Running Your Editorial Business Like a Pro
When?
Self-paced and on demand
Where?
Online
How much?
$149
Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
Designed for freelance editors who are setting up or already running a freelance editing business.
Self-paced and on demand
This 5-unit class is available on demand. Start anytime; complete on your own schedule.
Price: $149 USD
The 15 lessons in this class, along with the class forum, assignments, resources, and demos, cover what you need to know to handle the administrative side of running your freelance business.
Available anywhere with an Internet connection
The class is accessed through EAA’s Learning Community, an online platform. Students have forever access.
Katie is the queen of admin! Her step-by-step guidance and resources gave me a clear roadmap for organizing every aspect of my business. After implementing what I learned, I’ve reclaimed hours of productive time each week and feel far more confident about the admin side of things.
I highly recommend Running Your Editorial Business Like a Pro to any editor looking to get a handle on their behind-the-scenes work and run their business with ease.
Is This Class for You?
- Are you launching a freelance editorial business and unsure where to start with all the administrative tasks?
- Are you already a freelance editor, but feel overwhelmed by emails, invoices, branding project management, tracking, and tax chaos?
- Do you want customizable templates and time-saving systems for contracts, client communication, website content, time tracking, and more?
- Would step-by-step software demos and plug-and-play tools help you feel more confident and organized?
If you answered yes to any of the above, this course was made for you. Whether you’re building your business from scratch or leveling up your existing one, this course gives you the structure, support, and systems to succeed.
Class Overview
Running Your Editorial Business Like a Pro walks you through the business side of freelancing—so you can spend less time in admin overwhelm and more time doing what you love: editing.
Knowing how to edit is just one part of your success. You also need to know how to:
- build a website and brand that reflect your values and goals
- write and manage contracts with ease
- track projects, time, and income accurately
- set competitive, profitable rates
- choose the right software for client management, project planning, and financial tracking
This course teaches you all that and more—with done-for-you templates, clear to-dos, and software demos to get you started fast.
You’ll get:
- clear assignments (optional and ungraded), tailored for both new and veteran editors, to help you set up or streamline your business
- walkthroughs of tools like project management platforms, finance trackers, and CRMs, so you know what to use and how
- a wide variety of resources, templates, and customizable worksheets (see list of resources below)
- direct access to the instructor through a course forum, where you can ask questions anytime and get real-time feedback on your systems
Note: This course doesn’t teach you how to edit or market your services, but it covers the marketing pieces you need in place and everything else you need to confidently run your business.
Unit 1: Marketing Pieces
Branding, Website Email & Domain Creation, Website Content
Unit 2: Client Interactions
Contracts, Template Emails, Client Relationship Management
Unit 3: Projects
Time Management, Project Management Systems, Editorial Processes from Start to Finish, Tracking Metrics
Unit 4: Finances
Setting and Raising Rates, Invoicing, Managing Finances
Unit 5: Overall Business Management
Essential Business Practices, Now Go Shine
What Students Are Saying…
“This is a good investment for new and seasoned editors alike. It covers the whole process (website building, project management, invoicing, etc.) in detail, so that even experienced editors can be inspired to improve their process. I will definitely refer back to the course content in the future!“
“As someone who is still deep in the process of getting started as an editor and setting up my business, this was EXACTLY what I needed. This course walks you through every single aspect of the business management side of editing and leaves you feeling completely prepared with all of the systems, processes, and tools you need to run your business smoothly. I couldn’t have done it without this information and I know I will be coming back to the content again and again as I continue to streamline and improve my processes.”
“This course is jam-packed with invaluable information on running your own business. If you’ve been running your own business for a while, there are a ton of ideas to help you level up. The templates are very helpful, as are the video overviews and comparisons of various programs you can use to streamline your business. The forum provides a really nice way to connect with others and to get personalized feedback on all aspects of running your business. This was truly a worthwhile investment for me, and I’m excited to continue implementing what I’ve learned.”
