Mentoring for editing and proofreading business owners

A 3-month mentoring programme for editors and proofreaders who want 1:1 support to grow their freelance business

Stuck in a rut with your editing business? Lacking a clear focus and confused about which steps to take next?

1: 1 mentoring can help you get laser focused on your goals and feel confident that you are taking the right action steps to build a successful and sustainable business that makes you excited to get out of bed every morning!

What can mentoring help with?

My mentoring programme is mentee-led, which means there is no set-in-stone format. Just like you and your business, each mentoring programme is unique; we focus on the things YOU want help with.

This could include:

  • Marketing strategy

  • Mindset

  • Time management

  • Social media

  • Branding

  • Client acquisition

  • Pricing

Is mentoring the same as coaching?

Basically, no. The main difference between coaching and mentoring is that a coach doesn’t have to be familiar with your industry to help you. An effective coach asks the right questions to allow you to figure out the best path forward. A mentor, however, is someone who does, or has done, what you do; they’ve been there and done that and use their own experience to help guide you on your own business journey.

Does it involve mentoring to hone your editing skills?

No. This is a programme to help you with the business of editing rather than the technicalities. If you’re looking to improve your editing or proofreading skills, most professional editorial bodies offer their own mentoring packages that provide this kind of support.

Why choose me to be your mentor?

Prior to becoming an editor, I worked as a management learning coach for national companies such as Eddie Stobart, Elis and IAE, I mentored in the RAF and have been a mindset trainer for my local district council. If qualifications are your thing, I hold a level 3 award in coaching and mentoring and a level 5 in learning and development. But credentials aside, I’ve been where you are. I’ve built an editing business from the ground up, alongside studying for a master’s and solo parenting two little ones – if I can do it, so can you!  I’ve tried a LOT of the things we’re told to do when building a business and discovered the merits and pitfalls of each. I know what it feels like to juggle all the things but I also have some tried-and-tested strategies to help grow your business in a way that feels right for you.

What’s included?

  •  Monthly 1:1 meetings via Zoom

  • Monthly accountability check-ins via WhatsApp or Voxer

  • Unlimited WhatsApp/Voxer access in between meetings and check-ins, if you need to ask me anything

  • A customised Trello board for you to keep

And the investment?

£444 for a 3-month programme

(Can be paid in full or monthly installments of £148.)

  • "one of the best decisions I've made for my business"

    Jessica helped me focus on what was important to get my business to a place I felt confident with. She was so easy to talk to and work with and was accessible whenever I had a question. She helped me refine my marketing message and truly identify my target audience. I feel so much more excited about my business than I did when we started. Investing in mentoring with Jessica was absolutely one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business.

    Lisa Fellinger | Developmental Editor

  • "I'm actually having a bit of fun with my marketing strategy!"

    When I started my sessions with Jessica, I knew I had a lot to figure out in my business. I felt confident in my editing skills, but when it came to pricing and marketing my services, I often froze. As a result, I was working on multiple projects at once, pulling long editing days, and somehow only barely staying in the black. I rarely had time for anything that wasn't pure editing. Jessica helped me work out a pricing model that accurately represented the number of hours I was putting into each project. She helped me create better editing timelines that left space for all the work I'd been putting on the back burner. Most importantly, she helped me understand and appreciate the value I bring to each project.

    Sophie Cannata-Bowman | Editor & Writing Coach

  • "Jess helped me switch on my business mindset"

    I can’t recommend Jessica’s editorial business mentoring programme enough. Before starting the programme, I felt unsure about where to go next in my business and what my priorities should be. Her advice, guidance and support throughout our three months was amazing. Jess helped me switch on my business mindset and was the catalyst I needed to become more proactive. Thank you, Jessica. You’re a star.

    Kim Brockway | Copyeditor & Proofreader

Interested? What happens next?

To give all my mentees the time and attention they deserve, cohort numbers are limited. My current programme is full. However, I’ll be opening the doors again in January 2023. If you’d like to be the first to be notified, add your name to the waiting list and I’ll be in touch!