The Modern Editor Podcast

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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...

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! 

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If you want to learn more about my process and p...

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. 

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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.

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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...

What does the publishing world look like from a first-time author’s perspective? As editors, it’s important for us to understand the process they go through as they publish their first book.

In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m joined by first-time author Sam Vander Wielan. Her new book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, is a practical and transparent guide for online entrepreneurs.

We dive into choosing the right book title, working with a book coach, the editor-author relationship, how your online platform plays a role in landing...

We’ve officially hit fifty episodes of The Modern Editor Podcast! I’ve never been great at slowing down enough to celebrate achievements, so I want to take a moment to reflect on this milestone instead of rushing toward the next goal. Listen in as we celebrate The Modern Editor Podcast by the numbers. Don’t worry, there’s no math involved!

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Could appearing on a podcast help grow your editing business? Not only can it grow your brand, but it can set you up as an expert in your field. In today’s episode, Haylee Gaffin of Gaffin Creative joins us to explain why editors should consider leveraging podcasts as a marketing tool in their business.

Listen in as we talk all about why freelance editors should pitch themselves as podcast guests, the power of borrowing someone else’s audience, and what makes a great podcast pitch.

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(Note: As expected, this episode became out of date within 24 hours of recording…but the same overall ideas still apply. If nothing else, I want this episode to get you thinking about what you have control over and help you prepare for what is going to be a roller coaster of economic BS in the future. If you want up-to-date financial and small business info, here are my favorites: The Broke Black Girl, Ramit Sethi, The Budgetnista, Her First 100K, and Ellyce Fulmore.)

How will tariffs impact your editing business? In this episode, I’m going to shar...

Affirmations are short statements that help anchor you to the present moment. I actually prefer to call them anchor thoughts for this very reason. I’ve found myself relying on anchor thoughts more than usual lately, so I thought I would share my favorites with you. 

I’m also going to share the purpose behind anchor thoughts. The world has been a stressful place recently, and these anchor thoughts are great tools that help me maintain perspective. 

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Did you read this episode title and immediately check out? Trust me, I get it, but I’m here to change your mind about macros.

I came late to the game on macros because of several limiting beliefs that held me back. I didn’t think I was tech-savvy enough to use them, so I wrote them off for a long time. Now that I’ve started using them, I can confidently say that macros have saved me tons of time as an editor. 

I’m still a baby user, but macros have positively impacted my editin...

Are you looking to make small changes with big impact in your editing business? In this episode, we’re talking about how editors can create habits that make their businesses better with the Tiny Habits® Method. This isn’t about creating tons of to-do lists and optimizing every second of your life—it’s about forming achievable habits you look forward to completing because they help your business run smoother and make you feel good. 

Listen in as I share how I figured out I needed to start small with basically everything in my life, including habits. We’re also...

If you’re anything like me, you know the impact that conferences (both in-person and virtual) can make on your business and education, yet as an introvert, it takes a bit of preparation. As I gear up for an online summit, I want to share a few tips to not only prepare for an event and manage your energy during the event, but also get the most out of the event.

Note: This is from the perspective of a neurotypical introvert. Everyone’s experiences are going to be unique, and I’m simply sharing what works for me!

If you’re anything like me, there are times when you’ve been deep in your editing cave. In those heavy editing times, I always find myself reaching for my trusty Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) to confirm my work. With so many rules, it’s impossible to remember them all, but there are some I check all. the. time. In this episode, I’m sharing the five rules I always double-check while editing.

This episode was recorded in January 2025, after the release of CMOS 18 in September 2024. All references made are based on CMOS 18.

For fun: Are...

There’s an emotional side to taking breaks from work that not enough people talk about. The truth is that we’re so used to working (and feeling guilty when we don’t) that our brains fight us every step of the way. We end up either never taking breaks or taking breaks that aren’t restorative. 

How do you prepare your mindset to take the break you deserve as both a small business owner and a human?

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Are you on the fence about joining a book club? Over the years, I’ve had both good and bad experiences with book clubs, and I currently host one inside the Freelance Editors Club. In this episode, I’m sharing my top five reasons to join a book club and tips on finding the right one for you.

I’d love for you to join us in the Freelance Editors Club and be part of our book club. We mostly read books that center around editing, writing, business building, and personal development. We also read a fun fictio...

Do you see other entrepreneurs seamlessly taking on new clients while you’re piecing together your processes like a puzzle? In today’s episode, Akua Konadu, host of the Independent Business Podcast, joins us to share valuable insights on how you can grow your business. Listen in as she breaks down some of the major findings that came out of the research behind Honeybook’s 2025 Growth Guide, along with key takeaways that’ll help you harness more business growth in 2025.

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Are you ready to expand your offerings? Maybe you've elevated your skill set and you want to add a different type of editing, or maybe you want to create a product that'll meet more of your clients’ needs. 

In this episode, we’re diving into everything you need to think through before you introduce a new product or service to your editing business. Is now the right time? How do you create new products? Then, how do you launch them? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty!

