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TitreDateDurée
Editor Beware: Client Red Flags to Watch For17 Sep 202500:29:03

We’ve all been there: You start working with a new client and it immediately feels like a bad fit. You might have missed or ignored some red flags that predicted this situation. Don’t beat yourself up; you’re not alone and can learn from these experiences.

In this episode, we’re discussing the top client red flags that have me running for the hills. We’ll also go over some common beige flags and tips for avoiding these situations as much as possible.

Important Sections:
  • (1:09) Top 11 Red Flags to Avoid
  • (18:06) New Client Beige Flags
  • (21:09) How to Prevent Red Flags
  • (26:58) Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Six Ways to Refresh Your Business03 Sep 202500:11:44

Does your business need a reset? In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m sharing six quick-and-dirty ways to freshen up your business for the back-to-school season. But don’t worry, this episode can still apply to you even if back to school doesn’t impact your schedule, or if you’re listening to it at a different time of year.

These six easy tips will make you feel reinvigorated, more organized, and get you starting off a new season on the right foot.

Important Sections:
  • (1:38) Tip One: Clear Your Workspace
  • (3:11) Tip Two: Organize Your Computer Desktop
  • (4:39) Tip Three: Clear Out Your Bookmarks and Extensions
  • (5:26) Tip Four: Unsubscribe From Email Lists
  • (7:32) Tip Five: Review Your Subscriptions and Memberships 
  • (8:45) Tip Six: Clean Out Your Social Media Following
  • (10:07) There’s No Perfect Time For a Business Reset
  • (10:55) Free Course: Keep Your Digital Life Organized
Resources Mentioned:Work with Me:
Borrow the Mic: How Podcast Guesting Can Grow Your Editing Business with Haylee Gaffin30 Apr 202500:48:47

Could appearing on a podcast help grow your editing business? Not only can it grow your brand, but it can set you up as an expert in your field. In today’s episode, Haylee Gaffin of Gaffin Creative joins us to explain why editors should consider leveraging podcasts as a marketing tool in their business.

Listen in as we talk all about why freelance editors should pitch themselves as podcast guests, the power of borrowing someone else’s audience, and what makes a great podcast pitch.

Ready For More Podcast Training?

If you want to dive deeper into podcasts, whether that’s as a host or a guest, join us inside the Freelance Editors Club. Haylee is leading a podcast training in May 2025, where we’ll talk more about pitching yourself as a guest and how to use podcasts to grow your business.

(Seeing this after May 2025? You can still access the video recording when you join the club!)

Important Sections:
  • (1:08) Are Podcasts Still Relevant in 2025?
  • (10:51) The Power of Borrowing Someone Else’s Mic
  • (13:10) How to Pitch Yourself as a Podcast Guest
  • (18:52) The Key to Finding the Right Podcasts to Pitch Yourself to as a Guest
  • (27:48) Pitch Yourself With Clear Goals in Mind
  • (35:57) Where to Find New Podcasts
  • (39:57) What to Do After You Appear on a Podcast
  • (47:47) Ready For More Podcast Training?
Resources MentionedConnect With the GuestWork with Me:
How Tariffs Could Affect Your Editing Business16 Apr 202500:10:22

(Note: As expected, this episode became out of date within 24 hours of recording…but the same overall ideas still apply. If nothing else, I want this episode to get you thinking about what you have control over and help you prepare for what is going to be a roller coaster of economic BS in the future. If you want up-to-date financial and small business info, here are my favorites: The Broke Black Girl, Ramit Sethi, The Budgetnista, Her First 100K, and Ellyce Fulmore.)

How will tariffs impact your editing business? In this episode, I’m going to share what my family is doing to alleviate stress when it comes to tariffs, as well as what I predict is going to happen. However, I hope I’m wrong…

I’m not a financial expert or economist, so please don’t take anything I say as advice. I’m simply sharing my experience and how it relates to us editors who rely on a steady income stream and encounter expenses required to run their businesses. 

Important Sections:
  • (1:48) Replace Your Electronics
  • (3:55) Get Intentional With Your Money
  • (6:15) My Tariff Predictions
  • (7:44) Lean Into Your Community
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Editor Self-Care: How to Use Affirmations in Your Business02 Apr 202500:10:41

Affirmations are short statements that help anchor you to the present moment. I actually prefer to call them anchor thoughts for this very reason. I’ve found myself relying on anchor thoughts more than usual lately, so I thought I would share my favorites with you. 

I’m also going to share the purpose behind anchor thoughts. The world has been a stressful place recently, and these anchor thoughts are great tools that help me maintain perspective. 

Important Sections
  • (1:52) What’s the Point of an Anchor Thought?
  • (2:55) The TEARA Process
  • (5:52) My Five Favorite Anchor Thoughts
  • (8:06) We Have to Take Care of Ourselves
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
What the Heck is an Editing Macro?19 Mar 202500:11:30

Did you read this episode title and immediately check out? Trust me, I get it, but I’m here to change your mind about macros.

