Katie_BeaconPoint
@katiebeaconpoint.bsky.social
Developmental editor and copy editor for independent authors
Work-from-home mom of three littles
Editorial business boss who helps other editors run their business
Speaker and presenter at writing and editing conferences.
Work-from-home mom of three littles
Editorial business boss who helps other editors run their business
Speaker and presenter at writing and editing conferences.
it. I would use Gsuite. The free plan on Zoho works well for me. You have a limit on emails on the free plan, but it very generous. And I have a clear purging out system so it works for me. I get a ton of emails, but organization and purging make the free one fine. #ACESChat.
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
it. I would use Gsuite. The free plan on Zoho works well for me. You have a limit on emails on the free plan, but it very generous. And I have a clear purging out system so it works for me. I get a ton of emails, but organization and purging make the free one fine. #ACESChat.
Zoho!! I love it so much. You can use your domain email for free, and I think the interface is even better than gmail. I felt like I found gold when I discovered it. Most free email clients that allow you to use a domain email are wonky, clunky, bad interface. If I hadn't have discovered #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Zoho!! I love it so much. You can use your domain email for free, and I think the interface is even better than gmail. I felt like I found gold when I discovered it. Most free email clients that allow you to use a domain email are wonky, clunky, bad interface. If I hadn't have discovered #ACESChat
Thanks. I was a bit unsure, as I've never used Bluesky, and I didn't ever use Twitter. These platforms are too chaotic for me. I know odd because I am a multi-task, do tons of things at once person, but the constant movement of the threads overwhelm me. ha! I'm a LinkedIn gal. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Thanks. I was a bit unsure, as I've never used Bluesky, and I didn't ever use Twitter. These platforms are too chaotic for me. I know odd because I am a multi-task, do tons of things at once person, but the constant movement of the threads overwhelm me. ha! I'm a LinkedIn gal. #ACESChat
A9 2/2: Since I’m a teacher at my core, I want to get to the core of your needs. Email me (kmchambers@beaconpointservices.org) to schedule a free consultation call, share your biggest business challenges, and get personalized direction. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
A9 2/2: Since I’m a teacher at my core, I want to get to the core of your needs. Email me (kmchambers@beaconpointservices.org) to schedule a free consultation call, share your biggest business challenges, and get personalized direction. #ACESChat
A9 1 /2 : I have a Resources for Editors page on my site, with free and paid resources created by me and other editors, some mentioned throughout this chat. Peruse them here: beaconpointservices.org/editors-reso... #ACESChat
Resources for Editors —Beacon Point
If you love to edit, but need some tools to help with the business-side of things, I've got you covered. I have checklists and trackers to help you manage your business.
beaconpointservices.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A9 1 /2 : I have a Resources for Editors page on my site, with free and paid resources created by me and other editors, some mentioned throughout this chat. Peruse them here: beaconpointservices.org/editors-reso... #ACESChat
A8: 8/8 What does matter is trust! If you’re constantly missing deadlines and going back on promises, that’s a problem. If life happens, most clients understand and still trust you because you were honest and upfront about it. If they aren’t, well, I already told you your choices for that. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A8: 8/8 What does matter is trust! If you’re constantly missing deadlines and going back on promises, that’s a problem. If life happens, most clients understand and still trust you because you were honest and upfront about it. If they aren’t, well, I already told you your choices for that. #ACESChat
A8: 7/8 This is huge coming from me (a type-A person): A missed deadline is not the end of the world. Deadlines are there to give me structure, to let the author know when to expect it so they can schedule accordingly, etc. But a day or two later usually doesn’t matter that much. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A8: 7/8 This is huge coming from me (a type-A person): A missed deadline is not the end of the world. Deadlines are there to give me structure, to let the author know when to expect it so they can schedule accordingly, etc. But a day or two later usually doesn’t matter that much. #ACESChat
