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.

What if your natural talent for editing could become a thriving, 6-figure business?

In this week’s Leaving Academia episode, I chat with Catie Phares—a brilliant academic editor who shares how she built her private client base, raised her rates with confidence, and created an editing agency just for business professors.

You’ll discover:

💡 Why undercharging hurts more than your bank account

💡 How to attract clients without feeling salesy

💡 When to niche down—and when to stay broad

💡 What AI can and can’t do for editors

Oh, and did I mention? Catie’s marketing course helped me hit my first $10K month as a freelance editor. 👀

Find out how you can become an academic editor or coach at AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Catie’s mini-course on getting to $10k months: https://www.csphares.com/the-savvy-editrix
• Work with Catie: team@csphares.com
• Learn more about Catie’s faculty writing program: csphares.com

🔔 Don't forget to follow us for weekly episodes on building a fulfilling, profitable editing or coaching business outside academia.

0:00 - Understanding the Editing Profession

11:05 - How to Increase Your Editing Rates

12:12 - Transitioning to Package Pricing

28:47 - Exploring the Impact of AI on Editing

30:05 - Identifying AI Limitations for Editors

34:07 - How AI Can Assist Everyday Tasks

42:30 - Developing Your Own Academic Program

45:02 - Essential Advice for New Editors

48:20 - Recognizing the Value of Your Work

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

This week on Leaving Academia, I’m joined by former professor turned brand messaging expert Jen Liddy. She’s breaking down exactly how to market your work without losing your unique voice.

We talk about:

💬 Why most new business owners overthink their messaging

💬 How to mirror what your audience actually needs to hear

💬 The power of brand voice (and why it shouldn’t sound like your professor persona)

💬 How to make your services sound compelling—yes, even if you edit dissertations for a living

Whether you’re building a coaching or editing business, this episode will help you connect with the right people without sounding salesy or fake.

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

Want to work with Jen? Contact her at jenliddy.com

And grab Jen's free guide here: jenliddy.com/backstage

Coupon code: PAULINA

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

https://AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

0:00 - Discovering Your Brand Voice

2:20 - Differentiating Your Message

5:00 - Understanding Brand Messaging

7:30 - Mirrors and Marketing

11:15 - Finding Your Ideal Client

15:45 - Steps to Stand Out

19:00 - Crafting Your Own Persona

23:25 - The Power of the Word You

27:40 - Engaging with Your Audience

31:00 - Strategic Use of AI

34:30 - Reducing Overwhelm in Messaging

37:20 - How to Avoid Burnout in Branding

41:05 - Practical Tips for New Business Owners

45:25 - Final Thoughts on Effective Communication

49:50 - Resources for Further Learning

53:00 - Connecting with Jen Liddy

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

What do you do when the academic job you worked so hard for starts to cost you too much?

In this week’s episode of Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor, I’m joined by Jenn McClearen, PhD, a former assistant professor who walked away from a nearly complete tenure application and moved to the Netherlands to build a business that honors her values.

Jenn is now a writing coach and developmental editor helping early-career scholars overcome perfectionism, procrastination, and fear of criticism—so they can reclaim writing as a joyful, sustainable practice.

We discuss:

🎯 The mindset shifts that helped her leave academia

🎯 How she built her business around care and consent (not hustle and hierarchy)

🎯 Why marketing doesn’t have to feel gross when you lead with your values

If you’re looking for a way to use your academic skills without sacrificing your well-being, this episode is a must-listen.

Jenn’s story is proof that finding joy outside the academy is possible—not just for her, but for you too. 🐦‍🔥

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

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

https://AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Want to work with Jenn?

https://www.jennmcclearen.com/

https://www.publishnotperish.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclearen/

0:00 - Embracing New Beginnings in Business

5:16 - How to Overcome Writing Barriers

9:00 - Exploring Alternative Business Models

12:39 - Shifting Perspectives on Marketing

15:06 - Attracting Clients with Your Values

18:55 - Establishing a Coaching Business

24:27 - Designing an Engaging Course Experience

29:11 - Navigating Time Management Challenges

32:47 - Reframing Writing Anxiety

35:33 - Building Supportive Coaching Relationships

41:44 - Lessons Learned from the Academic Journey

43:18 - Connecting with the Audience

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

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a freelance editor but wondered, “Do I really have what it takes?”—this week’s episode will show you that you DO. 💪

My guest, Katherine Wiley, is a former academic who made the leap into full-time freelance editing... and she’s thriving. In this episode, she shares why faculty members are uniquely qualified to be excellent editors (even if they don’t realize it yet).

We discuss:

💡 Why your academic skills—like writing, research, and attention to detail—make you perfectly suited for scholarly editing;

💡 The mindset shift that helps faculty transition from undervalued academics to confident business owners; and

💡 Katherine’s real talk about leaving academia behind—the challenges, the rewards, and why she’ll never look back.

If you’ve been craving more freedom, flexibility, and financial stability, this episode will show you how freelance editing can give you all three—while still allowing you to use your hard-earned academic skills.

I hope this conversation with Katherine inspires you to consider the possibilities beyond academia—and to recognize just how valuable your skills already are. 💎

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

https://youtu.be/E3msjk3TuZQ

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

Want to work with Katherine? You can get in touch here:

https://www.goldenrodeditorial.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinewiley/

https://www.facebook.com/katherine.ann.wiley

0:00 - Understanding Developmental Editing

3:12 - Transitioning from Academia to Editing

6:34 - The Importance of Networking

9:41 - Marketing Strategies for New Editors

12:45 - Finding Your Niche in Editing

15:52 - Setting Up Your Editing Business

19:12 - Tips for Building a Client Base

23:29 - Creating Effective Content Marketing

27:13 - The Value of Offering Workshops

31:02 - Embracing Flexible Work Arrangements

36:17 - Leveraging Existing Skills for Editing

40:17 - Developing Authentic Marketing Approaches

43:04 - Achieving Work-Life Balance Outside Academia

45:00 - Measuring Success and Finding Happiness

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

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s really possible to leave academia and make a living as a freelance editor, you need to hear this week’s episode of Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor.

My guest, Meg Toth, was a tenured professor who walked away from her academic career, joined my program, Becoming an Academic Editor, and built a successful editing business in just a few months.

In this episode, she shares:

✨ The moment she knew she had to leave academia;

✨ How she found paying clients—without social media marketing;

✨ The biggest mistakes new editors make (and how to avoid them!); and

✨ How to make yourself indispensable so the clients keep coming back.

If you’re thinking about becoming an academic editor (or want to grow your existing business), you won’t want to miss this one!

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

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

Want to work with Meg? You can get in touch here:

https://www.megtoth.com/editing

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-toth-38945b1a/

https://www.the-efa.org/memberinfo/meg-toth-40512/

0:00 - Starting Your Editing Journey

1:19 - Navigating Academic Changes

3:16 - Making the Decision to Leave Academia

8:39 - Discovering Your Passion for Editing

10:50 - Finding the Right Course for Skill Development

12:47 - Learning to Market Yourself Effectively

15:06 - Building Your Editing Business

19:24 - Establishing Trust and Credibility Online

21:01 - Balancing Academic and Creative Projects

25:02 - Offering Flexible Coaching Services

27:32 - Gaining Practical Experience with Copy Editing

30:11 - Connecting with Clients Through Your Website

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