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.
Marketing doesn't have to feel gross, fake, or confusing.
In this episode, I coach Bhaskar Raman—a skilled academic editor—through the exact mindset and messaging shifts that help editors attract higher-paying, more satisfying private clients.
Bhaskar has years of experience working with academic publishers, but he’s ready to go direct—to work with scholars one-on-one. The problem? Marketing feels overwhelming, and he's unsure of how to stand out.
In our coaching session, we:
🚶➡️ Walk through how to build a marketing plan that starts with empathy, not expertise
🚶➡️ Uncover who Bhaskar’s ideal clients are, and the real emotional struggles they face
🚶➡️ Make a plan for how he can write content and website copy that truly resonates
By the end of our session, Bhaskar has a clear message, a strategy for content creation, and a renewed sense of confidence in his value—not just as an editor, but as a thought partner for academic authors.
Whether you’re brand new or already freelancing, this episode will shift how you think about selling your services—so that you can build a business that feels good... and pays well, too.
RESOURCES:
📚 Laura Portwood-Stacer’s Book Proposal Book: https://amzn.to/46EWkwH
📘 Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) rates: https://www.the-efa.org/rates/
👉 Want to end burnout and become an academic editor or coach? Go to AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor
02:23 – Identifying client struggles
04:00 – Credentials vs. connection in marketing
06:42 – Selling outcomes, not services
09:35 – Using client language in copy
12:18 – Bhaskar’s mindset shift
14:44 – Relatable vs. original content
17:26 – Overcoming fear of “copying” others
20:10 – LinkedIn marketing strategy
23:07 – Storytelling as marketing
26:55 – Defining Bhaskar’s ideal clients
29:34 – Writing in first-person voice
32:01 – Marketing as service
35:12 – Website copy critique
38:50 – Why Bhaskar’s experience is enough
41:26 – Coaching through imposter syndrome
44:39 – Creating a simple content plan
47:03 – What to say in your content
49:20 – Bhaskar’s final reflections
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.