The Value of Twitter Chats for the Self-Employed Editorial Pro

When we have plenty of work to do, why would we freelance editorial professionals take an hour or so off to chat? Because it's vital to our success, that's why!

For a good while now, I've been participating in the monthly Twitter chats ("Twitter Freelance Fridays"), under the hashtag #EFAChat, that are hosted by the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), a wonderful organization I've been a member of since 1995. For one of those chats, I served as a guest expert on ergonomics. And having very recently joined the well-respected American Copy Editors Society (ACES), I took part yesterday in one of its twice-monthly chats, under the hashtag #ACESchat. For that chat, I was a guest expert, along with my colleague Ruth Thaler-Carter, on freelancing.

Because we sit (or stand) alone in our offices, we need to stay connected with our colleagues, wherever they are, so that we don't get lonely and so that we keep up with current thought in our profession. Plus, not a single one of us—newbie, mid-career professional, or veteran—knows everything there is to know about either editing or running a business, so Twitter chats offer us chances to ask questions and share advice. Chats can also make it possible to hit it off professionally with new-to-us colleagues. Those connections can become invaluable relationships that provide us with camaraderie, a shoulder to cry on, and referrals to potential clients. And finally, lurkers who follow the chats get a chance to see us talk about what we know, which just might eventually result in a referral.

If you love all things editing-related, come lurk during the next #EFAChat and the next #ACESchat. You don't have to be a member of either the EFA or ACES to participate. You just might connect with members of your tribe. You can find other Twitter chats here and here.

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