Business Tools

"5 Lessons Learned About My Finances as a Freelancer," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"9 Ways to Vet an Independent Book Editor," from the blog BookBaby
"50 Fresh Self Promotion Tips," from the blog Red Lemon Club
"50 Simple Marketing Ideas All Freelancers Can Use," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"101 Essential Freelancing Resources," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"113 Things You Can Do to Grow Your Freelance Writing Income—Now," from the blog Make a Living Writing (tips are good for freelance editors too)
2012 Editorial Salary Survey, conducted by FolioMag.com
2011 Editorial Salary Survey, conducted by FolioMag.com
2012 Freelance Industry Report, produced by the International Freelancers Academy [PDF to download]
2011 Freelance Industry Report, produced by the International Freelancers Academy [PDF to download]
"Academic Copyediting Rates: or, What to Expect When Hiring a Copyeditor"
"Advice for New Freelancers: Hang a Card, Talk to Kathy" and "Sure, Quality Is Key, but Don't Forget Quantity," from Editor Mark's Blog
AgentQuery, a searchable database of literary agents
"Antidotes to Dry Spell Anxiety," from the blog of the Freelancers Union
Archived articles on business topics for freelancers, from the Freelance Editorial Association, which merged with the Editorial Freelancers Association in 2000
"Are You Paying Attention to the Wrong Fears?" from the blog of Nick Usborne
The Art of Self Promotion [reference work to buy]
"Assessing the Productivity and Value of a Hospital-Based Medical Editing Service," research article published in the AMWA Journal [PDF to download]
Association of Authors' Representatives, a searchable database of literary agents
Author Law A to Z: A Desktop Guide to Writers' Rights and Responsibilities [reference work to buy]
"AuthorAID—Bridging the Publishing Divide (Interview with Ravi Murugesan)," from the blog The Proofreader's Parlor
"Balancing Family and Freelance Journalism," from the blog The Independent Journalist
Basecamp (project-management software) [software to buy]
"Be Accountable: How to Deliver an Authentic Apology to Your Clients," from the blog 99U
"Be Kind, Get Results," from the blog of the Freelancers Union
Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even If You Hate Marketing and Selling [reference work to buy]
"Boost Your Freelance Brand 100 Percent with Your Expert Status," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
Box [Web-based file-hosting service]
"Building Good Relationships with ESL Authors," published in Science Editor (the journal of the Council of Science Editors), volume 34, issue 2, 2011, pages 57–58 [PDF to download]
"The Business of Editing: Best Price 'Bids,' " from the blog An American Editor
"The Business of Editing: Burning Bridges," from the blog An American Editor
"The Business of Editing: Editing Tests," from the blog An American Editor
"The Business of Editing: Expectations," from the blog An American Editor
"The Business of Editing: The Ethics of Billing," from the blog An American Editor
"The Business of Editing: Thinking About Invoices," from the blog An American Editor
Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers: A Guide for New Starters [reference work to buy]
"But Who Are You? . . . One Proofreader's Guide to Personalized Professional Online Communication," from the blog The Proofreader's Parlour
"Client Management and Self-Marketing for Freelancers" [audio CD to buy]
Code of Fair Practice, defining ethical standards and providing contract guidelines for editorial freelancing
Common rates for editorial services, as reported by members of the Bay Area Editors' Forum [PDF to download]
Common rates for editorial services, as reported by members of the Editorial Freelancers Association
Common rates for editorial services, as reported by members of the National Union of Journalists (United Kingdom)
Common rates for editors, as reported by members of the Northwest Independent Editors Guild
Common rates for editors and proofreaders, as reported by members of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (United Kingdom)
Common rates for freelancers of various kinds, as reported in Freelance Forecast 2011, a survey produced by Boomvang Creative Group [PDF to download]
Common rates for freelancers of various kinds, as reported in Freelance Forecast 2010, a survey produced by Boomvang Creative Group [PDF to download]
Common rates for freelancers of various kinds, as reported in Freelance Forecast 2009, a survey produced by Boomvang Creative Group [PDF to download]
Common rates (annual income) for medical writers and editors, as reported by members of the American Medical Writers Association in 2007
Common rates for technical, business, trade, medical, science, and corporate editors, as reported by Suite101.com
Common rates for writers, editors, and proofreaders, as reported by members of the National Writers Union [PDF to download]
"Constant, Steady, Occasional: Diversification and Your Bottom Line," from the blog Freelance Feast
Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Contract between editor and book publisher
Contract between editor and client
Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business [reference work to buy]
The Creative Professional's Guide to Money: How to Think About It, How to Talk About it, How to Manage It [reference work to buy]
Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs [reference work to buy]
Date calculators and timers from timeanddate.com
"Decrease Your Bottom Line: A Roadmap for Freelance Fitness," from the blog Freelance Feast
Docracy (offers free legal documents for both the business and the personal arenas)
Dropbox [Web-based file-hosting service]
"The Editor's Interest: Copyright or Not," from the blog An American Editor
"Editorial Freelancing—Putting Your Eggs in More Than One Basket," from the blog The Proofreader's Parlour
