The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) is one of the US’s most prominent non-profit associations that focuses on supporting freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, translators, and other professionals engaged in editorial work. The EFA has assisted numerous freelancers in establishing sustainable careers since its inception in 1970, while also providing clients with access to qualified professionals.
In this guide, we explain the most important services provided by EFA with enriched details of its structure, rates, industry information, and ways in which freelancers along with clients can reap benefit from the association.
1. What Is The Editorial Freelancers Association?
With members from across the US and around the globe, the EFA acts as a focal point for editors and other freelance professionals. They work to ensure quality in the editorial output and support freelancers in the marketing and financial activities of their practice.
The freelancers at EFA are equipped with skills related to education and advocacy. There is also a dedicated job board, as well as a strong network of over three thousand clients willing to collaborate.
2. Membership Options and Benefits
Membership Tiers
The EFA configures distinct stages of a freelancer’s career and constructs different membership levels:
- Standard Membership: Existing freelancers that already have an established client base.
- Emerging Editorial Professional (EEP): Recently graduated professionals with less than three years of experience.
- Student Membership: For individuals actively pursuing an academic course in writing or editing.
- Developing Country Membership: Reduced rate for individuals living in developing countries.
- Lifetime and Retired (Emeritus) Memberships: Available to active or former professionals holding lifetime memberships.
All options provide a duration of one or two years. Each tier has a specific base price. Additional savings is available for students, early career professionals, and those from developing countries.
Key Benefits
Job Access
Members are eligible to apply for freelance work to assist clients with editing. The EFA distributes thousands of job leads each year.
Public Member Directory
Members are able to create a public profile showcasing their skills, services, and experience. Clients browse this directory to contact freelancers directly.
Education and Training
A range of online courses and webinars on copyediting, proofreading, indexing, marketing, and business development are now offered at a reduced price to the members.
Community and Networking
EFA hosts global online forums, virtual meetups, regional chapters, and exclusive member gatherings. These help freelancers network, share skills, find guidance, and connect with mentors.
Professional Recognition
EFA membership provides credentialing that may enhance trust among prospective clients.
3. Editorial Freelancers Association Rates
Based on member submitted data, EFA compiles a yearly rate chart which features common hourly and per-word rates for various editorial services and genres. These benchmarks represent real pricing and assist both freelancers and clients manage expectations.
Typical Rate Ranges
- Copyediting (Fiction): $40–$50/hour or 2–4 cents per word
- Line Editing: $45–$60/hour
- Developmental Editing: $50–$70/hour or 3–6 cents per word
- Proofreading: $30–$45/hour
- Indexing: $55–$70/hour
- Fact-checking: $40–$60/hour
- Technical Editing: $50–$75/hour
- Medical Editing: $60–85/hour
These numbers represent averages. These are averages and particular cases may differ. Editors with more experience and a well-established reputation tend to have higher pricing, whereas entry level editors tend to charge lower pricing.
Interactive Rate Calculator
The EFA offers an estimator tool that allows freelancers to set fair rates according to the project type, word count, and their level of expertise. Undercharging and budgeting equitability are common challenges in the freelancing world. This tool helps ensure freelancers aren’t undercharging, while helping clients budget fairly.
4. How Freelancers Use the EFA
EFA offers a wealth of opportunities for US-based freelancers including:
- Building Visibility: An automatically generated freelance directory allows a self-serve, organic client discovery method.
- Finding Jobs: Through the job board, members can see paid freelance opportunities from companies like publishing houses, nonprofits, corporations, and even independent authors.
- Professional Development: Webinars and conferences enable learning in freelance business as well as in editorial industry practices.
- Community Support: Networking activities and forums help members to share with one another invaluable information like tips, jobs, and even counsel.
- Pricing Services: Freelancers can use the annual rate guide and estimator to set competitive and professional prices for their services.
5. The Use of EFA by Clients
Clients such as publishers, authors, startups, nonprofits, and even educational institutions all over the U.S. turn to the EFA to locate skilled editorial freelancers.
Clients are able to:
- Browse the Member Directory: Look for freelancers by the sorts of services they provide, genres, specialties, or geographical areas.
- Job Posting: Create and post project descriptions that will be sent immediately to EFA members.
- Confirm Rates: Establish compensation basing on EFA’s guidelines.
- Direct Hiring: Approach members with the required skills and mutually agree on terms.
6. Miscellaneous EFA Policies and Coupons
The EFA does not publicly advertise coupons or promotional codes. Members enjoy discounts on business editing tools, style guides, insurance plans, webinars, and conferences. These discounts become available with membership and add considerable value above the membership costs.
7. Distortions of Reality
Myth 1: EFA is only for Editors.
Truth: In fact, the EFA serves various professionals such as writers, proofreaders, fact-checkers, translators, indexers, among others.
Myth 2: High qualifications are a prerequisite.
Truth: With an entry-level membership and a variety of helpful services, the EFA actively supports new and emerging freelancers.
Myth 3: New Yorkers Only.
Truth: While the EFA is based in New York, membership is offered to all U.S. residents as well as overseas freelancers. The majority of resources and events are available remotely.
8. Commonly Asked Questions
Q1. What are the costs associated with EFA membership?
Fees range from $29/year for students to $164/year for standard professionals. Emerging professionals and individuals from developing countries are offered subsidized rates.
Q2. How are freelance rates set?
The EFA rate chart along with an estimator tool provide calculations based on service type, word count, and level of experience. These tools draw from reported data from members.
Q3. Is it possible for clients to look through EFA to find freelancers?
Absolutely. Clients have the ability to search the public directory or post jobs. Freelancers listed in the directory can be contacted directly according to their profiles and specialties.
Q4. Are there any hidden fees after joining?
No. Membership comes with full access to the provided benefits. Some events require additional payment, such as webinars and courses, but there are no mandatory fees.
Q5. Is the EFA worth it for new freelancers?
Absolutely. The EFA offers valuable resources that help new freelancers learn best practices, enhance their visibility, connect with appropriate clients, and develop competitive pricing for their services.
Conclusion Impressive
For freelancers looking to build credibility, grow their business, and connect with potential clients, the value for which the Association provides unmatched access to American editors is unparalleled. For clients, it offers a vetted and centralized portal through which professional editors from various fields and specialties can be accessed
