A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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After several days of rain here in North Carolina this week, these tiny mushrooms popped up in my yardâliterally overnight. All it took was the right mix of moisture, warmth, and darkness. |
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It made me realize that certain kinds of growth happen only under difficult conditions.
The past few weeks have been challengingâhelping my mom after my dad's death and easing back into my proofreading projects. But somehow, in the middle of it, something good has grown: your kindness, your messages, your prayers. Theyâve encouraged me more than you realize.
Some of you have shared your own stories of loss. You've told me about your dads, your moms, or other loved ones youâve lost. What a gift to be trusted with your memories.
It reminded me that, like those mushrooms, encouragement often appears quietlyâright when it's needed. And in a profession like proofreading or editing, where itâs easy to feel isolated or overwhelmed, I hope we keep supporting each other. We arenât competitors. There are plenty of grammar and spelling errors to go around. đ
Youâve been my after-rain mushrooms, and Iâm so grateful. đ |
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Spreadsheets to the Rescue! đ |
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After my dad passed away, one of the first things my family did was create a spreadsheet. We needed a way to keep track of all the paperwork my mom would now be responsible forâutilities, insurance, accounts, and more. That shared spreadsheet has become our central hub. It helps us stay in the loop, divide tasks, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Itâs a small thing, but itâs made a big difference. I use spreadsheets in my business, too. |
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This Airtable spreadsheet helps me track tricky word pairs I find in my transcript proofreading. |
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Here are a few of the things I track with spreadsheets: - Proofreading projects (client names, page count, rates, time spent, etc.)
- Tricky word pairs Iâve seen in my transcript proofreading
- Business expenses
- Marketing/connection tracking
- Social media content
Spreadsheets bring a sense of calm to the chaos. Airtable (referral link) is my tool of choice. It's flexible, shareable, and just fun to use. Do you use spreadsheets in your life or business? What do you track with them? Which tool do you use? đ |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - Set expectations before beginning client work: Lynneâs post is a great reminder of how important it is for editors and proofreaders to set clear boundaries with clients. Managing expectations up frontâwhat we will and will not doâmakes the whole process smoother for everyone. đ
- Set up these business basics early: Thereâs more to freelancing than just great proofreading or editing. Hazel's checklist of nine essential documents (plus a free marketing template) is a goldmine for anyone looking to build a strong, sustainable business. (Be sure to read the blog post she links in the comments on her LinkedIn post.) đĄ
- Reasons not to price by the word or the hour: Yasmin makes a compelling case for pricing based on value rather than word count or time. Her example of a bio she edited (and the many errors she spotted) is a great illustration of how experience and attention to detail are worth far more than a per-word or per-hour rate could ever reflect. đ°
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The English language is full of words that sound the same but have different meanings. To be honest, it can be quite frustrating.
relaid â laid something down again, usually in a new position or after being removed relayed â passed along a message, signal, or item from one person or place to another 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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Carrie White Proofreading |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
I proofread court transcriptsâdepositions, hearings, and trialsâfor freelance court reporters.
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I completed the course Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice by Proofread Anywhere.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
There are so many perks of working from home that I could mention. But honestly? What I really love is that reading court transcripts gives me a window into how people live, the things that happen to them (or the things they cause to happen!), and the work they do. Even the dullest, most technical transcripts can take a surprising turnâyou never know whatâs coming next!
- What causes you the most frustration in your work?
Not doing it perfectly! The perfectionistic tendencies that make me a thorough, detailed proofreader can also really stress me out. I have to remind myself that I'm human and I can't possibly catch every single error, every time.
- What tips would you like to share with other proofreaders and editors?
Connect with others who are doing what you do (or aspire to do). The proofreaders I've met online through Facebook groups and private messages have been so generous with their advice and tips and incredibly encouraging. I owe a lot of my progress as a new proofreader to that guidance. Even as a freelancer, you can create a community that supports you both personally and professionally.
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My Baltic Blue Pothos is showing off some new growth! I never get tired of those tightly rolled leaves gradually opening. 𪴠|
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Let's keep growing together! |
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7893 Old US Highway 52
Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
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