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Welcome to the Freelance Indexer Exchange — a podcast for freelance business owners specializing in indexing books, websites, documents, and digital content. Working as a freelance indexer can be isolating and lonely. But you're not alone. Let the Freelance Indexer Exchange be your source of support, insights, and community. Your host, Michelle Guiliano, is an experienced indexer who has indexed more than one hundred thousand pages over the past nine years as a freelance business owner. In e ...
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In this episode Michelle admits to being an indecisive indexer. Are you an indecisive indexer, too? Links mentioned in the episode: co-working method of learning to index vignette on the indecisive indexing process Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop you…
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#31 Indexing To-Do List: a strategy for conquering Resistance
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Michelle shares 5 items from her Indexing To-Do list that helps keep her indexing when she has 20 minutes or less. Links mentioned in the episode: Episode #29: Naming—and conquering— Resistance Indexer podcast website to leave a review Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of …
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Michelle labels some index entries to streamline her indexing and index edit processes. In this episode, she explains her labeling system—naming and explaining the nine labels she uses. Do you use labels while indexing? We'd love to hear about your process! Link mentioned in the episode: Episode #29 Naming—and Conquering—Resistance When Indexing In…
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#29 Naming—and Conquering—Resistance When Indexing
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Sometimes, even with deadlines looming, indexers might not feel like indexing. It can be hard to sit down at the computer and just start working. In this episode, Michelle details the times she has encountered Resistance. (Yes! Resistance in this instance should have a capital "R"—see also Steven Pressfield's book The War of Art). Michelle shares f…
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In this episode, Michelle expands on what to do "in case of emergency" by describing the contents of her Go Bag. By having a Go Bag, she's ready for travel, hardware failures, and electricity outages. If you're not ready to keep indexing during an emergency, then maybe you should consider having a Go Bag too. If you don't know where to start, then …
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This is the first episode of season 3. Thank you for being a loyal listener! In today's episode, Michelle addresses the sticky situation of what to do in case of emergency. Do you have a system in place so clients of ongoing projects can be contacted if you've been incapacitated or are consumed by a family emergency? Michelle shares her filing syst…
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In this episode, Michelle discusses the fate of bespoke indexing software programs in light of Scribendi.ai's announcement about CINDEX. As of April 1, Scribendi will no longer distribute or support CINDEX, but will make it available as an open-source program. Michelle attempts to address what indexers can do to ensure the continued development and…
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#25 Enid Zafran: Indexing in the early 2000s and the transition to full-time freelance indexer
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In this episode, Enid Zafran talks about her transition from Director of Indexing Services at BNA and the reasons behind the move to full self-employment as a freelance indexer. She also shares her experiences as chief of publications at the American Society for Indexing. Links to other episodes in the series with Enid: #18 Enid Zafran: Indexing in…
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#24 Stephen Ullstrom: indexer and author
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This episode is all about indexing and writing about indexing. Michelle talks with Stephen Ullstrom, who is not only an award-winning indexer but he's also a first-time author. He wrote an excellent step-by-step guide to indexing for authors (book link below). Stephen also shares the titles of business books that have influenced his freelance caree…
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Michelle details how to create a strong partnership for the index edit as well as the steps for each person in the index edit process. Here is the link to the index edit resource list. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Box…
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#22 Enid Zafran - The Growth of Indexing Partners and Cindex in the 1990s
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This is the third installment of Michelle's conversation with Enid Zafran. She talks about how she balanced her role at the Director of Indexing Services at the Bureau of National Affairs while growing her business, Indexing Partners. She also discusses her role, along with David Ream, in introducing Cindex to legal publishers. The first two instal…
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In this episode, Michelle returns to the index edit to discuss the costs (literal and figurative) and benefits of having another index edit or proofread your index. In the first episode in this series, #19 Index Edits - An Introduction, Michelle details her current and past experiences with index edits and the different types of index edits. In the…
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#20 Enid Zafran: Indexing Services at the Bureau of National Affairs from 1990 to 2002
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Today's episode continues the conversation between Michelle and Enid Zafran. The last episode (episode #18) left off with Enid joining BNA as the Director of Indexing Services. Now Enid will talk about what it was like to index in the 1990s during the transition from mainframe computers to indexing on personal computers with dedicated indexing soft…
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In today's episode, Michelle introduces the concept of index edits. She details the types of index edits as well as her experiences in indexer-editor partnerships. Episodes referenced in this episode: #3: Year-End Business Review Part 1 #4: Year-End Business Review Part 2 #5: Year-End Business Review Part 3 #9: Per Page, Per Entry, Per Word: Transl…
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#18: Enid Zafran: Indexing in the 1970s and early 1980s
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The podcast is back for Season 2! On today’s show, Michelle shares part of her conversation with Enid Zafran, an award-winning indexer with over 40 years of experience. In this installment, Enid details her experience indexing from the mid-1970s into the early 80s. Enid explains how and why she began her business, Indexing Partners, as well as what…
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In the last episode of Season One, Michelle answers more listener's questions on: Square as a credit card option Marketing in the U.S. How to ask to be listed on the copyright page of books Why she started this podcast Here are links to websites and apps mentioned in the podcast (these are NOT affiliate links): 2023 Indexer Rate Survey Square Paymo…