About Katie as a presenter: “The presenter was very clear, organized, and just overall impressive both in her presentation and in the work she is doing. Also she was very generous with sharing her knowledge and resources.”
Your Instructor: Katie Chambers
Katie Chambers, owner of Beacon Point LLC, is a nonfiction and fiction developmental editor and copy editor for independent authors, content writer and editor for business professionals, online teacher, and tutor.
After discovering a love for the administrative side of running her own business, she spent significant time creating systems and processes to help her streamline her business. Having taught middle school and high school for eight years, she is passionate about teaching and helping others learn.
Course Breakdown
Unit 1: Marketing Pieces
Lesson 1: Branding
- Why you need a clear brand
- How to create your brand—customer experience, distinct features of your services, visual elements (fonts and colors), written elements (mission, vision, values, business name, and tagline)
- Why you need branding photos and how to plan for and use the
- What branding documents to consider (letterhead, logo, business cards, email signature, social media banners, social media post images, blog post images, flyers, and brochures)
Lesson 2: Website Creation and Email Domain
- Why you need a website
- What you need to create a website
- How to get an email with your domain
Lesson 3: Website Content
- What general principles guide good website copy
- What to include
- How to write your bio, description of your services, services page, contact form, and how to display your portfolio
- What is working well on other editors’ websites
Unit 1 Resources
- Create Brand Worksheet (Word fillable and PDF version)
- Examples of Branding Documents from various editors (business cards, letterheads, logos, email signatures, social media post templates, brochure, social media banners)
- Website Content Checklist
- Video Tutorial Analyzing Five Editors’ Websites
Unit 2: Client Interactions
Lesson 4: Contracts
- Why you need one
- What to include
- What can you use to create it
- How to format it
- Why you may need different versions
Lesson 5: Template Emails
- Why you need them
- How to create and use them
- What email templates you may consider using (see 18 of my email templates and get a list of emails you might want to create templates for)
Lesson 6: Client-Relationship Management
- How to manage clients’ information (intake data and files)
- How to communicate to ensure good customer relationships
- How to ensure you send all emails in your process
- How to organize and save emails
- When to create tasks and set reminders to take action
- What software can help with client-relationship management
Unit 2 Resources
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Example Contracts from various editors
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Contract Checklist (Word fillable and PDF version)
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Video Tutorial on How to Use Content Controls in Word
-
Content for 18 of my Email Templates
-
Video Tutorial on How to Create and Use Template Emails in Zoho with links to directions for using other email clients
-
Video Tutorial on How to Use Conditional Formatting in Excel
-
Conditional Formatting Handout (teaches you how to use conditional formatting in Excel)
-
Video Tutorials Showing How to Use the CRM Portion of Various Freelancer Software
-
Customer Relationship Management Software Handout with pricing, pros, and cons
Unit 3: Project Management
Lesson 7: Time Management
- What to include in your time management plan (amount of projects, admin categories, schedule)
- How to create daily and master to-do lists to stay organized
- How to track and analyze your time
- What software can help with time management
Lesson 8: Project Management Systems
- How to manage your projects (ensure you go through every step, help you meet deadlines, record necessary details, etc.)