I came late to the game on macros because of several limiting beliefs that held me back. I didn’t think I was tech-savvy enough to use them, so I wrote them off for a long time. Now that I’ve started using them, I can confidently say that macros have saved me tons of time as an editor. 

I’m still a baby user, but macros have positively impacted my editing in such a short time that I feel like I have to shout it from the rooftops. If you’ve never used macros before and think they aren’t your thing, this episode is for you.

Important Sections
  • (1:45) What are Macros? Resources to Get You Started
  • (3:30) Why Use Macros?
  • (6:30) My Top Three Favorite Macros
  • (10:39) Join the Macros Workshop Inside the Freelance Editors Club
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
How Editors Can Create Habits That Stick05 Mar 202500:19:18

Are you looking to make small changes with big impact in your editing business? In this episode, we’re talking about how editors can create habits that make their businesses better with the Tiny Habits® Method. This isn’t about creating tons of to-do lists and optimizing every second of your life—it’s about forming achievable habits you look forward to completing because they help your business run smoother and make you feel good. 

Listen in as I share how I figured out I needed to start small with basically everything in my life, including habits. We’re also going to talk about the concept of habits and the habit-forming method that works best for me. As always, take what works for you from this episode and leave or tweak the rest.

Important Sections:
  • (1:16) Small Changes Equal Big Results
  • (4:48) The Tiny Habits® Method
  • (7:29) Three Tiny Habits® Recipes for Editors
  • (13:23) Emotions Create Habits
  • (17:05) Tiny is Powerful
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
An Introvert’s Guide to Attending Conferences19 Feb 202500:20:34

If you’re anything like me, you know the impact that conferences (both in-person and virtual) can make on your business and education, yet as an introvert, it takes a bit of preparation. As I gear up for an online summit, I want to share a few tips to not only prepare for an event and manage your energy during the event, but also get the most out of the event.

Note: This is from the perspective of a neurotypical introvert. Everyone’s experiences are going to be unique, and I’m simply sharing what works for me!

Important Sections:
  • 00:17 - Prepping for a Conference as an Introvert
  • 02:09 - Set Aside Time to Recharge
  • 06:22 - Set Your Priorities
  • 08:41 - Check Your Tech
  • 11:00 - Remember Your Manners
  • 11:28 - Ask Questions
  • 13:21 - Follow Up After
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
My 5 Favorite Rules to Reference in CMOS05 Feb 202500:14:42

If you’re anything like me, there are times when you’ve been deep in your editing cave. In those heavy editing times, I always find myself reaching for my trusty Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) to confirm my work. With so many rules, it’s impossible to remember them all, but there are some I check all. the. time. In this episode, I’m sharing the five rules I always double-check while editing.

This episode was recorded in January 2025, after the release of CMOS 18 in September 2024. All references made are based on CMOS 18.

For fun: Are you constantly in your editing cave? Check out my sticker pack that includes my signature editing cave sticker!

 

Important Sections:
  • (3:20) CMOS Hyphenation Guide
  • (5:57) Glossary of Problematic Words and Phrases
  • (8:01) Titles and Offices
  • (9:14) Commas
  • (10:36) Possessives
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Why Is It So Tough to Take Breaks?22 Jan 202500:12:32

There’s an emotional side to taking breaks from work that not enough people talk about. The truth is that we’re so used to working (and feeling guilty when we don’t) that our brains fight us every step of the way. We end up either never taking breaks or taking breaks that aren’t restorative. 

How do you prepare your mindset to take the break you deserve as both a small business owner and a human?

Important Sections:
  • (1:37) My Experience With Taking Breaks
  • (4:35) Rest is a Right 
  • (7:04) Rest Doesn’t Cancel Out Hard Work
  • (8:24) Explore Your Mindset Around Taking Breaks
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
5 Reasons to Join a Book Club20 Nov 202400:13:32

Are you on the fence about joining a book club? Over the years, I’ve had both good and bad experiences with book clubs, and I currently host one inside the Freelance Editors Club. In this episode, I’m sharing my top five reasons to join a book club and tips on finding the right one for you.

I’d love for you to join us in the Freelance Editors Club and be part of our book club. We mostly read books that center around editing, writing, business building, and personal development. We also read a fun fiction book every December. You can find out more about it and join us here

Important Sections
  • (1:04) 1: Educational Opportunities
  • (2:00) 2: Community and Connection
  • (3:31) 3: Accountability
  • (4:38) 4: Reading Outside Your Usual Choices
  • (5:42) 5: Hearing New Perspectives
  • (6:48) How to Find a Book Club
  • (11:37) Create Your Own Book Club
  • (12:31) Join the Freelance Editors Club Book Club
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Elevate Your Business Processes with Akua Konadu ft. HoneyBook’s 2025 Growth Guide06 Nov 202400:37:24

Do you see other entrepreneurs seamlessly taking on new clients while you’re piecing together your processes like a puzzle? In today’s episode, Akua Konadu, host of the Independent Business Podcast, joins us to share valuable insights on how you can grow your business. Listen in as she breaks down some of the major findings that came out of the research behind Honeybook’s 2025 Growth Guide, along with key takeaways that’ll help you harness more business growth in 2025.

