A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator: |
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When you start collecting plants, you eventually run out of obvious places to put them and start getting creative. 🤭 In my house, that means the tops of cabinets. Those spots were empty anyway, and trailing plants look especially nice when they have room to grow freely. But I’ve noticed something about the plants I keep up high: They tend to dry out faster than the others. |
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They’re in the same house and getting the same care as my other plants. The difference is their location. Heat rises, and the air up there is a little warmer and drier. If I water those plants on the same schedule as the others, I’ll eventually find dry soil and a few yellow leaves. So I’ve learned to keep a closer eye on them. Over time, I’ve started noticing a few parts of my proofreading work that tend to “dry out” faster than others. They’re small things, but when I check on them occasionally, everything runs a little more smoothly. You might notice some of these in your own proofreading or editing workflow. Here are a few ideas that can help: - Update the searches you run at the end of a project. Many proofreaders rely on a list of searches before sending a file back to a client: incorrect spacing, repeated words, and a few other usual suspects. Every once in a while, it helps to review that list. You may discover new searches that could help you catch things more quickly or consistently.
- Reread the email templates you send to clients. If you reuse messages for sending finished files, explaining a correction, or asking a client a question, take a few minutes to read them again with fresh eyes. A small tweak can make your communication clearer.
- Leave notes for your future self. When you finish a project, jot down anything that might matter next time: a tricky name spelling, a formatting preference, or a client style choice you almost missed. Those small notes can save you time months later.
- Fix small workflow annoyances when you notice them. If there’s a part of your workflow that consistently slows you down, it’s worth paying attention to it. These could be tasks such as renaming files, locating reference materials, or digging through old emails for a client preference. Fixing even one small annoyance can make your workday smoother.
Have you noticed any parts of your workflow that tend to “dry out” faster than others? I’d love to hear about them. 🪴 |
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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. - You may never see the impact you make: Jason shares a powerful reminder that we rarely see the full impact of the ideas we share. It makes me think about how something I share with a colleague or client might stick with them and shape their thinking for years. ✨
- Look back at how far you've come: Philippa’s post reminds us how valuable it is to look back at how far we’ve come in our proofreading or editing journeys. As I celebrate 10 years as a proofreader this spring, it makes me think about those early days and everything I’ve learned since then. 🌱
- Why a proofreading checklist helps: Julia shares how she uses a running list of “usual suspects” to catch all the tiny details in a proofreading project. It’s a great reminder that having a simple checklist can free up brain space so we can focus on the bigger picture while still catching things like spacing errors or style preferences. 📋
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These four words have the same pronunciation but different meanings and spellings: - caret → editing mark ^
- carrot → vegetable 🥕
- karat → gold purity 🥇
- carat → gemstone weight 💎
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?
I am comfortable proofreading both fiction and nonfiction works. I have proofread many published books from a range of genres, including thriller, crime, music, and sports. I also have experience proofreading academic materials.
- Did you complete training for proofreading or editing?
I have completed all three CIEP proofreading courses. I am currently working through the first CIEP copyediting course.
- What's your favorite thing about your proofreading or editing work?
Connecting with fellow freelancers and publishing professionals is always an opportunity to learn more about the industry. I also genuinely love the process of proofreading a manuscript as it allows me to not only do something I love and am passionate about, but I use each project as a way to improve as a proofreader.
- What's the most challenging part of your work?
I would say the droughts in work can definitely be demoralising. Trying to promote yourself and get in contact with publishers with the hope they respond can be stressful too.
- What tip(s) can you share with other proofreaders or editors?
Give yourself grace. Freelancing can be and will be stressful. Try to connect with fellow freelancers, ask questions, and stay consistent. My favourite tool/app when proofreading a project is using Toggl to track how many hours I spend proofreading. I find it very helpful to proofread in 25-minute increments and take a break for five minutes in between.
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The huge forsythia bush in my front yard has burst into bloom. Forsythia is one of the earliest spring bloomers, and I look forward to this cheerful yellow every year. 💛
Fun fact: The forsythia is part of the plant family that includes olive trees, lilacs, and jasmine. |
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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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