Episodes

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 Stripe Wise (international transfers) podcast episode on accepting credit cards Make sure you listen through to the See Also segment. Michelle...

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 2021 rate survey EFA's rates If you want the results from Michelle's 2021 rate survey: email her at michelle@linebylineindexing.com OR drop your requ...

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 process of indexing or the business of indexing or freelancing in general, drop that question in the Exchange Box. Do you have a suggestion or comm...

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. We would love to hear from you!

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 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...

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 yourself. She talked about this at length in episode 2: Who's the Boss? She also brought up her "walk-to-commute" challenge from the See Also segment of ...

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 Paula Clarke Bain there. Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelanc...

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 networking so you can "leave" the conference with a few connections. links mentioned in the show: ASI Conference Program Zoom support links: signing...

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 technique Paymo time-tracking Timeular time-tracking, pricing, and the tracker Toggl time-tracking and pricing NOTE: None of these links are affiliated li...

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 business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Box. We would love to hear from you!

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 are NOT affiliate links. PayPal PayPal.Me Venmo Stripe Do you have a suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexi...

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 Michelle mentioned in this Q & A episode: Institute of Certified Indexers: Indexing Best Practices American Society for Indexing: Best Practices f...

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 suggestion or comment to share? Maybe you have a burning question about indexing or the business of freelancing. Drop your thoughts in the Exchange Bo...

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 idea of how to steer your business in 2023. Here's a recap of the questions: 1. What kind of indexing do you love to do? 2. Do you want to take y...

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 thoughts in the Exchange Box. We would love to hear from you!

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. We would love to hear from you!

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!

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-depth dive into the business of indexing, providing you with an authentic, personal look at the ups and downs of freelance life, complete with insights an...