marketing

Proofreading for Businesses and Ad Agencies

By Sharon McInnis, CEO (Chief Error Officer) at ProofingQueen® Editing

I’ve been a freelance proofreader for corporations and advertising agencies for 20+ years. My clients rely heavily on effective communication to promote their products and services (or those of their clients) and they need to know that their materials are error-free.

Now, I’m aware that I’m talking to editors and proofreaders, so I know that your clients and employers have the same needs. And, of course, no matter whose material you’re proofreading, it’s always about finding and fixing typos, spelling errors, missing punctuation, grammar mistakes, etc.

However, in my experience, many businesses and ad agencies don’t use editors, so a proofreader is often the last line of defence. A corporate proofreader brings a fresh set of eyes to find typos and inconsistencies. It’s a lucrative field, so in late March, I’ll be teaching an online course titled Proofreading for Businesses and Ad Agencies for the U.S.-based Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).

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February 9-March 2, 2021: Marketing, Networking, and Building Your Client Base

What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Four Tuesdays, February 9, 16, 23, and March 2, 2021, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: $140 for Editors Canada members ($110 early bird), $195 for non-members ($165 early bird), and $70 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes February 5, 2021, at 11:59 pm; early-bird rates are in effect through January 19, 2021.

As a freelancer, your network is one of the most valuable tools in your marketing toolkit. Many of your jobs and potential clients will come via referrals from people you know, both personally and professionally. But how do you grow your network? How do you reach out to let people know you’re looking for clients without feeling awkward about it? How do you market your business effectively while still taking on client projects?

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October 21, 2020: Marketing Your Editing Business

What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, October 21, 2020, 7:30–8:30 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors BC members, non-members, and students.

Are you a new editor starting your freelance business? Or an experienced professional wanting to expand your client base? In either case, marketing your business is an essential factor in acquiring new clients and staying relevant.

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Book Review: Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business

Written by Amy Haagsma; copy edited by Meagan Kus

Review of “Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business” by Louise Harnby, in association with The Publishing Training Centre.

Louise Harnby Marketing

Last week we reviewed Louise Harnby’s book Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers, a how-to guide for preparing a business plan. Harnby included a lot of great information on marketing, but she has also covered the topic in more detail in her more recent book, Marketing Your Editing & Proofreading Business.

Harnby touts this as “a book for editorial business owners, by an editorial business owner.” She promises that it is not a marketing textbook and that she’s done her best to avoid using jargon; rather, she’s tried to give editorial professionals real advice in the same manner she would in a face-to-face conversation.

Even the introduction is packed full of useful information, and the first item Harnby tackles is dispelling the notion that editors and proofreaders are not marketers. Everyone, she says, is a marketer, and having a marketing strategy is essential. After you’ve invested time and money in setting up your business, marketing is the next step to help you find clients and sell your services. Being good at what you do is not enough; you need to be found in order to be successful. Once you have built up your client base, regular marketing helps you stay in the minds of your clients.

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