Important Sections
  • (1:34) The Quick and Dirty Summary of Honeybook and How it Can Help Grow Your Business
  • (7:02) Understanding Honeybook’s Growth Guide
  • (10:03) The Importance of Diversified Revenue Streams
  • (14:13) Why You Need to Build Client Loyalty
  • (19:48) How to Use the Revenue Benchmarking Tool
  • (21:51) How Editors Can Leverage Retainer Clients to Grow Their Revenue
  • (25:47) The Future of Entrepreneurship
Resources MentionedConnect with AkuaWork with Me:

 

Launch Before It's Perfect: A BTS Look at the Freelance Editors Club20 Aug 202500:22:56

In 2021, I took a major leap of faith and launched the Freelance Editors Club, an online community where editors can learn and grow their businesses. I’m amazed at how far our community has come since then, so in this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, we’re looking back at the history of FEC.

Listen in as we talk through how it all started, where the membership is at today, and the exciting things in store for the future. 

Important Sections:
  • (1:27) How the Freelance Editors Club Came to Be
  • (9:00) From Then to Now: What the Freelance Editors Club Offers Today
  • (12:27) What’s Next For FEC?
  • (16:16) FEC Member Wins
  • (22:00) Try FEC For Free For 14 Days
Members Mentioned:Work with Me:
How to Add a New Product or Service to Your Editing Business23 Oct 202400:23:22

Are you ready to expand your offerings? Maybe you've elevated your skill set and you want to add a different type of editing, or maybe you want to create a product that'll meet more of your clients’ needs. 

In this episode, we’re diving into everything you need to think through before you introduce a new product or service to your editing business. Is now the right time? How do you create new products? Then, how do you launch them? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty!

Important Sections
  • (1:03) Why Not to Launch a New Product or Service
  • (3:19) Do You Really Want to Create a New Product or Service?
  • (5:27) Is the Product or Service Needed in the Industry?
  • (7:57) Does This Product or Service Fit Into Your Existing Business
  • (10:16) How to Create Your New Product or Service
  • (13:56) Picking a Launch Date
  • (15:42) Promoting Your New Product or Service
  • (19:47) Assessing Your New Product or Service
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Four Ways to Get Unstuck in Your Business09 Oct 202400:16:09

Have you ever felt “stuck” in your business or personal life? I’ve experienced this lately, so I wanted to share some tactics I use to help myself feel unstuck. I’m sharing these tips to illustrate that even coaches need coaches, just like editors need editors. I want to normalize the fact that everyone needs help.

Sometimes I need someone else to tell me something in a different way or from a different perspective. I want to be up front that while I’m using these tactics I’m sharing with you, I’m also talking to my two coaches about my situation. I want this podcast to be supportive and help you move forward, but I also encourage you to ask for help when you need it.

Important Sections
  • (2:03) Start With Getting Curious
  • (3:26) Tactic One: Take a Break
  • (4:53) Tactic Two: Do a PITA Audit
  • (9:04) Tactic Three: Create a New Habit
  • (11:25) Tactic Four: Try Something New
  • (14:58) Get Coached by Me
Resourced MentionedWork with Me:
Professional Boundaries: How to Protect Your Editing Business with Contracts25 Sep 202400:22:34

Do you have clear boundaries for your business? In this episode, we discuss what boundaries you should have as an editor, why they’re important, and how you can enforce them using contracts. 

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, but I am related to one, and we created an editing contract template that you can use with your editing clients. Find it here.

Important Sections:
  • (1:48) Do Boundaries Destroy Creativity?
  • (3:28) The Basic Definition of a Contract
  • (4:58) Adding Boundaries to Your Contracts Through Scope of Work
  • (6:52) Setting Boundaries With Payment Arrangements
  • (8:36) Creating Boundaries Around Deadlines
  • (10:42) Boundaries Around Communication
  • (13:15) Setting Boundaries Around Generative AI
  • (15:31) Defining Boundaries Around Acknowledgments
  • (18:31) How to Handle Contract Termination
  • (19:52) Introducing My Editing Contract Template
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Why I No Longer Review Books as an Editor28 Aug 202400:15:27

Should you review books as an editor? Back in the day, I used to be a book blogger (which is now called a book reviewer), but I stopped when I became an editor. Why? In today’s episode, I’m telling you exactly why.

Disclaimer: I am not saying that editors cannot review books. Some people can do both and it works really well for them. I think you should do what feels right for you and your business. I’m simply sharing my experience and thoughts with you, and this is a judgment-free zone. 

This episode was inspired by the discourse I saw on Threads about this subject, so I hope my experience can add to the discussion.

Resources MentionedWork with Me:
Author Chat: Writing an Identity Not Your Own With Alex Temblador14 Aug 202400:50:45

When authors write about characters from different backgrounds, it’s important they do the research to understand why they’re writing the way they do—avoiding biases they may not realize they have. It’s our job to review this work, and today’s guest has created the tool and resource to make you a better editor. Alex Temblador joins us to share about her new book called Writing an Identity Not Your Own.

This is Alex’s first nonfiction book, but she’s previously published two fiction books: Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. She received her MFA in creative writing from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a contributor to Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America, and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology.

