Important Things to Ask Before Hiring a Copy Editor

First published: June 8, 2022 @ 6:00 pm

What is Copy Editor?

Copy editors provide editing support for marketing materials such as brochures, advertisements, articles, and books produced by publishers and authors.

This can include doing final proofreading as well as offering suggestions on how to improve the content of the material you produce. 

The primary goal of a copy editor is to ensure that the content produced is error-free and accurate. They improve your content to meet or exceed industry standards for quality.

Copy editors primarily concern themselves with proofreading things like grammar, spelling, facts checking, etc. However, they can also play an important role in the marketing process. For example, they can make suggestions on how to improve the content produced to attract more customers.

Seeing how important they are to producing content, it would be useful to look at some things that you should ask when considering hiring a copy editor.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Copy Editor

When considering hiring a copy editor, there are several things that you should think about. We will list them below and then provide some suggestions to help your decision-making process.

Are you looking for a freelance copy editor or a staff copy editor?

A freelance copy editor works on a project basis, i.e. they will only work on one project at a time. We use the term “freelance” because the client does not have to employ the person to do the work. 

A staff copy editor is someone who works for an employer, i.e. they will do the work for more than one client at a time and will receive payment as an employee of the employer. This can include full-time, part-time, and temporary positions.

What qualifications does your business require?

This will include any training and experience the person has had in copy editing. The copy editor should be able to provide details of the type of training they have had, where they received it, and what is included in their training.

Is there a minimum amount of work required?

If you have a specific budget for hiring a copy editor, you should be able to identify this amount before contacting the person. If there is no set budget, then you should specify what you are willing to pay per hour and how many hours per week are required. 

What types of services does your copy editor offer?

The copy editor may offer services such as proofreading, editorial support, copyediting, and writing assistance. You should ask for details on what types of services the person offers and what the cost is for each service. 

This will help you make an informed decision about whether to hire them as a staff member or as a freelance contractor. You may also want to check out the rates charged by other companies that provide similar services before deciding.

How much does it cost to hire a copy editor?

The costs of hiring a copy editor will vary depending on the type of service required, the location, and the experience of the person. For example, if you need a staff copy editor, then you will have to pay them a salary and they will be able to work full-time or part-time. 

If you are looking for a freelance copy editor, then you will have to pay them by the hour and they may or may not be able to work full-time. If you are looking for someone to proofread a manuscript, then the cost will depend on the amount of work required.

Do their personalities fit in with your work culture?

You should take the personalities and their style of working into consideration when deciding whether to hire them. For example, if you are looking for someone who will work in a team, then it is important to check their compatibility with your work culture.

Would you be able to provide training?

If you need someone to be trained in copy editing, then it is important to know if this will be possible. This will include details on how long it will take to train the person and whether or not you have the resources to train them.

Do they have any experience in your industry?

It is important to check whether or not the person has experience in your industry before deciding whether or not to hire them. 

This can include details on what type of material they have edited and for which clients. It can also include details on any awards that they have won.

Are there any restrictions on what type of material can they edit?

What type of documents can a copy editor edit? This should be considered when you decide whether or not to hire them. 

For example, if you are looking for someone with multiple skills, then it is important to check whether or not they can only edit book manuscripts or if they can edit other types of material as well. The same applies when you are looking to hire a freelance copy editor.

Hire The Right Copyeditor for Your Business

Hopefully, this has given you some ideas about what to consider when hiring a copyeditor. Since the role of a copyeditor is important, it is important to make sure that you are getting exactly what you need from your copyeditor.

Do you need more tips and advice on how to hire a copyeditor? Or are you wondering what other things you should consider when scaling your business? Check out our website for more great tips and advice on how to grow your business!