Indexers put together indexes for all kinds of documents to help users find the information they need easily. They work on documents such as books, periodicals, technical manuals, reports, CD-ROMs and websites.

Their work includes:

• studying the document to get an overall idea of what it covers
• identifying important words and phrases in the text, noting where they occur and putting them in alphabetical order
• identifying the main topics and breaking them down into sections
• cross-referencing related topics
• organising the index so that information is easy to find
• indexing photographs, diagrams and other illustrations
• using specialist computer software for sorting, formatting and printing.

As indexers are usually self-employed, they also need to:

• find clients
• negotiate work 
• carry out the tasks associated with running a small business, such as keeping accounts.

Hours and Environment

You will choose your own working hours, but these will be dictated by deadlines for completing work. This can mean working long hours, including evenings and weekends. 

You will usually work from home.

Skills and Interests

To be an indexer you should:

• be logical, methodical and able to work to a very high standard of accuracy
• have good general knowledge and some specialist knowledge for indexing particular subjects
• have a good command of English, with accurate spelling and punctuation
• have keyboard skills and access to a computer
• have good powers of concentration
• be able to work quickly and accurately to tight deadlines
• be self-disciplined enough to organise your work, especially if you work at home.

Entry

Although you do not need formal qualifications to become an indexer, you will need a good level of education. Most indexers have a degree-level qualification.

If you are not sure if you want to take up indexing, or if you would be suited to it, you could attend a workshop for beginners run by the Society of Indexers (SI). 

You can learn the principles and practice of indexing by doing the SI distance learning course. The course is made up of four units, each of which involves about 45 to 50 hours of study. You will need to be a member of the SI to take the formal tests which follow each unit of the course. When you have successfully completed the tests you will be awarded Accredited Indexer (AI) status, which is recognised as a first stage professional indexing qualification by editors and other clients.

The SI course covers advice on setting up as a freelance indexer and finding work. The SI also holds workshops on working as a freelance indexer and establishing an indexing business. Please see Further Information for a link to the SI website where you can find full details of SI courses.

You can also take the Book Indexing Postal Tutorials (BIPT) practical course, which is recognised as a valid qualification by the SI. This involves five tutorials, and you will learn by tackling actual indexes. You can also attend a residential version of the BIPT postal course.

Please contact SI or BIPT for more details - see the Further Information section for contact details.

If you want to work in a specialised area you will need in-depth and up to date knowledge of the subject. Many indexers take up indexing as a second career, often using experience and knowledge they have developed in other kinds of work.

Training

If you are employed by a publishing house or similar organisation you may receive training from your employer.

If you are an experienced indexer and a member of the SI you can take the tests leading to Accredited Indexer status without doing the distance learning course. As an experienced indexer with Accredited Indexer status you can go through an assessment process for the SI second stage professional qualification, Fellowship of the SI.

You can also attend SI workshops and seminars throughout the country. These are suitable for beginners and more experienced indexers.

You can network and learn from other indexers by joining SI local and special interest groups. At present special interest groups are:

• Earth Sciences
• Law
• Medical.

If you want to learn to index by computer, contact the BIPT for details of the residential weekends which they arrange.

Opportunities

Nearly all indexers are self-employed and are commissioned to prepare single indexes. They often combine indexing with other areas such as proofreading and copywriting.

Indexers have to sell their services to publishers, authors, libraries, commercial companies and public bodies, so being able to market their skills is important. It may take some time to build up enough work to be able to rely on indexing as a main source of income.

Qualified indexers are entitled to an entry in the SI annual directory, which is distributed to major publishers and other organisations and is published on the SI website.

Indexers with specialised knowledge, particularly in law, medicine or technology, are likely to have more chance of gaining contracts.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Indexers negotiate their own fees for a job. They might charge by the hour, by the page or offer a flat fee for the whole job.

The SI recommends that rates for a straightforward text should start at £17.50 an hour (from April 2006). Experienced indexers working on specialised texts will normally charge more for more complex work or tight deadlines.

Please see the SI website for more information.

Further information

Woodbourn Business Centre
10 Jessell Street
Sheffield
S9 3HY PLEASE NOTE: no website
Contact: Ann Hall
Tel: 07708 571548
Email: lovellmoffat@aol.com