Editing and Proofreading

Freelance Editing

A brief guide to freelance editing

Ah, the wonderful world of editing! So many options, so many possibilities! As an editor, you can work in a variety of industries—from the publishing field, to the broadcasting field, the engineering field, the medical field, and beyond—and hold a variety of editing jobs, including copy editor, sound or video editor, photo editor, managing editor, or technical editor.

Although there are many great things about being an editor, one stand-out advantage is the possibility of working as a freelance editor. The advantages of freelance editing include being your own boss, enjoying the convenience of working from home (or elsewhere), and having a peaceful work environment (i.e., no office politics). If you are interested in this type of work, there are a number of qualities you must possess. Freelance editing requires an editor to be:

Organized
Detail-oriented
Decisive
Diplomatic
Ambitious
Self-motivated
Enthusiastic
A good multitasker
A good networker
A good negotiator
Fastidious
Responsible
Reliable
Resourceful
Flexible
Savvy about money

To be a freelance editor, you must also have:

The ability to plan
The ability to manage your time efficiently
The ability to manage your career like a business
Marketing skills
A strong work ethic
A support network

Getting started as a freelance editor

There are a number of things you must do to get started in freelance editing. The first is to gain experience or acquire more experience. When first freelancing as an editor, stick to editing pieces on topics with which you are familiar and for clients with whom you already have a relationship. If you are well versed in medical topics, for example, stick with that subject matter until you have established a foothold. Build your portfolio. Subject matter experts are always in demand, and you will have less difficulty finding work.

This leads to the second thing you must do, which is to build your brand in freelance editing. Create a web site, print and distribute brochures and business cards, start a blog, create (or update) a professional profile on networking sites, and promote yourself by word of mouth.

The third thing is to stay abreast of what is happening in the editing field as a whole. To be good at freelance editing, you must be familiar with—nay, knowledgeable about—the world of editing and writing and all sorts of other things. Professional development is necessary, no matter what field you work in.

The fourth thing you must do when freelance editing is to become very familiar with publishing tools, search engine optimization tools, and research tools. An in-depth understanding of these things will be an immense benefit to your freelance editing business.

This leads to the fifth thing you must do as a freelance editor, which is to become business savvy. You might be a great editor, but if you don’t know the first thing about business or money, you could well find yourself upstream without a paddle! It is critical to develop a business strategy and do some financial planning. Keep careful track of your income and expenses, and keep your business and personal finances separate. Look into tax regulations and options for payment. Open a work-only bank account, and pay for work-related expenses only from that account. Also, make sure you have some savings for times when no freelance editing work is available. Have an invoicing policy in place, and be sure you communicate it clearly to your clients. Keep clear and detailed records of all transactions. It is also critical to ensure you have a well-written contract so both you and your clients are on the same page.

Getting freelance editing jobs

There are a number of ways to find freelance editing jobs: word of mouth, networking with friends and colleagues, advertising (web site, brochures, etc.), and online job sites. In terms of the latter, check out Elance, an online site for freelance editing and writing jobs, and dozens of other sites.

When looking for freelance editing jobs, don’t forget to join an association, such as the Editorial Freelancers Association and the Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers (AFEPI). Check out the web sites of these and other editing associations as they often offer useful information, tips and tricks, and even leads. They’re useful for networking, too! Also, consider writing articles about editing for article directories, such as Ezine. This could well result in some freelance editing jobs!

What to charge?

Determining what to charge clients for freelance editing jobs can be challenging as there are many variables involved, such as your experience and speed, the deadline/turnaround time, and the complexity of a particular job. Consider also that the price of freelance editing jobs can change according to the client. Let’s face it; some clients can afford and are willing to pay more than others.

Freelance editing: a dream job

So, what’s stopping you? Use this basic guide to help you. Go forth and start freelancing as an editor. You will find opportunities that you might not have thought about before, as well as an outlet for that dreaded editors’ affliction, OECD—obsessive editing compulsion disorder!

You’re Hired: Freelance Writing and Editing Jobs

All you need to know about freelance writing and editing jobs

One of the most appealing qualities of the writing profession is the ability to work from anywhere in the world. With advances in technology, it is now possible to read material written or edited by individuals from across the globe. Another tempting aspect of a career in writing or editing is the opportunity to work on a freelance basis, setting your own hours and employing yourself. In fact, according to the 2012 Freelance Industry Report, nearly half of all freelancers across North America operate in the field of content writing.

However, freelance work is not all fun and games. It requires dedication, discipline, and motivation to tackle an assignment through your own initiative. As well, freelancers often have other full-time careers, depending on the amount of freelance work available.

But what do freelance writing and editing jobs entail, and what are the differences between the two?

Becoming a freelance writer or editor

To begin a career in the writing or editing industry, freelance or not, an education is likely required. Often, freelancers in the field will possess a university degree specializing in English or linguistics. Other freelancers have similar backgrounds, with degrees in such disciplines as journalism, communications, or marketing. You must have a strong grasp of the mechanics of English and the skills required to communicate effectively.

Important traits for the field include clarity in writing, good judgment, initiative, and leadership. It takes more than articulation to thrive in this line of work. Writing and editing require unique personality characteristics, particularly creativity, which is not always needed in other industries but is critical to success in this field.

What to expect

Freelance writing and editing jobs are not for everyone. While creating your own schedule may sound easy, freelancing requires you to take on additional roles. For example, freelance writers and editors also become accountants during tax season. Without a personal payroll department, this responsibility falls on the employer: you. You will need to maintain detailed records and develop a good knowledge of tax laws and the deductions for which you qualify.