She is an award-winning travel, arts, and culture journalist who specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion, publishing in the likes of Condé Nast Traveler, Outside, and Travel + Leisure, and speaking about such topics at SXSW, the Society of American Travel Writers, and the World Travel Market.

Alex lives in Dallas, Texas, where she runs a literary panel series called LitTalk and is the executive director of Write Here DFW.

Want a chance to win her book? St. Martin’s has kindly given me a copy to give away to a lucky podcast listener. Click here to enter.

Important Sections
  • (0:38) Meet Alex Temblador
  • (2:53) Alex’s Writing Journey
  • (9:17) How to Feel Confident Writing Other Identities
  • (15:33) Confronting Your Biases to Grow as a Writer
  • (20:58) The Editing Process For Writing an Identity Not Your Own
  • (27:08) The Responsibility of Editors
  • (31:29) How to Approach Writing Different Identities Based on Genre
  • (39:16) Confronting Your Biases is a Continual Journey
Connect with AlexWork with Me:
Five Things My Kids Have Taught Me About Running My Editing Business31 Jul 202400:14:44

What do kids and editing have in common? In this episode, I’m sharing five nuggets that my kids have taught me that have helped me become a better editor and business owner. I always say that my kids teach me more than I teach them every day, but I didn’t expect there to be an overlap with my business.

Disclaimer: you don’t need to have kids, want kids, or even like kids to get anything out of this episode. Now let’s dive in!

Important Sections
  • (0:56) Lesson One: Practice Makes Progress
  • (3:28) Lesson Two: You Don’t Know How to Do Something…Yet
  • (6:20) Lesson Three: Approaching New Things With a Growth Mindset
  • (8:19) Lesson Four: Nothing Will Go According to Plan
  • (10:31) Lesson Five: Things Don’t Take as Long as I Think They Do
  • (13:44) Episode 35 Teaser
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
How to Take Time Off as a Freelancer17 Jul 202400:21:40

Do you struggle with taking time off as a freelancer? When you’re your own boss and wear several hats, vacation time often gets put on the back burner. However, it’s up to us to take care of ourselves.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to take both planned and unplanned time off as a freelancer. We’re going to talk about how to arrange your schedule so it's more conducive to taking breaks, how to work with some trusted colleagues, and how to honor your time off.

Important Sections:
  • (1:08) Taking Time Off is Easier Said Than Done
  • (1:43) How to Schedule Time Off and Communicate it With Your Clients
  • (6:05) Prepping For Your Time Off
  • (8:50) Budgeting For Your Time Away
  • (10:47) How to Take Unplanned Time Off
  • (14:39) Give Yourself Grace and Honor Your Boundaries
  • (17:55) Time Off Doesn’t Have to be a Vacation
Resources Mentioned:Work with Me:
When Comparison Helps and When It Hurts03 Jul 202400:13:39

Do you struggle with comparison? I believe we all compare ourselves to others throughout our lives. However, my hot take is that it’s not always a bad thing. 

In this episode, we’re talking about the positives and negatives of comparison. We’ll dig into when comparison hurts and discuss when and how to compare yourself to others in a beneficial way.

Important Sections:
  • (1:00) Why Am I Talking About Comparison?
  • (4:44) Is Comparison the Thief of Joy?
  • (7:03) How to Avoid Negative Comparison
  • (8:43) How to Use Comparison in a Positive Way
Resources Mentioned:Work with Me:
Seven New Books For Freelance Editors19 Jun 202400:07:30

If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for a great book to read. Over the past few months, there have been a lot of amazing new books published about editing, writing, and the publishing industry, and I wanted to share my recommendations with you today. 

The following books are listed in order of publication dates, and they’re linked to my Bookshop.org affiliate account. However, make sure you check out your local library or bookstores too. 

I chose books that can be read at any stage of your editing career. Some of them may seem like they’re for a specific type of editor, but I always encourage editors at all stages of their business to read outside of their specific skill set or preferred genre. For example, even though I’m a copyeditor, I still read books about developmental editing because a well-rounded editor makes for a great editor.

Important Sections:
  • (1:08) Why you should read all types of editing books
  • (1:44) Book One: How to Enjoy Being Edited by Hannah de Kieijzer
  • (2:25) Book Two: Developmental Editing by Scott Norton
  • (3:06) Book Three: The Design of Books by Debbie Berne
  • (3:38) Book Four: The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors by Erin Brenner
  • (4:25) Book Five: The Conscious Style Guide by Karen Yin
  • (4:57) Book Six: Writing an Identity Not Your Own by Alex Temblador
  • (5:40) Book Seven: The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition
Resources Mentioned:
  1. How to Enjoy Being Edited by Hannah de Kaeijzer
  2. Developmental Editing by Scott Norton
  3. The Design of Books by Debbie Berne
  4. The Chicago Guide for Freelance Editors by Erin Brenner
  5. The Conscious Style Guide by Karen Yin
  6. Writing an Identity Not Your Own by Alex Temblador
  7. The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition

Work with Me:

How to Ask for Help In Your Business05 Jun 202400:21:52

There is a fine line we walk when we approach burnout. I know this all too well, which is why today’s episode is our first release in seven months. After facing my own spout of burnout and still actively recovering from it, I knew I had to ask for help in my business and it has made all the difference. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a little about that journey and what you should consider if you’re ready to ask for help!

