Editorial Freelancers Association Review: Is It Worth Becoming a Member?

If you’re a freelance editor, you might have heard of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).

The EFA is a well-known organization for freelance professionals in the publishing and communications industries. Joining the EFA can unlock various resources and opportunities that you can’t get anywhere else.

So, what exactly is the EFA, and is it worth the membership fee?

Read on to learn more about what the EFA is and what factors to consider when deciding whether to become a member.

What Is the Editorial Freelancers Association?

The EFA is a nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City. It’s a bustling marketplace for freelance professionals in writing-related fields, such as editors, writers, proofreaders, indexers, beta readers, and translators.

There are over 3,000 members of the EFA right now, and the organization is still growing. The organization is operated largely by member volunteers who are dedicated to supporting freelancers in the editorial field.

The EFA provides various tools and resources for professionals, such as:

• Sample contracts you can offer your clients

• Guidelines for starting your own freelance business

• A table of standard editorial rates for different services

• Webinar recordings and courses

• An online Discussion List for you to ask questions to other professionals

• A Member Directory for potential clients to search for editors

• A monthly newsletter called The Freelancer that shares tools and tips

The EFA also hosts events both online and offline, including meet and greets with other freelancers, panel discussions, and tutorials. 

You can still benefit from the EFA’s resources, even if you choose not to join. Some of their tools and events are free or open to members’ guests, while others are only accessible to members themselves. 

Of course, joining the EFA isn’t the only way to enhance your editing skills. If you’re looking for ways to improve your freelance editing services and deliver more value to your clients, don’t miss out on cutting-edge editing tools like ProWritingAid, which can help you enhance your prose, conduct extensive grammar and spelling checks, and rephrase sentences with just a few clicks. You can sign up for an account to try ProWritingAid for free. 

Who Can Join the EFA?

Anyone can join the EFA, as long as you’re willing to pay the annual membership fee of $180.

The EFA offers various levels of resources, networking opportunities, and professional development tools. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the editing waters, you’re welcome to join.

Where Does the EFA Have Regional Chapters?

The EFA has regional chapters for members who are located in particular regions and want to host in-person events. Active chapters include Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, New England, and Mountain West, just to name a few.

Currently, all the active chapters are located in the US. You can form your own chapter if one doesn’t already exist, provided that you can document enough interest from others in your region. 

What Are the Pros of Joining the EFA?

There are many reasons why professionals in the writing and editing industries choose to join the EFA. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important perks of becoming a member.

Connection to Community

Freelancing can sometimes feel like sailing solo on a vast ocean. You don’t have the same day-to-day networking opportunities that you’d get from working for a company.

Joining the EFA means joining a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. You'll have access to forums, networking events, and local chapters where you can connect with fellow freelancers.

Some years, there are also EFA conferences you can attend in person. Most recently, EFACON 2023 took place in Alexandria, Virginia, and included a packed program schedule with over 40 sessions on various editing and publishing topics. 

Professional Development

The EFA can help you hone your craft and stay up to date with industry trends. From webinars and workshops to conferences and seminars, there’s no shortage of opportunities to sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge base.

The EFA’s online courses cover topics like breaking into academic editing, launching your own business, developmental editing for fiction, and more. Most courses are open to everyone, even if you aren’t a member of the EFA, but members get 20% off the regular class price. 

Job Opportunities

Joining the EFA gives you a platform to connect with new clients. 

As a member of the EFA, you'll gain access to their job listing service where clients post gigs for editors, proofreaders, indexers, and other editorial professionals. It’s like having a virtual job board tailored specifically to your niche.

Many prospective clients also use the EFA Member Directory to search for editorial services, so having your name and profile on that directory can boost your visibility. The directory lets people search for freelancers based on factors like editorial experience, genre, style guides, subject expertise, location, and more.

Reputable Credentials

If you want to prove to prospective clients that you’re serious about your work, joining an industry organization can be one way to do that.

Mention on your website or resume that you’re an EFA member. Being a member doesn’t necessarily prove that you’re skilled or experienced, but at the very least, it demonstrates that you’re actively investing in your work and learning more about your field.

What Are the Limitations of Joining the EFA?

Like any organization, the EFA has its limitations. Let’s look at some reasons you might not want to become a member. 

Membership Fees

Membership in the EFA comes with a price tag. While the annual fee of $180 is on par with many other professional organizations, it’s still an additional expense to factor into your budget.

If your goal is to build a profitable business, it’s important to prioritize. The money you spend on membership fees could potentially go further by paying for new editing tools, advertising your business, maintaining your website, or other options that directly bring in revenue. 

Competitive Marketplace

With a membership base of over 3,000 professionals, the EFA community is incredibly competitive. While this can be a pro in terms of networking and collaboration, it also means you'll be vying for jobs alongside a talented pool of editors and freelancers.

Being part of the EFA Member Directory doesn’t automatically mean you’ll start booking clients. Most likely, you’ll have to proactively advertise your services in other ways to stand out from the competition, so you can’t expect EFA membership to guarantee new jobs.

Geographical Limitations

One of the benefits of joining the EFA is getting access to the live events they host for members. That means there’s a geographical component at play, since most of the EFA’s live events and regional chapters are based in the US.

As a result, American members might get more bang for their buck than non-American members who will only be able to attend online events. 

Time Commitment

Active participation in the EFA community requires time and energy. Between attending events, engaging in forums, and keeping up with industry news, being an EFA member can sometimes feel like a part-time job in itself.

If you're already juggling multiple projects, adding another commitment to your plate might not be feasible. It might make sense to wait to sign up until you have time to take full advantage of the EFA’s resources. 

Alternative Options for Editing Freelancers

If you think the EFA isn’t the perfect fit for you, there are alternative freelance associations you can join instead. 

The other major association for freelance editors in the US is The Society for Editing (ACES). Like the EFA, ACES can offer you networking opportunities, professional development resources, access to a directory, and more. 

In the UK, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) is one of the biggest groups for freelance editors. They have more international reach than the EFA, even if you’re not based in the UK, so they’re a great option for non-Americans.

In Australia, the biggest freelancing group is the Institute for Professional Editors (IPEd). It has a regional branch in New Zealand as well.

You can also consider choosing an association within your industry niche, such as the Council of Science Editors (CSE), the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE), the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW). That way, you can connect with other freelancers who share your specialty and interests. 

And of course, there’s no reason to limit yourself to one organization. You can try out multiple groups and platforms if these all sound valuable to you and you’re willing to pay the membership fees. 

Conclusion on the Editorial Freelancers Association

Ultimately, the decision to join the Editorial Freelancers Association boils down to your individual goals.

If you thrive in a supportive community, crave professional development opportunities, and are willing to invest time and resources into your editorial career, then the EFA could be a valuable asset on your freelancing journey.

However, if you prefer flying solo, already have a robust network of contacts, or simply can't justify the added expense, then perhaps the EFA isn’t the perfect fit for you right now. 

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons, do your research, and trust your instincts. Don’t forget to sign up for a ProWritingAid account to get your editing done even faster. 

Good luck, and happy editing!