Tag: freelancing

Teaching Children About Money

Blog post: Teaching children about money. Helping children develop good money habits can set them up for a lifetime of financial well-being.

When I was completing my tax return for my freelance business, I reviewed my income and expenses spreadsheets.

Tall Tartan Talks here … I saw expenses where I knew I hadn’t got the full value. I reviewed my direct debits and made strict decisions about what to keep and what to drop, deciding to buy only when my business would benefit, and when my income could support those purchases.

It dawned on me that, when I was in the classroom teaching children about money, having common sense is important. We can learn from what we teach children.

Effective ways for children to use money

To involve children, incorporate money into everyday activities, like giving them money to spend in shops, and encouraging them to learn about savings and spending.

Helping children develop good money habits early on can set them up for a lifetime of financial well-being.

Using physical savings tools

Piggy banks or savings jars are classic methods to allow children to visually see their savings grow. Clear jars can be especially effective. Decorating their jars can make saving more fun.

Using three separate jars, ‘Spend, Save, Give’ Jars, helps children learn to allocate their money for different purposes.

Setting and tracking spending goals

Goal setting encourages children to set specific, achievable, savings goals, e.g. a new toy, a game, a special outing. This provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Visual tracking involves creating a savings chart or using an app to track progress toward their goals. Seeing their savings increase can be very rewarding.

Earning money

A regular allowance provides an opportunity to practice budgeting and saving. Earning pocket money for completing age-appropriate chores teaches the connection between work and money. This also teaches them the value of money.

As children get older, part-time jobs offer valuable experience in earning and managing money.

Using banking tools

Opening a savings account at a bank introduces children to the concept of interest and how money grows over time.

Debit Cards / Apps for children can help children learn to manage their money digitally, track spending, and set savings goals. Many of these tools also have parental controls, so parents can monitor spending.

Learning through maths activities

Money games including board games and online games that involve money management can make learning fun.

Shopping trips involve children in grocery shopping. Comparing prices teaches them about value. Help them to understand the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ during shopping trips.

Considering factors in children’s use of money

Ensuring saving consistency

Regularly reinforcing saving habits is crucial. Use positive reinforcement with praise and encouragement which can go a long way to motivate children to save.

Is it age-appropriate?

Matching saving strategies to the child’s age and understanding is key.

Teaching children the value of money

My Money Week

In my teaching days, our primary school did a national My Money Week as a whole school theme every June. It is run by Young Enterprise. The motto of the charity, and my personal mantra, is:

‘Spend a little. Give a little. Save a little.’

Their website says, “We help teachers to:

  • Develop their knowledge and confidence in delivering applied learning opportunities.
  • Embed employability and financial education initiatives across the curriculum through high quality tools, resources and support.
  • Provide young people with opportunities to develop employability skills.
  • Raise aspirations – helping young people discover their talent, potential and ambitions.
  • Bring the world of work to life for young people.
  • Develop the financial literacy of the young people they work with.”

Talks Money by Deborah Meaden

A useful book on money for children is Deborah Meaden Talks Money. It is aimed at age 11 upwards. From the reviews I have seen on bookshop websites, I am looking forward to buying this one!

Her blurb says:

“Money is such a huge part of our lives, so learning how to make it work best for you is a crucial skill.

Knowledge is power! Whether you want to earn money, save money, set goals, or set up and grow a business, Deborah will be your personal guide, demystifying the world of finance, and sharing the knowledge and insights that have made her one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Fearful of finance? You are not alone! TALKS MONEY is packed with podcast-style interviews with ordinary young people, as well as top businesspeople and personalities who reveal the secrets to their success – and the mistakes they’ve made along the way.

Create great money habits! With Q&As, quizzes, tips and challenges, TALKS MONEY is the only guide you need to build the skills and confidence you need to manage finances and reduce money worries.

The empowering finance book that every young person needs right now.”

Banking apps

GoHenry

Strapline: Where kids go to learn money

About: “We want our kids to be smart with money, understand wants vs. needs, create savings habits, make investment decisions, use money to help others, take responsibility and understand when it’s gone, it’s gone. We created GoHenry with the goal of helping kids and teens learn about money in a practical, fun way, and provide all the tools to help parents nurture healthy financial habits in their children.

Our community believes that good money skills come from empowering and trusting our kids to learn by doing.

Our story:

Back in 2012, we were funding our kids’ online gaming accounts with our own credit cards and paying extra here and there— all in between scrambling around for their weekly allowance and trying to help them learn about money in a way that resembles the world they are growing into.

We needed a simple solution that was easy for parents and practical for kids, and designed specifically for families. We struggled to find something, so we started GoHenry.

Website: https://www.gohenry.com/uk/home/

Other apps

Greenlight: https://greenlight.com/

Starling Kite (from Starling Bank):

https://www.starlingbank.com/current-account/kite-debit-card-for-kids/

Now for the adults in the room …

Money resources for adults

I get my favourite dollops of common sense from Martin Lewis, especially following his motto, ‘Buy what you need, not what you want.’ Here is the website for the Money Saving Expert.

I also enjoy listening to Money Box on BBC Radio 4 for useful financial advice. Hear previous episodes on BBC Sounds.

To sum up, doing your tax return is a good time to review your finances and help the children in your life do the same. My mantra is ‘Spend a little, Save a little, Give a little.

