A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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In last week's issue of The Leaflet, I was so excited to tell you about the new website for The Proofreader Greenhouse that I didn't say much about the fact that it was Issue 100. To celebrate that milestone, I want to share some lessons I've learned while producing an email newsletter for 100 weeks. Maybe they'll spark some ideas for your own proofreading or editing business. Here are five lessons I’ve learned from publishing 100 issues of The Leaflet: |
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1. Showing up weekly builds trust. - My Reflection: Sending this newsletter every week (even when I wasn’t sure anyone was reading) showed me that consistency builds trust over time.
- Your Takeaway: Staying visible (even in small, simple ways) helps future clients and peers remember you when they need your help.
2. Not every issue needs to be profound to be impactful. - My Reflection: Some of the issues I thought were “too basic” ended up helping the most people.
- Your Takeaway: What feels obvious to you might be exactly what someone else needs clarity on. Don’t wait for perfect. Share what’s useful.
3. Writing weekly has trained me to spot content ideas in my everyday life. - My Reflection: Producing a weekly newsletter has made me more observant. Content ideas show up during client work, conversations, and when caring for my plants.
- Your Takeaway: Start keeping track of things you notice while working: a confusing sentence, a style decision, or a client question. Those small observations can turn into valuable insights.
4. Featuring others has been one of my greatest joys. - My Reflection: Highlighting fellow proofreaders and editors has brought new relationships, inspiration, and a stronger sense of community.
- Your Takeaway: Collaboration builds visibility faster than working alone. Featuring someone else can also shine a light on your own strengths.
5. Plant analogies help me (and you) see the world differently. - My Reflection: Analogies about my plants have helped me explain business ideas in a way that’s easier to understand and remember.
- Your Takeaway: You can use your own hobbies, routines, or surroundings to tell stories that help clients understand the value of what you do.
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Thinking about starting your own newsletter? Consider this your invitation. Whether you write to clients or colleagues, your voice could become the steady presence someone looks forward to each week.
Thank you for subscribing to The Leaflet. 💚 |
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Favorite LinkedIn Posts This Week: |
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Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently. Click the links below to read them. |
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I didn't have the audio of this trial transcript, so I suppose it's possible that the officer said “cording off.” However, he likely said “cordoning off.” When used as a verb, cordon means to block off or surround an area—usually using ropes or barriers—to keep people out or control access. 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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Stephanie from White Rabbit Editing |
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The Proofreader Greenhouse asked: - What type of content do you proofread or edit?
Fiction copyediting and proofreading
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
USCD, Extension Studies Specialized Certificate in Copyediting
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
My favorite thing about fiction editing is the opportunity to work with such a diverse, creative group of people. I love the challenge of refining and polishing an author's work while preserving their unique voice. It's a balance of precision and creativity. Also, I get a secret rush of joy when I find an inconsistency in the text—blue eyes in Chapter 5 changed to green eyes in Chapter 13.
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
The most challenging aspect of fiction editing goes hand in hand with the best part, which is maintaining the delicate balance between improving the text and preserving the author’s original voice. It can be difficult to ignore your own stylistic preferences during editing.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
Learn to track all the time you spend doing everything business-related. Not just editing (which is imperative), but also tasks like admin, social media, and continuing education. Doing a time audit every month keeps me focused on where I'm expending too much or too little effort.
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Plant Photos of the Week: |
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My backyard camellias are putting on a show again. Their ability to bloom in the cool weather always amazes me. 🩷 |
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Let's keep growing together! |
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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. |
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7893 Old US Highway 52
Lexington, NC 27295, United States |
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