Proofreaders and editors do more than check spelling and grammar. Find out what they do and how they can add value and clarity to all your written copy.
Not sure whether you need a proofreader or editor?
You might be great at writing knowledgeable articles. Having someone in your team who creates engaging content is an incredible asset. But do your team know what needs doing to prepare content for publication online or in print?
Proofreading and editing involve much more than checking spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Do you or your team know whether editing software is making a sensible suggestion? Or are you accepting changes to your writing that make it incorrect? The chances are your conscientious copywriters are adding errors to your copy. It’s why large organisations have content writers and content editors in their teams.
Editorial professionals use advanced editing software not usually found outside professional editing. But (like all editing software) the user needs to know if a suggested change is correct. Even when correct, is it a rule or a preference? Is it suitable for the wider context of your content? Editorial professionals make quick, consistent decisions requiring a deep understanding of writing conventions.
Do you have more than one author for your written content? This means all written copy your users read (websites, email, brochures, social media). Do you have a professional editor in your team who can edit all this content? This important step to achieving a recognisable brand voice is often overlooked. Organise and edit your content for a clear and consistent style. Make sure your copy is communicating what you want to say!
Hiring a trained editorial professional gets the job done. It gives you and your team more time to get on with what you do best.
Proofreading or editing – what’s the difference?
In a nutshell, copyediting is a more extensive edit than a proofread. Proofreading usually happens when writing is ready for publication. When all layout changes are complete and wording decided. Proofreaders then check for errors, poor grammar and punctuation, and compliance to house style. A copyeditor can do all that and suggest how to improve your text.
Many people think a proofreader checks for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. A professional proofreader does much more. Newspaper and magazine editors are those most often thought of as professional ‘editors’. They work with a wide range of publication types and make decisions about the content and quality of a publication.
Both of these descriptions of editors and proofreaders only share part of the role of the editorial professional. Like any expert role, editors and proofreaders have different skills and experience. They can do different jobs at different stages in the editing process. Proofreaders and editors can correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. But they both also carry out a much wider range of quality checks. Without this professional training, it’s hard to know what needs doing.
Make your copy stand out
Save time (and money) by hiring an editorial professional. Save yourself days of reading articles on how to write effective copy and spot errors.
We won’t change your tone or style (unless you want us to). We can make them consistent, so your copy is easier to read. We adapt well. We work with many different authors and topics. Each project has different requirements. We adapt the way we edit to provide the best results for each client.
Professional editors and proofreaders are members of professional organisations that test our skills and keep our knowledge up to date. We can talk to you about the service you need. We listen to your needs and polish your copy, so it works for you. Talk to us today and get your message out there!
