Frame yourself! Business Mentoring for Editorial Professionals
Why this Yorkshire phrase is the heart of my mentoring programme
‘Frame yourself!’
It’s something my mum used to say when I was flapping about or dragging my heels when I was a kid. It’s Yorkshire shorthand for: Sort yourself out. Make sure you know what you’re doing. Stop faffing and get on with it.
These days it’s become my business mantra. It pops into my head whenever I’m thinking about a tricky task, putting off something scary, or procrastinating for a bit too long.
That’s why, when I needed a name for my mentoring programme for editorial professionals, Frame yourself felt like a good idea.
I tested the potential title on social media to get some feedback. The comments coalesced round Frame yourself with an exclamation mark and ‘Business mentoring for editorial professionals’ (the Ronseal approach) as my subtitle.
What is Frame yourself! mentoring?
It’s a structured but supportive business mentoring offer, especially for newer editorial professionals or career changers who are finding their feet in freelance life.
The beta version will run over six weeks in autumn 2025 and include 1:1 support and a clear framework. It’s a test run for a future six-month programme I’m developing – something that combines thoughtful guidance with accountability and a bit of cheerleading.
Because running a freelance editorial business isn’t just about working with words. It’s about finding clarity in your services, building business systems, and feeling confidence in yourself as a business owner.
Why I’m doing this
I’ve been where many of my mentees are.
I’m a career changer, an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (the CIEP), and someone who gained a degree in English Lit before spending years balancing spreadsheets and strategy (my chartered accountancy days).
I’ve edited projects from the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children’s Annual Report to Business Book Awards winners and finalists.
Along the way, I’ve built systems that work for me. I’ve found ways to manage my workflow and I’ve made the most of projects that light me up. But it’s taken time, experimentation, and plenty of framing myself.
This mentoring programme is about helping others do the same, just with a little less overwhelm and a lot more support.
What we’ll cover
The programme focuses on six key areas that gently build clarity and confidence in your editorial business:
- Finding your direction – setting goals, understanding your current risks, and working out where you want to go
- Defining what you offer – including your services, ideal clients, branding, and how niching (even softly) can help you stand out
- Building strong business systems – from your operations manual and record-keeping to ethical use of AI and staying on top of finances
- Making things manageable – with thoughtful planning, workflow design, contingency strategies, and sensible boundaries
- Quoting with confidence – pricing your work, creating clear terms and conditions, and knowing when business research is needed
- Planning for what’s next – reflecting on what you’ve learned, gathering feedback, and planning future steps
It’s supportive, practical and grounded. Framework, not formula.
For me, ‘Frame yourself!’ isn’t about hustle or pressure. It’s about intention.
What’s behind ‘Frame yourself!’
For me, ‘Frame yourself!’ isn’t about hustle or pressure. It’s about intention.
It’s about stepping out of default mode and into clarity. Whether you’re rethinking your pricing, changing direction, or just trying to stop comparing yourself to everyone else, framing yourself is about finding your centre.
Sometimes it’s gentle structure. Sometimes it’s a nudge. And it’s always about helping you feel equipped, not overwhelmed.
What’s Next
I’m currently running a closed beta of the programme with a small group of brilliant editorial professionals who’ve kindly agreed to test, reflect and offer feedback. Their insight will help me shape the longer-term six-month version I plan to launch in 2026.
If you’re interested in being part of future rounds – or just want to chat about whether mentoring might be for you – do drop me a message.
No pressure. No spam. Just a chance to frame yourself, with a little help.
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