Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Gerd.
Hi Deborah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I resigned from teaching in May 2022. I taught English for eight years, from grades 8 – college sophomore level classes. One of the reasons I left the profession was to branch out on my own and start my own business.
I am a Freelance Copyeditor. I have helped people proofread, edit, and at times rewrite their written work. I have worked on website content, newspaper articles, online articles, advertising brochures, and more. I have just barely gotten started and am using freelance websites such as Upwork and Fiverr to help get my feet off the ground, gain experience outside of teaching, and hopefully build a client list that will be willing to follow me off of these platforms. Everyone’s gotta start somewhere, and those platforms are where I am starting.
I do have my own website up and running, and I have been to a few networking events. I am currently looking into joining a great networking group in the Woodlands as a way to advertise my editing business. A great advantage I have with my work is the ability to work remotely. I currently have an ongoing client from New York.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Thus far, I am starting from scratch, and I still have plenty to figure out and navigate. It’s why I chose to start work by creating profiles on freelance websites. It gets me started and helps me learn the ropes of independent work.
Currently, I am working towards incorporating myself as Nerd’s Editing. But I have some research to do first, and I would like some steady clients before I incorporate my business. The helpful thing with Upwork and Fiverr is that I do not have to be incorporated to get work, and they have helped me figure out tax forms. The downside is that the platforms take a percentage of each job I do because they set me up with my clients. Eventually, I’ll have enough funding to 100% branch out on my own and hopefully bring some of those clients with me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What makes me different from computer-based editors used in Word and Google doc is that I can help a person find their written voice. Everyone has a written voice, a way they write that sounds similar to how they speak, but not everyone has figured it out yet. That’s where I come in. I can help find your voice, as well as pick up on speech patterns of your writing that are either harmful, such as repeated use of specific words or phrases, or helpful, such as attention to detail and research. I am also able to bridge the generational gap due to my experience with teaching. If someone is having trouble reaching a target audience, I am able to assist with the language in their writing.
I also care about my clients and what they are trying to achieve. It’s their work; it’s their voice, and they deserve to be heard in their work. I can help with that.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something people may not know about me and how I work is that I talk to myself a lot. I read the work out loud to make sure it makes sense, then I ask myself questions about it, such as, “If I were x years old (the target audience) would this be interesting to me? What would my previous students think?” It leads to interesting conversations, but it does help get the best results.
Another surprising thing would be that I actually suck at spelling. Yes, I have two degrees in English, but I don’t know everything on the subject. I use printed dictionaries and thesauruses, as well as double-check corrections with an online dictionary and thesaurus. Although I am a grammar nerd, I would be lost without those tools!
Side note: I can spell better than my father, that was my goal in school. He was my first editing client.
Pricing:
- My standard rate is $35 per hour, regardless of what the client needs.
- On Fiverr, I have different packages available according to a client’s need.
- On Upwork, my price is $35 per hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: nerdsediting.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/nerdsediting
- Other: fiverr.com/nerds_editing
Image Credits
Cari Scalise with Twisted Oak Photography
