How to Become a Copyeditor (25 Awesome Ways & Tips to Help)

You can become a Copyeditor and make money helping to proofread copies.

This article reveals dozens of ways and tips to help you become a money earning Copy Editor.

 

Importance

With most jobs, manufacturing and otherwise, there is a process and through this process steps are taken to create the product.

Before the product is shipped to the customer there is an aspect of the manufacturing process that involves quality control.

This final leg of the journey, quality control, is where the item is inspected and when the last check is completed the item is then shipped out.

This element of quality control is also part of the world of writers and those who create writing narratives.

The writer creates the story, weaves in their choice of appropriate words, communicates well but then the process is not complete until a proofreader and copy editor are involved.

The reality is that the writing can be the most dynamic and engaging writing ever accomplished but if there are mistakes, grammatical errors, if the sentences doesn’t adequately convey the thoughts and flow smoothly then the reader will have a poor experience in reading what has been created.

Therefore, let us look at the important role of a copy editor and what this position entails.

 

25 Ways & Tips to Help You Become a Copyeditor

 

1. Know What a Copy Editor is all about

A copy editor’s primary responsibility is proofreading various types of written documents.

The goal in proofreading these texts is to make sure that they meet the foundational standards as it relates to the use of grammar, style, readability, review written content and, with a critical eye, look at the style and the organization of the writing.

 

2. Know What a Copy Editor Does

The specific duties of a copy editor are to review the written content and look at both the style and the organization of the writing.

They may make minor corrections themselves such as putting in the needed punctuation or fixing easy typos.

A copy editor may also decide that a certain part of the writing is not necessary and may use their discretion to remove sections, reduce the word content or rewrite the sentences.

 

3. Salary

This professional occupation can command a salary that is commensurate with their experience and their ability.

The average salary of a copy editor is roughly $35,000.

Other factors that may play into the level of pay that you would receive could include the company that you’re working for.

 

4. Qualifications

The qualifications of a copy editor require writing skills and proper use of grammar, punctuation, syntax, etc.

Specifically, those qualifications would include:

• Editing fundamentals
• Editing of news
• Communication
• Pagination
• Literary journalism
• Ethics of journalism
• Proofreading
• And so forth

 

5. Process

The process of becoming a copy editor begins with a high school diploma or equivalent.

Some occupational roles or vacancies require that the individual have a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of study.

Those areas of study would include a degree in journalism, English or related field.

Also, there may be jobs for a copy editor that require an Associate’s degree or have job experience as an equivalent requirement.

 

6. Discipline

To be a quality copy editor requires that you are disciplined and continually learning and honing your skills in this field.

That discipline is defined as regularly strengthening your skills which requires a constant involvement in reading and writing constantly.

There are different niches in which a copyeditor can be involved.

A commitment to engage in, whenever you read a narrative, is to always read with a critical eye and make note of improvements that you would make as the writer.

Although as a copy editor you will not be called upon to do much writing, by writing it will give you a better perspective from the writer’s point of view and copy editing yourself.

 

7. Specialties

Even within the field of writing there are different fields or niches that require the writing of the narrative in certain ways.

For example, if writing involves explaining about a product or how it operates this is known as technical writing and is different than creative writing.

Therefore, you may wish to have an understanding of all these different niches but may choose to specialize or concentrate on one particular segment of the copy editing field that is in keeping with your career goals, skills, and talents.

 

8. File Guides

Within the copy-editing field there are different ways that a writer can be called upon to write.

As a copy editor you should be familiar with each of these unique writing styles and be aware of the different formats required.

Some of those different formats include:

• APA
• MLA
• Chicago
• Turabian

 

9. Portfolio

As with any artistic endeavor it is important that you have a reflection of your work and what you are able to bring to the writing table as a copy editor.

Therefore, it is important to gather your editing work into your portfolio so that individuals who are looking to utilize your services have an idea of your skills and what you can do as it relates to editing narrative.

 

10. Certifications

A way that you can separate yourself from others is by acquiring different types of certifications in this occupational field.

There are many schools that offer a variety of courses and when completed certificates are presented.

Also, there are professional development courses available that also provide certifications in fields that are adjacent to being a copy editor such as marketing or publishing.

