Are you an academic editor or coach struggling to show up online without feeling salesy? You're not alone — and today's guest has the solution.

Jennifer van Alstyne, founder of The Academic Designer, helps faculty and researchers around the world craft powerful online presences — from strategic websites to clear social media marketing.

In this episode, Jennifer explains how she turned an unexpected opportunity in grad school into a thriving business, why most academics are making their bios WAY too boring, and how a well-crafted website can actually free up your time while attracting the right people.

Whether you're building your editing or coaching business, or simply want to stop hiding online, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

We cover:

👉 The #1 place to start if you're building your own website

👉 What most faculty websites are missing (and how to fix it)

👉 The shift from chasing engagement to creating deep connections

👉 Why visibility doesn’t mean selling out — and how to post with purpose

👉 How to think about testimonials, even if you're new to business

If you’ve been thinking about starting an editing or coaching business — or already have one and want to grow — this episode will give you mindset and strategy tools to move forward.

📌 Connect with Jennifer:

Website: TheAcademicDesigner.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervanalstyne/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/jennifervanalstyne

Socials: @HigherEdPR / @JenVanAlstyne

Resources:

🔧 Mentioned tool: Owlstown.com – free academic website builder

🔧 AI Tool Mentioned: Minvo.pro – for podcast clip editing

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

0:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Jennifer Van Alstyne

0:20 - Understanding Online Presence for Academics

1:06 - Jennifer's Academic Background & Business Journey

2:48 - How to Build a Strong Website

6:34 - Why Academics Struggle with Self-Promotion

12:44 - Navigating Social Media for Client Engagement

13:31 - The Importance of Deep Engagement Over Likes

15:07 - Shifting to Inbound Marketing Strategies

19:04 - What Clients Typically Seek from Jennifer

20:55 - The Range of Services Offered for Different Budgets

26:58 - Maximizing Website Functionality for Academics

29:15 - Crafting a Compelling Bio for Your Website

30:37 - The Dynamic Nature of Your Website Content

33:26 - Creating Clear Calls to Action on Your Website

34:56 - Adapting Your Website as Your Business Evolves

39:13 - The Value of Testimonials and Client Feedback

41:19 - Overcoming Content Creation Challenges

44:12 - Repurposing Existing Content Effectively

47:39 - Final Thoughts & How to Contact Jennifer

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

What if your sabbatical wasn’t just a break from academia — but your way out?

I was recently a guest on Sabbatical 101 with Bethany Wilinski, PhD, and I’m re-airing that episode today.

Bethany is an associate professor at Michigan State who also runs a business helping academics plan the sabbatical of their dreams. During the conversation, I share how I left academia, started working as a freelance academic editor, and built my editing and coaching business to six figures.

If you're burnt out, wondering what’s next, or secretly thinking about launching a business, this episode is your permission slip to consider developing these ideas and stretching your creativity toward entrepreneurship.

You'll learn:

• How owning a business has helped me reduce burnout
• Why I left academia and how I started editing
• What academic editing is and how editors work with clients, and
• My hard-and-fast rule for vacation time–and how I ended guilt forever

If you want to stop surviving academia and start building a career that works for you, listen to my conversation with Bethany.

And if you’re considering a sabbatical and want to truly make the most of it–whatever that looks like for you–reach out to Bethany and check out her podcast, Sabbatical 101.

Resources:

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

🎙 Listen to Bethany Wilinski, PhD, on Sabbatical 101: https://bethanywilinski.com/podcasts/sabbatical-101/

1:41 - What You Will Learn in This Episode

2:00 - How a Sabbatical Can Be Your Opportunity

2:21 - Introduction to Sabbatical 101

3:22 - The Benefits of Working with an Academic Editor

3:44 - The Story Behind Leaving Academia

5:25 - The Academic Background and Burnout Experience

6:58 - Transitioning to Freelance Editing

9:18 - Breaking Stereotypes of Business Ownership

10:51 - Understanding the Role of an Academic Editor

11:58 - How the Editing Process Works

12:46 - Clear Pricing for Editing Services

13:14 - The Editor's Goal: Publication

30:54 - Overcoming the Fear of Starting a Business

32:26 - Flexibility of Freelance Editing

35:05 - Starting Your Editing Journey

39:37 - Conclusion and Encouragement to Pursue Editing

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

🎧 Wondering how to build a business after burnout?

In this special coaching episode, I sit down with Katrien Deroost — a former malaria researcher who left academia and is now launching her career as an academic editor.

Together, we dive deep into the real challenges of starting over:

✅ How burnout wrecks your confidence — and how to rebuild it

✅ Why a website alone won’t bring clients (and what will)

✅ How to write curiosity-driven copy that attracts the RIGHT people

✅ The surprising power of cold emails and LinkedIn for academic entrepreneurs

✅ Mindset shifts every new editor needs to succeed

If you're struggling to wrap your head around how to start an editing business, or you're tired of the "feast or famine" cycle, this episode will give you the concrete, step-by-step guidance you need to transform your business and life.

Watch this episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast app.

https://youtu.be/KVAmrEWNbBg

Want more tips to super-charge your editing business and get the clients flowing in? **Join our monthly membership, Digital Marketing for Freelance Editors:

AcadiaEditing.com/marketing

Curious to find out more about freelance academic editing or coaching? Get my free video series on academic editing and coaching:

https://AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Katrien's website: antitwilight.com

0:00 - Introduction to Katrien and Her Journey

1:02 - Discovering Burnout in Academia

2:31 - Transitioning from Research to Editing

5:37 - Realities of Starting an Editing Business

7:36 - Challenges in Attracting Clients

10:40 - The Importance of Networking

12:23 - Understanding the Role of Time for Academics

15:57 - Crafting Effective Cold Emails

19:45 - Addressing Pain Points for Potential Clients

22:13 - Strategies for Engaging Prospective Clients

24:33 - Addressing Common Client Struggles

27:53 - The Significance of Writing Quality

32:39 - Overcoming Personal Insecurities

36:10 - Building Effective Marketing Copy

50:10 - Final Thoughts and Inspirational Quote

52:37 - How to Connect with Katrien

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