Important Sections of the Conversation:

1:04 - Discussing Burnout and Recovery

3:58 - The Importance of Asking for Help

6:40 - Tips for Delegating and Hiring Help

16:19 - Personal Life and Final Thoughts

Mentioned in This Episode:

Work with Me:

Tapping, Typing, and Turning Pages: Exploring the Soothing Side of ASMR06 Aug 202500:12:16

Ever wish you could hit pause on the day and just breathe for a minute? This special episode of The Modern Editor Podcast is your invitation to do exactly that—with a whispered twist.

I’m exploring ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) for the very first time, combining soothing sounds with editing insights for a brief but blissful moment of calm. And yes, I’m whispering this entire episode thanks to a timely cold that made my voice unexpectedly ASMR-ready.

I’m personally a big fan of ASMR and have always wanted to try my hand at it, so I thought it would be fun to do an entire ASMR episode. I am by no means an ASMR artist, but I love watching and listening to ASMR to help me relax.

Important Sections:

  • (1:15) What is ASMR?
  • (3:43) ASMR Triggers

ASMR Artists I Recommend:

Work with Me:
Running a Business During Tough Times01 Nov 202300:11:35

With so much turmoil going on in the world, it can be hard to stay focused and find the motivation to continue with business as usual. Recently, I’ve often found myself asking, What’s the point? Who cares where this Oxford comma goes? None of this matters when atrocities are happening every day. We can feel helpless and hopeless. So, how do we keep moving forward? 

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the things that I’m doing to help me move forward every day. A few highlights from today’s episode are:

  • 04:11 – Remembering the things we can control
  • 05:07 – Finding joy and positivity in the small things
  • 08:07 – How our work as editors does matter

Connect:

How Many Hours a Day Can You Edit?27 Sep 202300:19:51

As a coach for freelance editors, one of the most common questions I get asked is about how many hours a day editors should be editing. And the answer is one of my favorites—it depends! 

In this episode, we’ll dive into specific questions you need to ask yourself that’ll help you figure out how many hours you should be editing in a day. Because (surprise, surprise!) it varies greatly for everyone. Here are some highlights below:

  • 03:49 – Looking at what a typical workday looks like for you, including downtime, interruptions, and caregiving requirements, and how they’ll play a factor in your editing hours
  • 08:05 – One question that may seem funny and irrelevant but is super important!
  • 16:01 – How you can use your editing hours to help determine your editing rate

*Disclaimer: The math I attempted in this episode makes zero sense. I’m an editor, not a mathematician 🤣

Connect:

What Does “Booked Out” Really Mean?23 Aug 202300:08:13

In this short-and-sweet episode, we’re going to talk about what “booked out” means to you and if it’s something you even want to work toward (it might not be!). I want to stress that being booked out is not bad or wrong. And for anyone new here, when one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

In this episode, I’ll touch on the following:

  • 03:20 – What does being “booked out” mean?
  • 04:05 – Why it doesn’t help to play the comparison game
  • 09:32 – How one of my coaching clients realized being booked out wasn’t even a goal for her

Connect:

How to Avoid (or Recover From) Burnout09 Aug 202300:23:27

*Content warning: This episode discusses depression, anxiety, and eating habits.*

When you’re a solopreneur and wear all the hats, you can get too much on your plate very quickly. It accumulates fast, sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re stretched way too thin. Your energy, motivation, and capacity quite literally burn out. 

In this episode, I talk about my recent experience with burnout, some warning signs and symptoms to look out for, and provide you with some tips that helped me return to my version of normal. You’ll hear the following:

  • 03:23 – Why I ignored the signs and kept adding to my plate
  • 11:56 – Why it’s important to learn to recognize your signs and symptoms of burnout
  • 13:08 – My two biggest takeaways from my recent burnout

Connect:

How to Find Time to Get Things Done12 Apr 202300:21:11

It’s the million-dollar question: Where does all our time go? To help answer that question, I’m going to walk you through my process for figuring out where our time goes, what we spend our time doing, and how we can “earn” some of our time back.

Here’s what we’re going to cover:

  • What’s a time audit, and how I use it to see where my time is spent
  • Getting real with the results of your time audit. Is this really how you want to be spending your time?
  • How a time audit can help you discover areas you can redistribute your time

 

Discussed in this episode:

 

Connect:

How to Review and Reset Your Editorial Business Every Month29 Mar 202300:19:06

It’s time to put on your CEO hat! I’m walking you through my monthly process of how I review my business in order to stay organized and wrap up each month.