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

Annie signature

BitmoAnnie Fairy sprinkling publishing confidence
BitmoAnnie Fairy sprinkling publishing confidence

Emailing

Email to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

How does a book designer work with an indie author?

Blog post: How does a book designer work with an indie author?

This case study explores how a book designer planned and designed a children’s chapter book for an indie author I worked with.

Tall Tartan Talks here … The designing of a children’s picture book needs specific planning because there are more images to incorporate than in adult fiction.

In the case of Sping by Nicholas Roberts, his children’s picture book had many images which needed to be planned around the text.

How I helped the author

When booking my services, Nick wanted to tap into my teaching experience; he valued my knowledge of children’s books.

I proof-edited the first draft of his manuscript by tweaking the vocabulary and language used for the age of his target audience. He found his book designer, Glen Holman; then came back to me for the final proofread before publishing.

Author finds illustrator

I saw on Instagram that the author had tagged his designer when promoting his book. There’s an opportunity for me to make contact with his designer, I thought …

I have supported many indie children’s book authors when they are self-publishing. One question I am asked often is where they can find an illustrator / book designer. I am fascinated by how a client decides if they are a good fit for the professional.

Having got on well with Nick when working on his book, I felt comfortable approaching the designer through him.

I was keen to find out about the process from planning to self-publishing. When I contacted Glen Holman, he was happy to write about his experience with Nick.

Case Study – Glen Holman

“Nick posted in an agency where somebody who wants illustration can post their job. When I first got in touch with Nick, he was already quite keen and was eager to share his ideas. We arranged a lunch meeting near where I’m based in Loughborough to go through everything. I had just had a child around this time so it was hard to navigate around that, but Nick was very accommodating!

We went back and forth discussing the ideas for Nick’s book, Sping, and his plans to also locate a singer for the songs he was going to pepper through the book, which I thought was a fantastic unique selling point.

Planning the ilustrations

Nick sent me through his manuscript; we planned out how many illustrations we needed and where they would go, and the physical size of the book – and I was ready to begin.

The first stage is the roughs, where I did basic, scratchy, and quick scribbles of each illustration, mostly to block out who will be where and what they’ll be doing. At this stage I also lay out all of the text, with the chapter titles, headings, sub-headings, title page, publishing information and everything else – the very bare bones of the book are complete.

Developing the illustrations

Once Nick signed off on this, then the next step was doing the linework and basic colouring; going over all of the rough sketches with a fine line and blocking out the colours to make sure there were no weird contrasts or clashes. And that it’s visually interesting. Any refinements and corrections to text and page layout are done at this stage. Once that’s approved, it all got the final touches: shading, highlighting, texturing, with all the fine details and the other whistles and bells to bring the book to life.

Finally, we decided on the cover. I drew that up in the same way, and we were done.

There was a little delay whilst Nick finished up the musical side of things and generated the QR codes with the music tracks, which I slotted into the book at the end of the chapters.

Supporting the self-publishing process

With the self-publishing stage, this used to be my full-time job doing assisted self-publishing, so, thankfully, I have had the time and generated the knowledge to penetrate the wall of jargon that often accompanies self-publishing.

It required Nick to create the Amazon KDP account that he wanted to use as his publishing hub. Then I was able to upload the book, fill out the meta-data and, as the book designer and illustrator, I was able to correct any issues that popped up.

I always insist to everyone who self-publishes to get at least one physical copy, as there are sometimes issues that do not show up in the digital proofs or during creation and only once it’s printed.

But Sping went off well and ended up looking great. Nick was a pleasure to work with. I would absolutely work with him again.”

Sping, children's chapter book. Front cover.
Sping, children's chapter book. Back cover.

Buying the book

Here is the Amazon link to buy Sping: https://amzn.eu/d/2yr3ZWq

Contacting Glen

Finding an illustrator

Glen has a particular style of art. There are many styles of art and design to choose from when selecting an illustrator for your book.

If you are an author or an illustrator, a directory I recommend when searching for the perfect-fit client is the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). I am a Partner Member

I offer professional services through the directory with other members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP; ciep.uk). They are editors, designers, etc.

If you are interested in joining as a freelance professional, here is my Affiliate Link: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/members/join?affid=11189

Alliance of Independent Authors Partner Member

Are you interested in being featured?

If we have worked together and you would like to be featured as a case study on my blog, please email me to let me know.

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

signature

Emailing

Email to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

Further reading

Here are blog posts I have written on the theme of self-publishing to support indie authors:

What are the signs of a good listener?

Blog post: What are the signs of a good listener?

Good listening is a lost skill, in my opinion. How well do you listen to others? How well do they listen to you? I have noticed more and more that people don’t listen well. By good listening I mean active listening.

Tall Tartan Talks here … whether you are talking to colleagues, clients, family or friends, whether you are in-person or on-line, is each person in the conversation taking notice of what the other is saying, without interrupting, or … (insert your pet peeve)?

In this blog post I share my tips on good or active listening.

Techniques for active listening

Removing distractions

Create an environment for listening by minimising distractions. Put away your phone, turn off notifications, and choose a quiet space. This lets you to focus entirely on the speaker without interruptions.

Keeping eye contact

Use eye contact to show interest in what the speaker is saying. This nonverbal cue helps show that you are attentive and invested in the conversation.

