Freelancing 101: Launching Your Editorial Business

By Ruth Thaler-Carter and Robin Martin

If you want freedom, flexibility to express personal style, more time for your family, interests and hobbies, more variety and more control; and, you have self-discipline, a strong work ethic, good interpersonal skills, appropriate assertiveness, situational awareness, and don't mind worki

• Language: English
• Publisher: Editorial Freelancers Association Publications
• Release date: Jul 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781880407363

Ruth Thaler-Carter

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter (writerruth.com) has done freelance writing for pay since high school; was an in-house writer, editor, and/or proofreader for a weekly newspaper, university administration newsletter, international magazine, national trade association, and public hospital; has been a full-time freelance writer/editor since 1984; and has won awards for her writing, editing, and newsletter work. Thaler-Carter created the Be a Better Freelancer® conference of Communication Central (communication-central.com) in 2006 and has hosted the event every year since. She is also the owner of A Flair for Writing, which helps independent authors get published, and the An American Editor blog, which covers editing, writing, proofreading, and freelance business matters.

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freelancing 101

Copyright © 2020 by Ruth Thaler-Carter and Robin Martin

Cover and design © 2020 Editorial Freelancers Association

New York, NY

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at Attention: Publications Chairperson, at the address below.

266 West 37th St. 20th Floor

New York, NY 10018

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ISBN paperback 978-1-880407-35-6

ISBN ebook 978-1-880407-36-3

Freelancing 101: Launching Your Editorial Business, by Ruth E. Thaler-Carter with Robin Martin

Published in the United States of America by the Editorial Freelancers Association.

Subject Categories: Business Development | Business Mentoring & Coaching | Careers | Publishers & Publishing Industry | Writing/Business Aspects |

Legal Disclaimer

While the publisher and author have made every attempt to verify that the information provided in this book is correct and up to date, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for any error, inaccuracy, or omission.

The advice, examples, and strategies contained herein are not suitable for every situation. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for damages arising therefrom. This book is not intended for use as a source of legal or financial advice. Running a business involves complex legal and financial issues. You should always retain competent legal and financial professionals to provide guidance.

EFA Publications Director: Robin Martin

Copyeditor: Sarah Breeding

Proofreader: Stefanie Molina

Book Designer: Kevin Callahan | BNGO Books

Cover Designer: Ann Marie Manca

Contents

Opening Thoughts

Pros and Cons of Freelancing

The Pros

The Cons

Types of Editorial Freelancing

Skills, Tools, and Personal Characteristics of Freelancers

Writing

Editing

Proofreading

Indexing

Desktop Publishing

Graphic Design

Permissions

Research

Translation and Interpreting

Website Development

How Colleagues Got Started

Preparing for the Freelance Life

Start Now

Analyze

Network

Build Skills

Set Aside Money

Get Set Up

Position Yourself

Look, Sound, and Act Professional

Promote Yourself

Decide What to Charge

Risks to Manage

Coping with Expenses

Getting Health Insurance

Bookkeeping, Filing, and Paying Taxes

Managing Your Time

Managing Relationships with Family and Friends

Saying No

Handling Isolation

Protecting Your Rights

Obtaining New Skills or Technology

Preparing for Emergencies

Finding Clients and Assignments

Create Internal Assignments

Convert Your Current Employer

Contact Former Employers and Colleagues, Friends, and Family

Join Associations of Professional Colleagues

Look into Hobby Groups and Associations of Your Client Base

Bartering

Use Want Ads and Job Search Websites

Respond to Listings

Send Out Cold Queries

Pitch Work to Websites and Content Providers

Work for Free or Volunteer

Choose a Path

Market, Market, Market

Promotions and Marketing

Business Card

Email Account

Resumé

LinkedIn Account

Website

Blog

Advertising

Brochure

Letters to the Editor

Presentations and Speeches

Social Networking and Social Media Sites

Potential Markets and Clients

Writing

Proofreading and Editing

Indexing

Graphic Arts

Photography

Website Design or Content

Getting Paid

Contracts and Letters of Agreement

Invoices

Follow-Up

Delinquent Payers

Lawyer Letters

Small Claims Court and Collection Agencies

Other Resources for Freelancers

Email Lists

Magazines and Directories

Books

Style Manuals

Courses

Miscellaneous

Guides on Setting Rates

Time to Get Started!

About the Authors

About the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)

List of Figures

Figure 1. Resources bookshelf.

Figure 2. Digital bookmarks.

Figure 3. Facebook announcement.

Figure 4. Press release.

Figure 5. Invoice tracking sheet.

Figure 6. Professional associations list.

Figure 7. Ruth’s business card.

Figure 8. Robin’s business card.

Figure 9. Ruth’s website.

Figure 10. Ruth’s invoice.

Opening Thoughts

Welcome to editorial freelancing! Being an editorial freelancer appeals to many writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, photographers, graphic designers, desktop publishers, and other professionals, and even to people with no training or experience in editorial work who just like to read or always notice errors in signs and books. Being an editorial freelancer takes a variety of professional abilities, personal attributes, and business skills. You will find the essentials for developing all of these in this booklet.

The landscape of freelancing has changed dramatically since the first edition of this booklet. On the one hand, the gig economy has taken a greater role in the world of work: Consolidation in the publishing industry and the journalism profession make it harder for editorial professionals to find in-house jobs, and many younger people are relying on part-time jobs, juggling several at once, and often aiming to freelance without first working in traditional nine-to-five environments. On the other hand, legislation such as 2020’s AB5 in California could endanger freelancers’ careers. Be sure to check your state’s guidelines for what constitutes a freelancer or independent contractor.

This publication grew out of a workshop developed by the author for the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and in response to on­going requests from EFA members for such a compilation of advice and experience. This booklet should fill a gap for those who cannot attend such events, need the information when such events are not available, or would like more detail than such workshops can provide.

Although the majority of the information in