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#16: End of Season Q&A: Questions from Newish Indexers
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Michelle answers a couple of questions from newish indexers. One indexer wants suggestions on breaking into indexing as a career, and another newish indexer asks about setting rates. Michelle will be back next week with answers to more of your questions! Here are the rate survey summaries that Michelle discussed in this episode: ASI's summary of 20…
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#15: The Reality Check Formula (or a follow-up to the Estimate series)
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In this episode, Michelle explains how she double-checks her estimated project fees and project rates proposed by clients. She uses a simple mathematical formula to test whether she will earn her desired hourly rate for each indexing project. Next week's episode is the final episode of Season 1 - the Q&A episode! If you have any questions about the…
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#14: Preparing Estimates for Indexing Projects: Part Two
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Michelle continues explaining how she prepares estimates for indexing projects. She details why time is the most import factor to track and consider when calculating what to charge. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Box. W…
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#13: Preparing Estimates for Indexing Projects: Part One
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This episode is all about how to prepare estimates. Michelle describes the different things she needs to consider during the process. She also explains the importance of using pricing data from previous projects. Episode #9, "Per Page, Per Entry, Per Word: Translated into Hourly Rate," is referenced in this episode. Do you have a suggestion or comm…
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In this episode, Michelle brings up the B-word: burnout. But instead of focusing on the symptoms of burnout, she concentrates on what leads to burnout: a never-ending stress cycle. She will talk about her recent experience of a looping stress cycle and what you can do to end a stress cycle. In this episode, she talks about being a good boss to your…
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#11: Connecting After a Virtual Conference
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You went to the conference and made some connections. Now what? In this episode, Michelle offers ways to follow up with people you "met" at the virtual conference. Michelle referred to the resource list from her presentation in this episode. Michelle can be found on Instagram at linebylineindexer. You can check out the screenshot of the tweet from …
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#10: How to Prepare to Network at a Virtual Conference
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Networking at virtual conferences or at webinars is different than in-person situations, and therefore it requires a different type of preparation. Michelle walks listeners through how to prepare for this type of networking, starting with how to test your computer and set up your Zoom profile. Then she suggests ways to think about your goals for ne…
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#9: Per Page, Per Entry, Per Word: Translated Into an Hourly Rate
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In this episode, Michelle talks about how she translates various indexing rates into an hourly rate. And she discusses her time-tracking journey - the different methods she has used over the years to create a system that works for her. Links to time-tracking software mentioned in this episode: Pomodoro technique Forest app using the Pomodoro techni…
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#8: Per Entry, Per Page, Per Word, Oh My!
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Join Michelle as she takes a closer look at the types of rates charged by indexers. She walks listeners through her April schedule, discussing the types of rates charged for different indexes and why. She also details her estimating process. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the busine…
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In this episode, Michelle talks about credit cards and the different gateways available to freelance indexers to accept them. She also goes through the fees charged by each gateway, as well as whether accepting credit cards is worth the fees charged by these companies. Here are the links to the gateways mentioned in the episode. And remember, these…
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#6: Answers to Listeners' Questions about "Big Indexing Pushes" and Indexing Award Competitions
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In this episode, Michelle answers two listeners' questions about indexing. One indexer asked Michelle how she defines a "big indexing push" in order to decide whether to take a day off from indexing to recharge. And a newer indexer wants to know how to assess whether they are ready to enter an index in the Purple Pen Competition. Here are the links…
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In this episode, Michelle candidly answers the questions detailed in Part 2 of the Year-End Business review series about her own business. Links mentioned in the See Also segment: ASI Excellence in Indexing Award (retired) ISC Ewart-Daveluy Award ICI Purple Pen Award Society of Indexers Betty Moys Award renamed the Moys-Crane Prize Do you have a su…
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Michelle leads listeners on a deep dive into the end-of-the-year review to help you rethink how you work and run your freelance indexing business. She provides examples from her own business and offers a list of questions you might consider asking during your year-end review. It’s not too late to look at last year’s successes and failures to get an…
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You can perform a year-end review to rethink your current business practices. In Part 1 of the Year-End Business Review series, Michelle discusses why you should do a year-end review and how to prepare for one. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your th…
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In this episode, Michelle talks about how to be a good, supportive boss. And how that can improve your freelance work life. "See Also" segment: #walktocommute challenge Instagram feed Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Box.…
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Michelle discusses her requirements for her second career and how she stumbled upon freelance indexing. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Box. We would love to hear from you!…
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Welcome to the Freelance Indexer Exchange — a podcast for freelance business owners specializing in indexing books, websites, documents, and digital content. Michelle Guiliano, your host, is an experienced indexer who has indexed more than one hundred thousand pages over the past eight years as a freelance business owner. Each episode is an in-dept…
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continue reading