Using open body language

Face the speaker with an open posture and lean slightly forward. This body language signals that you are open to their message and prompts them to share more.

Avoiding interrupting

Allow the speaker to finish their thoughts without intruding while they talk. This demonstrates respect for what they are saying and gives them the space to express themselves.

Practising reflective listening

Summarise what the speaker has said to confirm your understanding. For instance, you might say, “What you’re saying is …” This method not only clarifies the message but also shows that you value their input.

Asking questions

If something is unclear, ask open-ended questions to encourage the speaker to elaborate. Questions like “Can you explain that further?” or “What do you mean by … ?” help to deepen your understanding. See my blog post: What is a good question?

Practising patience with silence

Use pauses effectively; allowing silence after someone speaks can encourage them to share more thoughts and feelings. It shows that you are considering their words rather than rushing to respond.

Reflecting emotions

Acknowledge the speaker’s feelings by reflecting on their emotional state. For example, if someone shares a frustrating experience, you might respond with, “It sounds like that really upset you.” This confirms empathy and connection.

Staying present

Focus on the moment and resist the urge to think about your next response or other distractions. Being fully present increases your ability to understand and engage with what is being communicated.

By using these strategies in your conversations, you can develop stronger connections, improve understanding, and create a more supportive communication habit.

Understanding Mental Health First Aid

Active listening was in one of the modules in a course I studied called Understanding Mental Health First Aid. As I read it, I realised that listening with compassion and curiosity is vital in relationships. It is often missing, leading to misunderstandings and resentment. (Source: NHQE Level 2, sponsored by The Skills Network)

Researching active listening

Active listening was described in a book I proofread called Compassion-based Language Education by Sarah Mercer (see book link at the end). In it she describes four different ways of listening and responding to what is being said.

These are:

  1. active destructive mode: when a listener responds negatively to what they have been told.
  2. passive destructive mode: when the listener does not show any interest in what is being said or dismisses it as irrelevant.
  3. passive constructive mode: the listener is paying attention and is trying to understand but lacks any genuine enthusiasm.
  4. active constructive mode: when listeners actively pay attention, show their enthusiasm and interest, and also ask follow-up questions to find out more about what they have been told.

Perhaps you recognise these in the conversations you have?

Benefits of active listening

Building trust and strong relationships

Active listening is a crucial communication skill that enhances relationships and encourages effective communication. It helps create an environment of trust and loyalty.

When you feel genuinely heard, you are more likely to share your thoughts and feelings, which is especially important during challenging times. This not only strengthens personal bonds but also leads to better teamwork and engagement.

Improving communication skills

Practising active listening strengthens your communication abilities. It teaches you to focus on understanding rather than merely responding.

This leads to more meaningful conversations and reduces the likelihood of miscommunication. Read my blog post: How to Communicate Clearly

Communicating with clients

These days, in my freelance life, very few communications with proofreading clients involve a telephone call or Zoom meeting. I would much rather email my work processes, thoughts and questions than talk on the phone.

But reading an email from a client has an element of ‘listening’: answering their questions, and reading between the lines. Even being diplomatic when I composed a reply to a barrage of questions (sent in separate emails) that I experienced recently from a client.

Meeting on Zoom

It is even more important to listen actively if meeting people on Zoom, whether it is networking or with clients.

The delays with sound and, perhaps, a participant with their camera off, make it more difficult to listen, never mind with reflection and empathy. The techniques listed above are vital.

Listening well

I bet you know people in your life that are good listeners. I am in freelance networking groups where there is active listening.

It is about taking an interest in others beyond the self. You need to care about the person who is talking to you. Developing empathic skills can help you become more curious about others and take a greater interest in the lives and stories of others.

Take the opportunity to reach out to someone that you are worried about. And listen to them.

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

Annie signature

Further reading

Source: Compassion-based Language Education by Sarah Mercer, published by Oxford University Press, 2024. Find it on Amazon here: https://amzn.eu/d/63gH9ro

My blog posts:

What is a good question?

How to Communicate Clearly

Emailing

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

2024: Review of My Year

2024:

As I review 2024 I realise how eventful it was for me because I achieved things I hadn’t done before in my freelance life.

Doing new things

Tall Tartan Talks here … A quick snapshot of my achievements this year: I self-published my non-fiction ebook in April; completed a course called Understanding Mental Health First Aid; did more freelance proofreading work for publishers than in previous years, and took on work from new-to-me publishing clients. I turned 60 halfway through the year; and one more event happened that I shall reveal later …

Reflecting on 2024

Looking back, here’s my review through the blog posts I wrote.

Winter and spring

I spent the first three months, during a very quiet period of work, collecting my blog posts into a non-fiction business book for self-publishing.

I copyedited my manuscript from the single, individual blog posts that I had written in MS Word, starting in 2017 all the way up to 2023. Then I spent time proofreading the manuscript.

However, it is really tricky to proofread your own writing, so a  very kind edibuddy offered to proofread it.

Finally, it was ready to upload to Amazon KDP as an ebook. Here is the link to Tall Tartan Talks – My Collection of Blog Posts: Tips on Running a Business if you haven’t seen it yet: https://amzn.eu/d/csKQohb

I described the process in How I self-published my Business Book.

Summer

In June, my blog post explored the concept of questioning in education and business by asking What is a good question?

