A Note from Julie, the Greenhouse Curator:

Before I purchased my latest plant, I noticed a “rare plant” sticker on the pot.

 

Yes, I know labels like that can sometimes feel like a way to justify a higher price. But before I bought this plant, I looked up the variety, checked availability, and confirmed that it actually is considered rare among collectors.

 

The sticker didn't create the value. It simply helped customers recognize it.

I think there’s a useful lesson here for proofreaders and editors.

 

Many of us were taught that our work should simply “speak for itself.” So we focus on improving our skills, meeting deadlines, and being reliable. But clients aren't automatically going to understand what makes our services different. Sometimes we have to help them see it clearly.

 

That doesn't mean inflating our prices or exaggerating our expertise. The plant shop’s label only worked because the claim turned out to be true. If I'd researched the plant and discovered it was actually common and overpriced, I would've walked away.

 

Clients do this too. They look at your website, your testimonials, and your process explanations. They notice whether your communication feels polished and professional. They’re looking for signs that your rates match your expertise.

 

For example, there's a big difference between saying “I’m a proofreader available for hire” and “I help nonprofit organizations prepare polished annual reports and donor communications.”

 

One sounds generic. The other sounds specific and trustworthy.

The same goes for the way you present your business overall. Your onboarding process, portfolio, proposals, and communication all signal the quality of your work.

 

The plant shop understood this and highlighted what made this plant different.

 

Proofreaders and editors often hesitate to do the same because they worry it sounds like bragging. But there’s a difference between trying to make something seem valuable and helping people recognize genuine value.

 

If you have specialized knowledge or strong systems, clients should be able to see that quickly. Otherwise, they may assume all editing services are basically the same and make decisions based mostly on price.

 

 

When clients can clearly see your value, pricing conversations become much easier. 🌟

Here are three posts I enjoyed reading on LinkedIn recently. Click the links below to read them.

I talked about this word pair back in April of 2024, but it might be a good time to mention it again.

diffused: spread out or scattered over a wider area

defused: made less dangerous, tense, or explosive

 

Here's how I remember the difference: Defuse removes the fuse from a bomb.
 

Dr Thomas Smith Research and Editing Services

 

I don’t know exactly what type of plant this is, but when I saw it at a local greenhouse this week, I thought it was beautiful enough to photograph anyway. Sometimes we don’t need to know the full name of something to appreciate it.

 

Maybe there’s a reminder in that for us too. We don’t have to have every answer or every next step figured out before we can enjoy growth where we are right now. 🌱

Let's keep growing together!

What did you think of today's email? I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or feedback. Email julie@theproofreadergreenhouse.com

 

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