Over the years I’ve had a lot of clients, and some relationships have worked out great. Some have involved working on a series of books together, and some have been one-off clients. Regardless of your long-term relationship with your editor, it still pays to show them the appreciation they deserve.
Editors are often in the wings and not in the spotlight (as it should be), but if you, the client, can provide them with a positive experience and positive feedback, then it helps them grow and helps you grow.
How does having a good long-term relationship with an editor help authors?
• Editors are more likely to share your information – Your best allies in self-publishing are supporters, and what better way to promote your work than someone who was intimately involved in the creative process?
• Editors are more likely to include you in their portfolio – When an editor includes your work in their portfolio (which might include a link to your site, your book cover, or more), they’re telling the world more about you and are proud of what they’ve done
When you share successes in the future, editors are more likely to share your successes with their audience. That opens you up to new readers and communities you might not have otherwise reached.
How to Show Your Editor You Care
Provide Referrals/Word of Mouth Promotion for the Editor – Letting people know how awesome their editor is helps in multiple ways. Readers will understand that authors are not one-man shops but have a team of collaborators putting time into the work. This leads to better appreciation for the quality of work once it’s completed because readers can understand that it takes a lot of work and people to publish a book, which includes someone like an editor.
Give Timely Payments – It’s really hard for editors and freelancers in general to get paid sometimes. It can be really hard to meet the needs of the business because if it is self-sustaining (like mine), those payments go towards the business’s expenses.
Just like any service provider, editors have costs associated with the business and may have employees to pay, along with taxes, software, website hosting, etc. Paying in a timely manner shows appreciation to your editor because editing is a service and therefore should be respected.
Editors are just like anybody else with a business; they want to make their business successful, and they need your help to do that. Paying your invoices on time shows your appreciation for what they provided you.
Provide a Testimonial – If you’re willing to put your name on the editor’s website with a testimonial, you can show other people that you had a positive experience and they could, too, if they contact the editor for their book. A testimonial shows others the editor is legitimate.
For example, some editors only include 1-2 testimonials and may not include client names. If you’re willing to tell other people, “Hey, this editor rocks and you should hire them,” then providing a testimonial may be a good way you can show editors appreciation.
Include Them In Book Acknowledgements – Although this is optional, acknowledging the role your editor played in producing your book is a great way to show your appreciation. Other authors who appreciate your book and find out about your team of people may want to reach out and work with the editor. Sometimes, even readers might reach out to them and thank them!
Gifts/Treats – These are not a requirement, obviously, but doing something like baking cookies or sending a card to an editor makes you more memorable. If you go above and beyond for them, you’re part of the 1% of people who do that because most of the time, editors get paid and never hear from clients again, or only hear from them when they have more books to edit. If you want to show extra appreciation, this is hands down the way to do it. Who knows? You might receive something back, too!
Thank Yous – Finally, a very simple thank you shows editors appreciation, but it can go a long way because editors don’t do what they do for the money. They aren’t providing these services for fame or glory, and so knowing that you appreciate the work they put into helps them keep doing what they’re doing. If you’re in the editor’s shoes and you get no appreciation back, it can be hard to continue going forward.