Have you ever sat down to edit a manuscript and thought, ‘Who am I to do this? What if I’m not good enough?’
Me too. And so has pretty much every other freelance editor I know.
Imposter syndrome is that insidious voice in your head that makes you second-guess yourself – even when you do know what you’re doing.
It sneaks in when you’re just starting out, when you raise your rates, or when you take on a new type of project.
Is self-doubt a sign of weakness … or a sign of care?
Only the most confident editors don’t struggle with imposter syndrome. They trust their skills, believe in their expertise, and approach their work with self-assurance.
Sometimes, that confidence is well-earned – built on a strong foundation of training, experience, and a track record of successful projects. These editors have put in the time, honed their craft, and know they’re delivering real value to their clients.
But sometimes, confidence doesn’t come from skill – it comes from overestimation.
There are editors who rarely question themselves, even when they should. They may lack the necessary expertise or overlook important details, yet they carry themselves with certainty.
This is why a little self-doubt isn’t always a bad thing.
When imposter syndrome makes you pause and reflect, it can push you to improve, to keep learning, and to approach your work with care. The key is to find a balance – having enough confidence to trust yourself while staying humble enough to keep growing.
And so though imposter syndrome is something to be overcome, I believe the fact you suffer from it in the first place shows something very important: it means you care.
You care about doing good work.
And that’s a good thing. Because it means you will always do your best.
But working from a perpetual state of insecurity is clearly not a good way to operate. So here’s the good news: you can quiet that voice. And the best way to do it? As I said:
Build your skills, gain experience, and learn to trust yourself.
Learn → do → repeat
One of the biggest reasons imposter syndrome sticks around is because we feel like we don’t know enough.
But when you invest in your education – whether it’s through courses, books, mentorship, or just actively studying the craft – you give yourself solid proof that you do know what you’re doing.
But learning isn’t enough. You also need to practise and gain experience. The more you edit, the more confident you’ll become. Every project teaches you something new. Every happy client reinforces that you are capable.
The more you prove to yourself that you can do something, the easy it is to truly believe it.
Business isn’t personal
One more thing: your worth isn’t tied to your editing business.
A tricky client, a slow month, or a project that doesn’t go perfectly – none of that means you’re a bad editor (or a bad person!). The most successful editors I know have learned to separate themselves from their business.
That doesn’t mean you can’t be personable or empathetic.
It just means that drawing a line between what is professional and personal is good for the soul.
So if imposter syndrome has been creeping in lately, take a deep breath.
Ask yourself: Are there any gaps in my knowledge I want to fill? Is there a way I can gain more practice here? What evidence do I have that I do actually know my stuff?
Focus on learning, practising and shifting your mindset.
Confidence comes with time – and you’re already on your way.
