A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
|
Hi, friends. I hope you’re enjoying this long weekend, especially if you’re in the States and get a break for Labor Day on Monday.
Around here, I’ve been playing plant doctor. A couple weeks ago, I pulled a yellow leaf off my Monstera Peru and didn’t expect it to tear the stem. That bare spot bugged me every time I looked at it.
So I tried something an online plant guru recommended: Crazy Keiki Cloning Paste. It’s thick and waxy, and you dab it on a node or damaged spot to wake up growth hormones. Instead of scarring over, the plant grows a new shoot. And it worked! 👏🏻 |
|
I’m fascinated by how something that looks like a scar can become a new start.
We can do that in our proofreading or editing work, too. Maybe your “bare spot” is a portfolio sample you’ve outgrown, your client pipeline, or even your confidence. It doesn’t have to stay that way. A little attention can wake it up.
Here are some ways to add a little "cloning paste” to your business: - Refresh your portfolio: Update samples, add testimonials, or create a case study.
- Automate something small: Use canned emails, scheduling tools, or checklists.
- Strengthen a weak link: Take a quick tutorial or study a style guide you’re unfamiliar with.
- Make one connection: Comment on a peer’s post or thank a past client.
- Turn feedback into fuel: Invite honest reviews from clients to uncover growth opportunities.
Small, steady actions turn “bare spots” into new growth.
Where could you apply a little “cloning paste” in your life or business this week? Reply to this email and tell me one area where you’d like to see new growth. 🌱
|
|
A Mascot for The Proofreader Greenhouse? |
|
You’ve heard me mention Harley, our two-year-old beagle and my work-from-home companion. His powerful nose can track down anything—a chipmunk darting through our yard, a salamander sunning itself on our deck, or the faintest whiff of food from across the house. That talent for noticing every detail reminds me of proofreaders and their sharp attention to detail.
With the TPG website getting a refresh soon, I’m thinking of making Harley our unofficial mascot and letting him appear now and then for a touch of whimsy.
What do you think? Cast your vote below to tell me how you’d feel about seeing Harley pop up in future TPG content. Just click or tap on the option that matches your preference.
Thanks for your input!
|
|
Would you like to see Harley in TPG content? |
|
|
|
As I mentioned last week, I’m running a short survey to gather your thoughts about The Leaflet newsletter—what’s working, what you’d like to see more of, and how I can make it even more valuable for you.
Thanks so much to those who’ve already responded. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time, and I’d be so grateful for your feedback. 🌱 |
|
Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
|
Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - Why fast isn't always better: Michelle reminds us that clients don’t just want a quick turnaround, they want to know their words are in good hands. Her post is a great reminder that trust, care, and quality often matter more than speed. ⏳
- The freelance marketing checklist we all need: Lisa breaks down freelance marketing into practical steps that don’t feel overwhelming. I love how this list makes it easy to take action, even on a busy day. ✨
- Don't fear the rough draft: Sally’s metaphors for writing and revision are spot on. She shows how revision isn’t just editing, it’s part of the creative process that helps your ideas take shape. 💡
|
|
Air is the invisible mix of gases we breathe or the space around something. To err is to make a mistake. It's basically the verb form of “error.” 💡 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. |
|
This Week's Featured Proofreader or Editor: |
|
The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPG), books about video games, board games, comics, manga, and novels
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I received a Certificate in Copyediting from the University of California, San Diego, and got my BA in professional writing from Champlain College. I also recently completed a six-week course in indexing from Library Juice Academy.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
Getting to learn more about all kinds of topics and to discover new-to-me games and authors. Going into a bookstore or library and seeing a book that I worked on will never stop being awesome.
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
I sometimes struggle with the admin side of things, like drawing up contracts, preparing tax documentation, and updating my website. I like to ask other editors what they do and what works for them; often their suggestions will also work for me.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
I've been very lucky to get great clients through social media platforms like Twitter (now X), Bluesky, and LinkedIn. I've taken to posting on these sites (except for X, which I no longer use) regularly and to responding to replies and comments. I will often post things on LinkedIn that I first posted on Bluesky or vice versa, and I'll expand or contract the post depending on the platform.
|
|
Can you spot the new leaf on my Global Green pothos?
It’s still curled tight, full of potential. Our work as proofreaders and editors is like that too. Our skills, ideas, and projects slowly unfold over time. Growth takes patience, but it’s always worth it. |
|
Let's keep growing together! |
|
If this newsletter was forwarded to you or you found a link to it online, why not get The Leaflet delivered straight to your inbox? ✨ Subscribe now ✨ for grammar tips, tricky word pairs, client strategies, and helpful online tools. |
|
7893 Old US Highway 52
Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
|
|
|
