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What does it take to work as a freelance editor?

Choosing a new career is a responsible decision that should not be taken lightly. It usually necessitates endurance, patience, and the availability of a set of professional skills. If you want to become a freelance editor, there are some crucial things you should know.

To master the job of a freelance editor, you must be patient and attentive to the smallest details. Text editing necessitates a lot of time and deep knowledge in this field. Here are the most important things you should know about freelance editing and ways to succeed at it.

Who is a freelance editor?

A freelance editor is a person who checks written material for grammatical errors, compliance with the customer’s requirements, syntax and spelling issues. It is not an in-house employee who is required to be in the office during work hours.

This professional can work from home and from a café in another part of the world. Moreover, he can choose the project he will work on by himself.

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What are the primary responsibilities of a freelance editor?

Being a freelance editor may appear to be a dream job at first. Before you begin mastering this field, you must delve into the details and learn the key responsibilities of this profession:

Correction of stylistic, lexical, and grammatical errors;
Editing marketing and other types of content (proofreading, structural editing, line editing, copy editing, etc.);
The check of information credibility;
Text revision to ensure the accuracy of signatures, terms, graphics, etc.

Can you be a freelance editor?

To perform well in the industry and obtain a good income, one should have work experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, and other related fields. There are numerous job opportunities available to freelance editors, including:

Managing editor
Book editor
Freelance editor-in-chief

It all depends on the person’s education, interests, and available work experience. So, how do you start working as a freelance editor?

1. Research the industry to find your place

To determine the type of content you will work with, you should first conduct research in the field. It should not be a lengthy scientific study. Leave that to the professionals of essay review websites such as TopWritingReviews.

You should research which positions are in high demand in the job market and what skills you have to begin working in them. Some fields are easier to break into compared to editing scientific journals and medical literature, which require advanced degrees and years of experience.

2. Receive relevant training

While conducting research, you may discover that becoming a freelance editor necessitates more than just a love of reading. In general, this includes:

Knowledge of text editing;
Understanding of publishing environments;
Awareness of social media platforms, search engine optimization and content management systems (CMSs).

Enrolling in relevant training is the best way to gain the necessary knowledge. Here are some options to consider:

Editorial Freelancers Association;
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading;
ACES, the society for editing.

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3. Expand your online presence

While receiving training and developing a strong portfolio, one should think about expanding his online presence. To take advantage of this means, one should create a professional profile (one that does not include your pictures or those of your family and pets).

You can also connect with other freelance editors by joining specialised editor communities on LinkedIn and Twitter. As a result, you will gain valuable knowledge and learn about your colleagues’ experiences. Furthermore, they can assist you in locating your first client and advice you on some useful websites for getting writing assistance such as RatedByStudents which aids many people.

4. Build a good portfolio

It is difficult for new editors to build a strong portfolio. To obtain one, you can begin by offering your services to colleagues who may require an extra set of eyes. They can be found on social media.

Another option is to look online for volunteer opportunities or internships that will allow you to gain the needed editing experience. In this case, you must request testimonials from them. If you already have a lot of experience, you should just make sure that your work looks good enough to attract more customers.

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5. Determine tariffs

Many new editors wonder, “Can you make a living as a freelance editor?” Yes, you can. Tariffs will be determined based on your experience and professionalism.

To determine your price point, keep track of how many words you can edit in an hour. Then, calculate how much you need to earn per hour to cover your expenses.

Get ready that you will not receive large sums at the very beginning if you are new to this field. It will, however, improve over time. Another option to determine the price point is to look at pricing guides for similar services in your area.

How do I become a freelance editor with no experience?

Many people also wonder, “Is it possible to become a freelance editor with no prior experience?” The answer is “Yes, it is.”

In this regard, it is important to note that one should not only have a strong passion for writing and self-development, but also a thorough understanding of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Here are some suggestions for where to begin:

1. Master Grammarly

It is a free tool for editors that detects mistakes and spelling errors and helps your piece of writing appear more professional.

2. Enroll in a freelance editing course

Enrolling in the freelance editing course allows you to master the fundamentals of this craft. There, you will learn everything you need to know to build a long-term career and earn a steady income.

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3. Make work samples

Is it possible to set up work samples if you have never worked as an editor? Yes, it is. Here is what you can do:

Create discount samples
Create free samples (e.g., for friends)

To apply for editing jobs, you should have at least three samples.

4. Use Microsoft Tracker and comments functions

Using Microsoft Tracker and comments allows you to see the changes made in the text document (before/after results).

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5. Launch a website

Launching a website allows you to:

Look professional
Tell your clients about your services
Provide work samples
Convince customers to use your services

6. Join editing communities

Social networks are a great way to meet experts and learn about the issues in the industry.

Conclusion

The profession of a freelance editor is quite popular in today’s world. There are not many professionals who are willing to constantly improve their skills. If you enjoy spotting mistakes and are ready for challenges, then this job is the best choice for you.

Author’s Bio:

Max Mitchell is very passionate about typing, creating complicated spreadsheets, and consuming an inhuman amount of caffeine. Nevertheless, he is also the creative type of individual who will always find a new perspective on topics of interest.