting Started - Resources - http://www.aiip.org/JustGettingStarted
In addition to The Independent Information Professional white paper noted above, this section of the AIIP website also offers "Getting Started as an Independent Information Professional," a bibliography of resources on Info-Entrepreneurship, and a listing of courses relevant to information brokering offered by various schools.
Information Broker FAQ - http://www.marketingbase.com/faqs.html
A quick overview of the market for info brokers, skills and attitudes needed, typical services offered, working as a part-time info broker, etc. Useful and practical information for those considering the profession.
Info-Enterpreneurship - http://www.batesinfo.com/info-brokering.html
Links to a number of resources Bates has compiled on life as an information broker. At the website see also her archived "tips of the month," which provide an ongoing "heads-up" about new search tools, research tips, and emerging issues of interest to IIPs.
Sologig - http://www.sologig.com/
From Careerbuilder.com, this site was launched in 2002 to "bring together talented freelancers, consultants and independent professionals (Soloists) with the most qualified employers from across the United States." You post your professional profile, they post their projects, and you both get to search for a match. See the resource center for useful "how to succeed as a solo" articles. One of a number of similar sites.
Starting a Business: Advice from the Trenches - http://www.alistapart.com/articles/startingabusiness
Written for website designers, this resource nevertheless has applicability for anyone who's contemplating launching as an independent. The author's overview is practical and down to earth, and includes both advice and resources.
Steps in Starting Your Own Business - http://www.rileyguide.com/steps.html
A useful collection of resources (business plans, tutorials, advice, government agencies, etc.) under the headings of "Steps in Starting Up," "Finding Help," "Funding for Your Business," "A Little Legalese," and "Setting Up the Office." From the Riley Guide people.
Training
Bates Coaching for Info-Entrepreneurs - http://www.batesinfo.com/coaching.html
Internationally-known business researcher, speaker, and info-entrepreneur Mary Ellen Bates provides research training and coaching services for individuals who already operate an information services company and want to grow it to a new level, and for those starting an information services company who want to hit the ground running.
Information Broker Mentor Program - http://www.marketingbase.com/mentor.html
A highly regarded program run by Amelia Kassel. For over twenty years, Kassel has successfully specialized in industry, company, and competitive and market intelligence research through her company, MarketingBase. She has also authored Super Searchers on Wall Street, and is a well-known columnist for Searcher Magazine. Kassel's mentoring program covers the basics you'll need to get started in the profession, then coaches you through the start-up crazies, helps you navigate and master the major online databases critical to business research, walks you through marketing strategies targeted to specific market opportunities, and generally helps you launch your career dream into a business reality.