What Freelancers Want You To Know
If you’re an indie writer, you’ll soon get to the point where it’s time to hire a freelancer. From copyeditors to book cover designers to author assistants, there are so many people out there with the expertise to help make your self-publishing goals a reality.
Going it alone is part of the indie spirit—but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. At some point, you’ll bring in a pro who can elevate your work and save you time and stress. That said, sometimes the task of researching and hiring freelancers can seem stressful and time-consuming itself!
Here’s what freelancers want you to know:
We’re here to help! Freelancing is a tough gig. We do it because we love to help. We love collaborating with tons of different people on a wide variety of projects. And most of all, we want you to have a positive experience. So don’t be afraid to ask questions, share concerns, and seek advice. I, personally, don’t mind tailoring my editorial process and approach to each client’s unique needs. No matter what, we can make it work.
We can only provide the right service if you know the service you’re looking for. Speaking as an editor, I always make sure clients know that there are many different levels of editing. Developmental editing looks at your story structure, characters, voice, pacing, and so on. Line editing digs into your prose. Structural editing takes a bunch of separate pieces and crafts them into a story. Copyediting ensures consistency, clarity, and correctness. Proofreading is the final step for error-free text. And beyond that, every freelance editor specializes in one way or another. Some of us are particularly gifted at narrative nonfiction while others are experts in the contemporary romance genre. So when you approach a freelancer, it helps to clearly and thoroughly share details about your project and outline what exactly you need. If they aren’t the right person for the job, odds are they know someone to refer.
Set a realistic budget—for the whole project. As freelancers, we have to make sure the work we do can pay us a living wage (after fees, taxes, overhead costs, and expenses are taken out). But those of us who work with indie authors are serious about keeping our rates reasonable. I offer payment plans, and I set aside a portion of my income to give discounted services to mission-driven authors or organizations working on projects that make an impact on their communities. Know that you can share your budget restrictions with freelancers, but don’t expect free labor. My advice for indie authors is to make sure you are creating a realistic budget for the entire project before you start spending money. Account for editing, layout and cover design, web hosting fees, production costs, ISBNs, and marketing expenses. See if there are areas where you can save costs so that you can afford the services you really need. This article from Kindlepreneur is a good place to start.
Do research! Don’t just contact the first freelancer you find. Here are my tips for the research you can do to make sure you’re hiring the right freelancer for your project: Avoid sites that are hotspots for scammers, such as Upwork and Fiverr. Research professional organizations for the freelancers you want to hire, and start there. Check freelancers’ references and credentials carefully, and keep an eye out for red flags, like an editor’s typo-filled website or a freelancer who won’t sign a contract. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you reach out to freelancers. Clients ask me all the time about my policy on AI (I don’t use any generative AI tools), whether they can speak with past clients (of course!), whether I can do a sample edit (I insist), or, sometimes, what my favorite books are (where do I begin). And finally, read the contract carefully.
There’s no such thing as a bad question. We’ve heard it all. Truly. Don’t hesitate to ask about timelines, rates, or even what certain terms mean. Freelancers expect questions—it shows you’re engaged and serious about your work. Clear communication from the start helps both sides feel confident and ensures a smoother collaboration. If something doesn’t make sense, just ask.
Hiring a freelancer is an exciting step toward bringing your book to life. With the right support, your words can truly shine and reach the audience they deserve. Let’s collaborate!
