A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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Dusting usually doesn’t lead to discoveries about my proofreading business, but this week, it did.
While dusting the picture frames on my living room shelves, I noticed the satin pothos cutting I’d put in a bottle of water two years ago (see left photo below). Back then, it had one skinny stem and just two leaves. Nothing special. |
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Today, that same cutting has 27 leaves (see right photo above), and the bottle is packed with healthy roots. |
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Most days during the past two years, I didn’t notice any changes in this plant. But when I compare then and now, the growth is hard to believe.
Your proofreading or editing business (and your confidence) often grows in the same quiet way: not in daily leaps, but in steady, almost invisible steps. Here are four ways you can spot and strengthen that kind of growth: - Choose consistency over constant change. My satin pothos cutting is thriving with simple, steady care—no fancy fertilizer, no frequent repotting. In the same way, steady effort on your projects matters more than chasing every new tool or trend.
- Refresh what’s stagnant. Every few weeks, I change the water so the roots can keep thriving. Your business needs that too. Let go of habits, systems, or mindsets that feel stagnant.
- Stop judging growth by how things look right now. Like the cutting, progress may feel invisible when you’re in the middle of it. Step back and compare where you are now to a year or two ago. I bet you’ll spot more growth than you realized.
- Track your growth story. Jot down a few notes about your clients, systems, or wins. Then check back later. You’ll see that quiet persistence really does add up.
This week, take a moment to notice your own “two-year picture.” Where have you quietly grown? Is there one small habit or system you could refresh so your business can keep thriving? 🌱 |
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Share Your Plant Photos With Me! |
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Your plant(s) could appear in future issues of The Leaflet!
Email your photo(s) to julie@theproofreadergreenhouse.com (or just reply to this email and attach your photo).
In a future issue, I’ll share your plant photo along with your first name and last initial. It’s always fun to see the plants that brighten our spaces.
Here are some quick tips for a great plant photo 📸: - natural light
- simple background
- in focus
- no heavy filters
Feel free to include the plant name (if you know it) and where it lives in your home or workspace.
I can't wait to see your plants! 🪴 |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently: - Why flawless copy isn’t a writer’s job: Lauren explains why expecting perfect, error-free copy from writers just isn’t realistic. I love the reminder that clean, polished content is a team effort. Writers write, but editors and proofreaders make it shine. ✨
- A little trust goes a long way (for both clients and freelancers): Hazel shows how high-trust environments don’t just feel better, they work better. I appreciate her perspective on how trust leads to less waste, more motivation, and stronger collaboration between freelancers and clients. 🤝
- Real talk: why errors might still show up after copyedits: Gabriella lists several reasons errors can still show up in page proofs, even after a copyedit. It’s a helpful reminder that tight timelines, author changes, and version issues can cause lingering mistakes. As proofreaders, we’re often the ones who spot what slipped through earlier in the process. 👀
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Discreet = careful, tactful, not calling attention
Discrete = separate, distinct, individual
Each time you see one of these words in your writing, editing, or proofreading, pause a moment to confirm it’s the correct one. 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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Coastal Proofreading by Kelly |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
I specialize in proofreading transcripts for court reporters. I'm thankful for the trust court reporters place in me and for having the opportunity to support their work!
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I completed my training through Elizabeth Wiegner's Transcript Proofreading Academy (TPA). It's a very intensive course with two exams and personalized feedback along the way. The support from the student community and weekly online coaching calls were a huge help, and the step-by-step business guidance gave me the confidence to start working with court reporters right away. I can't say enough about TPA. The course far exceeded my expectations and set me up for success!
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
One of my favorite things about proofreading transcripts is the opportunity to connect with court reporters and build meaningful professional relationships. After a rewarding long-time career in local government, I was looking for a way to continue utilizing my skills in a way that supports others and makes a positive impact. Managing my own business is a bonus, which gives me the freedom and flexibility to set my own schedule and work from anywhere I want!
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
The most challenging part is managing multiple transcripts with quick turnaround times while keeping each court reporter's individual preferences in mind. Every reporter has their own style, so I make it a priority to stay organized and focused to ensure that I'm proofreading accurately and efficiently while meeting both their expectations and their deadlines.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
A few things come to mind! First, connect with other proofreaders for support and advice. It's great having fellow proofreaders you can reach out to when needed. Joining punctuation and grammar groups on Facebook or other online platforms is also a great way to keep learning, share tips, and ask questions. Most importantly, to stay organized, find a project management system that works for you. I use Asana, a web-based tool, to assign tasks, track transcript due dates, note client preferences, and manage invoicing and other business tasks.
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Here’s a reminder that an occasional yellow leaf isn’t the end of the world. The rest of this plant is healthy and growing strong. Out with the old, in with the new. 🪴 |
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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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