Editing is an important part of putting content out for the world to read. Editing is a process. There are really great editors, and there are editors who are not so great at it. Sometimes, I think a lot of it comes down to ego.
I’ve had good editors and I’ve had bad ones. But I’ve learned from both kinds, and they’ve shaped the way I work with authors and bloggers on their content, whether they meant to or not - and they probably don’t even know it.
I’ve learned what bad editing is, and how it makes a writer feel. I’ve also learned what good editing is, and how it makes a writer feel. And let me tell you, the two are miles apart.
Based on what editing is not. I bet you can guess what good editing *is*.
In my experience, an editor who wants to help you grow as they make your words shine is a special one. They have the power to import lasting lessons, and to help you make an even bigger mark on the world.
You can tell an edit is bad when, without the right buildup that makes it make sense, the tone of the piece changes. If chunks of the story seem out of place, that’s another sign that the editing wasn’t exactly good. And, if the piece changes in voice – if it begins to read differently partway through- that’s definitely a sign that the editing process wasn’t a good one.
On the back end, as an aside, a good edit process is one where there’s been some back and forth to explain suggested changes that a business owner or author might not have expected. There’s give and take and conversation. When the words flow easily and continuously, no matter what kind of content you’re reading, there was likely a good edit process.
Some of this comes down to personality, I know this firsthand. That’s why I think ego does play a role in the less than stellar content edit process. But you’ll know you have the right editor when you don’t fight over changes, and when they want to help you make your work shine.
I know that not everyone has the patience to go over minute changes in writing (like fixing typos like the ones my autocorrect sometimes adds) - and done-for-you editing with the right professional can be quick and painless. But it’s also important for people to know that there are editors who will make notes on changes and gully explain them, should you be the kind of client who wants that in-depth information.
That’s generally my style of editing – notes and explanations when necessary and discussion. I can provide that kind of editing, and I’m open to challenges to my edits, as long as people listen to the reasoning behind it if they’re going to challenge me anyway.
To be sure, not all people who come to me for editing want the full commentary and choices. There are people who tell me “just make it better,” and that’s okay. I still make notes on rather big edits so they understand why I did something and remind my clients that in the end, the content is theirs, they can accept the edits I suggest, or ignore them completely.
If you’re interested in finding out how working with an editor should feel and happen, I have a completely free content audit service that members of my weekly newsletter – Copy in the Raw – are privy to. Will you join us? I’d love to help you make your words shine.