EFA Suggested Guidelines for Editorial Testing, from the Editorial Freelancers Association [PDF to download]
Employer ID Numbers (EINs), from the IRS
"Entrepreneurial Small Ball," from the blog Freelance Feast
Ergocise (software for the PC to remind computer users to take breaks to do ergonomic exercises) [freeware to download]
Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur [reference work to buy]
Folder Marker (software for the PC for color-coding file folders for better organization) [freeware to download]
The Freelance Business Funnel [reference work to buy]
Freelance editing contract (in English and in French) from the Editors' Association of Canada
"Freelancer Getting Started Guide to Finances," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
The Freelancer's Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Career of Your Dreams—On Your Terms [reference work to buy]
"The Freelancer's Guide to Networking in Person," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"Freelancing: A Complete Guide to Setting and Negotiating Rates," from the blog Leaving Work Behind
"Freelancing: Even When You Don't Feel Like It," from the blog Fit Freelancer
Freelancing 101: Launching Your Editorial Business [reference work to buy]
Get a Freelance Life [reference work to buy]
"Get Paid What You're Worth: 37 Negotiation Tactics for Every Freelance Writer," from the blog Copyblogger (tips are good for both writers and editors)
Getting Started as a Freelance Copyeditor [reference work to buy]
"Getting Started as a Freelancer," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
Gliffy (software for the Macintosh and the PC for creating Venn diagrams, flowcharts, and other diagrams) [software to buy; a free version is available]
"The Great Freelancer Pricing War," from the blog Freelance Folder
"Guidelines for Ethical Editing of Theses/Dissertations," from the Editors' Association of Canada [PDF to download]
"Handling the Slow-Pay Client," from the blog Words/Myth/Ampers & Virgule
Hourly rate calculator, from the blog FreelanceSwitch (for freelancers to use to determine what hourly rate to charge, taking into account their costs, number of billable hours, and desired profit)
"How Do You Know When It’s Worth Investing?" from the blog LibroEditing
"How I Connected With My Dream Editor on LinkedIn—With This One Tweak," from the blog Make a Living Writing
"How Much Do Book Editors Earn?" from the blog GalleyCat (discusses employees' salaries, not freelancers' income)
"How Much Should I Charge?" (from WritersMarket.com) [PDF to download]
"How Much Time Should I Devote to Freelancing?" from the blog Freelance Folder
How the IRS differentiates between freelancers (also known as independent contractors) and employees: document 1, document 2, and document 3
"How to Ask for Advice," from the blog EditorMom
"How to Avoid the Feast-or-Famine Cycle," from the blog Freelance Folder
How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer [reference work to buy]
"How to Brief an Editor," from the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd)
"How to Budget for an Irregular Income," from the blog Get Rich Slowly
"How to Charge: By the Project, by the Hour, or by the Word or Page?" from the blog EditorMom
How to create a job search dashboard, from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"How to Deal with Crushing Feedback on Your Creative Work," from the blog 99U
"How to Deal with Too Much Work," from the blog Freelance Folder
"How to Find Your Freelancing Confidence Today," from the blog Freelance Folder
"How to Get (and Keep!) More Clients by Being More Likeable," from the International Freelancers Academy
"How to Handle Rejection and Criticism as a Freelancer," from the International Freelancers Academy
"How to Launch Your Freelance Site, a Step-by-Step Guide," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"How to Subscribe to an RSS Feed," from TFI Daily News
"How to Survive a Freelancing Famine—10 Top Tips to Get You Through," from the blog of Job Stock
"How Twitter Saved My Blog," from the blog Marian Schembari
iKobo [online service for receiving payments from clients]
"I'm On Twitter: Now What Do I Use It For?" from the AMWA Journal (volume 25, issue 2, pages 82–83, 2010), the journal of the American Medical Writers Association [PDF to download]
"The Importance of Good Editor–Author Relationships," from the blog The Proofreader's Parlour
Inkwell Editorial: e-books on freelancing [reference works to buy]
Klok (time-tracking software for the PC, Macintosh, and Linux) [software to buy; a free version is available]
Knowing Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You're Worth [reference work to buy]
KOK Edit: freelancer–client agreement letter
KOK Edit: freelancer project estimate for a client
Letter of agreement documenting a contract between an editorial freelancer and a client
MacBreakZ (software for the Macintosh to remind computer users to take breaks to do ergonomic exercises) [software to buy]
"Market Yourself," from the blog Words/Myth/Ampers & Virgule
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed: The Only Personal Finance System for People with Not-So-Regular Jobs [reference work to buy]
"Money-Saving Tips for Editorial Freelancers," from the blog The Proofreader's Parlour
Moneybookers [online service for receiving payments from clients]
My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire [reference work to buy]
"Networking 101 With John Hadley," podcast supplement to the September 2012 issue of the AMWA Journal
Newcomers: A Selection of Articles for Those New to Indexing [reference work to buy]
Nolo Network (provides answers to everyday legal and business questions; offers online forms, software, books, and eGuides)
The No-Nonsense Woman's Guide to Setting Up a Business [reference work to buy]
