Marketing doesn't have to feel gross, fake, or confusing.

In this episode, I coach Bhaskar Raman—a skilled academic editor—through the exact mindset and messaging shifts that help editors attract higher-paying, more satisfying private clients.

Bhaskar has years of experience working with academic publishers, but he’s ready to go direct—to work with scholars one-on-one. The problem? Marketing feels overwhelming, and he's unsure of how to stand out.

In our coaching session, we:

🚶‍➡️ Walk through how to build a marketing plan that starts with empathy, not expertise

🚶‍➡️ Uncover who Bhaskar’s ideal clients are, and the real emotional struggles they face

🚶‍➡️ Make a plan for how he can write content and website copy that truly resonates

By the end of our session, Bhaskar has a clear message, a strategy for content creation, and a renewed sense of confidence in his value—not just as an editor, but as a thought partner for academic authors.

Whether you’re brand new or already freelancing, this episode will shift how you think about selling your services—so that you can build a business that feels good... and pays well, too.

RESOURCES:

📚 Laura Portwood-Stacer’s Book Proposal Book: https://amzn.to/46EWkwH

📘 Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) rates: https://www.the-efa.org/rates/

👉 Want to end burnout and become an academic editor or coach? Go to AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

02:23 – Identifying client struggles

04:00 – Credentials vs. connection in marketing

06:42 – Selling outcomes, not services

09:35 – Using client language in copy

12:18 – Bhaskar’s mindset shift

14:44 – Relatable vs. original content

17:26 – Overcoming fear of “copying” others

20:10 – LinkedIn marketing strategy

23:07 – Storytelling as marketing

26:55 – Defining Bhaskar’s ideal clients

29:34 – Writing in first-person voice

32:01 – Marketing as service

35:12 – Website copy critique

38:50 – Why Bhaskar’s experience is enough

41:26 – Coaching through imposter syndrome

44:39 – Creating a simple content plan

47:03 – What to say in your content

49:20 – Bhaskar’s final reflections

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burned out in academia and wondering what comes next?

Rosalba Lopez was in your shoes—struggling through a disheartening PhD and trying to make ends meet on a stipend.

But instead of settling for the usual path, she turned her love of writing and editing into a multi-6-figure business in medical writing, academic editing, and coaching.

In this episode, Rosalba shares how she:

🎆 landed her first freelance editing client straight out of grad school,

🎆 created contracts that protect her time and sanity, and

🎆 built the FLAS Foundation to help other STEM professionals launch their own creative businesses.

You’ll hear how she finds clients without cold pitching, uses her background in both science and the arts to stand out, and balances it all as a mom of two.

Whether you're still in academia or already have one foot out the door, this conversation will show you what’s possible—and how to make it happen.

🔔 Subscribe and listen to hear:

– How to start an academic business without an MBA or prior clients

– Why retainers are a game changer (and how to set them up)

– The power of tracking your work and using it in your marketing

– How Rosalba helps scientists become successful entrepreneurs

✨ Want to map out your business and become an academic solopreneur? Go to AcadiaEditing.com/map

Work with Rosalba: https://www.flasfoundation.com/

1:43 - Rosalba's Background and Expertise

3:25 - AMWA Medical Writing Certification

6:26 - Retainer Service Agreement Defined

7:49 - Substantive Editing Constructive Feedback

8:58 - Merck Blog Post Opportunity

9:37 - Creative Freedom Benefits

10:08 - LinkedIn Medical Writer Marketing

11:08 - Networking at Daycare & Funerals?!

11:50 - Multi 6-Figure Business Breakdown

12:39 - Tapping into Neglected Passions

13:05 - FLAS Foundation Arts and Science

13:57 - Subcontracting Junior Medical Writers

14:60 - Mentoring Clients: Calendly & Zoom

15:55 - Be 10% Ahead Ideal Client

16:13 - Refuting Academic Editing Myths

16:62 - Cold Pitches Are Wasteful?

17:26 - Persuasive LinkedIn Profile Skills

18:58 - Balancing PhD Critique Power

20:00 - Track Metrics Project Management

21:56 - Postpartum Burnout Business Lessons

22:49 - Building Business Solid Foundation

23:10 - FLAS Foundation Community Building

25:48 - Freelance Industry Jobs Positioning

26:30 - Outsourcing Email Marketing Tasks

27:34 - Ideal Client Audience Defined

28:45 - Advice: Networking & Opportunities

29:15 - Find Rosalba at FLAS Foundation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Start building your new academic business here: AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Wendy Gillis has had quite a journey—from the thrills of Madison Ave., to an MBA and Doctor of Business Administration, to professor (and mom) life in North Florida.

And yet, something was still missing.

After spending years trying to launch a business on her own, Wendy discovered my program, Becoming an Academic Editor. She quickly realized that she had no interest in editing, but she was motivated and energized by our discussions of launching and marketing a coaching business and consultancy.

And that's how WendyGillis.com was born.

Now, Wendy is a professor, personal brand consultant, and clean stand-up comic with a full life that reflects her whole self.

If you've been feeling like you need more out of academia—more joy, more fulfillment, or even more money—this episode shows you how to uncover your creativity and build a successful business that fits your life.

📍Want to build a joyful post-academic life? Get started at AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Work with Wendy: wendygillis.com

0:25 - Wendy's Academic Side Hustle

2:32 - Madison Ave: Advertising Career

4:36 - Work Life Balance: Personal Decision

5:22 - Super Bowl Move: Jacksonville, FL

6:03 - Teaching Marketing: Doctorate Degree

8:19 - Adjunct Professor: Academia Transition

10:35 - Marketing Consultant: Value Proposition

12:11 - Academia vs Real World Skills

13:18 - Teaching Entrepreneurship to Academics

17:47 - Digital Marketing: Organizational Skills

23:59 - Comedy and Consulting: Business

28:14 - Business Building: Constant Evolving

30:87 - Consulting on Marketing: Non Profits

35:16 - Clean Comedy: Set Apart

36:31 - Scary Things: Confidence

37:25 - Take Course: I Felt Seen

39:45 - Women Entrepreneurs: Supportive

40:08 - Hire Comedian: WendyGillis.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.