The Modern Editor Podcast

Welcome to our fourth and final episode in our wellness for editors series! In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, we’re talking all about social and intellectual wellness. There’s a lot to mull over in this episode, including the difficulty of making friends as an adult, cultivating critical thinking skills, and why you shouldn’t outsource your brain. As always, this episode could bring up some emotions. Please take what works for you and leave the rest. Give these concepts time to sink in so you can apply them to your life in phases rather than all at once. Important Sections: (2:08) The Social Downside of Working Solo (8:50) The Challenge of Making New Friends as an Adult (11:33) What Is Intellectual Wellness? (14:56) Don’t Outsource Your Brain (19:11) Our Brains Are Our Superpower (20:14) Your Wellness Is the Core of Your Business Work with Me: Grab the Editing Contract Template Join the Freelance Editors Club

Welcome back to our series on self-care! Our last few episodes covered physical/environmental wellness and financial health. In this episode, we’re diving into mental and emotional well-being tips for freelance editors. Specifically, I’m talking about how our thoughts and emotions show up in our businesses and how I process my emotions. I’m also going to share some self-care ideas that can benefit your mental and emotional health.It goes without saying that this can be a loaded topic, so please remember that I’m not a medical or mental health professional in any way. I’m simply sharing what I’ve learned from fourteen years of running my own editing business so that you can take the insights you like and make them work for you.Resources Mentioned:Jessica StongSet Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover TawwabRest is Resistance by Tricia HerseyYour Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media by Amelia HrubyHood Wellness by Tamela J. GordonThe Cure for Burnout by Emily BallesterosQuiet by Susan CainNational Institute of Mental HealthCalm app: How to regulate your nervous system and restore calm: 12 proven techniquesEpisode 3: Why Mindset is More than Just a BuzzwordEpisode 7: Why You Need Boundaries in Your BusinessEpisode 26: How to Avoid (or Recover from) BurnoutEpisode 47: Editor Self-Care: How to Use Affirmations in Your BusinessWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

If you want to confront your relationship with money, start a business. Have you heard this saying before? I couldn’t agree with it more. Nothing makes you get up close and personal with your finances than running your own business. In this episode of The Modern Editor, we’re continuing our series on self-care, but this time we’re talking all things money. I think it’s safe to assume that most of us didn’t learn about money the way we should’ve and likely have complicated relationships with our finances. We’re diving into how our upbringing affects our relationship with money, how to improve our money mindset, and I’m giving you practical tips on how to run your freelance business as financially effective as possible. Important Sections:(2:45) The Systemic and Political Issues Involved in Owning a Business(4:23) How to Improve Your Money Mindset(8:09) Money Tips For Freelancers (16:15) Take Your Business Finances Seriously(18:00) How Often Should You Change Your Rates?(19:52) It’s Okay to Seek Financial Aid(20:48) Buy Back Your Time(21:52) Three Money MantrasResources Mentioned:Keeping Finances Personal by Ellyce FulmoreMoving Beyond Broke by Dasha KennedyGet Good With Money by Tiffany AlicheI Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit SethiWe Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel RodgersEditorial Freelancers AssociationYNABQuickbooksIRS websiteWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Welcome to a brand-new series on The Modern Editor Podcast all about health, wellness, and self-care. (I kind of hate those words, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important 😂) As freelancers, it’s easy to let our health fall by the wayside, especially in busy seasons.In this episode, we’re exploring physical and environmental health and how we can take care of ourselves in a holistic way. Content warning: We’ll be talking about food and exercise. Important Sections:(0:56) Why You Need to Take Care of Yourself as a Freelancer(3:51) The Importance of Sleep(9:56) Drink Your Water(10:56) Eat to Feel Good(16:00) Move Your Body(18:00) Fix Your Posture(20:31) Take Care of Your Eyesight(22:22) Take Deep Breaths(23:22) Creating a Healthy Work Environment(27:00) How to Incorporate Positive Health Changes With Tiny Habits®Resources Mentioned:Tiny Habits by BJ FoggWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Instead of a typical goal-setting exercise to kick off the new year, I’m walking you through some writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.  Think of it more as a new year vibe check to help you ease into the year.If you want to set some goals for 2026, I encourage you to join us inside the Freelance Editors Club, where we’re running those exercises!Important Sections:(0:14) Why Writing Prompts?(2:45) Prompt One(3:17) Prompt Two(3:42) Prompt Three(3:58) Prompt Four(4:23) Prompt Five(5:29) Prompt Six(5:55) Prompt Seven(6:18) 2026 is Not a RaceWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

