Monday, September 10, 2012

Introducing My New Freelance Editing Business!



Some of you may recall a post I wrote back in July, in which I mentioned my idea of starting a freelance editing business. Well, that idea has finally been turned into a reality!

I'm thrilled to announce that my website for "Editing Through the Seasons" is up, and I am open for business!

What is this all about, you may ask? Let me elaborate...

Why Freelance Editing?

I graduated back in May with a Bachelor's degree in English. I chose to major in English because I love the written word - I love studying literature; I love reading; I love writing; I love editing and proofreading. Getting a degree in English, without any specializations, seemed the best route to allow me to feed my passion and perhaps prepare myself for entering the publishing industry in some form or fashion (maybe as a publicist or an editor, and hopefully someday as a novelist!).

After graduating, I ended up returning home. It's been great being with my family, and my parents were kind enough to give me the summer "off," so to speak. But now the time has come to start working. Since I want to stay around the area for the time being, I'm trying my hand at freelance editing.

What do I love about the idea of freelance editing? Besides the fact that it allows me to work from home and gives me time to spend with my family and work on my own novel-writing, I love the thought of putting my degree and passion to use helping fellow writers and authors. My business is geared toward meeting a writer wherever he or she is at in the story-creating process (at whichever "season" the story is in). Whether someone is just starting out, or whether someone is almost ready to submit his or her work to an agent or an editor with a publishing company, I'm willing and ready to walk alongside that person on the journey, with everything on a "per project" basis. As an avid reader and book reviewer, I can offer general comments on the direction of the novel regarding plot, characterization, etc. And as far as proofreading and copy-editing goes, I am prepared to fine-tune a story in its grammar, syntax, and dialogue.

Preparing for Business

Getting a business started was a little bit tougher than I first imagined - and I keep finding new challenges all the time! But thanks to my daddy, I haven't have to navigate all of this craziness alone.

For those who might be wondering, no need to worry! I have applied for my business license; I have submitted the fictitious business name documents (I still have to advertise in a local newspaper, but that will happen soon!); I have bought the domain name for my website; I have purchased web hosting and figured out (thanks to Google...) the ins and outs of contact forms and such (I'm sure the website will continue to be updated in the days to come, but it's in working order for now!); and I have verified my PayPal account in order to receive payments. I'm sure there are some other little things to figure out, but at this point I am ready to meet my first customer. ;)

Could it be you?

I would be honored if any one of you, dear readers, would be my first customer! If you're an unpublished writer (or even a seasoned author!) who is interested in the services of a freelance editor, I would love to have you check out my website and see if I might be of service to you. =) If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment here or fill out the contact form on my website!

If you're not looking for editing services right now, not a problem! But if you are willing to help me out, it would mean so much to me if you could blog or tweet about my business, post about it on Facebook, or take the button in the sidebar and post in on your blog. Spreading the word would be super helpful!! And one other thing: if you could please pray for me and any writers who might contact me, that would be wonderful!

Thank you so, so much to all my blogging and author friends out there who have already encouraged me, prayed for this endeavor, and helped spread the word!! I believe that starting this business after having already been blogging for a couple of years - and after having made such dear friends because of it - is so much less daunting than it would have been if I had started from "scratch."



If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to learn about this new adventure of mine! I hope to keep you all posted on how it goes!

8 comments:

Tammy said...

I will certainly keep you in mind. I have learned to edit my own work but it is a tough job. My friend is an full-time author and definitely needs a good editor so I'll spread the word. I also heard there are editing positions available with Demand Media, if you are interested. Good luck with your new business enterprise.

Amber Holcomb said...

Tammy,

Thank you so much for keeping me in mind and helping to spread the word! I really appreciate that. :)

And yes, editing one's own work can be so hard! I definitely find it much easier to edit others' work than my own.

I'm grateful you stopped by!

~Amber

Izzonet Hosting Reviews said...

Congratulations for opening a wonderful business! I hope many would patronize your services. Freelance is actually trending now, so you wouldn’t really have a hard time with it. Good luck!

Amber Holcomb said...

Izzonet Hosting Reviews,

Thank you so much for the encouraging words! :)

~Amber

Amanda Stanley said...

Amber, this is such a great idea!! And something I know you will be wonderful at!! I just went over to your new website and it looks so nice and professional, and it was also very clear and understandable. I wish I was a writer so I could use your talents and services!! :)

Will continue to keep you in prayer about this, my friend. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't take off super quick, it's all in His perfect timing. May the Lord bring the right people across your path, making good friends and contacts along the way. And may He use this to take you closer to realizing your own dream of becoming a published author one day!! You have so many God-given gifts, He will give you the opportunities to use them for His glory :)

Prayers & Blessings,
Amanda

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

I'm so blessed to have you for a friend!! :) That is so very sweet of you to encourage me like that - and to say you wish you were in need of my services...! :D You dear friend!!

And thank you so much for the important reminders and the prayers! You know me too well - it is easy to get discouraged when you're super enthusiastic and the potential customers aren't there yet. But your kind support means so much to me!

God bless!

~Amber

Michelle said...

Amber! This is so exciting! Congratulations on your new business! I will definitely keep you in prayer as you set off into this new "chapter" of your life. : )

Amber Holcomb said...

Michelle,

Thank you so much!! You're such a dear friend for sharing my excitement and for praying for me! :) I'm grateful for you!

~Amber