RV Hometown

Books on Working on the Road

Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road 

Workamper News’ Guide to Recruiting and Retaining the Right Workampers

Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less

Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, Second edition 
by Jaimie Hall

The most complete how-to guide ever written about working on the road. An easy, enjoyable read, which incorporates the reader's skills and desires into the job search. Looks at how much money is needed; how to find jobs; applying for jobs; the interviewing process and negotiation for better compensation. Well researched with lots of anecdotes, hundreds of job ideas and a list of resources worth the price of the book alone. Required reading for anyone considering working on the road. Read Stephanie's review of Support Your RV Lifestyle! Ordering information. More information about the book.

Workamper News’ Guide to Recruiting and Retaining the Right Workampers
by Arline Chandler, with contributions by Greg Robus, Editor of Workamper News 

As I read this book I realized it offers value to three different types of readers: 

Let’s take a quick look at what Workamper News’ Guide to Recruiting and Retaining the Right Workampers offers that makes it such a valuable resource. 

The first chapter defines the term “Workamper” and shares what Workampers generally need from a job, based on their age. The second chapter goes into the concerns many Workampers have when considering a Workamping position. Arline writes, “An employer who asks the right questions and listens carefully to an applicant’s expectations can greatly reduce or eliminate apprehension about taking the job. In turn, a Workamper who is well-matched to duties typically delivers optimum job performance.” 

Chapter three looks at who is hiring Workampers and how Workampers can fill a need that other types of employees can’t. Chapter four covers hiring the “right” Workampers. Greg Robus shares that their Workamper News readership is a “remarkably talented and dependable” group. He goes on to share the difference between Workampers and regular employees. Topics covered in this chapter include: standard hiring practices; how a job should be described to the potential Workamper; preparing for the interview; attributes an employer may want to look for in a Workamper; and topics of conversation which will help the employer learn more about the Workamper. 

The fifth chapter covers Workamper News as a tool to finding the right Workamper. Chapter six looks at compensation and the role it plays in attracting and retaining good Workampers. The evolution of compensation for Workampers is discussed, as well as what is currently required to be a competitive employer. A method for determining the value of a campsite is also provided. 

Chapter seven looks at what the employer can do to retain their Workampers. The final chapter covers legal and tax issues. It looks at the laws and taxes employers should be concerned about and obtain specific information about from experts. An excellent list of resources is provided for researching these laws and taxes in more detail. 

The Appendix has a great deal of information also. Employers commonly asked questions are answered. There is a list of Workampers ten most common complaints. Several pages of successful ads are listed to help the employer write their own ads. Additionally two sample letters are shared: one a “work agreement” or “letter of understanding” and the other a letter that can be sent to non-interviewed applicants.  

Workamper News’ Guide to Recruiting and Retaining the Right Workampers is an excellent book that every Workamper employer should read and keep on hand as a resource. Most Workampers will also find this book a good resource. Click here to get your copy.

Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure by Arline Chandler

Your brother owns a campground and he is selling the 1923 Model-T mobile home that has been a conversation piece at the campground. You want to keep the rolling relic in the family so you take out a loan and buy it. That night you wake up in a cold sweat realizing you now have payments to make. What do you do? (Chapter 12) 

Imagine retiring and needing to stay busy. One day you stumble into a membership campground tour and explain to the staff you don’t have an RV. One thing leads to another and before you know it you not only have an RV, you are off on an adventure to see the US while volunteering for the BLM and Corps of Engineers. From the deserts of California; to the red rock formations of Utah; to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Experiences many never have the opportunity to enjoy. (Chapter 17) 

These are just two of the many stories Arline Chandler shares about RVing and workamping in her book Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure. 

Road Work is broken into four parts: 

Road Work Resources looks at how RVers can find workamping opportunities with the help of Workamper News, which as Arline explains, is much more than a listing of jobs. Those of you considering running a campground or being an RV technician will want to read about the schools where you can get the necessary knowledge and skills. 

