Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Whitaker

Hi Tara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I took a very windy path to get to where I am today, and I suspect my path will continue in the same way.

I’ve always been an avid reader and the designated “Can you proofread this?” person among my family and friends. Sadly, I never knew editing as a profession actually existed for people outside of New York City until well into my twenties. I was looking for a creative outlet at my 9-to-5 job as a web content manager and found book blogging through a college friend. I was hooked! I got to meet so many authors, editors, publishers, agents, publicists, and industry pros and knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I answered a call on social media for an unpaid internship with an editor at a publishing house, and from there I became a production editor, then a copyeditor and proofreader, then a community facilitator and business coach for freelance editors. I took classes and honed my skills along the way, ensuring that I can offer my clients the absolute best service possible.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

“Smooth” can be taken a lot of different ways. I’m a white, cishet woman, so I definitely benefit from privilege. In terms of my journey being smooth in other ways, I’ve had challenges for sure.

My education revolved around how to be a good employee, so starting my own business and being my own boss was a wake-up call in a lot of ways. I had to learn personal accountability with juggling all the hats we wear as freelancers: not only editing, but also marketing, accounting, website creation, social media, etc. Instead of specializing in one area like you would at a traditional job, freelancers have to know about a wide range of areas.

I had to get comfortable with failure and things not working out as I had planned. Running a business is a giant experiment, and we never know if something is going to work or not unless we try it. I had to get over that very quickly.

Being a freelancer means you’re in control of your rates and how much you work, but the income can still be variable. It’s a big shift to go from a regular paycheck to an invoice-based business. I was fortunate to discover a budgeting system that helped me smooth out the roller coaster, and now I’m a certified YNAB coach who helps freelancers budget confidently.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Tara Whitaker, Inc.?

My business, Tara Whitaker, Inc., has grown and evolved over the last twelve years. I still offer copyediting and proofreading services, and I’m also a community facilitator, podcast host, and business coach for freelance editors.

I’m incredibly proud of my membership community, the Freelance Editors Club. I know what it’s like to feel isolated and lonely, unsure of how to get clients or make connections, feeling excluded from the sometimes secretive world of editing, and struggling to get your business off the ground. That’s exactly why I created the club—because it takes a village to navigate the world of building your own business.

I noticed while speaking to editors inside the Freelance Editors Club that while having a community is important, sometimes we need one-on-one guidance and support. I now use my experience and training to help editors build and elevate their businesses with personalized, judgment-free coaching.

As my business evolved and grew, I knew I wanted to reach more people with free education and insight. That’s why I started The Modern Editor Podcast, which goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run an editorial business in today’s world. I release new episodes regularly!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?

I live in the Chicagoland area, and I love my city. I’ve been here sixteen years now, and I have no plans to leave. There is always a new restaurant to try, cultural event to attend, exhibit to visit, or beach to relax on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tarawhitaker.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taramqwhitaker/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taramwhitaker
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-modern-editor-podcast/id1636214082

Image Credits

Jessie Hearn Photography