Editing Services: Editor for Hire

Freelance editing services

These are some types of documents I edit:

• Articles for print or online publication
• Web pages and entire websites
• Brochures and flyers
• Press releases

Print and website copyediting

Copyeditors focus on style, correctness, and consistency:

• I look for and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage.
• I edit for consistency and clarity while maintaining your voice and intended meaning.
• I create a stylesheet for projects that are more than a page or two in length.

Print and website substantive editing

Substantive editors focus on flow of information, coherence, and intended use:

• I look at the content order and may reorganize sections and paragraphs.
• I rewrite or remove any sentences or sections that might interfere with readability.
• I fix problems such as content gaps, unclear transitions, or inconsistencies in tone.

The substantive part of editing generally requires more consultation with the author.

SEO (search engine optimization) editing for web pages

I can research and find the most suitable keywords and keyword phrases to use for your website. As I edit, I include them in the content.

With my website publishing background, I can also suggest changes to page layout and appearance to help present the text more effectively.

Why hire an editor?

Errors: Grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes or inconsistencies distract readers from the message. Editors find and fix these errors.

Image: Errors can make the writer appear uneducated and unprofessional. If a business is careless about what it publishes, readers may wonder if it's as careless with the products or services provided.

Clarity: Error correction is just one level of editing. Sentences, paragraphs, and pages need to work together. People with good English grammar don't necessarily have the skills to organize and present content well. If key points are missing, buried, or unclear, readers might not keep reading. Editors identify areas that need to be clearer, and the writer and editor can fix them together.

Editing for different countries

Each English-speaking country has its own spelling, vocabulary, expressions, and punctuation styles. When writing and editing for websites, the variation to use depends on the website audience.

If the audience is primarily from one English-speaking country, the English of that country is the most suitable for that audience. For an international audience, it's best to use the English of one country as a starting point. From there, choose words and expressions that will be clear to people from various countries.

Depending on your preferences, I edit in American, Canadian, or international English.

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To see samples of my editing work or to request an editing quote, please contact me.

What editors fix

See also Common ESL Writing Mistakes.

Grammar and sentence structure

• Run-on sentences
• Faulty parallelism
• Subject-verb agreement
• Singular / plural errors
• Clause types
• Unnecessary passive construction
• Word choices

Punctuation

• Comma, semicolon, and colon use
• Hyphens and dashes
• Apostrophe use
• Punctuation order

Content

• Headings
• Paragraph organization
• Missing or unclear information
• Format choices
• Unclear transitions