Comments on: We Get Letters…

By: Jaymi

Jaymi — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:10:46 +0000

Hi Deb. I’m hoping you can help me, or at least lead me in the right direction. I have a client who just asked me to write a white paper, and I have no idea what to charge. I could go with my normal hourly rate (which he is willing to pay), but I don’t have a clue how mnay hours to set aside and therefore don’t know how to quote the job. I don’t want to shortchange myself. Any ideas?

Thanks!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:28:04 +0000

For those awaiting the About.com Web logs Guide position to be posted, it's there now. Apply at will and good luck.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:18:05 +0000

I also like the Writer’s Digest courses. As I said though, I haven’t taken any copyediting courses, so I’m not sure I’m the best person to recommend.

By: Cory

Cory — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:43:00 +0000

Jerry, there’s a great Listserv for copy editors, CE-L (see http://www.copyediting-l.info); after you join, check the archives for posts on getting started as a freelance copy editor. There’s also general info on the EFA Web site (www.the-efa.org) about rates to charge, etc. ($15-$20/hour is way below the average rate for an experienced copy editor). Like in any profession, you need experience and training in order to be proficient and employable; don’t assume that your writing skills will translate into copy-editing skills. Unless you’ve mastered an industry style guide such as Chicago or AMA and can spot all of the errors and style inconsistencies in copy, you may want to start with substantive editing. Either way, good luck!

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:03:14 +0000

Local colleges here charge at least $280 per credit hour plus other fees, and writing courses are three credit hours, so this is not an option for many. Call local high schools and see if they allow area adults to sit in on classes. Back in high school, we used to have adults join us in some of our business writing courses.

One thing I’ve been hearing from some of my writing clients is that they are dealing with the skyrocking bills that many of us are facing, so they simply don’t have the work or are having to watch their budgets and have to cut back on the amount of work they are handing out. I’ve been lucky this month, but I have to say that the thought of winter scares me. We are in the midst of that snowstorm and are expecting wind gusts of 40mph. I know my furnace will be running non-stop once these winds hit. I just refilled my propane tank to the tidy sum of $750. My neighbor’s tank fill cost $900 two weeks later. If something doesn’t give, I can see more of my clients having to make drastic cut backs. I’m lucky enough so far (knocking on wood) that while my clients have cut back, they haven’t dropped writing projects completely.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:09:10 +0000

Gnocchi–

From Curious George, I believe? The Italian Restaurant Owner’s cat. Not that we EVER watch Curious George here–at least not less than twice a day!!

Cute name.

By: James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises

James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:51:53 +0000

I’m interested in Deb’s list of courses and resources for learning. I think it would be valuable to put up some of the better online offerings or distance education resources available for learning writing skills and brushing up on grammar.

Saying, “Go to a local college” doesn’t always fly. For example, if I told that to anyone who lives in my area, they’d look at me with big eyes. Our local colleges are French and they’re also a three-hour round trip away. Not everyone lives in cities where education is easily available.

But still, it is good advice, for those who do have adult ed or local colleges nearby

By: Shell

Shell — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:44:28 +0000

Jerry – If any of your other gigs involved editing of some kind then add it to your resume. Did you write work that didn’t need much editing? May be you wrote some descriptive copy that was used without editing.

In any case, may be you should also research some internship positions. I know some are low or none paying, but occasionally you get some gem of a gig that will pay well. Don’t forget you will also learn as you go too.

You could also look out for some decent books on editing which hopefully won’t cost too much.

By: Janet

Janet — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:40:16 +0000

The person who wants to do copy editing — I recommend taking a class. A lot of adult ed groups offer classes for less than media bistro. No one will care where you learned how to copy edit from, so don’t worry about that. Once you get the hang of it, you might want to check out the Editorial Freelancers Association, which is a national org based in NYC. They have an active listserv and local chapters, as well as job listings (membership’s on the pricey side, though). To actually get work once you take the class, just apply to some of the jobs I’ve seen listed here. Many companies will want you to take an editing test, just to make sure your skills are up to par. And then you’re all set! For pay you should expect $15-20/hour.

I started freelance editing more than 10 years ago and have gotten almost all my clients through word of mouth. If you do good work, work will come.

Good luck.