FBP 007: How to Establish a Flourishing Career as a Freelance Editor with Al Sabado

UPDATE:

(February 16, 2014): The sound issue has been fixed. We enjoin everyone to start listening to this very enriching episode. We apologize again for the inconvenience. Thanks.

(February 15, 2014): We sincerely apologize for some technical difficulties being encountered with this podcast episode wherein there is no sound on most parts of the show. We are currently fixing this and we will will resolve this very soon. Thank you.

Editor. Proofreader. Typesetter. These are some of the occupations that we hear, read about or encounter in our day to day existence yet we are totally clueless as to what these people actually do. In fact, do you even personally know someone who does editing for a living?

Enter Ms. Al Sabado – a person who bravely escaped her job in a top university to become an independent and successful freelance editor. She is a God-fearing, smart, articulate and very witty woman.

The image that I have in my mind of who an editor is this — a librarian with thick glasses, saying “shhhh” to those who are noisy and has zero sense of humor. Well, Al is the total opposite of that. And I am sure you will love listening to this episode while learning more about the world of editing.

Here are the Takeaways from the show:

How an appendectomy led to an unexpected moment of discovering a freelance editing career.
How she finds work as an editor.
How intermediaries helped her get her first job as a freelancer.
What are intermediaries and the pros and cons of using them.
The different style guides in editing.
The difference between editing, proofreading and typesetting.
How to prevent scams.
Why retraining is important to freelancers.
How she handles money matters as a freelancer.
Al’s method in selecting clients.
How Al copes with the fears associated to freelancing.
Why intelligent authors still go for editing their work.
Why freelance editing will flourish despite the rise of self-publishing.
What freelancers should do during the slow months.

Resources and Links

Craigslist

Express Scribe Footpedal for Transcribing and Editing

The Publshing Training Centre

Google Chrome

The Free Dicitionary

Freelancer’s Guide – alsabado.com

Google Sites

WordPress

Blogspot

Quotable quotes:

” No incomplete school work can hinder a person’s passion to pursue a career or career path.”

“Make sure that we’re updated, we’re experts, we’re learned, we’re informed, we’re always on the lookout for improving our work as freelancers.”

AHA Moment: “Nung una akong nakatanggap ng bayad na British Pounds, ayan, puwede pala.”

“Part of the learning experience is unlearning the fear.”

“Yung pagpapa-edit ng libro, personal decision ng author. Kung gusto niya mapahiya siya, eh di sige, huwag ka magpa-edit.”

“Editing is not actually detecting just the error but also the content, the substance of the material.”

“Trust in God and let’s be legit.”

And there you have it, Al Sabado, the freelance editor online. Would you like to become a freelance editor yourself? Or are you an author and would like to have your book edited or proofread? Please head on over to Al’s website at Alsabado.com for more information.

Lastly, we are running a promo together with our friends from 199Jobs.com. The 3 best comments on the Freelance Blend Podcast page in the iTunes Store or Podcasts app will get a free T-shirt from 199Jobs.com. Here are the mechanics:

1. Go to the iTunes Store (Mac or PC) or Podcasts App (iPhone, iPod or iPad).
2. Search for Freelance Blend in the Search Box.
3. Click Reviews
4. Enter your honest Comments and Rating of the Podcast
5. Email me the text of your comments or a screenshot of your comments at marv@freelanceblend.com

I will select and announce the 3 best comments on the show and the 3 lucky winners will get a FREE T-shirt from 199Jobs.com. Winners may claim their T-Shirts during our monthly Freelance Blend Manila Meetup or arrange for free delivery (within Metro Manila only). This special promo ends on March 31, 2014.