We’re going to cover a lot in this episode, but keep an eye out for these highlights:

  • 02:37 – How I ensure that a particular CEO task gets done every month
  • 06:18 – The financial tool I use that gives me peace of mind
  • 11:30 – The 3-2-1 backup rule that you may not have heard of
  • 15:49 – A small trick that has been a game changer for me when it comes to decision-making and sticking to my goals

Discussed in the episode:

Connect:

Common Business Expenses for Freelance Editors15 Mar 202300:26:16

Tax season—that time of year dreaded by most. And while filing your taxes as a freelance business owner is a much different ball game than doing them as a W2 employee, if you get organized, stay organized, and follow my tips, tax time will go smoother than you think.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • 04:37 – My number one tip to keep your finances organized from the beginning
  • 08:07 – What’s a deduction, and what the IRS considers an expense
  • 11:38 – A surprising expense that can be deducted from your taxes if you work from home (I had no idea!)
  • 15:43 – Books are considered a business expense?! (Use your common sense and good judgment and ask your accountant first)

Discussed in the episode:

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A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting Process01 Mar 202300:12:50

It’s always helpful to get a glimpse into how others approach their editing projects. No two editors are the same, and there isn’t one right way to get the job done. So whether it’s for new tips, things you haven’t thought of, or just to make your process more efficient, I’m sharing ten prechecks I do at the beginning of every copyediting project I take on.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • 03:35 – The number one rule I check for and we should all be following in 2023
  • 05:58 – One tool in CMOS that is going to be your best friend
  • 08:30 – How to get your hands on my 60-page Elevate Your Editing Resource Guide, which includes 300+ commonly confused words
  • 10:43 – A quick way to switch out straight quotes and apostrophes for curly

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Will ChatGPT Replace Editors and Authors?15 Feb 202300:32:18

Whenever a new type of technology emerges, there’s always an initial surge of panic, followed closely by people worrying it’ll take over their jobs and their livelihoods are in jeopardy. Usually, once the panic has worn off, we can see a little clearer and be able to do our due diligence and learn more about the new trend.

Some juicy highlights from the episode are below:

  • 04:55 – What the heck is ChatGPT?
  • 07:58 – What can we use ChatGPT for?
  • 10:19 – The outline for a romance novel created by ChatGPT
  • 11:43 – Where does ChatGPT get its content?
  • 18:00 & 19:50 – My opinion on whether or not ChatGPT is ethical

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Goal-Setting Part 2: Strategy and Process01 Feb 202300:21:00

As a follow-up to Episode 17, Goal-Setting Part 1: Reflection, this episode will take you through my process of creating intentional goals but with a slight twist (hint: it’s not actually about the goals).⁠ I’ve found this process incredibly effective, and it’s completely changed how I approach goal-setting in my editing business. My hope is that these tips will take the ick out of goal-setting and perhaps even make it fun.

In this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the following:

  • 07:47 – How I use the Wheel of Life to help me set goals
  • 13:39 – How many goals should we set for each month, quarter, or year?
  • 17:20 – The most important part of this whole goal-setting process

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Ten Copyediting Tips For Book Editors23 Jul 202500:17:54

Ready to get into the nitty-gritty of copyediting? In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m following up on my most popular episode to date: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting Process.

I’m sharing ten tips and practices for copyediting manuscripts, like how to spell “blonde” and whether or not you should capitalize the word “god.” I hope you can apply these tips to your copyediting process, and stay tuned for future episodes in this series for more! 

Edit With Me Workshop

If you want to learn more about my process and pick up some editing tips, I have an Edit With Me workshop inside the Freelance Editors Club. You can essentially sit over my shoulder and watch me edit! Join with a 14-day free trial to access the workshop. 

Important Sections:
  • (2:33) Create Your Own Copyediting Process
  • (4:11) Tip One: Blonde or Blond?
  • (7:23) Tip Two: Okay or OK?
  • (8:07) Tip Three: Is God Capitalized? 
  • (9:13) Tip Four: Damnit, Dammit, or Damn it?
  • (10:31) Tip Five: Mouthed Words
  • (11:14) Tip Six: Gestures and Facial Expressions
  • (12:55) Tip Seven: Searched Terms
  • (13:36) Tip Eight: Google as a Noun and Verb
  • (14:05) Tip Nine: Off Of 
  • (14:54) Tip Ten: 911, 9-1-1, or Nine-One-One?
  • (16:21) Edit With Me Workshop
Resources Mentioned:Work with Me:
2023 Predictions for the Freelance Editing Industry11 Jan 202300:13:52

Trends in business are constantly changing, especially in the online business world. It can sometimes be hard to keep up. Based on current trends I’m seeing in the editing industry, I’ve created a short list of my predictions and hopes for freelance editors for 2023 and what you can expect to see more (or less) of.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • 01:46 – What is the “cozy web” and how the Freelance Editors Club is part of it
  • 05:24 – How the economy could affect the editing industry
  • 09:32 – My wish for the upcoming year and what I hope continues to transpire within the editing industry

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How Choosing a Word of the Year Can Help Your Business04 Jan 202300:20:15

Around the end of every year, this buzz phrase starts getting tossed around in abundance: “word of the year.” If you’ve never heard this buzz phrase before and are starting to freak out, don’t sweat!

In this episode, I talk all about choosing a word (or words), why it can be important for your business, and how to do it in a way that will actually help you reach your goals. 

Check out some highlights below:

  • 02:57 – How I coincidentally chose the word “community” for the year 2020
  • 06:54 – One thing I’ve learned from choosing words over the past three years
  • 09:32 – Why having a word of the year helps me make big decisions in my business (and how I came to this realization)
  • 16:43 – Why it’s imperative to write your words everywhere!

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Goal-Setting Part 1: Reflection21 Dec 202200:13:29

Reflection, no matter when it’s done, is an important tool when it comes to prioritizing and setting goals. After reviewing the reflection process, I share some thought-provoking questions to help you pause, reflect, and analyze before you start setting new goals. Grab a pen and paper for this episode!

In this episode, we’ll talk about the following:

  • 01:50 – Why there’s no perfect time to reflect or set goals
  • 03:18 – Why many of us skip the reflection process before setting our goals
  • 04:16 – How to detach your self-worth from your goals
  • 09:45 – One of my favourite questions to ask myself when self-reflecting

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How to Simplify Your Decision-Making Process29 Nov 202200:14:30

Defining your business’s purpose and values will make your decisions that much easier to come to terms with. Your purpose and values are two key components in making business decisions and keeping your goals in alignment with what you truly hold dear.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • 01:49 – How to determine your purpose and values
  • 06:06 – Some examples of business values
  • 08:15 – How to use your purpose and values to determine who you should work with

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The Power of “Why?”15 Nov 202200:10:38

The number of decisions we have to make daily seems to keep going up…and up…and up…

So in this episode, we’re talking about the one simple question you can ask yourself to help you stay intentional in your business and your life. We’re channeling our inner three-year-old today and learning to ask ourselves “Why?”

Here are a few things you’ll hear in the episode:

  • 03:11 – How asking ourselves “Why?” can help us decide when we should act on our ideas.
  • 06:33 – If you’re considering adding a new service to your roster, you may want to try this first.
  • 07:45 – How to prevent getting irritated with all the “Whys?”

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11 Ways to Market Your Editing Business Outside of Social Media08 Nov 202200:13:00

With the growing instability of social media platforms, it’s become even more apparent than ever that we shouldn’t rely solely on social media for our business marketing. There are many ways to market your business outside of social media, and we’re going to look at eleven ways to market your freelance editing business.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following:

  • 01:34 – A friendly reminder that we don’t own our social media accounts
  • 03:30 – The best way to get your name out there
  • 08:14 – How to ensure that you don’t end up on page 20 of a Google search
  • 11:14 – Which marketing tool gains you access to another person’s audience

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10 Things I've Learned After 10 Years in Business25 Oct 202200:18:55

It’s my anniversary month (October 2022)! This month marks ten years I’ve been in business as a freelance editor. Ten years! To celebrate, I’m doing a podcast series on lessons I’ve learned, pulling back the curtain on the freelance editing industry, and sharing all the things—the good, the bad, and everything in between. So, grab a coffee (or whatever your favorite beverage is) and let’s jump right in!

We’re going to look at ten things I’ve learned over the last ten years in business. It was interesting to reflect on my business, see how far I’ve come, and acknowledge all that I’ve learned. My first lesson for you: don’t wait ten years to sit down and look at your journey!

In this episode, you’ll hear me talk about the following:

  • 02:28 – How procrasti-learning might be stopping you from succeeding.
  • 05:00 – Why I focus so much on thoughtwork and mindset in my coaching and the Freelance Editors Club.
  • 07:15 – There’s a big difference between an explanation and an excuse. I’ll give a sneak peek into how to tell the difference.
  • 13:10 – Just because we fail at something doesn’t mean we’re a failure.

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5 Things I Wish I Had Known When I Started My Editing Business18 Oct 202200:18:19

It’s my anniversary month (October 2022)! This month marks ten years I’ve been in business as a freelance editor. Ten years! To celebrate, I’m doing a podcast series on lessons I’ve learned, pulling back the curtain on the freelance editing industry, and sharing all the things—the good, the bad, and everything in between. So, grab a coffee (or whatever your favorite beverage is) and let’s jump right in!

Hindsight is 20/20, and this couldn’t be truer as I reflect on my entrepreneurial journey and talk about five things I wish I had known when I started.

In this episode, I’m diving into the following:

  • 01:46 – The number one thing I wish I would have done BEFORE starting my business full-time
  • 05:24 – Why I focus so much on mindset at the beginning of your business journey
  • 09:32 – How starting my editing business changed my reading-for-fun habits
  • 10:45 – Why I rarely post in Facebook editing groups

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The Best (and Worst) Things About Freelance Editing04 Oct 202200:16:52

It’s my anniversary month (October 2022)! This month marks ten years I’ve been in business as a freelance editor. Ten years! To celebrate, I’m doing a podcast series on lessons I’ve learned, pulling back the curtain on the freelance editing industry, and sharing all the things—the good, the bad, and everything in between. So, grab a coffee (or whatever your favorite beverage is) and let’s jump right in!

