The Freelance Editor's Handbook

A comprehensive guide to building and maintaining a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable business as a freelance editor.
 
According to LinkedIn, more than twenty thousand people in the United States list themselves as freelance editors. But many who have the requisite skills to be excellent editors lack the entrepreneurial skills needed to run a thriving, fulfilling business. The few resources available to freelance editors, new and established, are typically limited in scope and lack the strategic thinking needed to make a business flourish.
 
The Freelance Editor’s Handbook provides a complete guide to setting up and running a prosperous freelancing business, from finding clients to increasing productivity, from deciding how to price services to achieving work/life balance, and from paying taxes to saving for retirement. Unlike most other books on freelance editing, this book is founded on a business-success mindset: The goal isn’t simply to eke out a living through freelancing. Rather, the goal is to establish a thriving, rewarding business that allows editors to achieve their career goals, earn a comfortable living, and still have time for family, friends, and personal pursuits. Author Suzy Bills identifies multiple strategies and methods that freelancers can apply, drawing on current research in entrepreneurship, psychology, and well-being. This book is the ultimate resource for editors at all levels: students just starting out, in-house staff looking to transition, and experienced freelancers who want to make their businesses more profitable and enjoyable.

Topics include:

• Deciding Whether You Really Want to Be a Freelance Editor
• Setting Up Your Business
• Finding Clients
• Marketing like a Pro
• Building Your Website
• Contracts and Invoices 
• Becoming Financially Savvy 

... and more!

Acknowledgments

Introduction 
Why This Book Is for You
What We're Going to Cover

1 Deciding Whether You Really Want to Be a Freelance Editor
Benefits of Freelancing
Downsides of Freelancing
Skills and Characteristics of Effective Freelance Editors
The Decision of Whether to Freelance Part-Time or Full-Time
Key Takeaways

2 Setting Up Your Business
Business Name
Business Entities
Business License
Employer Identification Number
Bank Account and Credit Card
Business Plan
Business Costs
Key Takeaways

3 Establishing a Strategic Mindset
Creating a Vision
Setting and Achieving Goals
Finding a Mentor
Key Takeaways

4 Looking for Clients
Deciding Whether to Specialize
Finding Clients
Getting Repeat Business
Key Takeaways

5 Marketing like a Pro 
Awareness of Target Clients' Needs
Unique Selling Proposition 
Lead Nurturing
Social Media Platforms
Editing and Business Directories
Promotional Pieces
Books, Training, Podcasts, and YouTube Channels
Additional Marketing Tips
Key Takeaways

6 Creating Your Website 
Why You Need a Website
How to Build Your Website
How to Choose and Purchase a Domain Name
How to Decide on the Website Design
Pages and Content to Include on Your Website
The Debate about Blogging
Key Takeaways

7 Maximizing the Benefits of LinkedIn
Components of a LinkedIn Profile
How to Connect and Network with People on LinkedIn
How to Search for Jobs on LinkedIn
Key Takeaways

8 Winning at the Pricing Game
Figuring Out How Much to Charge
Choosing a Pricing Method
Setting the Stage for Presenting a Fee
Developing a Price Quote
Applying a Rush Fee
Presenting Your Price
Overcoming Price Objections and Negotiating a Rate
Increasing Your Rate
Reducing Income Uncertainty through Establishing Retainers
Choosing Payment Methods
Key Takeaways

9 Using Contracts and Invoices to Get Paid and Protect Yourself 
What You Need to Know about Contracts
What You Need to Include in Invoices
How to Address Issues in Getting Paid
Key Takeaways

10 Managing Time like a Pro and Increasing Productivity
General Strategies to Improve Your Time Management and Productivity
Strategies to Improve Your Editing Efficiency
Strategies to Manage Your Project Schedule
Strategies to Stop Procrastinating
Key Takeaways

11 Achieving Work/Life Balance
Balancing Work and Personal Pursuits
Dealing with Crises
Dealing with Negative Client Feedback
Dealing with Perfectionism
Avoiding Imposter Syndrome
Key Takeaways

12 Overcoming the Fear of Taxes
The Basics
Self-Employment Tax
Quarterly Payment
Annual Tax Return
How to Avoid Tax Penalties
Tax Deductions for Freelancers
Key Takeaways

13 Becoming a Financially Savvy Freelancer
Personal and Business Budgets
Cash Flow Management
Bookkeeping
Insurance
Retirement Savings
Key Takeaways

Conclusion

Appendix A: Most Important Action Items for Establishing a Freelance Editing Business
Appendix B: Improving Editing Skills through Using Editing Programs and Other Resources 
Further Reading and Bibliography
Index