My July blog post reflected on how to cope with periods of time without freelance work. By this time, I had marketed myself repeatedly without, seemingly, much success. I know that the results of cold emailing take time. But it is really hard to be patient … Therefore, I wrote tips on how to use time productively in Taking Breaks in Your Business.

Autumn

By September, with the return to work for most people, I felt urged to promote methods of effective communication called How to Communicate Clearly.

In October I shared my tips for preparing for and writing cold emails to potential new clients: 8 Steps for Reaching Out to New Clients

Tutoring

I was able to provide tuition for a primary school child, on Zoom, with reading, handwriting, spelling and writing for six months.

Not having tutored for a couple of years, I missed the contact with young people and the regular income. A fellow edibuddy got in touch to ask if I was available … Could we work with the time difference with her granddaughter being in Australia?

The arrangement worked well! I was pleased to observe how well the child responded to my teaching. See the testimonial from the parent on my Primary Tutoring page.

Upgrading in the CIEP

And so to my best news – I am excited to report that my application to upgrade from Intermediate Member to Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP; ciep.uk) was approved in December.

I proved my professionalism by taking editorial training, showing 500 hours of proofreading experience with clients, and providing a reference from a client that I have done over 50 hours for and who could judge my proofreading skills. Here is my CIEP directory profile page.

What an amazing way to end the year!

CIEP Professional Member logo

Seeing flaws as part of the process to achievement

Let me share a metaphor that spoke to me about growth mindset and running a business called Kintsugi.

I found the term in a book that I proofread this summer. It is now published and available to order (details at the end).

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. The idea is to make something more beautiful by embracing the flaws; and something unique and beautiful in its imperfection. The flaws are emphasised and celebrated.

See the picture of kintsugi-repaired pottery below. The lines of gold are where the repairs have been done and show them off in a positive light.

I love this metaphor because it challenges perfectionism and opens our minds to the ideas that every part of us makes us into something special and magnificent – just as we are, including all the past mistakes we have made.

Kintsugi china

In summary, my tips for owning and running a business are to persevere, persist, and be patient.

How has the year been for you?

See you in 2025!

Annie

Sprinkling publishing confidence

Annie signature

Source for Kintsugi: Compassion-based Language Education by Sarah Mercer, published by OUP, 2024.

Emailing

Email to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

8 Steps for Reaching Out to New Clients

8 Steps for Reaching Out to New Clients

One reason to reach out to new clients is to tell them that you are available for freelancing work. They won’t know unless you tell them. Cold emailing is one method. I give you steps on how to be brave and develop an effective strategy, making the best impression you can.

Tall Tartan Talks here … Follow my 8-step guide for reaching out:

  1. Preparing is key
  2. Training to add value
  3. Adding skills to your CV
  4. Researching clients
  5. Keeping records
  6. Writing emails
  7. Responding to replies
  8. Build a marketing habit.

1. Preparing is key

I proofread non-fiction as a service. I made sure I was well trained so that I could offer professionalism and expertise as qualities of my proofreading service. Preparation is half of the process I will describe.

2. Training to add value

The first thing a potential client may want to do when you reach out is to look at your website or LinkedIn profile to check your training credentials. I did training in proofreading with the CIEP (ciep.uk), my professional body.

As a freelancer you should consider training in your field of expertise. If you are an editor or proofreader, you may want to specialise by doing a course in a particular niche – in my case, editing educational digital materials.

3. Adding skills to your CV

Add the course you have just completed to your CV and to the Featured section of your LinkedIn profile.

4. Researching new clients

You may have an idea of the kinds of new clients you want to reach out to. When I see a prospective client advertising for staff or freelancers (usually on social media, usually on my phone), I take a screenshot and email it to myself. If I can’t act on it immediately, I move the email to my Prospective Clients email folder.

5. Keeping records

Once a month I go through the emails I have sent myself, add them to my spreadsheet and research each in turn by reading their websites. Some can be prioritised by a) how enthusiastic their website makes me feel; or b) removed from my list because their business would not be a good fit for me. For example they publish fiction.

In my case, as a ex-teacher and primary tutor, I have listed possible clients that publish non-fiction, educational books, and children’s books as they are my proofreading specialisms.

6. Writing emails

About once a month on average, I do a cold-emailing session. In my drafts folder I have a template for each specialism and use the template suitable for the next potential client.

I write a concise subject line keeping it short and relevant, e.g. Proofreader Available. Listing a specific specialism I provide that will help them solve their problem, I keep the email short with no more than five sentences – no one wants to wade through an essay. I don’t make the email emotional, just business-like.

Some companies don’t like emails with attachments. Rather than attach my CV, I tend to end with P.S. My CV is available on request. Unless, of course, a new client has specifically asked for a CV.

I keep possible clients in groups of specialisms. I prepare emails in batches by using copy and paste or a text expander to make the writing process quicker and more efficient. Then I tweak the email to personalise my message. Do not invest emotion or spend hours on one email; there mental turmoil lies.

I do a final check of spelling and punctuation. Mistakes will come across as unprofessional. Take a deep breath and press send. Return to that spreadsheet and record the date when emails were sent. Then I put it to the back of my mind, walk away, and get on with my day.

I don’t worry if I don’t get replies; I don’t take it personally. In truth, I probably get one reply in ten saying they will add me to their database. I comfort myself with the fact that the client that needs me will get back to me. How will they know if I don’t tell them?

