You aren’t doing enough.
You could be faster, more efficient, more organized, more visible, more profitable. You should be optimizing your workflows, batching your tasks, building your brand, raising your rates, and leveraging AI to triple your output. All before lunch.
Oh, and your body could be ...
Most freelance editors think Big 5 publishers are impossible to crack without insider connections or fancy degrees. Nonsense, I say! (And I speak from experience.)
After working with multiple Big 5 imprints for more than 15 years of my career, I can tell you the truth: These publishers are always o...
Hey there, fellow editor! If you've ever found yourself puzzled about how to estimate freelance editing project rates and timelines, you're in the right place. I’m about to demystify the entire process, breaking it down into easy-to-understand steps. I'll even walk you through an example featuring D...
So you've taken the leap into running your own editorial business—congrats! But let’s be real, figuring out the financials can be a bit overwhelming. How do you set payment terms that are fair for both you and your clients?
Don't worry; if you're wondering how to set payment terms as a freelance ed...
If you're anything like me, you know that staying in the loop is more than a good habit—it's a lifeline in the ever-evolving industry of editing. Whether you're a seasoned pro with years under your belt or a bright-eyed newbie eager to learn, blogs are your secret weapon. Why? Because they're chock-...
As freelance editors, we're no strangers to the hustle and bustle of juggling multiple projects, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering top-notch work. But while we're engrossed in the day-to-day operations of our freelance business, it’s easy to overlook one critical aspect: our financial well-bei...
Payment processing fees are an unavoidable part of doing business online these days, but many freelance editors still try their darndest to avoid paying them.
While the rationale makes sense (you may be trying to lower your expenses and/or avoid the hit to your effective hourly rate), it can be ris...
The biggest rule in freelancing—and one new freelancers often break—is “trust your gut.”
No matter how a prospective client finds you (personal referral, search engine, networking event, etc.), it’s crucial to make sure you’re a good match. You don’t want to end up with a problem client, and take i...
Freelance proofreaders, copyeditors, and line editors often do a free sample edit for prospective clients. This sample is generally between 250 and 500 words (one to two standard pages), although I know some editors who prefer to do 1,000-word sample edits. This can help the freelancer determine how...
I have a confession to make: I’m the rare introvert (hello, fellow INTPs!) who actually…don’t judge me too harshly…likes networking.
Don’t get me wrong—my enjoyment of networking events varies by the situation. I can talk to almost anyone for five to fifteen minutes, but if the conversation is less...
As an editorial business owner, I wear many hats. In addition to managing both the billable and non-billable tasks of my company, I also need to run errands and complete other day-to-day tasks.
For years, I piled everything into my Google Calendar, using it as my to-do list. I’d have client project...
In Part 1 of this series, I shared some of my recent productivity goals and provided a set of questions designed to help you create your own list.
The productivity goals that were the most important to me both related to email. Specifically, I wanted to reach Inbox Zero in Gmail, spend less time an...
Does the following sound familiar?
You sit down at your computer to work on a specific project.
Before you open the document, you check your email to see if the author has answered a question you asked yesterday.
You see that you have a new message from another client, about a project due in a fe...
Are You Charging What You're Worth?
Forgoing breaks and vacation time to meet deadlines? Overworking yourself without much payoff? This free course shows you how to find your ideal freelance rates and say goodbye to the hustle.