Using introversion as a strength in editorial work

Editing and proofreading often suit people who enjoy focus, depth and independent working, particularly when freelancing. Being an introvert doesn’t mean avoiding connection or visibility. It means choosing approaches that play to your strengths and help you work well over the long term. 

To mark World Introvert Day (2 January), we shared a post on social media featuring CIEP members’ experiences of using introversion as a professional strength. The response was striking. Many people commented that, even if they wouldn’t describe themselves as introverts, they still recognised aspects of their own working preferences in what was shared. These reflections resonated widely, particularly around focus, preparation, energy management and confidence, and many felt the ideas were useful for freelancers more broadly. 

In this article, CIEP members share how they promote themselves, build professional relationships and navigate networking in ways that complement how they think and communicate, rather than conflicting with it. 

Self-promotion that feels authentic 

For many editors, self-promotion feels more manageable when it’s rooted in helping others rather than talking about themselves. CIEP Chair Louise Harnby describes this as a shift in perspective: ‘Promote yourself by helping your potential clients. When you create really useful, helpful resources, you’re not directly blowing your own trumpet … you’re not saying anything about yourself at all. Instead, you’re making it all about the people you want to hire you. And because you’re solving genuine problems, you come across as engaged and skilled, and people feel grateful for your help. It’s basically self-promotion without promoting yourself!’ 

That reframing resonates strongly with CIEP member Jill Cucchi, who approaches visibility in a similar way. She explains that the first hurdle ‘is on promoting yourself when self-promotion doesn’t come easily. For me, this is easier to do when I feel that I’m helping someone rather than just promoting myself. So, although I may write “Delighted to share that a book I edited has just been published.” what I’m actually saying is “Here’s a book you might enjoy.”’ For editors working in academic publishing, visibility can also feel like supporting knowledge-sharing rather than self-promotion. As Jill adds, ‘As I mainly edit academic books/journals, I like to feel that I’m helping disseminate the author’s research by republishing on social media.’ 

For Manda Waller, a CIEP Council member, confidence comes from belief and integrity. She explains: ‘I don’t consider myself to be an introvert (any more!) but I do have the standard British issue with self-promotion! I would say the way I get around that is to genuinely believe in what I’m promoting. I find it much easier to promote my editing services as I fully believe an author is getting an excellent service, with excellent value for money. I’m therefore not trying to “rip them off” or sell them something they don’t need. So I can talk about what I do, and why I do it, and I think my belief in my usefulness comes across.’

Using written communication as a professional advantage 

Many editors feel more confident expressing themselves in writing, and in editorial work this can be a real professional strength. CIEP Council member Graham Hughes says: ‘I feel very comfortable promoting myself in writing, and the internet gives us plenty of opportunities to do that. I’d rather not use audio or video, though. I find business networking quite awkward when it’s happening in person, and just a bit less awkward online.’ Written communication allows time to think, reflect and respond, whether through posts, articles, comments or resources, and offers a way to build visibility without the pressure of live interaction. 

Focus, preparation and understanding how you’re wired 

For Tim Hammerton, CIEP member, understanding introversion was life-changing. As he explains, ‘I picked up a book during a training course, borrowed it and read it from cover to cover. It explained to me who I was and the benefits of being an introvert.’ Reflecting later, he adds, ‘It is no exaggeration to say that borrowing that book during a break in the management training course changed my life.’ The book Tim refers to is The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney. 

Earlier in his career, Tim thrived in roles that required focus and preparation. ‘My first role was as a bid writer for a national training provider. I loved the intellectual challenge of understanding the requirements of a specification and answering questions to promote our training course offer. I had great focus and worked in detail; the thought of attending meetings, with the expectation to talk and answer unexpected questions, filled me with dread.’ Over time, preparation helped build confidence: ‘After a few years my confidence had grown and I was fine in meetings when I was prepared and had a goal to achieve, but when I tried to network and meet new people or visit new places I would still struggle.’ 