Using this technique, I can send up to 10 emails in one hour. In one very quiet month, I cold emailed once a week, sending emails to 40 possible new clients. I have been perfecting my system for two years.

7. Responding to replies

Remember, silence or rejection is a normal part of the cold-emailing process. Don’t let silence discourage you. By following these steps and believing in the value you offer, you will be emailing with confidence.

If the magic happens – a new client replies and reaches out– respond promptly to show integrity and efficiency. Or only send your cold emails when you have time to respond.

8. Build a marketing habit

Once you have a marketing habit that you are comfortable with, repeat the training and cold emailing with regular effort. Establish and maintain a routine that works for you. You will feel braver. I did!

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

Annie signature

Note: These 8 Steps were part of a PDF guide on my website called Eight steps that worked for me – For business confidence. I repurposed the PDF in my blog post Marketing Mindset.

Emailing

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

Taking Breaks in Your Business

blog post Taking Breaks in your Business

It is vital that we take breaks in the daily routine of our freelance business.

How long you break for depends on your concentration levels, work commitments and deadlines.

Tall Tartan Talks here … Taking breaks is an act of self-care to recharge and feel refreshed.

We get so bogged down in how much we need to achieve in a certain time – leading to feelings of overwhelm – that we forget to listen to our body. We ignore our feelings.

Our brains need breaks to rest and refocus. By taking short, deliberate breaks away from your computer screen throughout your day, you give your mental muscles a chance to relax.

How do we incorporate these breaks into our freelance flow? I’ve categorised break activities into periods of time. How much time have you got for a break?

Taking a break for five minutes

I embrace the Pomodoro method (see my mention in this post One Day in My Life as a Proofreader). In short, work for 25 minutes, then have a 5-minute break. As a proofreader this timing works well for me. Five minutes is enough time to rest my eyes.

Tweak this method to include the 20 / 20 / 20 concept. That is, every 20 minutes look away from your screen for 20 seconds to a distance of 20 metres (e.g. out of the window). Set a timer to ensure that you stop and stretch. This break has the effect of resetting your eye muscles, pausing to refresh thinking, and ensuring self-care.

Think of other movement breaks that can be completed in five minutes – you’ll have your favourites.

Taking a break for 30 minutes

Is it time for refreshment break or a meal? Sitting for long periods is not only bad for your posture, but it can also lead to sluggishness. Move around. Make lunch. How about a brisk walk? Do that quick garden job.

In other words, sustenance, movement, fresh air and exercise will clear your head and revitalise your brain.

Taking a break for one hour

I feel most alert first thing so a typical morning means that I will proofread for up to four hours using short break bursts. By the afternoon I often lack energy and feel the need to go into a lower gear.

I take an hour’s break by doing household tasks in small chunks, listening to a podcast, or even picking up a book. Turning off email notifications helps me relax. Try doing nothing without feeling guilty.

Taking a break for a half day

When it’s hard to get started, perhaps on a Monday morning or a rainy Saturday, focus on your business rather than in your business.

Try some CPD – have you got a training module that’s waiting for your attention? Try to engage meaningfully on social media. Post some content. Market your business. Resist the temptation to scroll for hours.

How about switching off completely for a couple of hours? Spend time with others, e.g. arrange to meet someone for coffee in a café. You may even have a hobby (note to self).

Taking a break for one day

When I have finished a particularly intensive project, I timetable a day off before the next project starts. That’s right, I make sure the break is scheduled in my diary so that it does happen. I know!

That date with myself is treated as being as important as any other appointment.

Taking a break for one week

Now for breaks that are longer …

I read a post on LinkedIn where they were expecting a project to be emailed. They were frustrated and disappointed when the client said to expect a delay. It was too late to reschedule another project in that gap. They pondered what could be fitted into their unexpectedly acquired week’s break. Decorating came to mind.

After one week of DIY, they realised how refreshed they felt. It hadn’t dawned on them how much they had needed this break, this recharge, until it was forced on them. Doing something completely different, they admitted was a valuable lesson.

Taking a holiday would have the same effect …

Taking a break for one month

A more serious tone now … When clients are quiet or projects are delayed for a month or more, this is a break with more serious consequences and not of your choosing. It is probably time to review your cash flow.

After one month without work, it may be time to let repeat clients know that you are available or send cold emails to prospective new clients. Here’s a post I wrote about Marketing Mindset. It includes a guide to cold emailing.

Taking a break for two months

When I had a very quiet spell in the winter, I scheduled an ‘important but not urgent’ task – to write an eBook. By following a process of self-publishing my collection of blog posts, my time was spent creatively and proactively.

Consider other sources of income to maintain finances, e.g. I tutor primary children as a reliable source of income to top up my income from proofreading.

Consider ways to protect yourself by reviewing your expenditure, e.g. buy what you need rather than what you want; cancel subscriptions that don’t bring value.

Embracing the breaks

Instead of panicking, think how to be in control of expected and unexpected breaks in your schedule. Be creative. Remember, taking breaks isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of strength and intention.

As a freelancer with my own business I try to thrive not just survive by booking breaks for self-care as well as booking clients as part of my schedule.

When was the last time you felt refreshed and renewed?