We see a lot of business owners talk about what it’s like to run your own business. This is fantastic, but these anecdotes often swing one of two ways—they’re either super positive and make being a CEO of your own business look easy as pie, or they’re completely negative and only talk about the hardships. In reality, owning your business is a little of both. 

In this episode, you’ll hear about the following:

  • 03:37 – The many ways in which owning your own business gives you back control
  • 09:15 – One thing that was detrimental for me in my first years of business
  • 11:08 – A huge con that almost never gets talked about

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Are Editing Conferences Worth It?27 Sep 202200:12:49

I attended the ACES Accelerate conference for editors, and it got me thinking about whether or not attending editing conferences (or business conferences in general) is beneficial for your business. The short answer is: absolutely! Of course, there are many variables at play for every individual and why you may or may not be able to attend a conference. However, with the pandemic and the rise of virtual conferences, they may be more accessible to you than you think!

In this episode, we’ll talk more about the different variables and why I think attending a conference will benefit you and your business. We’ll dive into these topics:

  • 02:58 – One of my favorite things about attending an editing conference
  • 07:02 – Where to look to find local or non-local conferences you can attend
  • 07:55 – How I decide if a conference is a good fit for me

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How to Use PerfectIt to Enhance Your Editing Workflow with Daniel Heuman09 Jul 202500:32:59

Are you using PerfectIt? If not, I can’t recommend it to freelance editors enough. For years, I let fear and intimidation stop me from taking advantage of this software, and now I wish I could get that time back. 

On this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Heuman, CEO of Intelligent Editing and creator of PerfectIt, to talk about how this program can help editors. Listen in as he shares about PerfectIt’s origin story, its many features, and an exclusive announcement about what’s next for the program. 

Important Sections:
  • (1:03) What is PerfectIt?
  • (5:45) PerfectIt Frees Up Editors to Focus on What They Love
  • (10:28) What Does PerfectIt Actually Look Like?
  • (16:02) What Type of Document is PerfectIt Best Suited For?
  • (24:37) How to Start Using PerfectIt (Especially if You’re Feeling Intimidated)
Resources MentionedWork with Me:
A Balancing Act: Time vs. Money20 Sep 202200:18:03

How do we know when we should be investing our time to accomplish a task or investing our money to have someone else complete it for us? Since we can always make more money, but we can’t make more time (at least as far as I know), we often hear that we should invest our money in order to save time. BUT this isn’t always possible for everyone.

In this episode, we’ll talk about the following:

  • 04:50 – Paying with our time when starting our businesses
  • 09:37 – The one thing that you can never outsource
  • 10:04 – Indicators that let you know it’s time to let the experts handle it
  • 12:19 – Ideas of tasks you can outsource in your business

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How to Embrace Your Freelancing Journey13 Sep 202200:12:23

It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game when starting and running a business—whether it’s comparing our beginning to someone else’s middle or feeling like we should be running our business in a way that aligns with how others are running theirs. We have to remind ourselves that everyone is different, and each person is on their own path. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, I’d love to see more of us congratulating others for their success and lifting others who may need more support.

In this short-and-sweet episode, we’ll talk about the following:

  • 01:46 – Why the highlight reels on social media are not real life
  • 05:24 – The similarity between our journey and books
  • 09:32 – The magical hack to starting a business (hint: there isn’t one!)

Connect:

Why You Need Boundaries in Your Business30 Aug 202200:18:25

When we think of boundaries, we often think of borders, gates, or walls—something to keep people out. But when it comes to our business or personal lives, boundaries are more of a safety net—something to protect us, our businesses, and our reputations. We need to have clear boundaries that set the expectations within our business. If we let these boundaries go unenforced (and let too many people cross them), this can lead to burnout, resentment, and potentially the loss of client relationships. 

In this episode, we talk about what boundaries are, why they’re important, and how to enforce them.

Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll hear:

  • 02:08 – What exactly are boundaries?
  • 04:42 – My favorite quote that hit me right in the gut while I was experiencing burnout
  • 06:52 – Why boundaries can be so difficult to enforce
  • 08:14 – How boundaries left unenforced is really just a form of disrespecting yourself…and how I learned this lesson the hard way
  • 11:38 – Examples of specific boundaries you can start setting in your business TODAY

Resources Discussed in This Episode:

Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab (affiliate link)

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The Stories We Tell Ourselves23 Aug 202200:22:16

As we grow up, we internalize certain stories about ourselves. I’m too short. I’m not creative. I can’t start a business because I’m not smart enough. I’m too loud. I’m bad at networking because I’m too introverted. In actuality, these are just thoughts and beliefs that we’ve said to ourselves so many times that we don’t even think about them anymore. We just accept them as fact. But are they true? How do we determine whether we should believe them or not? And if they aren’t true, how do we rewrite the story?

In this episode, we’ll chat about the following:

  • 02:03 – What are these “stories” we tell ourselves
  • 04:35 – Something I experienced too often when I worked in the corporate world, which contributed to one of my stories
  • 08:04 – Indicators that help you determine whether or not a story is true for you
  • 12:34 – My tried-and-true method for rewriting the story you’re telling yourself

Connect:

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