The Modern Editor - Editing Tips for Freelance Editors

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.

• (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

• Word Macro Tools
• Paul Beverley’s YouTube Channel
• Paul Beverley’s blog
• Editorial Freelancers Association 
• Macro of the Month by Jennifer Yankopolus

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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.

• (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

• Tiny Habits
• Tiny Habits® book
• Rest is Resistance book

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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!

• 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

• CMOS
• Women in Publishing Summit

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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!

• (3:20) CMOS Hyphenation Guide
• (5:57) Glossary of Problematic Words and Phrases
• (8:01) Titles and Offices
• (9:14) Commas
• (10:36) Possessives

• CMOS
• The Editing Sticker Pack

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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?

• (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

• Rest is Resistance book

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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. 

• (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

• Freelance Editors Club Book Club

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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.

• (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

• 2025 Growth Guide
• The Harris Poll
• Honeybook

• Website: https://akuakonadu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akuakonadu_/

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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!

• (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

• Editing Contract Template
• Canva
• Episode 14: 11 Ways to Market Your Editing Business Outside of Social Media

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

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.

• (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

• Notion
• Tiny Habits Certification
• Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
• Canva

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session

Do you have clear boundaries for your editing 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 editing 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.