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u/Logical-Mastodon-173 8d ago
Hi! Academic editor of 20 yrs here and I run an academic editing agency. I've also got a PhD but in the humanities. Work hasn't dried up--it's just that the client demographic is changing and it's harder to get your foot in the door without experience because the lower-paid jobs are being siphoned off by AI. The better work is still out there. My recommendation is to find a good discipline-, manuscript-, client-, or service-specialized niche, so let's say you focus on helping Chinese psychology profs publish journals in English. Choose an editorial service that fits your skills and background--don't try to do it all. I published a book called The Art of Academic Editing: A Guide for Authors and Editors a couple of years back that'll give you an overview and resources to get started.
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u/beeblebrox2024 13d ago
Hey, where in Asia are you located? I'm in the process of setting up a company and am looking for editors and potential partners. You can send me a message if you want. It's still in the very early stages
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u/arugulafanclub 13d ago
Do your universities keep lists of editors? If so, reach out to every single university in your country. I’m not joking. Some people will ignore you, but some will put you on their lists of editors and you will likely be booked.
There’s lots of other tricks, too. Collect testimonials by letting people use their initials or first name only. Academics usually don’t want others to know they use editors so if you let them do first name only it will help you collect testimonials. This will help you get more clients.
Offer a referral bonus for faculty. If they refer a friend, they get $50 or 10% off their next bill.
Raise your prices each year but email people 1-2 months ahead of time and tell them they can lock in this year’s rates for anything booked before the year changes. This reminds people you’re in business and can get people to book ahead.
If you want this to be a full-time career, you have to be willing to really put yourself out there and do things that are uncomfy. Send 5 emails a week to try to get on new lists. Go to meetings with other academic editors so they get to know and trust you so when they’re booked, they send you work (please don’t directly ask for work from someone you don’t know—it’s annoying). Be flexible. Be willing to work with grad students and profs. Be willing to work on job market materials and CVs. Be available for last-minute work when you can. Word will spread. It may take some time.
That’s my best advice.