Understanding introversion helped Tim realise that he didn’t need to measure himself against others, as he has skills and strengths that they don’t have. Those strengths now underpin his work in project management and editing: ‘When editing, I have the stamina and discipline to work through a long document. I can identify an author’s objectives and messages and provide supportive queries and feedback.’ 

Balancing focused work with connection 

Working independently doesn’t mean working in isolation. Many editors build strong professional networks, particularly through remote interaction. Graham Hughes explains that ‘I also don’t have any problem with building a professional network, mainly through the CIEP and LinkedIn. It never feels overwhelming when the interaction is all remote.’ In-person events can still require careful management. As he notes, ‘Being at an in-person conference can feel a bit overpowering at times, but it helps if I sometimes get away from the crowd for a short while – going to my room or going for a walk, for example.’ 

Graham also recognises the ability to move between focused work and engagement: ‘Although I’m working solo, I do feel a good connection with the people in my network. I can easily switch between those two situations – I’ll retreat into my shell when editing or proofreading, and then come out of it when it’s time to engage with people.’ 

Jill Cucchi similarly finds connection through community involvement beyond formal professional spaces. As she explains, ‘I’m very active in my children’s secondary school (school trips, helping with the school plays) and I’m now on the Board of Parent Governors. I’m also very active on social media Facebook pages, specifically for editors, and I find that the connections I’ve made there are very meaningful.’ 

Why local and specialist groups matter 

Smaller, focused groups can be especially supportive environments for building confidence and connection. Lisa Robertson, CIEP member, says that ‘Local and specialist CIEP groups are a great way for introverts to dip their toes in the water of networking. Having a smaller number of people involved and having a key thing in common has been hugely helpful to me as an introvert, and I have made firm friends and wonderful colleagues through my local group over the years (some of whom probably wouldn’t even have me down as an introvert!).’ These spaces also allow for gradual confidence-building. As Lisa explains, ‘Use these small groups as safe spaces to step slightly out of your comfort zone, pushing your boundaries little by little without completely draining your battery.’ 

Practical takeaways: using introversion as a strength 

Drawing on CIEP members’ experiences, here are some practical ways to apply these ideas in your own work: 

• Reframe self-promotion as service. Share resources, insights or work because they’re useful, not because you feel you should promote yourself. 

• Lean into written communication. Posts, articles, emails and comments allow you to think clearly and communicate with intention. 

• Prepare with purpose. Meetings, events and presentations are often easier when you know why you’re there and what you want to achieve. 

• Choose your spaces. Smaller groups, specialist forums and remote interactions can offer meaningful connection without overload. 

• Build confidence gradually. Try new things in low-pressure environments and notice what supports or drains your energy. 

• Respect your limits. Stepping away, taking breaks and allowing recovery time are part of working sustainably, not signs of failure. 

Introversion isn’t something to overcome in editorial work. When understood and used intentionally, it can be one of an editor’s greatest professional strengths. 

Meet the contributors

Jill Cucchi
Fiction and creative nonfiction coaching and editing for independent writers and editing for publishers.

Tim Hammerton
Non-fiction editor (developmental and copyeditor), Project manager and Content writer.
Directory profile: https://www.ciep.uk/directory/tim-hammerton/

Louise Harnby
Specialist crime fiction, mystery, thriller, espionage and suspense editor for indie authors.
Directory profile: https://www.ciep.uk/directory/louise-harnby/

Graham Hughes
An experienced copy-editor and proofreader who specialises in technology, project management and sport.
Directory profile: https://www.ciep.uk/directory/graham-hughes/

Lisa Robertson
Creating clear, consistent and accurate text, specialising in health, education, public sector, charities and all sizes of business.
Directory profile: https://www.ciep.uk/directory/lisa-robertson/

Manda Waller
Freelance editor specialising in fantasy, romance and YA fiction editor.
Directory profile: https://www.ciep.uk/directory/manda-waller/