Be careful using aggregated platforms to hire editors!
I worked as a professional on an aggregated platform for the last 8 months. (They scan Reddit to find any negative comments so I’m being careful about saying the company name). This platform has a network of professionals that authors can choose from to hire for things like book editing, cover design, proofreading, etc. But there is something you should know:
Nothing you share on this platform is private. They force you to use their video calling system for editorial meetings and they record, transcribe, and monitor these meetings. You cannot opt out of this. A potential client shared with me that they had a chronic illness and had to go to the ER for a procedure. This platform recorded the conversation and sent me a summary that detailed her visit to the ER, the procedure she had done, and the amount of money she spent on the procedure. Be careful and don’t share any personal information on these platforms!
And, once you hire a professional on their platform, you are not allowed to work with that professional outside the platform…ever.
They are trying to own our relationships.
On top of this, they make 20% in fees every time you hire a professional on their platform. In the 8 months I worked through this platform, they’ve collected ~$8,600 in fees from my labor. And I don’t get to keep any of my clients outside the platform.
I’m rethinking the way I do business. I won’t let them extract my labor anymore while owning my client relationships.
Please be careful out there.