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Have you ever felt “stuck” in your business or personal life? I’ve experienced this lately, so I wanted to share some tactics I use to help myself feel unstuck. I’m sharing these tips to illustrate that even coaches need coaches, just like editors need editors. I want to normalize the fact that everyone needs help.

Sometimes I need someone else to tell me something in a different way or from a different perspective. I want to be up front that while I’m using these tactics I’m sharing with you, I’m also talking to my two coac...

Do you have clear 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.

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Should you review books as an editor? Back in the day, I used to be a book blogger (which is now called a book reviewer), but I stopped when I became an editor. Why? In today’s episode, I’m telling you exactly why.

Disclaimer: I am not saying that editors cannot review books. Some people can do both and it works really well for them. I think you should do what feels right for you and your business. I’m simply sharing my experience and thoughts with you, and this is a judgment-free zone. 

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When authors write about characters from different backgrounds, it’s important they do the research to understand why they’re writing the way they do—avoiding biases they may not realize they have. It’s our job to review this work, and today’s guest has created the tool and resource to make you a better editor. Alex Temblador joins us to share about her new book called Writing an Identity Not Your Own.

This is Alex’s first nonfiction book, but she’s previously published two fiction books: Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. She received h...

What do kids and editing have in common? In this episode, I’m sharing five nuggets that my kids have taught me that have helped me become a better editor and business owner. I always say that my kids teach me more than I teach them every day, but I didn’t expect there to be an overlap with my business.

Disclaimer: you don’t need to have kids, want kids, or even like kids to get anything out of this episode. Now let’s dive in!

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Do you struggle with taking time off as a freelancer? When you’re your own boss and wear several hats, vacation time often gets put on the back burner. However, it’s up to us to take care of ourselves.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to take both planned and unplanned time off as a freelancer. We’re going to talk about how to arrange your schedule so it's more conducive to taking breaks, how to work with some trusted colleagues, and how to honor your time off.

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Do you struggle with comparison? I believe we all compare ourselves to others throughout our lives. However, my hot take is that it’s not always a bad thing. 

In this episode, we’re talking about the positives and negatives of comparison. We’ll dig into when comparison hurts and discuss when and how to compare yourself to others in a beneficial way.

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If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for a great book to read. Over the past few months, there have been a lot of amazing new books published about editing, writing, and the publishing industry, and I wanted to share my recommendations with you today. 

The following books are listed in order of publication dates, and they’re linked to my Bookshop.org affiliate account. However, make sure you check out your local library or bookstores too. 

I chose books that can be read at any stage of your editing career. Some of them...

There is a fine line we walk when we approach burnout. I know this all too well, which is why today’s episode is our first release in seven months. After facing my own spout of burnout and still actively recovering from it, I knew I had to ask for help in my business and it has made all the difference. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a little about that journey and what you should consider if you’re ready to ask for help!

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1:04 - Discussing Burnout and Recovery...

With so much turmoil going on in the world, it can be hard to stay focused and find the motivation to continue with business as usual. Recently, I’ve often found myself asking, What’s the point? Who cares where this Oxford comma goes? None of this matters when atrocities are happening every day. We can feel helpless and hopeless. So, how do we keep moving forward? 

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the things that I’m doing to help me move forward every day. A few highlights from today’s episode are:

As a coach for freelance editors, one of the most common questions I get asked is about how many hours a day editors should be editing. And the answer is one of my favorites—it depends! 

In this episode, we’ll dive into specific questions you need to ask yourself that’ll help you figure out how many hours you should be editing in a day. Because (surprise, surprise!) it varies greatly for everyone. Here are some highlights below:

In this short-and-sweet episode, we’re going to talk about what “booked out” means to you and if it’s something you even want to work toward (it might not be!). I want to stress that being booked out is not bad or wrong. And for anyone new here, when one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

In this episode, I’ll touch on the following:

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*Content warning: This episode discusses depression, anxiety, and eating habits.*

When you’re a solopreneur and wear all the hats, you can get too much on your plate very quickly. It accumulates fast, sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re stretched way too thin. Your energy, motivation, and capacity quite literally burn out. 

In this episode, I talk about my recent experience with burnout, some warning signs and symptoms to look out for, and provide you with some tips that helped me return to my version of normal. You’ll hear the following:

It’s the million-dollar question: Where does all our time go? To help answer that question, I’m going to walk you through my process for figuring out where our time goes, what we spend our time doing, and how we can “earn” some of our time back.

Here’s what we’re going to cover:

It’s time to put on your CEO hat! I’m walking you through my monthly process of how I review my business in order to stay organized and wrap up each month.

We’re going to cover a lot in this episode, but keep an eye out for these highlights:

Tax season—that time of year dreaded by most. And while filing your taxes as a freelance business owner is a much different ball game than doing them as a W2 employee, if you get organized, stay organized, and follow my tips, tax time will go smoother than you think.

In this episode, you’ll learn the following: