Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi
01 Making the Decision 1
Why Edit? 3
Why Freelance? The Pros 3
Why Not Freelance? The Cons 8
Are You Right for Freelancing? 12
Is Freelancing Right for You? 17
02 Envisioning the Business 19
Defining Your Niche 19
What Will You Do? 19
For Whom Will You Do It? 35
Establishing Your Goals 40
03 Setting Up Your Home Office 41
Deciding on an Office in Your Home 42
Choosing the Right Place 43
Setting Up Your Home Office 44
Stocking Up on Office Equipment 49
Building a Library 53
04 Getting Started 57
Choosing a Business Structure 58
Naming Your Business 62
Obtaining a Business License 65
Complying with Zoning Regulations 66
Understanding Insurance 67
Setting Up a Bank Account 67
Writing a Business Plan 68
05 Managing Finances 73
How Much Can You / Should You Charge? 73
Setting Rates 79
Providing Estimates 82
Creating Invoices 90
Collecting Payment 92
06 Keeping Records and Paying Taxes 94
Preparing Tax Forms 95
Keeping Records 97
Tracking Income 100
Tracking Expenses 100
Paying Self-Employment Taxes 105
Paying Estimated Taxes 107
Paying Use Taxes 109
How Likely Is an Audit? 109
07 Connecting with Clients 111
Establishing Your Professionalism 112
Finding Potential Clients 114
Standing above the Competition 122
Making Your Clients Want to Hire You Again 131
08 Using the Internet 132
Choosing an Internet Service Provider 132
Using E-mail to Communicate 134
Using a Website to Market 137
Using Social Media to Network 140
Participating in Global Discussion Groups 143
09 Working with Clients 146
Increasing Your Chances for Repeat Work 147
Understanding the Job Requirements 148
Asking Just the Right Questions-but Not Too Many 151
Communicating Tactfully with the Author 153
Making Choices to Meet the Schedule and the Budget 155
Being Flexible (to a Point) 156
Following Up 157
Resolving Problems 158
Working with Independent Authors 158
10 Sizing Up Legal and Ethical Issues 165
Defining Yourself as a Freelancer 166
Considering Contracts 168
Working without a Contract 171
Calming the Concerned Client 172
Pondering Ethical Issues 172
How Much Do You Bill? Honesty in Billing 177
11 Balancing Business and Family 179
Combining Parenthood with Work at Home: The Pros 179
Combining Parenthood with Work at Home: The Cons 180
Setting Boundaries 182
Exploring Day-Care Options 185
Getting Other Help 189
12 Developing and Expanding Your Business 190
Building Your Business 191
Improving What You Have to Offer 192
Branching into New Territory 197
Loving What You Do 199
Appendix A Resources for Editors 200
Appendix B Editorial Skills, Rates, and Paces 209
Appendix C An Editor's Library 211
Index 217
About the Author 224