I can’t believe I’m typing this, but we’ve made it to the final episode of The Modern Editor of 2025. Naturally, I decided to use this episode to reflect on what I’ve learned this year, both personally and in my business.I could easily talk about all the things that went wrong and the goals I didn’t hit this year, but I want to focus on the good instead. Two things can be true at once: The world can feel like it’s on fire, and I can be excited about my business. I can feel proud of what I’ve built and also wish it were growing faster.I think it’s important to hold space for the good and the bad, but celebrating the good doesn’t mean you're ignoring the bad. So without further ado, let’s celebrate the best of 2025.Important Sections:(4:07) Lesson One: The Importance of Systems(7:00) Lesson Two: It’s Okay for Priorities to Shift(9:53) Lesson Three: My Business Comes After My Family and Loved Ones—Always(11:25) Lesson Four: Things Are Going to Take Longer than You Expect or Want(13:48) Lesson Five: Find Something Outside of Your Business That Lights You Up(16:05) Lesson Six: Action is Always Going to WinWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Do you have clear professional boundaries for your business? In this episode, we discuss what boundaries you should have as an editor, why they’re important, and how you can enforce them using contracts.Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, but I am related to one, and we created an editing contract template that you can use with your editing clients. Find it here.This episode originally aired on 9/25/24 as episode 37.Important Sections:(1:48) Do Boundaries Destroy Creativity?(3:28) The Basic Definition of a Contract(4:58) Adding Boundaries to Your Contracts Through Scope of Work(6:52) Setting Boundaries With Payment Arrangements(8:36) Creating Boundaries Around Deadlines(10:42) Boundaries Around Communication(13:15) Setting Boundaries Around Generative AI(15:31) Defining Boundaries Around Acknowledgments(18:31) How to Handle Contract Termination(19:52) Introducing My Editing Contract TemplateResources MentionedEpisode 7: Why You Need Boundaries in Your BusinessEditorial Freelancers AssociationEditors CanadaThe Paper It’s Written On bookMy new Editing Contract TemplateWork with Me:Book a free 15-minute callJoin the Freelance Editors ClubBook a 1:1 coaching session

As today’s fast-paced world races toward AI and hyperproductivity, I find myself wanting to slow down and take a different route. However, every once in a while, I start to second-guess myself. Am I making things harder by not maximizing every minute of my life? Should I be doing things faster?This is a topic that’s been on my mind for a while, so I wanted to open up an honest discussion about it in this episode of The Modern Editor. Specifically, let’s talk about when friction can be good for our lives and editing businesses.Important Sections:(1:42) Does Convenience Drain Meaning Out of Life?(4:30) How Friction Adds Humanity to Our Editing Businesses(6:27) Experience Can’t Be Rushed(7:22) You Don’t Need to Take Friction Out of Your Business(8:10) When Friction is Unhelpful(10:10) There Are No Shortcuts to Experience(12:20) Find Your Community in the Freelance Editors ClubResourced MentionedFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanTiny Habits™ MethodWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Are you utilizing email marketing for your editing business? Unlike social media, your newsletter subscriber list is something you own that no one can take away from you. In this episode of The Modern Editor, we’re getting back to the basics of what a newsletter is, what it entails, and whether or not you need one for your business. Listen in as we explore a powerful communication tool that can help free you from the social media circus.Important Sections:(1:10) What is an Email Newsletter?(3:35) Do You Need a Newsletter?(5:36) Newsletter Ideas For Freelance Editors(7:00) The Importance of Consistency(8:12) How to Pitch Your Services in Your Newsletter(11:57) Keep Your Newsletter Simple in the Beginning(13:36) Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Newsletter(17:53) You’re In Control of How You Market Your BusinessResources Mentioned:Kit email platformSilver Scribe Editorial ServicesWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Is social media the right marketing engine for your business? In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, we’re wrapping up our series on social media, so make sure you catch up on the first two episodes where we dive into the pros and cons of social media and how to market your business without it.I’m sharing my favorite lessons and giving you a behind-the-scenes look into what’s happened with my business since I’ve been off social media for the past month.Important Sections:(1:16) My Social Media Break Timeline(4:24) My Social Media and Marketing Stats Over the Last Month(7:26) How I Feel After Being Off Social Media For a Month (14:38) The Importance of Diversifying Your Marketing StrategyWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Are you considering adjusting your use of social media? My guest on this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, Amelia Hruby, logged off social media for good in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. Now she teaches other business owners how they can still succeed without social media.Listen in as she shares her journey from Instagram content creator to podcaster and self-published author. Amelia shares her aha moment when she realized that her relationship with social media wasn’t healthy anymore, and how she avoids FOMO when it comes to keeping up with her friends.Disclaimer: We’re not saying you need to get off social media. Instead, we’re encouraging you to take a look at your relationship with social media and make a conscious choice about how you want to use it.Important Section:(2:55) From Becoming an Instagram Author to Leaving Social Media for Good(7:41) Amelia’s Aha Moment(12:19) Can You Build a Business Without Social Media?(18:16) How to Connect with People off Social Media Apps(30:40) Finding Social Media Alternatives(37:34) How Leaving Social Media Inspired Amelia’s Latest Book(54:58) Social Media Advice for Editors and AuthorsResources Mentioned:Hotshot by River SelbyJacqueline Fisch’s Substack article Connect With the GuestOff the Grid podcastAmelia’s Book: Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social MediaWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

If you’re anything like me, your relationship with social media is a bit on the rocks right now. So let’s talk about it: the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media. Listen in as I share about my hot-and-cold relationship with social media, my plan for moving forward, and some reflection questions to help you navigate your own relationship with social media.Important Sections:(2:50) My Hot-and-Cold Relationship With Social Media(5:39) Why I Decided to Take a Social Media Break(15:38) You Get to Decide Your Own Social Media Boundaries (16:13) Social Media Reflection Questions(21:10) What if Your Business Relies on Social Media Marketing?(23:37) Join My Social Media Challenge(27:21) Join the Freelance Editors Club in Going Off the GridResources Mentioned:Opal appYour Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media by Amelia Hruby Off the Grid podcastOff the Grid ToolkitOff the Grid episode with Cody Cook-ParrottWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

We’ve all been there: You start working with a new client and it immediately feels like a bad fit. You might have missed or ignored some red flags that predicted this situation. Don’t beat yourself up; you’re not alone and can learn from these experiences.In this episode, we’re discussing the top client red flags that have me running for the hills. We’ll also go over some common beige flags and tips for avoiding these situations as much as possible.Important Sections:(1:09) Top 11 Red Flags to Avoid(18:06) New Client Beige Flags(21:09) How to Prevent Red Flags(26:58) Don’t Be Afraid to Say NoResources MentionedEditorial Freelancers Association directoryACES directoryWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Does your business need a reset? In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m sharing six quick-and-dirty ways to freshen up your business for the back-to-school season. But don’t worry, this episode can still apply to you even if back to school doesn’t impact your schedule, or if you’re listening to it at a different time of year.These six easy tips will make you feel reinvigorated, more organized, and get you starting off a new season on the right foot.Important Sections:(1:38) Tip One: Clear Your Workspace(3:11) Tip Two: Organize Your Computer Desktop(4:39) Tip Three: Clear Out Your Bookmarks and Extensions(5:26) Tip Four: Unsubscribe From Email Lists(7:32) Tip Five: Review Your Subscriptions and Memberships (8:45) Tip Six: Clean Out Your Social Media Following(10:07) There’s No Perfect Time For a Business Reset(10:55) Free Course: Keep Your Digital Life OrganizedResources Mentioned:You Need a Budget appWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

