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How do I know if you're a good copywriter, good editor or good proofreader?
What is search engine optimisation?
What is a style guide?
What does a copywriter do?
What is the difference between editing and proofreading?
Do you do indexing?
I'm thinking of going freelance. Where should I start?
Can you get my book published, find me an agent or critique my book?
How do I know if you're a good copywriter, good editor or good proofreader?
After studying with the Institute of Copywriting, I gained the Diploma in Copywriting. I have certificates in editing and in proofreading from the Publishing Training Centre. I also believe in continuing professional development and have attended workshops run by the Institute of Direct Marketing, Publishing Training Centre and the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, of which I'm an Advanced Member.
I've worked with a range of clients on different kinds of copywriting, editing and proofreading projects. Please see my client list.
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What is search engine optimisation?
Search engine optimisation (or SEO) is the process of making your web site appear higher in the search results of a search engine. The higher your ranking, the more people are likely to find your site.
Part of this process involves making sure the written content on web pages is likely to be picked up by search engines.
Working alongside your web developer, I can write or rewrite content to make your web pages more search-friendly.
Ask me to help with writing or editing for SEO.
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What is a style guide?
Most publishers and many companies have an in-house style guide or style manual.
A style guide gives the organisation's rules and preferences about a range of style issues such as how to format or punctuate lists, which spelling variants to use, how to organise heading levels, which rules to follow on capitalisation and so on.
Style guides can be very long and may be published as books (such as The Oxford Manual of Style or The Economist Style Guide). These kinds of guides are often referred to by others when setting styles for their own documents.
Many companies create and use their own style guides, which may be anything from a single sheet of A4 to a booklet of 20 pages or more. Following a style guide helps a company to convey itself as professional and consistent, and to support its brand.
Ask me to set up a style guide for you.
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What does a copywriter do?
Copywriters write the words that are used to promote products or services. The words, or "copy", may be used for brochures, leaflets, direct mail letters, emails, web pages, advertisements, press releases, case studies, personal profiles, newsletters and other material.
A copywriter uses words to communicate the benefits of products or services. To be effective, copy must be well written. Good copy gets readers' attention and persuades or informs them — so they buy a product, for example, or understand more about a new service.
For help with copywriting, please contact me
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What is the difference between editing and proofreading?
Editing is carried out at an earlier stage than proofreading.
Editing involves reading through the document in detail and includes: making sure it makes sense; improving poor English; correcting poor grammar and spelling mistakes; applying the client's house style and ensuring consistency; checking references; checking captions and illustrations; making sure permissions and acknowledgements are in place and so on.
Editing may also be referred to as "copy-editing" as editors are editing "copy" (which can be hard copy, e.g. for a book, or online copy, e.g. for a web page).
Once the editor's changes have been applied (e.g. by a typesetter or a web developer), the document may be passed to a proofreader.
Proofreading involves checking through the proofs to make sure the editor's changes have been applied correctly (e.g. by the typesetter or web developer). The proofreader should also spot errors or problems that were missed in earlier versions.
Proofreaders mark these changes clearly so that a final set of proofs or a final version of the document can be created for publication.
Further information about editing and proofreading can be found at the Society for Editors and Proofreaders.
For help with editing or proofreading, please contact me.
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Do you do indexing?
No, sorry. If you're looking for help with indexing, please contact the Society of Indexers.
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I'm thinking of going freelance. Where should I start?
Here are links to some organisations that may help you with information, advice, training or business start-up.
Business Link
Institute of Direct Marketing
Institute of Copywriting
National Union of Journalists
Publishing Training Centre
Society for Editors and Proofreaders
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Can you get my book published, find me an agent or critique my book?
No, sorry, but I may be able to suggest someone who can (although I can't make any promises!).
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