Is it pronounced H or H?

A topic that is rarely discussed is the 'aitch' vs 'haitch' debate so I was interested to read an article in the Age about the origins of its use. It's a form of language that comes with an unspoken disapproval of its use and it made me think about the question of disapproval in the role of editing work and how an editor approaches this in their work.

Is there a silent disapproval for bad grammar and spelling? I relish the opportunity to get my red pen out and I try to refrain from mocking public typos because they will always keep me in a job. But the question for editors is how to approach this disapproval with tact and professionalism without the client feeling judged.

I admit in my early pre-editor days, I emailed a large cinema chain about their airing of an ad that featured a voice-over pronouncing H as 'haitch'. I felt they should have grammar standards and fortunately they replied in a positive and receptive way. But it could've gone the other way, of the company taking offence at my criticism, even though it was constructive.

The Age article is an interesting one and I might use it as water cooler conversation for the week to see how others feel about it. Which side are you on?

Transitioning into Freelancing? 6 Top Tips to get you started.

Amidst the excitement of finally relaunching my website, comes the realisation of the time spent on writing copy, sourcing images, consulting with a wonderful marketing content guru (thanks Connie!) and reviewing and reviewing with an editor's eye to ensure there isn't one single comma out of place - eek let me know if you find one!

Sometimes I miss my corporate days when I would just pick up the phone and dial a 3-digit number to send an IT expert either running up to my desk or to spend time on the phone to talk me through the issue. Problem fixed, hang up phone, get on with work and laser print a gazillion pages on a super-fast printer whose toner I don't have to replace myself. (*think before you print)

Running your own business brings wonderful positives such as flexibility, freedom of choice and a sense of fulfillment for doing something you're truly passionate about. But in moments of frustration, I miss those resources that are so readily available in the corporate world. As a freelancer, you have to be the IT manager, accountant, operations/project manager, HR manager...all these skills that people take years to study and become proficient in. I wouldn't expect a PhD candidate to perfect their paper by using spell check, so how can I devote all this time and effort into skills I'm not qualified in?

Here are 6 things that I've found have made my sole-business life easier:

1. Outsource. Even though you may think you can't afford to pay for a service, think of the time wasted on that chore when you could be devoting that time to your clients and their work and to building and marketing your own business. Consider using sites like Airtasker to get someone to do your books, get your weekly food delivered, even a basic clean of the house. All of this delegation will give you hours back in your week and keep your mind clear and focused on the job at hand. I always commend authors and small business owners for seeking my help with professional editing rather than trying to do it themselves, so why not take that same approach myself?

2. Connect with your industry. Professional community groups are extremely collaborative and supportive, whilst helping you carve your professional path. The editing community has great online groups for professional advice and assistance. There will be an online community for almost any industry. Seek it out and connect with your fellow small business owners. If I ever need help with an IT, accounting or general industry query I can jump on the Facebook page and there will always be a willing 'colleague' to assist. It has saved me much time and money. Thanks Eds :-) 

3. Get out of the house! Or the office. Get along to as many industry events as you can and network with your fellow SBOs (small business owners). Check out local MeetUp groups in your areas and connect with industry peer bodies (such as Editors Victoria). If you work from home, consider getting out for the day - what city isn't infiltrated with awesome co-working spaces?! Download the app WorkHardAnywhere to get connected all over the globe.

4. Get (online) help. Stay professional. Working for yourself shouldn't mean you down the tools needed for running an exceptional business. In Australia, there are awesome online resources thanks to Government initiatives, like Business Victoria. This site offers a huge amount of information on marketing, tax, social media and business planning and stays current with technology trends. Some information is specific to Victoria, but much of it is just general important information for running a small business and juggling the various tasks at hand.

5. Consider a mentor. Do you know someone who has trail blazed your industry/occupation before you? Get out and ask them if they're willing to share their knowledge with you... chances are you'll be met with a resounding yes! Shape yourself up to be the perfect mentoree to get the most out of your sessions and professional insights that could take years to learn.

6. Write vision and mission statements. Companies big and small do it - why shouldn't you?! Your vision will give you clarity for your ambitious goal and this is a great thing to launch into from day one. It's the thing that drives you to want to excel in your world - to make the difference you want to make. Your mission steps out how you're going to get this done with integrity, professionalism and in a timely fashion. Keep them brief! This is not the moment to experiment with the thesaurus on newly-discovered words. Here's a great resource to get you started... and have fun with it! This is your vision - make it shine.

So now a new week and to manage my time wisely. Can I finish early today, Sophie? Yes you can Sophie...