- How to schedule projects to beat overwhelm
- How to organize your files
- What software can help with project management
Lesson 9: Editorial Processes from Start to Finish
- What to include in your project intake form and your intake process
- How to determine quotes
- What to include in your intake processes
- What to include in your editing processes
- What to include in your finishing and following-up processes
Lesson 10: Tracking Metrics
- What to track (speed, rate of pay, marketing efforts)
- What software can help with tracking your metrics
Unit 3 Resources
- Video Tutorial on Creating a Daily To-Do List
- Video Tutorial on Using Toggl for Effective Time Tracking
- Time Management Plan Worksheet (Word fillable and PDF version)
- Time Management Software Handout with pricing, pros, and cons
- Editorial Process Checklist (for project management, customizable)
- Video Tutorials Showing How to Use the Project Management Portion of Various Freelancer Software
- Discount on Hilary Cadman’s Courses on Using Word Effectively
- Project Management Software Handout with pricing, pros, and cons
- Metric Tracking Software Handout with pricing, pros, and cons
- Video Tutorials Showing How to Use the Metric Tracking Portion of Various Freelancer Software
Unit 4: Financial Management
Lesson 11: Setting and raising rates
- Why you should or should not charge for samples
- How to determine which charging method is right for you (various methods and their pros and cons)
- How to determine what to charge (three different methods to configure your rate)
- How and when to raise your rates (how to change, how to handle current clients, keeping the market in mind)
Lesson 12: Invoicing
- How to create your own
- What are the pros and cons of various invoicing software
- How to use invoice templates
Lesson 13: Managing finances
- How to keep good books for your business (data entry, setting up categories, generating reports)
- How to close out your month and year to stay on top of finances
- What you need to know about taxes (understanding them, deductions, tips for paying your taxes, how to configure your taxes)
- What software can help you manage your finances
Unit 4 Resources
-
Invoicing Software Handout with pricing and features
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Video Tutorial Showing How to Use the Tax Rate Worksheet in Excel
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Configure Effective Tax Rate Worksheet (Excel worksheet with automatic formulas)
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Video Tutorial Showing How to Calculate Your Monthly and Quarterly Tax
- How to Configure Your US Taxes PDF guide
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Financial Management Software with pricing, pros, and cons
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Video Tutorials Showing How to Use Various Financial Management Software
Unit 5: Overall Business Management
Lesson 14: Essential Business Practices
- How to analyze and review your data for business growth
- How to delegate
- What to include in your business files
- How to set up your office
- What networking resources are available to help you network with others
Lesson 15: Your Beacon Is Lit—Now Go Shine
- What systems and software can help (overview of all systems and software mentioned in the lessons)
- What processes can help you run your business (an overview of all the processes mentioned in the lessons)
- What additional resources can help you with business management
Unit 5 Resources
- Business Binder Information Examples
- List of All Tools and Software Mentioned in the Lessons
- End of Year Review Form
- Video Tutorial on How to Use reMarkable to stay organized
FAQs
What is the course content like?
The lessons are written out with clearly identifiable headings, so you can skip around to various sections if needed. Some lessons contain video tutorials, links to outside resources, and handouts/worksheets.
What equipment and software will I need?
Since the course is online, you will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone. If you want to take advantage of the Word fillable worksheets and/or the Excel worksheets, you will need Microsoft Office or 365. If you don’t have either of those, you can use the PDF versions (included in course) for the Word sheets. No alternate exists for the two Excel worksheets, as they rely on Excel formulas.
Will there be a chance to interact with students and teachers?
The course has a forum where you can post questions, post helpful tips and advice for others, and get feedback from the teacher and students on any of your administrative systems, pieces, and processes. Your instructor will provide feedback for everything posted. While the feedback may not be immediate, depending on the instructor’s schedule that day, you are guaranteed to get feedback. Participation in the forum is optional.
Will there be assignments?
Yes. They are optional, though strongly recommended. Use the suggested assignments to form a personalized checklist to help you either build the administrative side of your business or level up and improve any of your administrative processes and systems, depending on whether you are using the newbie or veteran assignments for a given lesson.
The newbie assignments are then divided into “out the gate” and “next step” assignments. If you implement the “out the gate” assignments immediately, by the end of the course, you have something set up for each admin task and can hit the ground running.
How long will I have access to the class and forum?
You get lifetime access. So for assignments that will take longer, you can make a checklist of the items you want to work on, then build up your new administrative processes, pieces, and systems over time. Ask for feedback at any point—a week after you finish the course, a month after, or a year after.
What if I want feedback or have a question that I only want the teacher to see?
Feel free to email the instructor at kmchambers@beaconpointservices.org. She is available to all students whether you post on the forum or not.
How can I sign up?
Visit the checkout page to sign up, or click the button below.