Professional development programs for freelancers in publishing
Whether you’re new to freelancing or are already established and looking for ways to enhance your marketing efforts, techniques to find (more and better-paying) clients, help with tools of the trade such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat, networking resources, tips on making the most of social media, or advice about buying new equipment, Communication Central programs can help you on your journey to a more- successful freelance business and career.
Communication Central relays such practical, business-building information through occasional workshops and the popular annual Be a Better Freelancer® conference, held every fall since 2006. The conference provides two types of presentations for entrepreneurial communicators: tools of the writing, editing and proofreading, etc., trade (Word, Acrobat, social media and more) and approaches to the freelance lifestyle (finding clients, marketing, pricing, networking and more), with “conceptual” topics (lifestyle, balancing work and family) as well.
Plans underway for in-person 2022
Be a Better Freelancer® conference!
In the hopes that the COVID-19 coronavirus and variants will be under control by the fall, we have begun planning for an in-person 17th annual Be a Better Freelancer® conference in St. Louis (rather than Baltimore, as originally planned, because of competing events in the DC-MD-VA region). Watch this site for details as they evolve!
2021 Be a Better Freelancer® conference
reverts to all-virtual for an inspiring event
With vaccinations available and predictions for safe gatherings looking better, we had planned to hold the 16th annual Communication Central/NAIWE/AAE Be a Better Freelancer® conference as an in-person event, from October 8–10, 2021, in St. Louis, MO. However, current conditions and concerns among potential participants led us to revert to an all-virtual event. We still had an educational, interesting, inspiring event that provided great advice and insights into what it takes to Be a Better Freelancer.®
Recordings of this year’s sessions are available from our business partner, the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE; www.naiwe.com), with a discount for those who participated in the conference.
This year’s conference continued the partnership between Communication Central and NAIWE as co-hosts.
Session topics included an exciting array of current tips, resources and insights about business basics, expansion, self-publishing and more from renowned colleagues with a wealth of experience in all aspects of freelancing.
For most of the past 16 years, “Be a Better Freelancer”® has been the only conference specifically for freelancers in the editorial world — writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, desktop publishers, graphic artists, photographers, website creators, etc.
Thanks to NAIWE executive director April Michelle Davis for being open to doing this together. It would be hard to find a better, or better-organized, business partner!
Colleagues are the best perspective on the value of an event like this. Read their Testimonials here.
We appreciate everyone who participated in this year’s Be a Better Freelancer® conference, both speakers and attendees, and hope to see everyone in person at next year’s event. Plans are for an in-person conference in the fall of 2022, most likely in Baltimore, MD. Watch this space for updates!
A Conference Code of Ethics
As far as we know, there have never been any problems at the Communication Central “Be a Better Freelancer”® conferences, but the “better safe than sorry” maxim is worth remembering. With that in mind, we offer this Code of Conduct/Ethics for future events.
Communication Central supports colleagues in moves to protect against and prevent harassment at professional conferences for any reason.
Communication Central does not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, ability or nationality. Communication Central events are open to people of all backgrounds. Communication Central does not condone harassment or abuse by speakers, attendees, vendors or service providers involved with its events.
Communication Central event participants are expected to:
Respect colleagues, vendors and service providers before, during and after any and all Communication Central events.
Refrain from making comments or exhibiting behavior toward fellow participants and staff of event venues that would be considered harassment, abuse or discrimination, whether verbal or physical, before, during or after a Communication Central event.
Should any participant in a Communication Central event experience abuse, assault or harassment during the event, please contact the Communication Central owner and/or event manager immediately. Anyone exhibiting behavior considered harassment, harassment, abuse or discrimination, whether verbal or physical, during a Communication Central event will be asked to leave the event and its premises, with no refund for attendance at the event or payment of speaker fees or expenses, if any. Anyone who commits an assault, whether physical or sexual, at/during a Communication Central event will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Anyone making comments that would be considered harassment, abuse or discrimination in an online Communication Central community or group will be removed from that community or group.
It is our hope that this policy never has to be enforced.
“I’ve got to say, every [Communication Central conference] I’ve been to has been more than worth the price of admission in practical, implementable, income-bearing advice.”
2018 Conference
Learn more about what occurred
at the 2018 Be a Better Freelancer® conference.
2019, 2020 and 2021 conference highlights to come.