The Modern Editor Podcast

Tara Whitaker
  • 5.0 (27)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Modern Editor Podcast

The Modern Editor Podcast, hosted by Tara Whitaker, goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run an editorial business in today’s world.

  1. 1D AGO

    How to Use PerfectIt to Enhance Your Editing Workflow with Daniel Heuman

    Are you using PerfectIt? If not, I can’t recommend it to freelance editors enough. For years, I let fear and intimidation stop me from taking advantage of this software, and now I wish I could get that time back.  On this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Heuman, CEO of Intelligent Editing and creator of PerfectIt, to talk about how this program can help editors. Listen in as he shares about PerfectIt’s origin story, its many features, and an exclusive announcement about what’s next for the program.  Important Sections:(1:03) What is PerfectIt?(5:45) PerfectIt Frees Up Editors to Focus on What They Love(10:28) What Does PerfectIt Actually Look Like?(16:02) What Type of Document is PerfectIt Best Suited For?(24:37) How to Start Using PerfectIt (Especially if You’re Feeling Intimidated)Resources MentionedPerfectItPerfectIt Video GuidesJoin the Style Works beta testing listWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    33 min

  2. JUN 25

    How to Harness the Power of Consistency and Storytelling for Your Freelance Editing Business

    Ready for a quick-and dirty-business chat? I recently returned from the Craft + Commerce Conference by Kit, and in this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m sharing my top two takeaways you can implement in your editing business. Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit) is a platform for business owners that started as an email service provider. I’ve used it for several years, but this was my first year attending this conference. While it wasn’t exclusively for editors, the takeaways can absolutely help us grow our editing businesses. Important Sections:(1:03) All About the Kit Craft + Commerce Conference(3:04) Why Consistency Is So Critical for Business Owners(6:23) Storytelling Will Beat AI Every Time Resources Mentioned:Craft + Commerce Conference by KitEpisode 45: How Editors Can Create Habits That StickWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    12 min

  3. JUN 11

    Why is Coming Back From a Break So Hard?

    You can do all the right things to plan for a break in your business, but coming back to work will still be hard. In this episode, we’re continuing our discussion on taking breaks as a business owner. Listen in as I share three major lessons I learned about my life and business after coming home from a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.  This is the third installment in my series on taking breaks. You can check out the previous conversations in episode 33, where we covered taking time off as a freelancer, and in episode 42, where we talked about why it can be difficult to step away from your business for a well-deserved break. Important Sections of the Conversation(0:38) Why Is It So Hard to Come Back From a Break?(2:25) Navigating the Vacation Hangover(5:39) Seeing Work Tasks in a New Light(6:57) Recognizing My Mental Load is Too HeavyResources MentionedEpisode 33: How to Take Time Off as a FreelancerEpisode 42: Why Is It So Tough to Take Breaks?Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals by Oliver BurkemanWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    13 min

  4. MAY 28

    Behind-the-Scenes of Becoming a First-Time Author With Sam Vander Wielen

    What does the publishing world look like from a first-time author’s perspective? As editors, it’s important for us to understand the process they go through as they publish their first book. In this episode of The Modern Editor Podcast, I’m joined by first-time author Sam Vander Wielan. Her new book, When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy, is a practical and transparent guide for online entrepreneurs. We dive into choosing the right book title, working with a book coach, the editor-author relationship, how your online platform plays a role in landing a book deal, and so much more. You’re going to love this jam-packed episode! Important Sections:(2:00) From Corporate Lawyer to Entrepreneur: Meet Sam Vander Wielan(6:38) Build Your Business Around a Great Idea, Not What You Love Doing(8:27) Behind the Scenes of Choosing a Book Title(12:27) How a Birth-Chart Reading Led to a Book Deal(17:09) All Roads Lead to the Email List(20:42) The Writing Process as a First-Time Author(27:17) Writing From a Place of Transparency(31:46) The Editor-Author Relationship(37:37) The Perks of Being a Second-Time Author(44:37) Lead With CuriosityConnect With Sam:Book: When I Start My Business, I’ll Be HappyPodcast: On Your TermsWebsite: samvanderwielen.comResources Mentioned:Kit StudiosRichelle FredsonWendy ShermanManyChatKit (formerly ConvertKit)Work with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    47 min

