It’s no secret that good editing can make or break a piece of writing. Just as a great editor can take an average writer and help them create something truly extraordinary, a poor editor can turn even the most talented writer into a hack.
That’s why, if you’re serious about your writing, it’s so important to find an editor that is a good fit for you and your work. But with so many editors out there, how do you go about finding the perfect editor for your needs? What factors should you consider when making your decision?
To help you find the right person who will help you put your name in light, we’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider when hiring an editor. So read on, and take notes!
Decide Whether You Need a Freelancer or Agency?
One of the first decisions you need to make when looking for an editor is whether you want to work with a freelance editor or an editing agency. Working with the agency has its advantages. For one, you’ll have a team of editors working on your material, so you’ll benefit from their collective expertise. You also won’t have to worry about the quality of their work because agencies only hire experienced and qualified editors.
However, working with an agency can be more expensive than working with a freelance editor. And because you’ll be working with a team of editors, you won’t have the same level of communication or personal relationship that you would with a freelance editor.
If you decide to work with a freelance editor, be sure to do a good amount of research to make sure you hire someone qualified and experienced. If you are located in San Francisco, finding a good freelance editor might be easier because the city is home to many publishing houses and therefore has a large pool of experienced editors to choose from. However, finding reputable and qualified freelance editors in San Francisco can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. So start your search on time and be sure to ask around for recommendations.
Check Their Editing Style
The first thing you need to do is take a look at their editing style. You may have a preferred way that you like your work to be edited, or you may be open to trying new things. In either case, you must find an editor whose editing style meshes well with your own.
Ask them to edit a sample of your work so that you can get a feel for their editing style. This way you can see if they prefer to edit in-depth, or do they like to keep things more surface level, and what kind of comments and suggestions they make. This will give you a good idea of what it would be like to work with them regularly.
Remember, even if an editor is very talented if their editing style doesn’t mesh well with yours, the working relationship will be difficult, and the editing process will be much less effective. So you must find an editor whose editing style complements your own.
Make Sure They Have Experience Editing Your Genre
The next thing you need to do is make sure the editor has experience editing your particular genre. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many writers make the mistake of hiring an editor who doesn’t have experience with their type of writing.
If you write fiction, you want to make sure the editor has experience working with fiction. If you write non-fiction, you want to make sure they have experience working with non-fiction, and so on. The editor must understand the specific challenges and requirements of your genre so that they can help you put your best foot forward.
In needed, ask the editor for samples of their work in your genre so that you can get a feel for their understanding of the material. This will help you gauge whether or not they’re qualified to help you edit your particular type of writing.
Consider Their Level of Experience
Another important factor to consider is the editor’s level of experience. You want to make sure you hire an editor who has the experience and qualifications necessary to help you improve your writing.
Ideally, you want to find an editor who has worked with writers at your level before. If you’re a beginner, you don’t want to hire an editor who usually works with best-selling authors. Likewise, if you’re a more experienced writer, you don’t want to hire an editor who is just starting. The point is to find someone who has edited material similar to yours in terms of both quality and quantity. And the easiest way to gauge an editor’s level of experience is to look at their resume or website and see what kinds of writers they have worked with in the past.
Get a Feel for Their Personality
When looking for an editor, it’s important to get a feel for their personality. Will they be a good fit for you? Will you be able to trust them and open up about your work? Will you be able to take their feedback and criticism without feeling defensive?
You need to find an editor who is not only knowledgeable about the editing process but also someone with whom you can develop a working relationship. This is someone who will be critiquing your work regularly, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them. You don’t want to dread working with your editor or getting their feedback.
Also, if you’re working with a freelance editor, you need to be able to trust them. You need to feel confident that they will keep your work confidential and not share it with anyone. Make sure to ask about their confidentiality policy before you start working with them.
Check The Pricing Options
The cost of working with an editor will vary depending on the type of editing you need, the length of your manuscript, and the editor’s experience and qualifications.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider working with a less experienced or qualified editor. However, keep in mind that a more experienced editor will likely do a better job of improving your writing, so it will surely pay off in the long run to spend a bit more money upfront.
Another option is to look for an editor who offers package deals or discounts for longer projects. This is a common practice among freelance editors who want to attract clients with big projects. Just be sure to ask about this upfront, so you know what to expect in terms of pricing.
As you can see, if you want to find an editor that can turn you into a superstar writer, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Use this guide as a starting point in your search for the perfect content editor, and you’ll be sure to find someone who can help take your writing to the next level.
