Running Your Editorial Business Like a Pro

Is This Class for You?

What Students Are Saying…

“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: Website and Branding

Lesson 1: Branding

• Why you need a clear brand
• What elements of your brand to consider and tips for implementing them—customer experience, distinct features of your services, visual elements (fonts and colors), written elements (business name and tagline)
• 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, 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 16 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 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

• Example Contracts from various editors

• Contract Checklist (Word fillable and PDF version)

• Video Tutorial on How to Use Content Controls in Word

• Content for 16 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 w/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 track and analyze your time
• What software can help with time management

Lesson 8: Tracking a Project from Start to Finish

• What to include in your project intake form and your intake process
• How to schedule projects
• How to manage your projects (ensure you go through every step, help you meet deadlines, record necessary details, etc.)
• How to organize your files
• What software can help with project management

Lesson 9:  Tracking Metrics

• What to track (speed, rate, marketing efforts)
• What software can help with tracking your metrics

Unit 3 Resources

• Time Management Plan Worksheet (Word fillable and PDF version

• Time Management Software Handout w/pricing, pros, and cons

• Video Tutorial Showing How to Use Toggl for Effective Time Tracking

• Editorial Process Checklist (for project management, customizable)

• Video Tutorials Showing How to Use the Project Management Portion of Various Freelancer Software

• Project Management Software Handout w/pricing, pros, and cons

• Metric Tracking Software Handout w/pricing, pros, and cons

• Video Tutorials Showing How to Use the Metric Tracking Portion of Various Freelancer Software

Unit 4: Financial Management

Lesson 10: Setting and raising rates

• 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 11: Invoicing

• How to create your own
• What are the pros and cons of various invoicing software

Lesson 12: Managing finances

• How to keep good books for your business (data entry, setting up categories, generating reports)
• 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 w/pricing and features

• Video Tutorial Showing How to Use the Tax Rate Worksheet in Excel

• Configure Effective Tax Rate Worksheet (Excel worksheet with automatic formulas)

• Video Tutorial Showing How to Calculate Your Monthly and Quarterly Tax

• Financial Management Software w/pricing, pros, and cons

• Video Tutorials Showing How to Use Various Financial Management Software

Unit 5: Overall Business Management

Lesson 13: Manage your business

• What systems and software can help (overview of all systems and software mentioned in the lessons)
• How to delegate
• What to include in your business files
• How to set up your office

Lesson 14: That’s a wrap

• Additional resources

Unit 5 Resources

• Business Binder Information Examples

• List of All Tools and Software Mentioned in the Lessons 

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.