If you don’t already do this, I highly recommend you begin. If a client contacts you about a project and your schedule is already full, then take the initiative to tell the client what does work for you. Something like, “I’m afraid I’m not available at that time, but I… Read More »Share Your Availability
Welcome again to another Q&A on this last Tuesday of the month. It is hard to believe that September is almost here. Today’s question is from Reed, who asks, How do you handle providing samples of past indexes for potential clients? Thank you, Reed. That is an excellent question. My… Read More »Q&A: How Do You Provide Indexing Samples?
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about fine-tuning the client flywheel, in which I discussed the value of having a diverse client base and considered shifts I may need to make as I grow my business. I received a thoughtful reply (thank you!), which prompted me to think further… Read More »Who Are Your Indexing Clients?
In some ways, I feel like I am writing today’s reflection to myself. Over this last year I’ve been focused on the business side of my freelance indexing business. Things like tightening up procedures, identifying and tracking metrics, learning to work with subcontractors. This may also mean changing who I… Read More »Fine-Tuning the Client Flywheel
I’ve been thinking recently about why I enjoy writing indexes. Put another way, what would I lose if I handed the task over to an AI tool? Counterintuitively, I enjoy indexing because it is difficult. Sure, there are plenty of days I complain about a chapter being too obtuse or… Read More »Why I Enjoy Writing Indexes
It is once again the last Tuesday of the month. Today’s question seems appropriate in anticipation of the New Year, as it is about beginning a freelance indexing career. The question is: I’m looking to get into the business of freelance indexing, and I am wondering if the primarily bottleneck… Read More »Q&A: Biggest Bottlenecks Starting as an Indexer?
Welcome to this month’s Q&A. I have to admit I am enjoying these. You all are asking some great, practical questions, which are getting me to think. Today’s question comes from Reed, who asks, How do you manage the stress of lulls between projects? I’m still in my first couple… Read More »Q&A: Dealing with Lulls Between Projects
When talking with newer indexers and people considering a career in indexing, I often get the question, “But when am I ready to begin freelancing?” Which is a very good question. Especially working alone, as freelancers tend to do, it can be tough to gauge our own skills. I often… Read More »Are You Ready to Begin Freelance Indexing?
Fall is off to a roaring start for me. September was busy. October is so far a little slower, which is good as I am still catching up on projects I didn’t complete in September. And November and December are shaping up to also be full. With a full schedule… Read More »Taming Schedules, Trying to
I’ve been freelancing for almost thirteen years now, and I feel like I am at another juncture at which I am reassessing my business and contemplating how best to move forward. I periodically find myself here. This is partly driven by external factors, often the need to earn a little… Read More »Freelancing Within a Niche