In 2019, I was a political science professor who was fed up with the stress and hostility of academia–not to mention the low pay. I left my tenure-track job and went from barely surviving to thriving as a freelance academic editor. Today, I own Acadia Editing Services, an editing and coaching business that brings in six figures a year.
In this podcast, I’ll discuss the challenges of academia, what academic editing involves, and what life as a freelancer looks like. If you’re willing to jump outside your comfort zone, it IS possible to find joy, true flexibility, and a profitable and rewarding career as an academic editor.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2019, I was a political science professor who was fed up with the stress and hostility of academia–not to mention the low pay. I left my tenure-track job and went from barely surviving to thriving as a freelance academic editor. Today, I own Acadia Editing Services, an editing and coaching business that brings in six figures a year.
In this podcast, I’ll discuss the challenges of academia, what academic editing involves, and what life as a freelancer looks like. If you’re willing to jump outside your comfort zone, it IS possible to find joy, true flexibility, and a profitable and rewarding career as an academic editor.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if your own accountability tool became a profitable business--and academic escape plan?
Dr. Nicole Pettitt didn’t set out to build a business. She just wanted accountability for her own writing. So she launched a free co-writing group for women in grad school—and it quietly became a coaching business, with paid clients and real impact.
Many academics want a “Plan B” but don’t know where to start. They feel stuck between their current role and the unknowns of entrepreneurship—especially when they still enjoy aspects of their job.
Nicole started with what she already had: experience advising grad students, a deep understanding of writing struggles, and a Zoom link. From there, she organically built a coaching business—without quitting her tenure-line role.
In this episode, she shares how she turned her Saturday morning co-writing group into a business that supports women finishing their dissertations—while staying in alignment with her values and energy.
Whether you’re toying with a side hustle or looking for a sustainable exit strategy from academia, Nicole’s story will give you the clarity and confidence to begin.
🔗 Learn more about the BAE program: AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor
Connect with Nicole:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-pettitt/
Email: drnicolep31@gmail.com
01:24 – Nicole's shift toward supporting women in academia
05:14 – Balancing academic roles with entrepreneurial aspirations
08:11 – Free writing group beneficial for community building
09:13 – Majority of clients found through the writing group
10:57 – Importance of providing community for online doctoral students
12:11 – Similarities between coaching others and personal challenges
14:30 – Bridging the gap between knowledge and action
14:30 – The necessity of community and feedback for doctoral students
16:07 – Community aspects tied to external feedback in coursework
18:48 – Recognizing that information alone isn’t enough for student success
22:39 – Advice to focus on one-on-one coaching first
24:56 – Writing group as a funnel for attracting one-on-one clients
26:03 – Clarity is key to helping clients execute their projects
30:20 – Establishing boundaries between coaching and editing services
36:39 – Pricing coaching services fairly based on value offered
42:03 – Strategies for promoting coaching services to writing group members
48:40 – Testing marketing strategies as a scientific experiment
49:43 – Understanding client pain points as core to effective marketing
50:53 – Providing contact information for potential clients
51:21 – Encouragement for women to pursue their academic goals
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.