3 ways for editors to get more work: Part 3

Susan Pierotti, Creative Text Solutions Editors have traditionally known where their work was coming from. Some worked in government, others in businesses and publishing houses. But with the GFC and the rapid tsunami of the digital age, the work environment has changed, probably forever. Silos and wheels Work across the western world used to be done in ‘silos’. Think of a publishing house: the substantive editor was a project manager: choosing the authors, overseeing the book style and content and designing the series. The copy editor worked on the text and the proofreader made the final corrections. Oh, happy days! Everyone knew their role and who was who in the chain of command. All the talent that was needed was in-house. [caption id="attachment_223" align="alignright" width="99"] Silos...[/caption]   Not only in publishing but in many other industries, the silos have largely gone, the walls are broken down and the workers are wandering around like lost ants trying to find a safe hive. However, this is our opportunity! The world of work is now evolving into something much more cohesive. Instead of competitive practices, a collaborative approach is now the way to go. Think of the spokes of a wheel: instead of finding all the jobs inside the one company, businesses are now beginning to find partners to supply some of their needs. And what business doesn’t need someone with word skills? Business networks If you are a freelance editor, you are a small business. Where are you going to find clients that need you who aren’t your traditional sources of employment? Be imaginative: who needs help with words and can’t afford an in-house editor? – tradesmen. Who has clients who need wordsmithing? – photographers, web and graphic designers. So where do you meet them? There are several business networks around, including chambers of commerce and your local council group. Be prepared! [caption id="attachment_224" align="alignleft" width="150"] ...Wheel[/caption] At the one I attend, you must stand up each week and present a 60 second statement about one aspect of your work with a targeted client in mind; for instance, ‘I  have helped Ali with his student thesis this week (explain how) and I am looking for more foreign students to work with’. This short speech each week gives me incredible focus on the benefits I can offer and how to explain clearly to others outside our industry what I do. Think also of  your ‘products’ – newsletters, brochures, articles, web content – as this is what others will relate to. Another way to reach out for more work is to give a presentation of what, why and how you do it. This requires a great deal of planning but is worthwhile. We now have opportunity to reconfigure how we get more work. The good news is that nearly everybody else is in the same position. If we are the pioneers in new  employment methods, we get to call the shots, and the chance of a bigger piece of the pie (to mix a few metaphors). And, to use a famous split infinitive… to boldly  go where no editor has gone before. Enjoy the adventure and go for it! If you want further information on this topic, please feel free to contact me at info@creativetext.com.au