I am a post graduate in english literature and am in the2nd year of law from delhi univ. i am seeking work to sustain myself. i can do editing , writing, proof reading , all in english. i have also worked as a journalist. i want work that i can do from home. my requirement is immediate.
good question
I want to start an online editing business – I know how to make my own page, and I’ve checked the domain name to see that it’s available.
Before I take on any business, though, I want to make sure everything’s done legally so that I can’t be fined or charged any back taxes down the road.
If I’m running such a business online (where I’m conducting all business, including payments, solely through the Internet), what kind of legal issues should I consider? Do I need to register a DBA? What kind of tax forms should I fill out? I’m not charging very much as it is, so I don’t even know how much I should expect to make. I just want to make sure that everything’s done legally to avoid trouble.
Anyone have experience running their own business online. If so, any advice? Thanks!
This is one of those gray areas — I find if you start contacting local government bureaucrats and asking them what you need, they’ll start coming up with an endless supply of hoops for you to jump through.
The essential thing is to keep records of your income so you can declare it, and also keep records of your expenses so you can take every possible legitimate deduction when tax time comes. (For instance, if you dedicate a portion of your home as your office, you can deduct a portion of your mortgage or rent payment from your taxes.)
You can just operate as an individual for tax purposes if you want. You don’t need a DBA unless you want to give your business a name other than your own name. For a simple business like this you don’t need to over-complicate it, just get started and you can pick up the details as you go along.
That being said, it would be best to consult a CPA — you could contact a few other freelance writers or editors in your area and ask for a recommendation for a CPA who specializes in independent/home businesses.
I am starting freelance editing and want to know what are questions I should ask clients before hand? i.e. about the content of their writing, number of pages, what they expect from me, etc. Basically introductory questions to their work and to also see how compatible we are with each other. I’d like to know what information is relevent (from those of you who have experience). Thank you.
As a writer and editor, I have to question your readiness to enter this field since you don’t know the answers to these questions.
Not knowing indicates inexperience, even if you have edited a few things, and that causes me to wonder if you will be a capable editor. And as a writing group director, I won’t recommend anyone who hangs out an editor sign without proving they’re good because I won’t waste my members’ time or money.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Have I edited many things for free and received good feedback?
2) Has any of the work I’ve edited been used, and has it happened often?
3) Has my edited work appeared in reputable fields or the market I want to work within?
4) Have I had anything edited so I know first hand what kinds of things customers will want from me? (This will help answer your questions.)
5) Have I studied the competition to see what they charge and how they evaluate jobs?
If you can answer well to most of these questions, then perhaps you’re ready to become a freelance editor. If not, I recommend you wait and take the steps necessary to do so.
Best regards ~
I am starting freelance editing and want to know what are questions I should ask clients before hand? i.e. about the content of their writing, number of pages, what they expect from me, etc. Basically introductory questions to their work and to also see how compatible we are with each other. I’d like to know what information is relevent (from those of you who have experience). Thank you.
As a writer and editor, I have to question your readiness to enter this field since you don’t know the answers to these questions.
Not knowing indicates inexperience, even if you have edited a few things, and that causes me to wonder if you will be a capable editor. And as a writing group director, I won’t recommend anyone who hangs out an editor sign without proving they’re good because I won’t waste my members’ time or money.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Have I edited many things for free and received good feedback?
2) Has any of the work I’ve edited been used, and has it happened often?
3) Has my edited work appeared in reputable fields or the market I want to work within?
4) Have I had anything edited so I know first hand what kinds of things customers will want from me? (This will help answer your questions.)
5) Have I studied the competition to see what they charge and how they evaluate jobs?
If you can answer well to most of these questions, then perhaps you’re ready to become a freelance editor. If not, I recommend you wait and take the steps necessary to do so.
Best regards ~
What are the professional photo editing rates for professional photographers? Would like to start freelance editing for photographers, but do not want to charge an hourly rate, which seems to be more for non-professional individuals.
My Photoshop wizard bills at $150 an hour. I do everything in my camera so the only work done by my retoucher is at the request of the client that could not be done with makeup before taking the shots.
