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How To Be A Better Editor
[Listen to an audio version of this blog here.]
My first full time job was at a nonprofit on the South Side of Chicago. I was hired as a Grant Writer, but I wrote and did a lot of other things. It was a small nonprofit so everyone did a little bit of everything, which isn’t exactly efficient, but is the reality of nonprofit life. Nonprofit employees are often asked to forego financial gains to support an organizations “mission,” and I was paid a mere $35,000. This was barely over living wage at the time, and I had a Master’s degree. I felt like I didn’t have any better option, so I took the job and drummed up side business after work and on the weekends. I babysat, dog sat, and started doing freelance writing and editing projects. I liked editing the most, because I could set my own hours, set my own wage, and I wasn’t re-creating the proverbial wheel, I was simply polishing it.
I initially found clients on Upwork and Craigslist, but Upwork charges a hefty fee and Craigslist is sketchy at best. Eventually, I built a website and found clients there. The best clients I’ve had though, found me through word of mouth. Do good work, and your clients will be happy to refer you.
Editing can be time consuming, frustrating, boring, and for Type-A persons like myself, deeply satisfying. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to be a better…
