In this series, editors share their experiences, insights, and tips on the practical aspects of working as an editor. In some of our previous “Editors Advise” instalments, our contributors have shared their thoughts on various topics, including editorial niches and social media and marketing. For this edition, three editors share their favourite professional development resources and webinars.
Which webinar or professional development training that you have recently attended would you recommend to fellow editors?
Alex Benarzi, freelance structural, stylistic, and copy editor, and content writer based in Calgary
Lately, I have been looking for webinars or professional development opportunities focused on the business side of (freelance) editing, as I grow my editing and content writing practice. I recently attended or purchased the recording of two webinars from Editors Canada that I found helpful. The first was “10 Strategies for Growing Your Editing Business” by Erin Brenner. Erin delivers what the title promises. In an engaging webinar containing plenty of practical examples, Erin covers strategies for finding clients, setting prices, and marketing yourself.
The second webinar was “Grow Your Business with LinkedIn” by Heidi Turner. Heidi is an engaging speaker and, using examples from her own success story, she shares strategies for considering search engine optimization (SEO) when setting up your profile, searching for people and communities to expand your network, and engaging with others as a means of growing your network. Like any social media, LinkedIn is vast, and finding work through it can be challenging. Heidi’s insights help cut through the noise and encourage targeted methods for building a network and connecting with clients. Taken together, both webinars provide actionable items that I found inspirational and hopeful as I seek to make freelancing my sole source of income.
Mahima Bhagwat, structural and stylistic narrative editor
As someone new to editing on a freelance basis, I’m frequently looking for ways to build credibility for my editing skills and for ways to build and support my business. If you are an editor of any kind based in Canada, I highly encourage attending the annual Editors Canada conference in person, even if it’s just once or twice in your career. This year, my first conference as an Editors Canada member just happened to be in Vancouver, which is, conveniently, where I live. I found it to be a fun and meaningful way of learning from other editors, as well as getting my professional self, and thus, my business “out there.” The wide variety of conference sessions and presenters allowed me to chart my own learning course, and the many, many, many conversations I had with other editors, either over lunch, at receptions, or in between sessions, were incredibly informative as well. I learned how other freelance editors choose to price their services and how to market myself and my content in an extremely specific way, without using social media!
I also intended to take one of the Editors Canada Professional Certification Exams this year for myself and my business, but was unsure if it would be doable. Luckily, “How to Prepare for the 2024 Copy and Stylistic Editing Certification Exams” was a webinar presented just in time for me to finalize my decision, and it was literally the answer to all my questions. Robyn So and Roma Ilnyckyj offered really helpful advice on study tips, exactly what resources to use to practise and prepare, and also how to approach the actual exam day. They also answered plenty of questions from attendees. So if you are considering taking one of the exams in November, this webinar will likely help you decide if it is the right choice for you. 10/10 would recommend.
James Harbeck, freelance book editor
The “professional development” that I like the best is conferences, and also any other social gathering of editors. It’s a chance to meet friends and make friends, and there is truly nothing better for professional development than friends who are editors. The sessions in conferences can also be informative, but the interpersonal aspect is the most valuable. Friends have connected me to most of the work I’ve gotten throughout my career. And if a given friend never connects you to work, or vice versa, so what? You still have a friend who is interested in similar things. Don’t network; make friends.
This article was copy edited by Maia Kowalski (she/her), a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto.
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