Despite the added accountability, freelance writing and editing jobs can be very rewarding. Another benefit of freelance work is the chance to write your own contracts and set your own rates. Keeping an up-to-date portfolio of your best work will show employers that you are knowledgeable, professional, in demand, and capable of setting your own working parameters.

There are some drawbacks to freelance writing and editing jobs, including financial insecurity. Steady work is not always guaranteed. There may be times when you are behind on bills and times when you can’t plan that dream vacation. In the freelance industry, situations can change quickly and without warning.

Most important, when taking on freelance writing or editing jobs, stay passionate and involved in your field. Otherwise, your drive may dwindle, and you may struggle in your work. Keep yourself informed about changes in the industry, and never end your educational journey in your discipline. Constant learning will keep you engaged and prevent burnout on the job.

What’s the difference?

Freelance writing and editing jobs might sound similar, but the nature of the work differs greatly. Freelance writers, for example, are not necessarily limited to the opportunities that appear on job boards and freelance sites. Writers can create pieces out of thin air and sell their work to publishers, producers, or businesses, even when they might not be looking for such material. They can closely watch the market and anticipate what material will sell, which means the freelance writer takes on a much more sales-focused role than an editor does. For the freelance editor, market demand, when low, can be limiting; if no one requires editing services, your workload may suffer.

While the two positions are different, freelance writing and editing jobs do share some similarities. Often, while working on a piece, a freelance editor may take on the role of a writer in revising unclear wording or replacing awkward phrasing. Writers, however, can certainly edit their work, but as the old adage goes, two pairs of eyes are better than one.

Freelance writing and editing jobs are both in demand at companies that employ medical and scientific professionals, as they tend to avoid the softer arts of writing and communication. In addition, with the expansion of English as a second language programs, editors can find ample work handling papers, essays, and documents from ESL learners.

Finding freelance writing and editing jobs

Taking the plunge into the freelancing world can be daunting. It is always useful to look to others who have made the same career choice. How did they overcome the obstacles? What were the biggest challenges? How can you avoid making common mistakes? The Internet, and even blogs, can be particularly useful as resources when you’re looking to follow the lead of others. In the end, though, becoming a freelance writer or editor is as simple as changing your job title on your LinkedIn profile. Getting the word out about your expertise? Now, that’s another article.

What You’ll Learn in Proofreading Class

Mark Twain, a former typesetter turned journalist, once quipped, “In the first place, God made idiots. This was for practice. Then he made proofreaders.”

That quote is often recounted on the first day of a proofreading class. It demonstrates an important lesson: great authors need a proofreader, even if they don’t always appreciate the profession.

A proofreading course from a reliable provider will teach you to confidently tackle the manuscripts of any future Mark Twains. A thorough course will help you develop many new techniques and refine the language skills you already had.

Many people think proofreading is all about finding typos and spelling mistakes, but there is, in fact, much more involved.

What to expect from proofreading class

The first lesson in a proofreading class usually covers what proofreading is and isn’t.

The aim of proofreading is to ensure that you do not submit articles filled with spelling errors and bad grammar. Ideally, an editor will have already worked on the text to make sure the message is clear.

Many people confuse editing and proofreading, but the basic difference is that editing concentrates on the content, making sure the discussion or story is logical and coherent. Proofreading focuses on eliminating errors without changing the content.

Proofreading is usually the final stage in any publication process, so proofreaders have the responsibility to be consistently accurate.

Perfection takes more than practice

Imagine you have to work on a 60,000-word manuscript. That’s about the length of a short novel. How can you possibly make sure that every word is spelled correctly and occurs in exactly the right place within its sentence?

In a proofreading class, you will learn techniques for ensuring accuracy. One useful method for new proofreaders, especially for finding omitted and repeated words, is to read the text out loud. (Don’t worry, you won’t be asked to do this with a whole novel when you’re starting out.) The idea is to get you to slow down and look at each individual word.

Usually, when we read, our eyes skim over the text, picking up patterns of words. As long as the first and last letters of the word are in the right place and the word looks about the right length, we will be able to recognize it.

You can esaliy undresatnd tihs setnecne, for emxalpe.

After some practice, you will train your eyes and brain to carefully examine the letters of each word without reading aloud. You’ll get steadily quicker, too.

Combining speed with accuracy

While proofreaders have to consider every word carefully, they have to work efficiently, too. For that reason, you will learn some useful shortcuts in a proofreading class.

For example, you will learn to look out for many commonly confused words. There are the obvious homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently), such as “their,” “there,” and “they’re.” But there are also many less noticeable bad grammar examples that even a spell-checker won’t pick up:

“principle” instead of “principal” (and vice versa)
“affect” instead of “effect”
“accept” instead of “except”
“complement” instead of “compliment”

The same, only different

Just to make it even more confusing, a proofreading class will also teach you that even some correctly spelled words will be wrong in some circumstances. Take “color” and “colour,” for example. Some publishers will only accept the American English spelling (“color”), while others insist on British English (“colour”).

As a proofreader, you will have to adapt to each publisher’s preferences. Fortunately, most major publishers, including universities, provide an overview of their particular demands in a style guide. Other publishers follow established style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style.

In a proofreading class, you will learn about the different spelling rules of the many varieties of English and get a crash course in the most common style guides. Be sure to sign up for an accredited training course with a good reputation.