A8: 6/8 If they respond with “take your time,” I can choose to take additional time off or not. Remember I have two buffer days, so I’m still on track. But if I need it and all my current clients responded that way, I can decide to use up those buffer days and even miss the deadline. Gasp! #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A8: 6/8 If they respond with “take your time,” I can choose to take additional time off or not. Remember I have two buffer days, so I’m still on track. But if I need it and all my current clients responded that way, I can decide to use up those buffer days and even miss the deadline. Gasp! #ACESChat
A8: 5/8 Reach out even if it’s only a possibility. “I missed a day of work for personal reasons. I’m still on track to get your manuscript to you on time but just wanted to give you a heads up in case I need extra time.” You can say the reason; you don’t have to. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A8: 5/8 Reach out even if it’s only a possibility. “I missed a day of work for personal reasons. I’m still on track to get your manuscript to you on time but just wanted to give you a heads up in case I need extra time.” You can say the reason; you don’t have to. #ACESChat
A8: 4/8 If the reason my plan is all off is personal, I’ve learned to treat it the same. I have insomnia issues. Some days it’s really not great for me to plow ahead and drink the caffeine. I have three young kids if something comes up pulling my attention from work, then that’s life. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A8: 4/8 If the reason my plan is all off is personal, I’ve learned to treat it the same. I have insomnia issues. Some days it’s really not great for me to plow ahead and drink the caffeine. I have three young kids if something comes up pulling my attention from work, then that’s life. #ACESChat
A8: 3/8 My contract states that if I terminate for any reason they have to pay me for work done up to that point. So if they aren’t worth the stress, terminate. Only had to do that once. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A8: 3/8 My contract states that if I terminate for any reason they have to pay me for work done up to that point. So if they aren’t worth the stress, terminate. Only had to do that once. #ACESChat
A8: 2/8 Communicate ASAP. “here’s what changed for me and how I propose we move forward” earns trust. Most get that life happens. If they won’t budge, you have a choice: sacrifice personal time and meet the original deadline, discount the service for your delay, or terminate the contract. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A8: 2/8 Communicate ASAP. “here’s what changed for me and how I propose we move forward” earns trust. Most get that life happens. If they won’t budge, you have a choice: sacrifice personal time and meet the original deadline, discount the service for your delay, or terminate the contract. #ACESChat
A8: 1/8 Take a beat and breathe. As an anxiety-prone person, I hate when people tell me to breathe. But for real. Breathe. Most chaos feels worse in the first 30 minutes. Then decide what must happen, what can be adjusted, and what can wait entirely. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
A8: 1/8 Take a beat and breathe. As an anxiety-prone person, I hate when people tell me to breathe. But for real. Breathe. Most chaos feels worse in the first 30 minutes. Then decide what must happen, what can be adjusted, and what can wait entirely. #ACESChat
A7: 9/9 Others probably spend this time napping or enjoying nature or a hobby or reading. Maybe one day that will be me. But I really love working. Oh I should say before editing, I put “STOP FOR DAY” at the end of the page I need to get to that day for each project. That’s how I know. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A7: 9/9 Others probably spend this time napping or enjoying nature or a hobby or reading. Maybe one day that will be me. But I really love working. Oh I should say before editing, I put “STOP FOR DAY” at the end of the page I need to get to that day for each project. That’s how I know. #ACESChat
A7: 8/9 With this method, I get bonus time sometimes. I may schedule 2.5 for A and based on estimated total time for the project that means 20 pages, so if I finish the 20 pages before spending 2.5 hours on that project, then happy day for me. I have bonus nonbillable time. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A7: 8/9 With this method, I get bonus time sometimes. I may schedule 2.5 for A and based on estimated total time for the project that means 20 pages, so if I finish the 20 pages before spending 2.5 hours on that project, then happy day for me. I have bonus nonbillable time. #ACESChat
A7: 7/9 I just have the style sheet with deviations highlighted pulled up for all projects working on that day, and I just look that over before I start the editing to remind me. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A7: 7/9 I just have the style sheet with deviations highlighted pulled up for all projects working on that day, and I just look that over before I start the editing to remind me. #ACESChat
