Opportunities for Freelance Copyeditors

From LoveToKnow Freelance-Writing

If you're interested in work opportunities for freelance copyeditors, you can find numerous jobs, both online and off. Although it can take some persistence and dedication to gather the leads that result in steady work, it is worth the time and persistence. Not only is a career as a freelance copyeditor rewarding, but as your own boss you can set your own hours and work as few or as many as you want.

Copyeditor with red pen

Know Your Niche

Probably the most important thing you need to determine is what you are an expert in. If you have only edited novels, you won't have much success jumping right into editing technical manuals without some training and a few classes on the subject at hand. Few editors and companies have the time to intensively train their freelance workers. You really need to be ready to hit the ground running and edit the company's materials with little direction and minimal input from the senior project advisor.

The best place to start is by sitting down and making a list of the areas you know well. Look at the following types of experiences to help determine this list:

Past jobs
Education
Hobbies
Passions

Once you've determined the areas you feel competent to edit and write (many times copyeditors have to add input to a manuscript, so it is important to be familiar enough with the topic to notice any glaring inconsistencies or facts that might be incorrect), you should create a copyediting resume listing these areas of expertise. You can find some easy tips for writing resumes at sites like Career Builder and Monster.

Editing for Companies Near Where You Live

Many companies offer editing opportunities for freelance copyeditors. Either there is a special publication the company wants to put out or their full-time editing staff simply does not have the time or manpower to complete the work. In addition to browsing job postings and classifieds in your area, you should also target companies that match the niche market you determined above.

Once you decide the companies where you would like to work, send a short note letting them know that you are available for freelance copyediting work. It is a good idea to create an online portfolio of samples of your editing work to direct the potential client to, but you should also be prepared to send a small folder portfolio upon request. The portfolio should include:

Your biography
Your resume
At least two samples of your editing work
Letters of recommendation from other clients
Any press releases on your work or your editing services company

Online Editing Opportunities for Freelance Copyeditors

There are hundreds upon hundreds of editing and writing opportunities online. Sites like LoveToKnow hire writers and editors to produce content and make sure the copy reads clearly. There are also opportunities to edit when sites are just starting up and want to put up quick but clean copy. You can find information on these freelance copyediting jobs on sites such as:

Editing for Individuals

Many copyeditors make a very nice living just by doing copyediting work for writers who want to give their copy that extra polish before sending to their editor or sending in for submission. Copyeditors charge anywhere from $0.75 a page to $2.00 a page, depending upon how detailed their editing is and if they offer fact checking and instruction.

One of the advantages of editing for individuals is that copyeditors often get repeat business and word-of-mouth business. The writer goes to a local chapter meeting of a writing organization he or she belongs to and mentions the work his copyeditor did on his latest chapter. The other group members ask for that copyeditor's name. This is probably the best and easiest way to gain new clients and gain them regularly. You may also want to join the Editorial Freelancers Association.

The desire to work for yourself and the ability to edit copy effectively can help create a steady and decent income for the freelance editor. Keep your eyes and ears open for new copyediting opportunities and ask your current clients for referrals and letters of recommendation. With a focus on maintaining and then building your business, you should have enough copyediting jobs to keep you busy for years to come.

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