  5. MAY 14

    Celebrating 50 Episodes By the Numbers

    We’ve officially hit fifty episodes of The Modern Editor Podcast! I’ve never been great at slowing down enough to celebrate achievements, so I want to take a moment to reflect on this milestone instead of rushing toward the next goal. Listen in as we celebrate The Modern Editor Podcast by the numbers. Don’t worry, there’s no math involved! Important Sections:(2:20) The Modern Editor by the Numbers(4:03) Top Five Downloaded Episodes(6:40) How Many Times I Took a Break(8:34) My Apple Podcasts Rating(10:55) Top Two Lessons I’ve Learned From Podcasting(13:38) What Do You Want to Hear in Future Episodes?Resources MentionedWriting an Identity Not Your Own with Alex TembladorElevate Your Business Processes with Akua KonaduBorrow the Mic with Haylee GaffinFive Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started My Editing BusinessRunning a Business During Tough TimesHow Many Hours a Day Can You Edit?How to Find Time to Get Things DoneA Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Copyediting ProcessGaffin CreativeWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    15 min

  6. APR 30

    Borrow the Mic: How Podcast Guesting Can Grow Your Editing Business with Haylee Gaffin

    Could appearing on a podcast help grow your editing business? Not only can it grow your brand, but it can set you up as an expert in your field. In today’s episode, Haylee Gaffin of Gaffin Creative joins us to explain why editors should consider leveraging podcasts as a marketing tool in their business. Listen in as we talk all about why freelance editors should pitch themselves as podcast guests, the power of borrowing someone else’s audience, and what makes a great podcast pitch. Ready For More Podcast Training?If you want to dive deeper into podcasts, whether that’s as a host or a guest, join us inside the Freelance Editors Club. Haylee is leading a podcast training in May 2025, where we’ll talk more about pitching yourself as a guest and how to use podcasts to grow your business. (Seeing this after May 2025? You can still access the video recording when you join the club!) Important Sections:(1:08) Are Podcasts Still Relevant in 2025?(10:51) The Power of Borrowing Someone Else’s Mic(13:10) How to Pitch Yourself as a Podcast Guest(18:52) The Key to Finding the Right Podcasts to Pitch Yourself to as a Guest(27:48) Pitch Yourself With Clear Goals in Mind(35:57) Where to Find New Podcasts(39:57) What to Do After You Appear on a Podcast(47:47) Ready For More Podcast Training?Resources MentionedListen NotesRephonicConnect With the GuestGaffin Creative@hayleegaffinClocking In podcastWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    49 min

  7. APR 16

    How Tariffs Could Affect Your Editing Business

    (Note: As expected, this episode became out of date within 24 hours of recording…but the same overall ideas still apply. If nothing else, I want this episode to get you thinking about what you have control over and help you prepare for what is going to be a roller coaster of economic BS in the future. If you want up-to-date financial and small business info, here are my favorites: The Broke Black Girl, Ramit Sethi, The Budgetnista, Her First 100K, and Ellyce Fulmore.) How will tariffs impact your editing business? In this episode, I’m going to share what my family is doing to alleviate stress when it comes to tariffs, as well as what I predict is going to happen. However, I hope I’m wrong… I’m not a financial expert or economist, so please don’t take anything I say as advice. I’m simply sharing my experience and how it relates to us editors who rely on a steady income stream and encounter expenses required to run their businesses.  Important Sections:(1:48) Replace Your Electronics(3:55) Get Intentional With Your Money(6:15) My Tariff Predictions(7:44) Lean Into Your CommunityResources MentionedYou Need a BudgetWork with Me:Join the Freelance Editors ClubGrab the Editing Contract Template

    10 min

  8. APR 2

    Editor Self-Care: How to Use Affirmations in Your Business

    Affirmations are short statements that help anchor you to the present moment. I actually prefer to call them anchor thoughts for this very reason. I’ve found myself relying on anchor thoughts more than usual lately, so I thought I would share my favorites with you.  I’m also going to share the purpose behind anchor thoughts. The world has been a stressful place recently, and these anchor thoughts are great tools that help me maintain perspective.  Important Sections(1:52) What’s the Point of an Anchor Thought?(2:55) The TEARA Process(5:52) My Five Favorite Anchor Thoughts(8:06) We Have to Take Care of OurselvesResources MentionedWhy Mindset is More Than Just a Buzzword episodeNadia Geagea Pupa’s Affirmation Cards for EditorsWork with Me:Book a free 15-minute callJoin the Freelance Editors ClubBook a 1:1 coaching session

    11 min
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

The Modern Editor Podcast, hosted by Tara Whitaker, goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run an editorial business in today’s world.

Information

  • Creator
    Tara Whitaker
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 | Tara Whitaker
  • Show Website
    The Modern Editor Podcast

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