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

Annie signature

Other reading

Another blog post on a related theme: Summer of Study

Contacting

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

Marketing Mindset

blog post Marketing Mindset

As business owners we worry about marketing our skills. I know, I’ve been there. I invite you to activate your business brain. Switch on your marketing mindset.

If you want potential clients to know that you are available for work, you need to tell them using marketing. Otherwise how will they know?

Tall Tartan Talks here … I give you tips on how to market your business. These are strategies I’ve tried when marketing my proofreading business. They have reinforced that I am friendly, efficient and trustworthy. Sprinkling publishing confidence.

LinkedIn

Let’s begin at the beginning. If you don’t have a website, have a presence on social media, for example, LinkedIn. Here’s my profile page.

I post many marketing tips on LinkedIn for edibuddies and other freelancers. Find my tips by searching for my hashtag #TallTartanTips then follow to be notified of my posts.

The tips are handy reminders I have picked up in the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, ciep.uk) forums, at Drive the Partnership Network, and on social media about how to own, run, and market your business.

Use my tips as reminders to help you maintain a positive business brain and marketing mindset.

Tips about marketing your business

I have sorted my tips into six categories:

  • Useful resources
  • Using social media
  • Blogging
  • How to be a business owner
  • Motivation tips.

Useful resources

  • Build a website or pay someone you trust to build it for you. It is your shop window which you own, unlike your social media profiles.
  • Make time for investigating resources that will help you improve your marketing. Listen to the podcasts of experts in your field.
  • Invest money in resources: you need to speculate to accumulate. It could be a course or a tool to help you do your job more effectively.

Using social media

  • Follow useful connections on LinkedIn, who might know others in industries you have an interest in. This could help find you work.
  • Like, comment, and  engage with connections on social media. Be brave.
  • Be even braver. Plan content for social media. Have a strategy for showcasing your work by sharing testimonials, plans for the coming week, wins of the last week, poignant thoughts that will resonate with others …

Blogging

I use blogging to get eyes on my website. I write posts about freelancing, education, and running a business. Then I share them on social media otherwise no one will know I’ve published a new post.

Search and follow the hashtag for my blog #TallTartanTalks on LinkedIn. Or go to my blog on my website.

I have self-published an eBook collection of my blog posts as a way to explore self-publishing. Find Tall Tartan Talks – My Collection of Blog Posts: Tips on Running a Business on Amazon.

How to be a business owner

  • Feel the fear and do it anyway.
  • Think of yourself as a business owner wearing many hats. If needs be, outsource the skills you don’t have to those who have the skills.
  • Practise the 3Ps: patience, perseverance, persistence.
  • Look out for your physical and mental health. Ensure a work/life balance by setting personal boundaries. Go outside and get some fresh air by walking or gardening. Perhaps walk in the woods among the trees, which works for me.

Motivation tips

Those who go fishing catch the fish.

Thor A Rain, lead writer of the book First Aid For Feelings Manual from The Helpful Clinic (I proofread their book.)

I love this quote because you can’t catch fish (get clients) unless you go fishing (email or phone them). It is up to you to tell clients that you are available for work. How else will they know? It’s a no-brainer.

Thor and Nicki’s book, First Aid For Feelings – the essential Manual for self-care skills and good health, emphasises how to look after yourself and gives tips on how to be physically and mentally healthy. That’s especially important when you run your own business. (See image in my gallery.)

I gain valuable advice from members like Thor when we attend Drive, our networking group on Zoom. The weekly meetings are a collaborative space where my freelancer tribe shares wins, problems and advice. I learn something worthwhile at every meeting which helps me stay motivated. Find your tribe and safe space.

Inspired by Thor, I created a marketing strategy that I use when emailing prospective clients: Eight steps that worked for me.

8 steps that worked for me

Testimonial

“Annie encouraged me to market my services to companies I knew I could help. She helped me to see that someone will see your content and want to use your services at some point in the future, so it makes sense to keep marketing.

If you are proactive with marketing, and don’t worry about the responses, you will fit someone’s need, somewhere. You’re right – they won’t know if you don’t tell them. Annie helped me think more clearly about where to go with my marketing. Thank you!”

Andrea Constable of Squiggle Social

Since writing this, my post as part of this mindet is available: 8 Steps for Reaching Out to New Clients

Sprinkling publishing confidence,

Annie

signature

Emailing

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.

CIEP2022 Conference

Blog post: CIEP2022 Conference for Editors and Proofreaders – Editing in a Diverse World

I travelled to Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes for the 2022 annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).

As a hybrid event (also available to online delegates on Zoom), not only could delegates meet in person, but those with access issues as well as our international membership (over 25%) could ‘conference’ too. This brought extra meaning to our theme this year Editing in a diverse world which focused on the diversity aspect of editorial work.

kents hill park
Image credit: Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre website

The CIEP conference is held in September every year. The conference provides a range of interesting, relevant and stimulating workshops and seminars, as well as plenty of opportunities for networking with other delegates. My sixth conference was certainly this. It provided great company with fellow editorial colleagues, learning in the form of continuous professional development (CPD), and laughing … so much laughing!

 

Pre-conference tour

I arrived on the Saturday afternoon to join the pre-conference tour to The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) next to Bletchley Park. According to its website, it is home to the world’s largest collection of working historic computers. A mind-blowing selection from the very first to the very modern … and everything in between. To see Colossus in action was truly impressive.

