CIEP discovery meetings

Page owner: Community director

Come along to a CIEP discovery meeting and find out what training, advice, community support and guidance we can offer to help you successfully build your own editorial business.

Who are CIEP discovery meetings for?

Whether you’re dipping a toe in the waters, taking the plunge or already confidently striking out from shore, CIEP discovery meetings are for you.

Perhaps you:

  • have recently graduated and are exploring whether editing and proofreading might be right for you
  • want a job that fits your personal circumstances, whether that means flexible working hours or an environment you can control to suit your needs
  • have been made redundant and are wondering whether self-employment might be the next step
  • feel it’s time for a new challenge – perhaps even a new career.

Or you might:

  • have worked in-house with a publisher and be thinking of going freelance
  • have already successfully taken your first steps and be looking at developing your professional competencies
  • be an in-house editor wondering whether CIEP membership has anything to offer you
  • be an established editor or proofreader looking for the comfort that comes from community.

Whatever your story, a CIEP discovery meeting might be the kickboard that will help you make an informed decision.

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What can I ask at a CIEP discovery meeting?

You can ask anything you like! No question about editing and proofreading or CIEP membership is too basic or off limits: if there’s something you want to know, we’re here to help.

Here are some examples of the questions we’ve answered in previous meetings …

Training and development

  • What courses should I take and do I need to study full-time or part-time?
  • How long does it take to train as an editor or proofreader?
  • Should I join the CIEP while I’m training or wait until afterwards?
  • What does CIEP mentoring involve?

Getting work

  • How soon can I launch myself as a professional editor or proofreader?
  • How long will it take for me to get enough work to support myself?
  • What sort of work might I do and where should I look for it?
  • How do I market myself?

Running my business

  • What are the personal qualities that I’ll need as an editor or proofreader?
  • What things other than editing and proofreading do I need to think about in running my own business?
  • What software, hardware or other resources do I need?
  • How might I manage my work–life balance?

CIEP membership

  • What might be the benefits for me of joining the CIEP?
  • How is CIEP membership structured and how do I upgrade?
  • What are the opportunities for networking within the CIEP?
  • How might the CIEP support me with setting up my business and finding work?

Legal matters

  • How do editors and proofreaders engage professionally with their clients?
  • What are ‘terms and conditions’, and what should I include in mine?
  • How do I best go about invoicing and getting paid?
  • What are the kinds of risks of which I need to be aware?

More personal questions

  • You might also have more unusual questions that relate specifically to your own personal circumstances.
  • You can ask these in the meeting – or you can email the discovery coordinator after the event if you’d prefer to ask in confidence.

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How do CIEP discovery meetings work?

The CIEP hosts its discovery meetings on Zoom once a month, and the latest dates can be found on the Calendar of events.

You’ll meet with .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), CIEP discovery coordinator, and a panel of CIEP member volunteers – as well as other people on the same journey as you, making this your very first experience of what it means to be part of the CIEP community.

We invite you to email your questions to the discovery coordinator before the meeting, so that the panel can make sure to answer them to your satisfaction.

Of course, sometimes, there’s no one ‘right’ answer to a question – and, in that case, the panel members will share their own experiences… Indeed, it’s in sharing our stories that we most effectively show the shape of the CIEP landscape!

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Can I have a 1:1 consultation?

Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer individual consultations via Zoom or by phone. We recognise that the timing of some discovery meetings won’t be convenient for all attendees, and for that reason we vary the schedule. Keep an eye on the Calendar of events so you can pick a meeting scheduled at a time that suits you.