OfficeTime (time-tracking software for the PC, Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad) [software to buy; a free version is available]
"The One Question Your Prospects Really Want You to Answer," from the blog Freelance Folder
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 1," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 2: Clean Capture," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 3: A Venue," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 4: Enhanced Graphics with ThingLink," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 5: Your Portfolio on LinkedIn," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
"Online Portfolios for Editors, Part 6: Unify Your Online Presence," from the blog of Copyediting newsletter
Paymate [online service for receiving payments from clients]
PayPal [online service for receiving payments from clients]
"A Primer on Medical Copyediting," from the blog Angilee Shah's Career GPS, part of ReportingOnHealth.org), a project of the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships of the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
The Principles of Successful Freelancing [reference work to buy]
"Productivity Tips for Freelancers with Toddlers Underfoot," from the blog Freelance Folder
"Profile: Life Remotely—Redefining Travel While Living and Working Anywhere," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
Project proposal, modifiable for any editorial specialty, created by book designer Stephen Tiano [PDF to download]
Project proposal, modifiable for any editorial specialty, created by medical writer Amy M. Avery [PDF to download]
Project-tracking template, created by proofreader Louise Harnby [blog post, plus Excel file to download]
"The Publisher's Search for Savings," from the blog An American Editor
"Q&A: Make a Quick QR Code" (instructions for creating a QR code—a digital tag—for viewers to scan and use to get to a web site), from the New York Times
Quick Guide for Freelance Fee Setting: When a Client Demands a Price NOW [reference work to buy]
Résumés for Freelancers [reference work to buy]
Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day (for use in making your business web site reach the clients you want) [reference work to buy]
ShareFile [Web-based file-hosting service]
"Should Female Freelancers Charge More?" from the blog The Freelancery
"Should You Take a Company's Test to Land a Gig?" from the blog FreelanceSwitch
Small Business/Self-Employed Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop, from the IRS (introduction plus 9 lessons) [video tutorials to watch]
Social Media Resources
"Some Questions to Ask About Potential Work," compiled by freelance editor Anne Ketchen [PDF to download]
The Start-Up of You [reference work to buy]
Stop Pushing Me Around! A Workplace Guide for the Timid, Shy, and Less Assertive [reference work to buy]
TagMyDoc (allows the user to apply a QR code—a digital tag—to a document that can be scanned so that the document can be retrieved as a virtual copy) [online service]
"Ten Steps to Promoting Yourself and Your Work: Self-Promotion for Introverts," from Psychology Today
TheDailyGrind (time-tracking widget for the Macintosh) [freeware to download]
Time Out (software for the Macintosh to remind computer users to take breaks) [freeware to download]
Time Tracker II (time-tracking software for the PC) [software to buy]
Titivillus: Developing a business plan
Toggl (time-tracking desktop, iOS, and Android application) [cloud-based application to subscribe to]
"Top Ten Tips for Working with Clients," from the blog of LibroEditing
"Top 25 Lessons Learned in 25 Years of Freelancing," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
"Trading the Hourly Rate for Task-Based Pay: Should You Do It?" from the blog FreelanceSwitch
Transcripts of monthly "Freelance Fridays" Twitter chats hosted by the Editorial Freelancers Association (lots of good business advice) [PDFs to download]
Tree Diagram Generator (freeware for the PC for creating tree diagrams) [freeware; a licensed version is available for purchase]
Trello (project-management software) [freeware]
The Truth About Search Engine Optimization (for use in making your business web site reach the clients you want) [reference work to buy]
The Unlimited Freelancer [reference work to buy]
Universal Currency Converter
Value-Based Fees: How to Charge—and Get—What You're Worth (A Guide for Serious Consultants) [reference work to buy]
The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle [reference work to buy]
WeTransfer [Web-based file-hosting service]
"What a Copyeditor Earns," Tip of the Week from Copyediting newsletter
"What Do Editors Charge?" from the Editors' Association of Canada
"What Does It Say On Your Tin?" from the blog The Proofreader's Parlour
What Price Quality? Overseas Outsourcing of Editorial Services (from the Society for Editors and Proofreaders)
What to Charge: Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants, 2nd edition [reference work to buy]
"Why Freelancing Is Like Wipeout," from the blog Dr. Freelance
"Why Low Self-Worth Drives Lower Wages for Women Freelancers—and What You Can Do About It," from the International Freelancers Academy
"Why Your Social Media Accounts Aren't Getting You Writing Work," from the blog Writing Thoughts
"Will Your Freelancing Business Rest in Peace?" from the blog Freelance Folder
Women Don't Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation—and Positive Strategies for Change [reference work to buy]
"You Need These Must-Have Clauses in Your Freelance Contracts," article from Entrepreneur
"Your Business Task Lists," from Right Touch Editing
"Your Freelance Introduction Without the 'Yuck!' Factor," from the blog FreelanceSwitch
YouSendIt [Web-based file-hosting service]
Zamzar [Web-based file-conversion service for documents, images, and videos]

Basics | Education | Business Tools | Editing Tools | Networking | Finding Work | Reading