Many writers, especially those with a decent track record of publication, supplement their income with freelance editing or coaching on the side. However, writers can easily subvert their efforts by being overly generic and expressing openness to every possible type of project. The key to success as a freelance editor is, in fact, to go narrow. Writers can develop a more successful freelance editing business by being more focused and strategic with the three Ps: positioning, packaging, and pricing.
- Positioning: What kind of writer are you best positioned to help? Where do you have special experience or expertise? At what stage of the process are you most helpful to others?
- Packaging: Once you know who youâre trying to help, you can land more work by creating standardized packages to meet those writersâ needs. When potential clients see tangibly what you offer, they will be more likely to trust you and inquire about your services.
- Pricing: Pricing is not just about figuring out an agreeable hourly rateânor is it about attracting the highest number of clients you can handle. Pricing plays an important role in attracting the right client, and it's also critical for efficiency.
For better or worse, the current marketplace is overrun by mediocre and poor editors. Thatâs partly because the growth of self-publishing has increased the number of people who are putting out their shingle. There isnât any formal accreditation process for freelance editors, so anyone can call themselves one, and many set up shop with little experience or qualifications. This means it can take time to distinguish yourself from the many types of help available. This live webinar will help.
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Meet the instructor
Jane Friedman
Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. Since 2014, she has run her own business and has spent many years working as a hired editor and consultant for clients. She runs the paid newsletter The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry read for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER, SECOND EDITION (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing. Learn more at JaneFriedman.com.
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