As a creative professional, whether you’re advertising, branding, or just want to write something for the web – there is always somebody you can turn to for help. But sometimes, even the most seasoned editor can stumble upon an area of a manuscript that needs some serious work. In this article, we’ll discuss four essential techniques that every copyeditor should know.
1. Make it count
One of the main goals of any piece of work is to be effective. When you’re editing copy, sometimes it can be tricky to tell whether a particular piece of writing works or not. But if you keep one thing in mind – effectiveness. In a nutshell, if you can’t tell within the first few minutes of reading the copy whether or not it’s working, then there’s probably something wrong with it. When you’re working on someone else’s material, whether you’re an independent contractor or in-house editor, it’s your job to bring it to the best it can be. This means fixing any awkward phrasing, cutting out vague language and overuse of adverbs. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re doing this right, ask a friend who is a professional editor for help. They will be able to tell you if what you’ve done so far is effective or not.
2. Find the right tone
This is something that takes a bit of effort but is so important to get right. When you read online journalism, you’ll often see pieces that are either very formal or very casual, but rarely in between. And while there is not always a correct answer in these situations, you should strive to find the right tone for each individual piece of writing you are editing. If you’ve got a piece of copy that is a bit over the top, it can be distracting and even a bit jarring. While a bit of levity is always welcome, it should not come at the expense of the story, nor should it come at the expense of the reader. For example, when writing headlines, you can give the piece some weight by using appropriate language but without being overly formal. Instead of using words like absolutely or verbatim, you can opt for phrases such as “According to” or “Based on”. In cases like these, you should try to find the right tone and stick to it. And when in doubt, ask a friend for help. They will be able to give you their opinion on whether or not you’ve hit the right note.
3. Be original
This point goes hand-in-hand with the previous one. When you’re editing someone else’s work, whether it’s an autobiography, an autobiography about pets, or just something to do over the course of a few days – you need to stay true to what the author wanted to say but also make it your own. Sometimes clients will give you a bit of background on the topic at hand so that you can make sure you’re saying the right thing, but you should always come up with ideas of your own. And when they ask you for ideas, you should be able to pitch something that is both original and fits what they’re looking for. When in doubt, ask a friend for help. They will be able to give you fresh ideas and help you find the right tone that fits the project. Moreover, if you’ve got an area in which you feel like you’re lacking knowledge, don’t be afraid to ask for help. After all, that’s what friends are for.
4. Check for spelling and grammar
It is extremely easy to make spelling and grammar errors in the course of everyday writing. If you’re in a rush to get something finished, you might not have the luxury of spending a lot of time fixing these errors. When you’re editing someone else’s work, whether this is an old piece of journalism or a few articles for a blog, there will always be spelling errors and grammar mistakes. And while it’s always nice to have a clean piece of writing, you should not lose sight of the fact that these errors can make the text much less effective. The purpose of your edits is not only to make the piece look more presentable but also to ensure that it’s correctly spelled and grammatically correct. Sometimes it’s tempting to rush through these checks to get the piece done on time. But in reality, it’s often better to take the time to do things right. And when in doubt, ask a friend for help. They will be able to point out any grammatical errors and give you tips on how to improve your spelling. Moreover, they might even be able to offer some suggestions on how to make your piece more effective. In the end, no one is an island and everyone needs help from time to time.
How to Edit Copywriting
With those four points in mind, you’re on the right track to becoming a better copyeditor. Remember that your ultimate goal is to make the piece as effective as possible and while you might not always be able to go through each line of copy and make it perfect, you should strive to make the overall effect work in your favor.