The Club Ed Guide to Starting and Running a Profitable Freelance Editing Business

Use what experience you do have to make logical bridges to related areas. You can find ways to connect where you are (A) to where you want to be (E) but it requires time and planning, not shortcuts.

Think about what you want from your business. This is another way of figuring out who your potential clients might be and how you might reach them.

Every few months, go through your accomplishments list and update your resume/bio sheet as appropriate.

What direction do the skills you currently have push you in? If you already copyedit memoirs for a publishing company then it isn’t a huge stretch to think you could start developmental editing them.

Although it may not seem possible at first glance, your current employer may be your best bet for gaining relevant experience before you start working full-time at your business.

A purpose can be, and often is, simply something you decide based on things you’ve enjoyed doing in the past or have had success with:

the type of audience/client you’re trying to reach—“women”

Whenever you gain any kind of relevant experience or education, note it on an accomplishments list.

“Can this clientele pay a fair market value for my services?”