We ask our members to share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this instalment, we interview Jane Pocock of Write it Right.
Tell us about your business:
I edit English texts written by non-native speakers. Most of the work I do is for small businesses and academics, helping them to get their message across in perfect, well-written English. I also do Dutch to English translations.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
Dependable, accurate, efficient, kind, ethical
What are your most popular products or services?
I only have two services and they’re both quite popular!
What do you like best about owning a business?
Being able to accept or reject work as it suits me.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
When I changed jobs some years ago I was initially offered a one-year contract. I started my business as a back-up, just in case my contract wasn’t extended. Luckily it was and I now work there part-time and spend the rest of my working hours on my business.
What makes your products/services special?
I focus very specifically on people who have learned English as a second language and who want to ensure that their written English is perfect. My clients have high demands of their texts – either to promote their business or, in the case of academics, to get their ideas published. I help them write the best possible article, post, report, newsletter etc. without losing their individual ‘voice’.
This last point is really important to me. All my clients have a message they want to get across and an individual voice which makes their message theirs. I work hard to correct the grammar and so on without imposing my own preferences and style. That often means that I hold back on changing certain sentences even if they’re not written exactly how I would write them. As long as they’re correct and clear I leave them alone.
Who is your role model or mentor?
I’m always very inspired by Petra Fischer and her enthusiasm for what she does and the generosity and humour with which she works with her clients.
What is your biggest fear?
The problem with being an editor is that you’re expected to write perfectly all the time. Just like a hairdresser can’t have a ‘bad hair day’, any typo or grammar no-no will be picked up on.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
I love finding just the right word or turn of phrase to help someone express themselves better.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Charging the right price for my services. I don’t find what I do difficult – grammar mistakes tend to jump off the page – so it took me ages to value my work properly. I also used to have a niggling idea that it wasn’t ‘fair’ that I charged to correct peoples’ English because as a native speaker I didn’t have to do anything to gain the knowledge I have in the language. Not true, of course, because we all have certain skills which we ‘sell’.
I’ve now found a rate which I feel comfortable with and which is a true reflection of the value I provide.
What advice would you give women who are starting a business?
Do it! Give it a go.
What is your favourite business book?
I don’t really read business books but maybe I should. Any recommendations?
What are your top tips for networking?
Not my favourite passtime! I use LinkedIn quite a lot and of course WBII but many of my clients come to me via word-of-mouth. My tip would be to always be yourself, whatever platform or group you use to promote yourself and your business. I’m very much ‘what you see is what you get’ and that’s what I try to project when networking.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
By not taking myself or my business too seriously! I do what I do because I enjoy it. If I stop enjoying it, I’ll stop doing it.
What is your motto or theme song?
My favourite song is Imagine by John Lennon – totally idealised but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all lived by it?
How do you relax?
Running, yoga, knitting, singing and reading
What place inspires you and why?
I’ve been going to Greece on holiday for years and always come back feeling refreshed and relaxed. I love simply enjoying the food, the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful sea.
What do you care most about, as a business owner?
Being honest with my clients. I charge by the hour so my clients have to trust that I actually am working on their text when I say I am. It’s very important to me to invoice accurately and I use a time keeping tool to track how long I work on each project. I offer to send a report to my clients once I’ve finshed a particular piece of work but so far no-one has taken me up on it so I assume they trust my honesty. I’m very pleased about that.
What are your future plans?
I want to give up my salaried job in a few years (once my children have graduated) to travel more. I can do my editing and translating work from anywhere as long as I have a laptop and an internet connection.
Are you running any offers or promotions that you would like us to mention?
I offer a 10% discount to WBII members.
Thank you Jane!
For more information about Jane Pocock visit Write it Right.
We ask our members to share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this instalment, we interview Jane Pocock of Write it Right.
Tell us about your business:
I edit English texts written by non-native speakers. Most of the work I do is for small businesses and academics, helping them to get their message across in perfect, well-written English. I also do Dutch to English translations.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
Dependable, accurate, efficient, kind, ethical
What are your most popular products or services?
I only have two services and they’re both quite popular!
What do you like best about owning a business?
Being able to accept or reject work as it suits me.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
When I changed jobs some years ago I was initially offered a one-year contract. I started my business as a back-up, just in case my contract wasn’t extended. Luckily it was and I now work there part-time and spend the rest of my working hours on my business.
What makes your products/services special?
I focus very specifically on people who have learned English as a second language and who want to ensure that their written English is perfect. My clients have high demands of their texts – either to promote their business or, in the case of academics, to get their ideas published. I help them write the best possible article, post, report, newsletter etc. without losing their individual ‘voice’.
This last point is really important to me. All my clients have a message they want to get across and an individual voice which makes their message theirs. I work hard to correct the grammar and so on without imposing my own preferences and style. That often means that I hold back on changing certain sentences even if they’re not written exactly how I would write them. As long as they’re correct and clear I leave them alone.
Who is your role model or mentor?
I’m always very inspired by Petra Fischer and her enthusiasm for what she does and the generosity and humour with which she works with her clients.
What is your biggest fear?
The problem with being an editor is that you’re expected to write perfectly all the time. Just like a hairdresser can’t have a ‘bad hair day’, any typo or grammar no-no will be picked up on.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
I love finding just the right word or turn of phrase to help someone express themselves better.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Charging the right price for my services. I don’t find what I do difficult – grammar mistakes tend to jump off the page – so it took me ages to value my work properly. I also used to have a niggling idea that it wasn’t ‘fair’ that I charged to correct peoples’ English because as a native speaker I didn’t have to do anything to gain the knowledge I have in the language. Not true, of course, because we all have certain skills which we ‘sell’.
I’ve now found a rate which I feel comfortable with and which is a true reflection of the value I provide.
What advice would you give women who are starting a business?
Do it! Give it a go.
What is your favourite business book?
I don’t really read business books but maybe I should. Any recommendations?
What are your top tips for networking?
Not my favourite passtime! I use LinkedIn quite a lot and of course WBII but many of my clients come to me via word-of-mouth. My tip would be to always be yourself, whatever platform or group you use to promote yourself and your business. I’m very much ‘what you see is what you get’ and that’s what I try to project when networking.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
By not taking myself or my business too seriously! I do what I do because I enjoy it. If I stop enjoying it, I’ll stop doing it.
What is your motto or theme song?
My favourite song is Imagine by John Lennon – totally idealised but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all lived by it?
How do you relax?
Running, yoga, knitting, singing and reading
What place inspires you and why?
I’ve been going to Greece on holiday for years and always come back feeling refreshed and relaxed. I love simply enjoying the food, the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful sea.
What do you care most about, as a business owner?
Being honest with my clients. I charge by the hour so my clients have to trust that I actually am working on their text when I say I am. It’s very important to me to invoice accurately and I use a time keeping tool to track how long I work on each project. I offer to send a report to my clients once I’ve finshed a particular piece of work but so far no-one has taken me up on it so I assume they trust my honesty. I’m very pleased about that.
What are your future plans?
I want to give up my salaried job in a few years (once my children have graduated) to travel more. I can do my editing and translating work from anywhere as long as I have a laptop and an internet connection.
Are you running any offers or promotions that you would like us to mention?
I offer a 10% discount to WBII members.
Thank you Jane!
For more information about Jane Pocock visit Write it Right.