Yay, someone recommended you for an editing assignment! This word of mouth is the most common way that editors get work, whether freelance or as a new employee. Well, that’s true of any professional, really. It’s what networking and making a name for yourself is all about. What have you learned … [Read more...]
More than a Handshake: In-Person Networking Etiquette
Conferences of all kinds provide opportunities for meeting new colleagues and potential clients. But many copyeditors aren’t used to networking in person. We often enjoy connecting with our online friends and feel comfortable doing so, but we might struggle when it comes to meeting people who are … [Read more...]
Networking for Introverts: 9 Tips to Use at Your Next Event
ACES 2017 is this week, and it’s time for me to hop on a flight, pick up my name tag, and bravely enter the World of Networking yet again. As a freelance editor, networking is a necessary evil. For me, ACES is the fun kind of networking (it's a word-nerd shindig!), but it's still a great place to … [Read more...]
Honing Your Elevator Speech
An elevator speech is a roughly 30-second introduction of who you are and what you do (the length of a brief elevator ride). Explaining what you do succinctly is sometimes a real challenge, even for those of us who work with words. Live networking is still important for professionals, editors … [Read more...]
How to Hand Out Business Cards
Actually palming that business card to someone can be nerve wracking. How do you look smooth? How do you make it not pushy? How do you remember to hand them out? You put a lot of thought into that business card, and exchanging cards remains an important cultural practice. Many people consider … [Read more...]
Editor Confession: I Have No Time for Rude ‘Experts’
I’m looking at you, LinkedIn groups.* LinkedIn is, undoubtedly, a valuable site for professionals of all kinds, including editors. It can be used as a dynamic online résumé, a virtual watercooler, a job-searching site, a news ticker, a think tank, a support group, a publishing platform, and … [Read more...]
Paperless on the Go: Mobile Scanning and Business Cards
Purchasing a cartful of food and treats to keep our 75-lb. dog nourished in body and spirit for a few weeks, I swiped my card and enthusiastically punched the option for an email receipt. I was happy to forgo a 4-ft. paper receipt to fold and fold and fold and shove into a pocket, forgotten until … [Read more...]
Editor Confession: I Have a Bad Case of Conference FOMO
I have a bad case of conference FOMO right now. This “fear of missing out” is an anxiety generally associated with teens peeking through the social media window into the exciting lives of friends, acquaintances, celebrities, the world. As an introvert who is shaking hands with middle age, I’m … [Read more...]