A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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Each spring since I bought this large philodendron, I’ve looked forward to one small but satisfying ritual—moving it back to its favorite spot.
All winter, it sits in another room, safely tucked away from our wood-burning stove. It does fine there, but it’s not quite the same. The moment the weather warms up, I carry it back to this bright spot, and before long, it’s thriving again. |
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This seasonal move reminds me that proofreaders and editors go through seasons of change too. Just like my plant, we don’t stay in one spot forever. We shift, adapt, and adjust to keep thriving. Here are a few ways we can embrace those changes: - The Right Spot at the Right Time: My plant isn’t moving just for fun—it’s a strategic choice based on what it needs to thrive. As proofreaders and editors, we do the same. Some seasons call for deep client work, while others are better for growth, marketing, or professional development. Knowing when to shift focus is key.
- Moving for Growth: The plant doesn’t resist the move; it needs it. Sometimes we outgrow a niche, a client relationship, or even the way we structure our workdays. Shifting services, adjusting rates, or refining our workflow can be the healthiest choice.
- A Business That Flexes With You: One of the best things about freelancing is flexibility. Just like I get to decide where my plant goes, we can adjust our workload, schedule, and focus based on what works best in different seasons of life and business.
No matter the season, change is a natural part of both plant care and business growth. The key is recognizing when a shift is needed and making sure that wherever we “move,” we’re set up to thrive.
What season are you in? Settling into a routine or shifting in a new direction? Reply and let me know. |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn this week (shared with permission): - The sneaky way we procrastinate: How often do we trick ourselves into feeling productive when we’re actually just avoiding the real work? I love Kenna's simple but powerful mantra: Create before you consume. It’s a great reminder to focus on action instead of endless preparation. 📝
- An editor's biggest fears: Eliza’s post is a peek behind the scenes of editing—the pressure, the precision, and the fears that come with shaping someone’s work. I especially like her perspective on mistakes and collaboration. Editing isn’t about perfection; it’s about making a story shine. ✨
- The secret to an About page that actually converts: Too many About pages read like résumés, but the best ones make a connection with potential clients. Jacquelyn reminds us that our story should build trust, not just list credentials. Is your About page doing its job? 💪🏻
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"Chalk (something) up to" means to say that a result happened because of a specific reason. Example: Landed a new client? You might chalk it up to all that networking you’ve been doing.Catch of the Week screenshots come from my transcript proofreading. I can't change what a person said, but I can make sure words are spelled correctly and punctuation marks are in the right spots. If you're interested in learning more about transcript proofreading, I wrote an article about it here. |
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This Week's Featured Proofreader or Editor: |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
Mainly academic nonfiction in the theological space, though at my day job I also edit organization-wide communiqué published by the CEO and the internal communications department. I've tried my hand at fiction too, but it doesn't feel quite as natural. There's just something about a 400-page manuscript with an extensive bibliography and notes section that captivates me. Focus on what you love, I guess!
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
I've always enjoyed reading, and most of the time editing just feels like an extension of that. But because I live in a different culture and often interact in a second language (and not always so well), proofreading ends up being a soothing escape to the English language.
I also enjoy the organizing element involved with editing: creating and maintaining systems as well as systematically checking that a manuscript is internally consistent. While editing probably doesn't qualify as therapy outright, for me it almost functions that way—as a break from the more stressful (people-oriented?) parts of life.
- What causes you the most frustration in your work?
Honestly, I often feel that my work is underpaid. While this may just be my perception, I struggle to find the balance between setting my rates high enough and not scaring away clients. This is definitely an area I would like to learn more about and improve on in the future.
- What tips would you like to share with other proofreaders and editors?
In the past couple years, I've really focused on creating and implementing a master list of checks specific to each client I work for. Anytime I receive new feedback or a style guide changes, I add this information to my master list. While style sheets and guides are obviously very helpful and form the basis for editing, creating my own personal checklists helps me pay attention to things that I tend to overlook and keeps me even that much more organized.
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New to my plant collection, this trailing begonia loves the bright light in my dining room window. Thank goodness for deep windowsills! 🪴 |
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Let's keep growing together! |
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Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
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