 

Speaker, author Katherine May

The conference began with an impressive first speaker. Katherine May wrote The Electricity of Every Living thing about her experience of finding out she was autistic at the age of 39. She explained how she decides whether to tell people she meets … It depends. It can cause unnecessary angst and stress, which was sad to hear. An inspiring talk about someone adapting their life to cope with being neurodiverse.

 

Choosing sessions

  • Live Proofreading
  • Creating accessible PDFs: Discoveries, pain points and practical steps
  • Websites that win clients: How to create or update your online home
  • Using referencing tools
  • What to expect when working with educational materials.

 

Live Proofreading

It was interesting to be in the Live Proofreading session to proofread real manuscripts and discuss what should be corrected or queried. We discussed using ‘pre-flight’ tools, or tools we use to clean up text in Microsoft Word (the industry standard) before the real scrutiny of the text begins. Tools such as PerfectIt and macros.

 

Creating accessible PDFs: Discoveries, pain points and practical steps

We learnt of features to let all have equal access to PDFs. Factors to bear in mind were structure and navigation of PDFs, including alt text on images, recording using voice recognition, colour contrast on images and websites, reading order and correct linking of website hyperlinks. The majority of my work is in PDF format. It helps if styles are formatted correctly before the document is converted to a PDF.

 

Websites that win clients: How to create or update your online home

My website proofnow.co.uk has been searchable since I first built it when my business was born. I rebranded to update my branding. Clients find me most often through the contact from on my website, so I know it works and is seen. I’ve written a blog post called 6 Website features you should check.

However, I felt it was time to modernise it as I direct publishers towards Proofnow Proofreader as my shop window.

The session reminded me of the impact my website must make and how I can influence that impact. For example, declutter by reducing the word count, use quality images, design call to action (CTA) buttons with my branding colours instead of using hyperlinks, reduce ‘Click here’ links (label what the links actually do, and … make best use of space. Tweaking my website will be my first business priority after conference.

 

Using referencing tools

Having carried out proofreading for students in the past, being reminded about referencing tools and software to increase speed in finding errors and inconsistencies was very useful. I was reminded of Word formatting tools and software for reference completeness and correctness.

 

What to expect when working with educational materials

As a former teacher, I was aware of all the elements that make up the material for educational packages for schools and colleges. From student books to pedagogy CPD, not forgetting the cultural considerations of … PARSNIPS. Two of my specialisms are Education and ELT so my second business priority is to investigate opportunities for freelance proofreading in these areas.

 

 

CIEP delegate pack
CIEP delegate pack

Enjoying the gala dinner and guest speaker

The food at the conference was delicious and in plenty. The gala dinner 3-course meal was exceptional and was rounded off by a speech by Rev Richard Coles of BBC fame. He was entertaining, as you’d expect, and he giggled with glee after telling each anecdote. He preferred not to talk about his first novel Murder Before Evensong with editors in the room.

 

Watching recorded sessions

Spare time after conference will be spent catching up with recordings of the sessions running concurrently.

That’s the huge benefit of a hybrid conference: all sessions are available after conference has ended! My thanks to all the conference team, the speakers, and especially to Ben Dare and his assistants for handling the visual and audio technology, including relaying the comments and questions from the online delegates to the in-person room. Watching them in action was awesome.

 

Learning from my main takeaways

My background for context: my proofreading clients are educational publishers, English Language Teaching (ELT) publishers, children’s book publishers, and self-publishing authors of children’s books. I also proofread non-fiction for adults, such as business books.

This conference has added to my learning and awareness that we should be sensitive in our use of language in areas of diversity.

I chose sessions that will benefit me and my clients at this point in my freelance business. Working with me will give my clients publishing confidence. Being a CIEP member means that I am a safe pair of hands.

Attending the annual conference reminds me that I’m proud to be part of a collaborative community who learns and laughs together. Conversations with edibuddies, both established and new (especially recent career-changers), are always valuable.

 

Next year

Next year we meet in Glasgow – my birth home. Tall Tartan hopes to see you there. And, yes, someone did greet me this year with, “It’s Tall Tartan!” So my branding is working 🙂

 

For my previous conference blog posts, follow these links: 2021 (online), no 2020 blog post, 2019 (Birmingham), and my first blog post about the second conference I attended in 2018 in Lancaster: Why SfEP conference is cool

 

Looking out for Tall Tartan

Here are my hashtags if you haven’t seen them and want to find my content on LinkedIn or Twitter. Simply type them into Search in your favoured social media channel, then follow.

#TallTartanTips: My tips on owning and running a freelance business

#TallTartanTalks: Blog posts

#TallTartanTimes: Newsletter

 

 

 

Emailing

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive new posts directly to your email.

One Day in My Life as a Proofreader

One Day in my Life as a Proofreader blog

We all need a routine and a structure.  Here I describe one day in my life as a proofreader, editor and primary tutor.

Having a business mindset will help structure your daily routine.

Tall Tartan Talks here … Think of yourself as a business owner rather than a freelancer. Knowing your value and worth will help.

Morning schedule

In winter, my routine starts at 7 am; in summer it starts at 6 am. I used to be an owl and stay up late. As I hit middle age I turned into a lark with my day starting earlier and earlier.

It also depends on when my husband gets up. He sits at the dining table eating breakfast and reading a book. I mix a mug of hot water and lemon juice, sit at the other end of the table (that end is my ‘office’), and switch on my laptop.

He often spends the day gardening for clients and leaves the house early to cycle to work.

Answering emails

I find that the morning is the best time for me to respond to emails. Mostly I wake up thinking about phrasing a reply to a received email. Or, I have had a lightbulb moment about who to contact for a possible proofreading job.

I leave the emails in my draft folder, making a note to send them at 9am, which is the start of standard business hours.

Freelancers are as varied as the routines and schedules they follow. Flexibility is key as deadlines can determine the hours worked.

Completing tasks

At this time of the day, I may also get on with one of these tasks:

  • work on a proofreading or editing project
  • research facts for a proofreading project or blog post
  • complete a stage of a CPD training course
  • prepare a primary tuition lesson.

9.00 am: By the time Mr D has cycled off to work, I have usually done several sets of the Pomodoro timing method. I have completed a couple of hours of work or admin. I realise that I am hungry and should eat some breakfast. A break and a change of view is needed.

I take my Android tablet through to the living room, to a soft chair, where I can sit at the window and look out into the main street. I peruse the comings and goings outside my house, as well as those onscreen in the online newspaper reviews.

9.30 am: My sons (both in their 20s) have gone about their business. They are old enough to be independent, thank goodness. I get on with the next part of the morning routine.

10.30 am: Oldest son switches on the coffee machine for elevenses. By now, I have usually logged on to the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) forums to view discussions. Since I joined the CIEP in 2017, the forums have become my online staffroom.

Lurking on social media

After coffee, I check social media and may post some content marketing, especially on Linkedin, whether that be freelancer business tips or a blog post.

If you don’t already, search for and follow my hashtags on Linkedin: #TallTartanTips and #TallTartanTalks. Then you won’t miss any of my tips.

Getting on with the day

For the next two hours, my routine continues. I may answer an email proofreading enquiry. The reply conversation goes like this:

  1. Receive an email through the contact form on my website. Currently I am getting enquiries from new, independent children’s authors. They ask if I’m available and how much I charge.
  2. I direct them towards the appropriate page of my website and give them my availability.
  3. I ask them to send the document so I can give a personalised quote. Or send, at the very least,  a 1,000 word sample from the middle of their text so I can judge how long it will take me to proofread. (The beginning and ends of the text are usually much better.)
  4. From that sample I can give them a quote. If the project needs my educational specialism, I will also factor in my 30 years of experience as a teacher. I know the value and knowledge I bring to a project.
  5. If the timing and rate suits them, I book them in by sending them a copy of my Terms & Conditions. (See templates in the Resources on my website). If the job is large (over 15,000 words) and is going to take a few days, I send an invoice for the deposit for them to secure a slot in my schedule.

Afternoon routine

1.00 pm: Lunch – joined by Mr D (if he is having an art day in his garden studio). We have been enjoying some comforting homemade soup. A perk of being freelance means I can take as much or as little time for lunch as needed.

2.00 pm: Desperate for some exercise and fresh air by now, I realise that it is time to take my eyes away from the screen.

For 30 minutes, I either head to the shops in town, or I take a brisk walk in the opposite direction, propelled by my walking poles, towards the nearby countryside.

Break time

3.30 pm: Time for a break to move around after another spell on the laptop, and to make a pot of tea. Fruit is the preferred snack if I’m being good. Cake on a Friday …

4.00 pm: Take part in a Zoom networking meeting. It could be CIEP Cloud Club West, or my accountability group, or another. Or it may be a tuition day when I tutor a primary-age child on Zoom.

5.00 pm: Time to wind down. I consider the achievements and the work I haven’t fitted in today. Notes are made for tomorrow, added to the e-list on my smartphone. I like the Evernote app.

Next, cooking the family dinner is a welcome distraction.

Changing habits from the past

When I was teaching primary children full-time (I Ieft the classroom in 2016), I left home at 7:30 am to be at school to prepare my classroom.

I left school each day at 6pm with a trolley-box full of the workbooks I hadn’t had time to mark after 3.15 pm.

I would continue to mark for at least a couple of hours in the evening. It became relentless after doing it for 30 years. I didn’t see much of my own children while I was busy educating the children of others.

Being the boss

When you own your business, you are your own boss. The responsibility is on you to do everything. This will either terrify you or excite you.

You and you alone are in charge of tasks like email admin, IT support (computer and website, and knowing what to do if something goes wrong or know who to ask); accounting (keeping track of income and expenses). Remember to plan time for networking, CPD and marketing. It helps if you know what to do if something goes wrong, or you know who to ask.

But I get a thrill from running my business efficiently and by doing some of the required tasks each day.

If chores get too overwhelming, break down each element of your big task into smaller chunks.

Relaxing in the evening

7.30 pm: I have a last check of my emails and social media. Notifications get switched off and I turn to something different. Maybe a book. As I got up so early in the morning, I’m usually running out of steam by this point.

I only work in the evenings or weekends if I have an urgent deadline or there is a rush job. I charge accordingly for working overtime.

After decades of working an infinite number of unsociable hours, I realise the major importance of having a work–life balance. It is vital for me to have a sense of my self-worth.

Here is the link to my blog page if you want to catch up with previous posts.

signature

Emailing

Email me to check my availability for proofreading non-fiction and children’s books.

Subscribing

Subscribe to my blog to receive new posts directly to your email.