A7: 6/9 But some need to focus on one at a time in that day, so they do the 2.5 for A, the 1 hour for B, then the 1 hour for C, and that’s fine. That’s useful if the projects have wildly different style guides. Mine all follow CMoS and then have some author deviations here and there. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A7: 6/9 But some need to focus on one at a time in that day, so they do the 2.5 for A, the 1 hour for B, then the 1 hour for C, and that’s fine. That’s useful if the projects have wildly different style guides. Mine all follow CMoS and then have some author deviations here and there. #ACESChat
A7: 5/9 So now I do a good editing stretch (2.5 hours) before nonbillable. But I can’t do all four billable hours in a row. I need the mental break. I love nonbillable tasks so they are like a reward for me! I also need to toggle between projects so I don’t burn out on one project. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A7: 5/9 So now I do a good editing stretch (2.5 hours) before nonbillable. But I can’t do all four billable hours in a row. I need the mental break. I love nonbillable tasks so they are like a reward for me! I also need to toggle between projects so I don’t burn out on one project. #ACESChat
A7: 4/9 Some gurus say stay on one task type (editing), then move to another task type (nonbillable) and don’t toggle back and forth. I used to do editing, nonbillable, editing, nonbillable, etc. But I did lose time overall because the time it took to switch between them. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A7: 4/9 Some gurus say stay on one task type (editing), then move to another task type (nonbillable) and don’t toggle back and forth. I used to do editing, nonbillable, editing, nonbillable, etc. But I did lose time overall because the time it took to switch between them. #ACESChat
A7: 3/9 Or it might look like Project A (1 hour), Project B (1 hour), nonbillable, Project C (1 hour), Project A (1 hour), nonbillable, Project C (30 min). It’s just never more than one hour on a given project and never more than 2.5 hours editing before a nonbillable. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A7: 3/9 Or it might look like Project A (1 hour), Project B (1 hour), nonbillable, Project C (1 hour), Project A (1 hour), nonbillable, Project C (30 min). It’s just never more than one hour on a given project and never more than 2.5 hours editing before a nonbillable. #ACESChat
A7: 2/9 I won’t edit longer for 2.5 hours in a row. So if project A is 2.5 hours that day and project B is 1.5, then I have three checkboxes for A and two for B. Project A (1 hour), Project B (1 hour), Project A (30) min, nonbillable, Project B (30 min), Project A (1 hour), nonbillable. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
A7: 2/9 I won’t edit longer for 2.5 hours in a row. So if project A is 2.5 hours that day and project B is 1.5, then I have three checkboxes for A and two for B. Project A (1 hour), Project B (1 hour), Project A (30) min, nonbillable, Project B (30 min), Project A (1 hour), nonbillable. #ACESChat
A7: 1/9 I prefer not to work on any project for longer than an hour at a time. So if it’s scheduled for 2.5 hours that day, I put 3 checkboxes on to-do list with (30) above the third one. If no other editing projects that day, then I do nonbillable tasks in between each checkbox. #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A7: 1/9 I prefer not to work on any project for longer than an hour at a time. So if it’s scheduled for 2.5 hours that day, I put 3 checkboxes on to-do list with (30) above the third one. If no other editing projects that day, then I do nonbillable tasks in between each checkbox. #ACESChat
during business learning time, so I don't need them marked as unread to assess urgency. I delete them after read.
November 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
during business learning time, so I don't need them marked as unread to assess urgency. I delete them after read.
Yes, this keeps them bolded in my inbox. Every email system should have an "unread" view as well. SO you can see them all at a glance. Asses urgency, add them, regroup them, etc. Emails for business learning and such get marked read before I read them since I just go to that folder (cont) #ACESCHat
November 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Yes, this keeps them bolded in my inbox. Every email system should have an "unread" view as well. SO you can see them all at a glance. Asses urgency, add them, regroup them, etc. Emails for business learning and such get marked read before I read them since I just go to that folder (cont) #ACESCHat
For example, all marketing & freelancing blogs I subscribe to, automatically go to my marketing & freelancing tips folder. I read them on business learning days. All editor newsletters/blogs go into an editing folder, etc. automatically. I just have to move client's emails manually #ACESChat
November 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
For example, all marketing & freelancing blogs I subscribe to, automatically go to my marketing & freelancing tips folder. I read them on business learning days. All editor newsletters/blogs go into an editing folder, etc. automatically. I just have to move client's emails manually #ACESChat