Starting Freelance Editing: Gaining Confidence and Credibility

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When considering any self-run careers, there are a lot of stressful factors to think about. How to startup, credibility, cost, etc.

A lot of times, people don’t start because of skill requirements and feeling like they aren’t met. Even if the person is very skilled in the subject, the job descriptions and requirements can be scary. Especially for a beginner. Plus knowing that so many other people are trying this as well! It can all be deterring for someone just interested in freelance work.

But there are ways to start that are actually fairly simple. So simple that anyone can start! It is just a matter of actually starting. So I’ve put together a few things which can be helpful. For breaking past the beginner jobs and getting confidence (and credibility!), to not only begin freelance work but to make it last.

“Life is not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it’s about doing, being, and becoming.” — Mike Dooley

Take an Editing Class

If you feel unqualified, make yourself qualified! With the internet at your fingertips, you can take time and learn pretty much anything. Even taking five minutes a day to learn will get you closer than before.

After taking a course, you might find that editing is far easier than you originally expected, or found it to be. Even if there are no certificates after, learn for yourself so you can show those skills in a portfolio.

I recommend the Udemy Masterful Editing course. It is by Shani Raja, who used to be a senior editor at The Wall Street Journal. This course breaks the editing process down into easily processed chunks. It makes the concept of editing like second nature as you go along and use it frequently.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Whether you want to edit articles, item descriptions, brand pages, or novels. It is better to start with some practice pieces first. These pieces nobody will see- unless you like them enough to put into a portfolio of course.

It is important to not skip this step. Without constant practice, how will you ever feel confident in your skills? So put on some music and get to work! Make sure to try editing many things as well. You might go into this to edit short stories, then find articles are more your speed. Never limit yourself to one thing though.

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Start Posting Somewhere

It could be on here posting articles on editing, or on Wattpad. Wherever you can start gaining a following is a good starting point. Even dropping editing tips and such on TikTok is good!

By doing this, you can see which of your pieces get better feedback. From there, you know what to put more focus on to be successful. Think of it as a trial run.

Once you have a small following you could offer to help edit articles or stories for free at first. If they can leave a good client testimony of course. Or not, either way with this step, you can start to march ahead with a small name for yourself.

Using Fiverr

A lot of freelance editors do well on here. Start by creating your profile, butter it up! Make sure to mention any courses you’ve taken, and other sites or apps your work can be found on. If you want to go the extra mile, make a website to put your practice pieces into a portfolio. After setting everything up, make your listings! But start low.

Starting at low prices for our work may sound like a punch to the gut but in the long run, it is smart. In the beginning, you are an unknown in freelance editing (Unless you have a history in this field of course.) So by starting low, getting work done, and getting great reviews, you can begin raising your price.

To start getting clients though, be specific! Be straightforward and exact with what you have to offer. Remember to value yourself and your time spent working. Don’t let anyone push you around for more work when it is clearly stated what all you will do. Make sure the job description is crystal clear to avoid snarky clients.

There are only four steps to get this far! From here, you’ve learned more about editing. You’ve gained a following, and have client testimonials/reviews for your work. You can take this much farther too, but with these few steps now you have the confidence and the credibility needed for a good foundation. Which is good to start with before you make the full plunge into full-time freelance work. Whatever you do with this, just begin. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t keep putting things off. Make today the day that you begin pursuing your dream career.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash