One of the biggest misconceptions among people is that freelance editors have the easiest jobs. They never have to have to deal with the struggles of any other person with a traditional job role. While the advantages of being a freelance editor are always brought to attention, the challenges are often overlooked.
From starting your career as a freelance editor to finding the right clients and progressing ahead, every step is filled with challenges of its own. Among these challenges, securing work according to your expertise can become one of the biggest challenges.
Not being able to find work as a freelance editor is not just bad luck. You can make a difference with the following tips.
- Define Your Niche
As a freelance editor, understanding your expertise is very important. Understanding your niche does not only help you meet the right clients. It also ensures that you can define fair editorial rates for your services. The rates you define today can be raised as you gain more experience and hone your editing skills.
You should not let work from anything niche end on your own. If you deal with a vast range of work, you may develop a reputation as an adequate editor. However, sticking to your niche and proving your expertise will help you stand out among your competitors.
Your niche will not only help you get in touch with the right clients, but the work leading you to that such as writing a pitch and researching also become easier.
- Network With Other Editors
Getting in touch with your competitors may sound like the worst idea ever. However, only experience can tell you how being in touch with other professionals in your field can benefit you professionally and even personally.
Remaining in touch with other editors can help you stay up to date with current trends and the latest news from the industry. You can meet professionals whom you can learn from and the ones you can impart information to.
Your reputation as a well-known editor in the field can also help boost your career and make you a top choice for potential clients.
- Ensure Online Presence
You cannot succeed as a freelance editor if you are not even present online. In this fast-paced world, every second of your presence online matters. When a client texts you, they may also have texted several other potential copy editors. Being there on time can help you secure a client and their trust.
For example, if you have a website, you can put it to good use by starting a blog, guest posting on other publications, and engaging more people with your social media accounts.
By being present online and catering to the interests of visitors and potential customers, you can open doors of opportunity for them to get in touch with you in several ways rather than being limited by just a few platforms.
- Perfect Your Pitches
One of the largest demanding situations of securing work as a freelance editor is finding ways to stay ahead of your competitors. There are many methods you could attempt to accomplish that, however many would agree that all of it starts with an attention-grabbing, convincing pitch that tells the client why they should work with you.
Of course, finding the right audience to pitch your services to can be a challenge like no other, but once you find the ideal match, your pitch is your best shot at winning them over.
Before you write a pitch, take your time for competitor analysis, understand your audience, and undergo some samples to see the best approach you can take. Perfecting your pitch may take some time and a lot of effort, but it is worth it all.
- Learn to Negotiate
Negotiation is a crucial skill for you to secure more work and succeed as a freelance editor. After you have worked as a freelance copy editor for some time, you understand your market value and define the charges for your services accordingly.
You must understand the importance of finding a balance between underselling your services and overselling your talents. You can learn more about it by seeing how much people of the same expertise and experience in the field are demanding for their services.
Understanding your expectations can give you an upper hand in negotiations. You will always know what is the least acceptable deal for you and how to make the potential clients see what they may have missed out on. Knowing yourself will help others see why your services cost as much as they do.
- Master Time Management
Being a freelance editor gives you the freedom to work from wherever you want and whenever you want. However, it does not mean that time management is not an important aspect of being a freelance editor. Your clients are on a clock, and they expect you to pick up the pace.
Violation of deadlines can spoil your reputation. You can avoid that from happening by mastering the art of time management. There is no boss or supervisor to pick up the pace. As a freelance editor, you are on your own.
It is up to you to divide some time well and get as much work as you can manage. It is crucial to track and record your time. The quality way to do that is to put in writing your to-do lists, stay organized, and work ahead to make the most of the freelance lifestyle.
9. Gather testimonials
As you grow your career as a professional freelance editor, you’ll work with different people and companies over the years. If they’re happy with your services, they may not have any hassle sharing their review and words of appreciation.
These reviews and testimonials can help other potential customers perceive you as a reliable professional, and they will feel sure about working with you. More reviews will also help potential clients figure out that you have reliable experience working as an editor.
