CHAPTER 11: THE LAST WORD …

This guide reflects the style of business planning I developed when I began my journey into freelance proofreading in 2005. Your plan may look very different, but the important thing is to have one. Taking the time to think strategically about your experience, strengths, target market and learning opportunities will clarify your purpose, prevent time wastage, and focus your mind on what needs to be done, how you are going to do it, the objectives behind your choices, and the outcomes you aim to achieve.

Setting up a freelance editorial business is not so different from setting up any other business – it's hard work. It will take time and you will need to be enthusiastic, persistent and focused. Anyone who tells you there's plenty of work out there that you'll be able to exploit at the first available opportunity is either misleading you or has been misinformed. There is plenty of work but a large chunk of it is being done by established editorial freelancers who already have their businesses up and running, and who have excellent reputations, lots of references and a wealth of experience. They are the people you'll be competing with. Careful business planning in the early stages is therefore an essential step to success.

I wish you all the best with your editorial business-building journey.

Louise Harnby, April 2013