Editor Insight: Diana Courtney-Smith
I’ve been talking with newer and more established freelance editors about how they find clients and deal with ups and downs in freelancing.
This week’s editor is Diana Courtney-Smith. Here’s our Q&A:
How long have you been freelancing as an editor?
I’ve been freelance editing full-time since 2020 (Thank you, COVID!)
Tell me a little more about that.
Due to COVID, I was laid off at my job. This was my second lay-off, and being tired of dealing with the emotional and financial fallout from that, I decided to pivot, as so many at the time were doing.
In addition to the unemployment funds coming in, I was fortunate to have a generous severance, which allowed me to take a bit of time to consider my next steps. I’ve always had books and writing in my life, so editing was a good option, but I didn’t know anything about developmental editing. Being a big-picture person, it felt like the perfect match for me. I found Club Ed and the rest is history!
How do you typically find clients? Through social media, content marketing, etc.?
I find my clients in a variety of ways: word of mouth, LinkedIn, I’ve worked with them in a previous life, and through Editorial Freelance Association (EFA). I’m horrible at marketing, so thank goodness these other avenues worked out.
What is your top marketing tip for newer editors?
Consistency! And as I learned from Jennifer, don’t spread yourself too thin. Pick one or two types of marketing, tops, for a specific time period, and see if you get any traction. If you don’t get your desired results, try a different way. Also, think about where your desired clients live and target your efforts there. Sorry – I guess that’s my top three tips.
What is your top tip for handling the ups and downs of freelancing?
Ha! I’m still working on this. It seems like a “feast or famine” situation for me, and I have a tough time balancing sometimes.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Don’t be discouraged if your business starts slowly; that can actually be a benefit. If you’re new to all of this, learning how to be an editor AND a business owner at the same time can be overwhelming. Take advantage of your down time to take more classes and build your knowledge base. This will help your confidence and may also give you a clear idea of how you want to position yourself in a crowded market.
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Jennifer Lawler has been a freelance editor for more than twenty-five years and has been teaching editing skills for more than fifteen years. She is the founder of Club Ed LLC.