The client pays for the retouching.
What are the professional photo editing rates for professional photographers? Would like to start freelance editing for photographers, but do not want to charge an hourly rate, which seems to be more for non-professional individuals.
My Photoshop wizard bills at $150 an hour. I do everything in my camera so the only work done by my retoucher is at the request of the client that could not be done with makeup before taking the shots.
The client pays for the retouching.
I don’t want it to cost more than $75…
"a amatuer freelance photographer?" ??
Get the GIMP – it’s free.
The "best" programmes cost more than that.
I am trying to do some freelance editing and want to edit and author some DVDs. What are some good accessories that will help me do this fast and efficient. I have a MacBook running Final Cut Express. I can’t afford Studio yet but what are some things that will help me now?
Final Cut Express should be enough to do most of the editing you need. I do some video editing and for the projects I want to look better, I use Final Cut Express. If I just need a quick simple cut, I’ll usually use iMovieHD.
If you have iLife ‘08 or later you have the newer version of iMovie (which is way too simple for me). You can download this older version of iMovie on Apple’s website.
Also, if you want to use an external audio input (mic, guitar, etc.) I would get a USB mixer. I have an Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 myself. The sound quality is eons better than trying to use the built-in mic for audio. I got it for $100 off of Craigslist. I also use an Shure SM58, which is pretty much the standard mic for recording/performance. Brand new they’re around $100, but you could get one used for $70-$80.
Not sure what else you were looking for, but good luck on your endeavors.
I’m an unemployed technical writer/editor in the US. I have a science degree but no master’s. I’d like to get freelance editing work, preferably in my field and editing longer works like books. I’ve looked at Web sites for editing services, and they all require an advanced degree. Some Web sites require you to pay before you can even bid on jobs. That’s a scam, IMO. And some ads want editors to give their services for free or close to it. No, thank you. I have a mortgage due.
So what’s the best way to get work as a freelance editor? I have quite a few years of experience, and I’m good at what I do.
I don’t know why my question wasn’t clear. I am looking for FREELANCE EDITING gigs. Editing. Freelance editing. I want to know how to get work as a freelance editor. Doesn’t anybody know? I’m not interested in answering surveys, stuffing envelopes, doing telemarketing, or any other work-from-home scams. I want to know the best way to get freelance work as an editor.
Hi. I am a freelance writer and I get most of my work through oDesk. I’ve also done a few editing jobs on there as well. You might want to check them out. The reason I prefer them to other outsourcing sites is that it doesn’t cost anything to set up an account and apply for projects. Like you, I was frustrated with other sites that make you pay for that (I’m in this to make money, not spend it!). oDesk also offers free tests and certifications so you can pretty up your profile to make yourself more marketable.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’ve been working through their network for almost a year so I’m familiar with how it works.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!
I’m an unemployed technical writer/editor in the US. I have a science degree but no master’s. I’d like to get freelance editing work, preferably in my field and editing longer works like books. I’ve looked at Web sites for editing services, and they all require an advanced degree. Some Web sites require you to pay before you can even bid on jobs. That’s a scam, IMO. And some ads want editors to give their services for free or close to it. No, thank you. I have a mortgage due.
So what’s the best way to get work as a freelance editor? I have quite a few years of experience, and I’m good at what I do.
I don’t know why my question wasn’t clear. I am looking for FREELANCE EDITING gigs. Editing. Freelance editing. I want to know how to get work as a freelance editor. Doesn’t anybody know? I’m not interested in answering surveys, stuffing envelopes, doing telemarketing, or any other work-from-home scams. I want to know the best way to get freelance work as an editor.
Hi. I am a freelance writer and I get most of my work through oDesk. I’ve also done a few editing jobs on there as well. You might want to check them out. The reason I prefer them to other outsourcing sites is that it doesn’t cost anything to set up an account and apply for projects. Like you, I was frustrated with other sites that make you pay for that (I’m in this to make money, not spend it!). oDesk also offers free tests and certifications so you can pretty up your profile to make yourself more marketable.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I’ve been working through their network for almost a year so I’m familiar with how it works.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!