In 2021, I took a major leap of faith and launched the Freelance Editors Club, an online community where editors can learn and grow their businesses. I’m amazed at how far our community has come since then, so in this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, we’re looking back at the history of FEC.Listen in as we talk through how it all started, where the membership is at today, and the exciting things in store for the future. Important Sections:(1:27) How the Freelance Editors Club Came to Be(9:00) From Then to Now: What the Freelance Editors Club Offers Today(12:27) What’s Next For FEC?(16:16) FEC Member Wins(22:00) Try FEC For Free For 14 DaysMembers Mentioned:Neva Talladen: Otherwordy EditorialAudrey Hodge: Hodgepodge SolutionsPhilippa Hammond: Philippa Hammond EditorialDeborah Taylor: The Blue PencilRosalinda Alcalá: Word BouquetWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Ever wish you could hit pause on the day and just breathe for a minute? This special episode of The Modern Editor Podcast is your invitation to do exactly that—with a whispered twist.I’m exploring ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) for the very first time, combining soothing sounds with editing insights for a brief but blissful moment of calm. And yes, I’m whispering this entire episode thanks to a timely cold that made my voice unexpectedly ASMR-ready.I’m personally a big fan of ASMR and have always wanted to try my hand at it, so I thought it would be fun to do an entire ASMR episode. I am by no means an ASMR artist, but I love watching and listening to ASMR to help me relax.Important Sections:(1:15) What is ASMR?(3:43) ASMR TriggersASMR Artists I Recommend:Moonlight Cottage ASMRShili ASMRGibi ASMRASMR Münür ÖnkanThe ASMR DarlingAngelo Shoe ShineWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Ready to get into the nitty-gritty of copyediting? In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m following up on my most popular episode to date: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting Process.I’m sharing ten tips and practices for copyediting manuscripts, like how to spell “blonde” and whether or not you should capitalize the word “god.” I hope you can apply these tips to your copyediting process, and stay tuned for future episodes in this series for more! Edit With Me WorkshopIf you want to learn more about my process and pick up some editing tips, I have an Edit With Me workshop inside the Freelance Editors Club. You can essentially sit over my shoulder and watch me edit! Join with a 14-day free trial to access the workshop. Important Sections:(2:33) Create Your Own Copyediting Process(4:11) Tip One: Blonde or Blond?(7:23) Tip Two: Okay or OK?(8:07) Tip Three: Is God Capitalized? (9:13) Tip Four: Damnit, Dammit, or Damn it?(10:31) Tip Five: Mouthed Words(11:14) Tip Six: Gestures and Facial Expressions(12:55) Tip Seven: Searched Terms(13:36) Tip Eight: Google as a Noun and Verb(14:05) Tip Nine: Off Of (14:54) Tip Ten: 911, 9-1-1, or Nine-One-One?(16:21) Edit With Me WorkshopResources Mentioned:Episode 22: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting ProcessWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Are you using PerfectIt? If not, I can’t recommend it to freelance editors enough. For years, I let fear and intimidation stop me from taking advantage of this software, and now I wish I could get that time back. On this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Heuman, CEO of Intelligent Editing and creator of PerfectIt, to talk about how this program can help editors. Listen in as he shares about PerfectIt’s origin story, its many features, and an exclusive announcement about what’s next for the program. Important Sections:(1:03) What is PerfectIt?(5:45) PerfectIt Frees Up Editors to Focus on What They Love(10:28) What Does PerfectIt Actually Look Like?(16:02) What Type of Document is PerfectIt Best Suited For?(24:37) How to Start Using PerfectIt (Especially if You’re Feeling Intimidated)Resources MentionedPerfectItPerfectIt Video GuidesJoin the Style Works beta testing listWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

Ready for a quick-and dirty-business chat? I recently returned from the Craft + Commerce Conference by Kit, and in this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m sharing my top two takeaways you can implement in your editing business.Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit) is a platform for business owners that started as an email service provider. I’ve used it for several years, but this was my first year attending this conference. While it wasn’t exclusively for editors, the takeaways can absolutely help us grow our editing businesses.Important Sections:(1:03) All About the Kit Craft + Commerce Conference(3:04) Why Consistency Is So Critical for Business Owners(6:23) Storytelling Will Beat AI Every Time Resources Mentioned:Craft + Commerce Conference by KitEpisode 45: How Editors Can Create Habits That StickWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

You can do all the right things to plan for a break in your business, but coming back to work will still be hard. In this episode, we’re continuing our discussion on taking breaks as a business owner. Listen in as I share three major lessons I learned about my life and business after coming home from a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. This is the third installment in my series on taking breaks. You can check out the previous conversations in episode 33, where we covered taking time off as a freelancer, and in episode 42, where we talked about why it can be difficult to step away from your business for a well-deserved break.Important Sections of the Conversation(0:38) Why Is It So Hard to Come Back From a Break?(2:25) Navigating the Vacation Hangover(5:39) Seeing Work Tasks in a New Light(6:57) Recognizing My Mental Load is Too HeavyResources MentionedEpisode 33: How to Take Time Off as a FreelancerEpisode 42: Why Is It So Tough to Take Breaks?Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals by Oliver BurkemanWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club