The Freelance Editor's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Making Your Business Thrive

The Freelance Editors Handbook is a comprehensive guide to building and maintaining a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable business as a freelance editor. It provides a business-success mindset, strategies, and methods for finding clients, increasing productivity, pricing services, achieving work-life balance, paying taxes, and saving for retirement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

A comprehensive guide to building and maintaining a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable business as a freelance editor is essential for those who have the requisite skills but lack the entrepreneurial skills to run a thriving and fulfilling business. According to LinkedIn, over twenty thousand people in the United States list themselves as freelance editors, but many lack the necessary skills to thrive in the industry. The few resources available to freelance editors, both new and established, are typically limited in scope and lack the strategic thinking needed to make a business flourish.

The Freelance Editors 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, with the goal of establishing 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, including students just starting out, in-house staff looking to transition, and experienced freelancers who want to make their businesses more profitable and enjoyable.

Finding clients is one of the most critical aspects of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers can use a variety of methods to find clients, including online job boards, social media platforms, and professional networking sites. It is essential to have a strong online presence and to create a portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise. Networking is also crucial, as it can lead to referrals and new business opportunities.

Increasing productivity is another key component of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers can use a variety of tools and techniques to increase their productivity, including time management strategies, project management software, and automation tools. It is essential to prioritize tasks and to set realistic deadlines for completing projects.

Deciding how to price services is another important aspect of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers can use a variety of pricing strategies, including flat rates, hourly rates, and project-based pricing. It is essential to research industry standards and to set prices that are competitive and fair.

Achieving work-life balance is another critical component of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers can use a variety of strategies to achieve work-life balance, including setting boundaries, taking breaks, and prioritizing self-care. It is essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and to maintain a high level of productivity.

Paying taxes is another important aspect of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers are responsible for paying self-employment taxes, which are calculated based on their income. It is essential to keep accurate records and to file taxes on time to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Saving for retirement is another critical component of running a successful freelance editing business. Freelancers can use a variety of retirement savings strategies, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans, and pension plans. It is essential to start saving early and to contribute regularly to achieve a comfortable retirement.

In conclusion, building and maintaining a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable business as a freelance editor requires a combination of entrepreneurial skills, strategic thinking, and a business-success mindset. The Freelance Editors 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. By applying the strategies and methods outlined in this book, freelancers can achieve their career goals, earn a comfortable living, and still have time for family, friends, and personal pursuits.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520381322