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Indexing FAQ

The following questions and answers have been compiled based on actual queries to the chapter secretary. If you do not find your question/answer here, email the secretary at secretary@pnwasi.org and he or she will try to help.

• General resources when considering a career in indexing
  
• What is an index, really?
  
• Why can't a computer do it?
  
• Are indexers mostly freelance, or do they mostly work for publishing houses?
  
• Do I need an advanced degree to be an indexer?
  
• What talents and skills do indexers need?
  
• How do I learn to index?
  
• How much time will it take to learn how to index?
  
• How long will it take to establish an indexing business?
  
• How long before I can make "good" money?
  
• How many books can I do in a month?
  
• Is there business out there?
  
• What if I'm not sure indexing is for me?
• How do I join INDEX-PNW
• What kinds of indexing are out there?
  

General resources when considering a career in indexing
Many questions can be answered by looking at and reading the information provided on this website (check out the Resources for Indexers on the navigation bar) and the ASI website. Some have also found Martha Osgood's Novice Notes and Dawn Spencer's articles on Suite 101 to be very, very helpful. Many questions asked by new and potential indexing students are answered on the FAQ at the website for the indexstudents discussion list.

What is an index, really?
An index is a systematic arrangement of entries designed to enable users to locate information in a document. Entries consist of important names, concepts, and terms. Entries are ordered differently than in the text and are not an outline of the text. A good index reflects the text accurately and anticipates the reader's viewpoint.

Why can't a computer do it?
A computer can't analyze "aboutness." Computers are (somewhat) useful in creating concordances of words, but not in evaluating text and context. A computer cannot pick just the right term to describe a concept, when the term is never used in the text. For a more detailed discussion, search the Index-L archives.

Are indexers mostly freelance, or do they mostly work for publishing houses?
Both.

Do I need an advanced degree to be an indexer?
Simply, no. While many indexers do have college degrees, it is not a prerequisite for indexing. This question has been discussed on Index-L and can be found by searching the list archives.

What talents and skills do indexers need?
A good indexer needs to find the center of a discussion quickly, recognize a concept when it is discussed again, and has a decent talent for synonyms and organization. You need to be able to put yourself in the reader's moccasins. You have to respect deadlines. Organization skills are required. Business management and marketing skills are imperative. Self-motivation is a MUST.

How do I learn to index?
By taking a local course/workshop or a distance education course (see also ASI website). There are other ways, but these two are the most common.

How much time will it take to learn how to index?
It may take 2-9 months (or longer) to complete a course in indexing (the USDA course will take 6-18 months and a local course can take 6-8 weeks of intensive work because of homework assignments) or by reading the literature on indexing. The ASI website provides a list of recommended titles. Reading is not enough, then you need to write practice indexes and find reviewers for them. To see a few of the criteria that make up a good index, visit the peer review guidelines.

How long will it take to establish an indexing business?
It may take a year or more to get that first paid index after completing your course and starting to market your services. It may take another 3-5 years of good marketing to begin to turn away business because you have enough work. Experience varies; it really depends on how aggressively you market your services and whether editors like your work.

How long before I can make "good" money?
It may take some time (6-18 months) to begin to get business but also to get continuous business depends a lot on your repeat clients and their referrals -- which in turn depends on how good your work is. Consider whether your finances, working style, and preferences allow for this. Many indexers moonlight at first until they can count on new and repeat business.

How many books can I do in a month?
The total process -- reading, marking, entering, editing -- depends upon your skill and the needs of the book. Those indexing philosophy might be able to do 100 pages a week, although other indexers and other topics can go more quickly -- up to 300 or more pages a week depending on the book's topic, its organization, and the indexer's skill. The simpler the topics, the better organized the text, the better organized the indexer, then the quicker the indexing process.

Is there business out there?
Yes, there is business out there, and the field will not go away. In fact, indexing will probably grow in scope and importance as information-overload continues to explode.

What if I'm not sure indexing is for me?
I suggest that you try some of the exercises recommended by Martha Osgood and Dawn Spencer whose websites are mentioned at the beginning of this page. Basically, try indexing a book and see how it feels, read a few of the selected titles, attend a local chapter meeting, and then think about thinking about being an indexer.

How do I join INDEX-PNW (an email list)
Just follow the instructions located here.

What kinds of indexing are out there?
I've placed this question last because the list is long. Back-of-the-book indexes include, bibliographies, catalogs, CD-ROMs, computer manuals, cookbooks, encyclopedias, government documents, journals, legal documents, depositions, medical, multimedia, municipal and legal codes, reference books, scholarly books, software manuals, statistics, technical manuals, textbooks, and trade books. For information about the subjects and materials indexed by chapter members, see our Directory of Indexers in the Pacific Northwest Indexers.

This FAQ would have been impossible without the kind contributions of Martha Osgood.

Please contact us if you have questions about PNW/ASI, or if you have any suggestions for additions to the web site. To receive meeting announcements and other information relevant to Pacific Northwest indexers, subscribe to INDEXING-PNW, the e-mail discussion list for indexers in the Pacific Northwest.