Getting Started as a Freelance Editor

Are you thinking about becoming a freelance copyeditor or editor? Perhaps you're ready to leave the corporate world, or you've been laid off, or you'd prefer the flexibility that working for yourself can offer. How do you market yourself to establish and build your business? Do you know what skills you need, and what resources are available for you to develop those skills? What computer resources will be necessary? And what about money—how do you charge for your work, budget for the slow periods, deal with invoicing and contracts?

"Getting Started as a Freelance Editor," a 90-minute interactive audio conference from Copy Editor newsletter, will tell you what you need to know. This first-ever event will bring you together with two seasoned editors with 21 years of freelancing experience between them. Your presenters will be Wendalyn Nichols, editor of Copy Editor, and yours truly.

When:
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
11:30 am–1:00 pm Eastern
10:30 am–12:00 pm Central
9:30 am–11:00 am Mountain
8:30 am–10:00 am Pacific


Pricing (in U.S. dollars):
Audio conference (per dial-in site):
$169 (Copy Editor subscribers)
$189 (nonsubscribers)

CD:
$169 (Copy Editor subscribers)
$189 (nonsubscribers)

Audio conference and CD:
$229 (Copy Editor subscribers)
$259 (nonsubscribers)


Here's what you'll learn:

• First Steps: The freelancer personality * The basic skills you need * Points of entry * The resources that can provide advice and support * The different types of work available * What kinds of software you need * What equipment and reference works you need

• Building Your Business: Getting the word out * Getting first clients * Ongoing marketing * Determining whether you need a Web site * How to get more skills

• Managing Time and Money: What to charge for what kinds of work * Whether to charge by the hour, the page, or the job * What work pace is considered usual * How to plan your time * Putting aside money for vacations, sick days, and taxes * Budgeting for an unpredictable income

• Communicating as a Professional: Dealing with contracts * Invoicing * Dealing with clients who haven't paid on time * Communicating with clients and authors

For more details and to register, go here.

Updated 5/24/06: Now that the audio conference has passed, you can purchase an onscreen booklet on getting started as a freelancer directly from me.


copyeditor copy editor editor freelancer freelancing publishing editing conference EditorMom