The Ultimate Adventure shares a few of the many job and volunteer opportunities available on the road. Whether you want to work with nature, lead a caravan, property sit or bake cookies, the jobs are out there for the taking. Some people loved their careers or enjoy their hobbies so much they would like to capitalize on their abilities on the road. In Chapter 4 Arline shows how you can do just that. 

Many RVers enjoy volunteering while they travel. It is a way to give back for the wonderful RVing lifestyle we are living, a chance to become part of a community, or to spend some quality time in an area. Arline looks at volunteer opportunities, such as playing the role of a 1920’s forest service ranger and wife on the Grand Canyon Railway; maintaining and hosting campgrounds, taking photographs or planting trees in the National Forests; and conducting waterfowl and bird surveys, goose-collar observations and assisting with repairs at a wild life refuge. 

Who Hires RVers looks at specific industries that hire RVers. If you are interested in working for a campground, a theme park, the Corps of Engineers, in a tourist or resort area, delivering RVs or leading a caravan, you can learn about the opportunities and what the experience is like here.

Working Folks shares the workamper adventures of nineteen people. In these chapters, the reader comes to realize workamping doesn’t have to be just another job. Instead, it can lead you down roads you never imagined. 

Road Work gives you a glimpse of what workamping is all about through the eyes of those enjoying the lifestyle. Recognizing the opportunities on the road are many, Arline is busy working on Road Work II, which is expected out early in 2002. In addition to expanding on the job opportunities in Road Work, she will be adding destination workamping. The information shared will including what jobs are available, who to contact and where to camp. Two of those destinations will be Denver, Colorado and Stone Mountain Park in Georgia.  

Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure can be ordered from Workamper News.   

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self- Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman

I started reading The Well-Fed Writer because I was intrigued by the concept of free-lance commercial writing (FLCW) and the possibility that RVers could make good money on the road. When I say good money I am talking $50 to $100 per hour! I expected the book to be a dry read but this wasn’t the case. Peter writes as if he is in the room chatting with you about FLCW. I have to admit, due to Peter’s enthusiastic look at FLCW I had to fight the urge to go back to work! Yikes!   

Peter covers the topic in great detail, leaving no stone unturned. You will learn about the lifestyle of the FLCW, smiling at the similarities between the desires of a FLCW and a full-time RVer. Next Peter looks at the demand for FLCW’s followed by what it takes to be successful in this business.  

From here Peter walks you through what it takes to get into business; the people you will be dealing with; and how to find work. Discussion of the equipment that makes the job easier and Peter’s time saving marketing tips will help you realize this isn’t an expensive business to get into and that the paperwork need not kill you.  

Okay, so now you are itching to start writing, but how much do you charge? No need to worry, Peter has this covered, along with collecting what is due to you and dealing with the ebbs and flow of work. 

Before you start, take time to read what Peter has to share about clients. It will help you deal with those difficult situations you are sure to have, even after you have been a FLCW for years. The chapter on Dos, Don’ts, and Don’t Forget’s will guide you to success from day one. Next it is time to learn what types of writing projects are available so you can decide what your focus will be. Finally, Peter passes the ball back to you. He has given you the game plan, but only you can make it work. With Peter’s guidance the task is much easier and with initiative you can be making great money in a few months. 

Bonuses include samples of marketing pieces, letters and projects. There are also interviews with three at home Mom’s who are FLCW’s. 

As you read The Well-Fed Writer you may wonder how a FLCW who is a full-time RVer can get clients. After all you will be on the move and it isn’t likely you will be in the area when a client needs you for a project. If you are preparing to hit the road you may want to build a client base before taking off. And if you are already on the road, why not target the industries that understand our lifestyle: RV manufacturers, campgrounds, tourism bureaus, tourist attractions, etc.? When you are visiting an area make a point of putting yourself in-front of the decision makers for these types of businesses. It will take the full-timer a little more work to build a client base than the landlocked FLCW, but this lifestyle combined with this financial opportunity is worth the extra effort! 

The Well-Fed Writer has a cover price of $19.95. You can order it by calling 800-247-6553. Be sure to ask for the “$4 Fellow Writer’s Discount.” You can also order The Well-Fed Writer at Amazon.com.

The following Amazon.com search engine is provided to assist you in finding other books.