CHAPTER 9: PRACTICALITIES AND TOOLS FOR THE JOB
Task: create a list of what hardware, software and tools you’ll need to enable you to carry out the practical business of editorial freelancing.
Learning goal: to ensure you’re prepared to physically do the work.
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It’s critical that you investigate what kit you’ll need for your home office. As stated previously, set-up costs for editorial freelancing are lower than for many businesses, but you’ll still need desk space, a comfortable chair, a computer, a phone, an internet connection, various reference books (online or in print), appropriate stationery, relevant software for working on Word files and PDFs, and a website.
You’ll need to send invoices, so think about designing a template or using one of the many available online for free. You’ll also need a way of tracking any work you carry out, so consider developing a job/tracking accounts template in preparation for when paid work comes in.
There are also a number of tools that can help editorial freelancers work more efficiently and productively. It’s worth investigating these and getting used to how they operate before you take on paid work so that you’re not faced with any surprises. See the Resources section at the end of the book for useful links.
Planning ahead will mean you can also work out what you need immediately and what you can save up for if money is tight.
9.1 Some ideas to get you thinking …
A more extensive list of tools (including those listed below) is provided in the Resources section at the end of the guide. Most are free or reasonably priced to suit the budget of the new starter. Here, each of our practitioners lists two of their favourite tools to give you an idea of what’s available.
Anna chooses: (1) PerfectIt, the consistency checker developed by Intelligent Editing that enables users to maximize quality and enforce a style guide. (2) Two macros, FREdit and SpellAlyse, developed by Paul Beverley, and available in his book, Macros for Writers and Editors.
Janet chooses: (1) VMware Fusion to provide a PC platform on her Mac so that she can use PerfectIt. (2) Online subscriptions to Oxford Reference Pro, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, The Bluebook, and The Chicago Manual of Style, all of which enable her to work wherever she might find herself.
Kate chooses: (1) Pilot Frixion erasable pens, available in assorted colours. (2) A large second monitor that can be positioned for both landscape and portrait work, which allows her to compare files easily and scale up portrait images in full.
Liz chooses: (1) Carbonite, automatic online backup software, recommended by Janet (2) Adobe InDesign, a must-have for the highly illustrated books she project manages, which allows her to make last-minute changes to files that are about to go to print.
Louise chooses: (1) The PDF proofreading stamps she created, based on the BS 5261 proofreading symbols, in response to the increasing amount of PDF proofreading she was being asked to do by publishers. (2) Dropbox, cloud-based software that enables users to store, share and transfer files – a great backup tool.
Marcus chooses: (1) Online subscriptions to The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster, because he works a lot with American authors. (2) Oxford Dictionaries Pro – free to UK library members, this online resource offers instant access to a range of quality reference titles as well as advice for writers and editors.
Nick chooses: (1) PDF-XChange Viewer, Tracker Software’s excellent (and far cheaper) alternative to Acrobat. (2) Office Suite Pro app for Android devices, which allows him to open Word documents on his phone or tablet, calculate word counts, and provide on-the-go quotes for clients.
KEY POINTS
~ Invest your business-planning time in the exploration of, and familiarization with, tools that will improve your productivity and professionalism. You will reap the benefits when you begin working.
~ Investigate the myriad free resources available online to make the most of your start-up budget – there are a huge number of freebies available!
~ Don’t buy expensive tools unless you’re sure you’ll need them. Most editorial freelancers will need Microsoft Word, but fewer consider Adobe InDesign essential. In the case of the latter, training is advisable, and publisher clients certainly are only likely to let experienced editors loose on their InDesign files!