Setting up an editing business: lessons learnt

​It’s nearly four years since I first wrote a guest article for Louise Harnby’s blog The Proofreader’s Parlour on how I set up my editorial business, and subsequently appeared as a case study in Louise’s debut book Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers. Over the past four years I’ve found the information and tips published in The Proofreader’s Parlour invaluable and I still regularly refer to Louise’s second book, Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business.*

Starting off I never imagined how my editorial journey would continue. Thankfully, my start-up years have been good ones and I’ve written a follow-up piece for The Proofreader’s Parlour outlining what I’ve been up to in terms of growing my business. Below is a short extract, but you can read the full article here. 

Some of the key things I learned about running an editing business 

• Good customer service and reputation are essential for business success.
• Training pays for itself in the long run and facilitates the introduction of new services.
• Interacting with trusted colleagues is a valuable source of support and work.
• It is important to trust your business instinct.
• Recognising and seizing an opportunity when it presents itself is essential for business growth.
• Extensive use of macros has a direct positive impact on your profitability.
• Attending an editorial conference is a wonderful learning experience.

​And on that last point – I’ll be one of the speed mentors at this coming weekend's SfEP annual conference in Aston University in Birmingham. Over the course of an hour I’ll be available to colleagues for three one-to-one sessions to talk about:

Aston University's Business School

• ​changing career, starting and running an editorial business​
• marketing your editorial business
• offering a new service
• fiction copy-editing
• work–life balance.

 
I’m looking forward to seeing old friends, meeting online friends in person for the first time and making new acquaintances, and of course learning lots about editing and publishing! ​

​*Both of Louise’s books are now available in an extended omnibus edition. 

Related posts
Marketing resources for editors, proofreaders, authors and freelancers
5 marketing tips for the freelance editor or proofreader
How I set up my proofreading and editing business
Book review: Content Marketing Primer for Editors & Proofreaders​

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