On Indexes and Indexing

Electronic Scribe Indexing

An index is:

an alphabetical list of the topics and concepts in a book, followed by page numbers or links to where the information can be found. A good index contains all substantive discussions of concepts, including subentries and cross-references in addition to the major concepts listed in the Table of Contents.

An index is NOT:

a concordance. A concordance is a list of key terms in a document and the page numbers on which those terms appear. This tool has no cross-references, subentries, hierarchy, or other indicators of content. It is merely a list of words followed by long lines of page numbers.

Why can't a user just search the text using a standard search engine?

According to a recent study by the BNA Law School, index use is both faster and more successful. In this study, which tested both simple and complex searching, index users had a success rate of 86% with an average search time of 57 seconds. Text searchers took an average of 2 minutes, 47 seconds to achieve a 23% success rate. The bottom line is: how much is your time worth? Would you rather find what you're looking for quickly, or spend a great deal of time only to be frustrated by not finding the information you need? If the former, then you definitely need an index. The readers of your book just might feel the same way.

Why hire a professional indexer?

A professional indexer can greatly augment the value of a work by providing a clear and concise roadmap for the reader to follow. By allowing for quick access to information, a good index saves the reader time and effort locating the desired information. A good index can make the difference between a well-loved and heavily used reference material and an anonymous book in a dusty pile on the floor. A good index can be a deciding factor when a consumer or acquisitions professional is choosing which books to add to their collection.

Why can't the author create the index?

Usually by the time a book reaches the indexing stage of production, the author has seen it so many times that the content becomes invisible. A professional indexer offers a fresh set of eyes that the author lacks at this point. A professional indexer also brings a sense of objectivity to the indexing process.

Why hire me:

Because you get what you paid for. I do all of my own work. I rarely subcontract any of my projects. If you hire me, you get me. I do in fact read the book I'm working on, and the indexes I create reflect this.

Rates: My base rate varies from $2-$8 per page, depending upon many factors. Please call me to discuss your project.

Superlative indexes on time, every time