Should you join the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) as a New Editor?

When I started seriously looking at freelancing as an editor, I kept asking myself the same question: What makes me different from everyone else doing this? My degree gave me a strong foundation, but it didn’t answer everything. That’s when I realized that continued education—and the communities you choose to learn from—can shape your career just as much as formal schooling.

Professional associations are one of the best ways to do that. The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), in particular, is an excellent resource for anyone looking to build editing experience and establish a professional reputation.

The EFA offers a wide range of copyediting-specific trainings at different experience levels, many of which are self-paced. Even though I took a copyediting course in college, I’m currently working through the Copyediting: Beginning course before moving on to the intermediate level and other course options. Their education catalog includes self-paced courses, online classes with structured curricula and timelines, and both recorded and live webinars—making it easy to find options that fit your schedule and learning style.

Another major benefit of the EFA is access to job listings, which are available exclusively to members. Having a centralized place dedicated specifically to freelance editing opportunities is incredibly valuable when you’re starting out. I’ve enrolled in their email notifications and see a steady flow of job postings, which has been especially helpful as I work to build my editing portfolio.

Then there’s the question every new editor eventually asks: rates. Do you know the average rates for copyeditors—or how those rates differ by genre or service? The EFA’s rates chart breaks this information down clearly and realistically. As a new editor, I find it extremely helpful for ensuring I charge appropriately for my experience level while also protecting myself from undervaluing my work. Because the rates are presented as ranges, they provide a clear starting point and a sense of where you can grow. They’re also useful when pricing more edit-intensive projects, where a higher rate can be justified.

This association has proven to be a valuable resource for me and felt worth mentioning. I discovered the EFA during my research before returning to school and found it helpful as I evaluated whether this career path would be sustainable for me. Its resources are beginner-friendly, and from what I’ve seen, it’s not something you’ll quickly outgrow as you gain experience. I think it’s absolutely worth checking out.