 

11. Resume

As with any profession you need to have a resume which serves as a thumbnail sketch of your experience, education, objectives, and goals for your career, etc.

As a copy editor it goes without saying that the resume should be error-free and concisely reflect what you are wishing to present to potential employers.

With your resume it is important to use strong verbs and adjectives that can demonstrate and reflect your ability to write and edit as well as removing irrelevant language that can be repetitive and not add to the document.

 

12. Marketing

You are your best marketer.

With this in mind no one is going to present your strengths, qualities, and attributes quite like you will.

It is a fine line between being arrogant and confident, but it is important that the line be established and when you market yourself you come across as knowledgeable and confident in your abilities.

It is also important to be outgoing to clients and organizations that you wish to be involved with that will add to your career goals.

That will add to the completion of working towards your career goals.

 

13. Test

Often, when making application for a copy editor position you will be given a test to assess and determine your strengths in editing a narrative.

As a word of advice, it is important that when these tests are offered that you are meticulous and exact about noticing and correcting any of the errors that are purposely placed in the document.

Check out the following articles for more ways making money with copies:

• Becoming a Photo Editor and Making Money
• Becoming a Copywriter and Making Money
• Becoming a Proofreader and Making Money
• Writing Fanfiction Copies and Making Money
• Writing Erotic Copies and Making Money
• Editing Video Copies and Making Money

 

14. Authors

Another important part of the writing world is in writing books and in particular the authors that pen these narratives.

As a copy editor it is to your advantage that you build strong professional relationships with authors who often ask copy editors to review their writings.

When approaching these writings with a critical eye it is important that you are delicate with authors as often, they may be sensitive to word restructuring or not including something in the book.

It is important to be diplomatic when talking about editing so that your experience will enhance the author’s masterpiece and yet ensure that the integrity of what the author has written is maintained.

 

15. Difference Between a Proofreader and Copy Editor

The difference between a proofreader and a copy editor needs to be clarified as there is a distinction.

A copy editor typically does provide proofreading as part of their role but also is involved in the editing process along with other added on roles and responsibilities.

A proofreader is an occupation that takes a narrative and is solely responsible for observing any technical errors that may be within the document.

This in comparison to a copy editor who not only looks at the mechanics of the narrative but also will revise the text as an entire document in mind to provide any improvement on the style or the focus of the narrative piece.

 

16. Client Feedback

One of the important components in distinguishing yourself from other copy editors and demonstrating your professional abilities is to incorporate client feedback into the presentation of yourself.

These testimonials or reviews of your work will go a long way when looking for additional clients as they will see in these reviews your ability to provide a satisfying and professional service in the area of copy editing and will be a reflection of your professionalism and understanding of this work.

A great way to showcase these testimonials or feedback from clients is through your website that you have created.

 

17. Job Description

The basic functions found in a copy editor’s job description would include:

• Reviewing content for quality and accuracy
• Reading the content and looking for spelling errors
• Ensuring that grammar, syntax, and punctuation is correct
• Working with the publishing team
• Analyzing the tone, clarity, and voice of the written document

 

18. Time Involved

The time that it takes to become a copy editor is in the ballpark range of 4 years.

This is due to the higher education training to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The other option of learning how to be a copy editor is by enrolling in an online course and this may only take a few months.

 

19. Social Media

Another specific area in which a quality copy editor can provide service is editing social media platforms.

Many businesses and individuals have taken to social media to engage their customers, promote their business or company, etc.

Therefore, quality writing is essential.

The copy editor’s job, in regards to social media platforms, would be to make the brands content exceptional through the perfect use of the language utilized by improving the readability of the content, enhancing the written communication, and so forth.

 

20. Websites

An area that is a ripe unto harvest for a copy editor is in the area of websites.

The escalation of websites and their importance is critical for the success of a business and interacting with clients and potential clients.

An integral part of a website is not only the graphics but the written content and this is where the copy editor can be of critical value.

A copy editor, when writing for a website, will review, rewrite, and use appropriate words and language that match either the business or personal website that has been created.

The copy editor will eliminate errors, provide clarity with the narrative and afford great readability by editing the language that is appropriate for online researchers.

Also See: Best Ways and Sources to Find Amazon Proofreading Jobs.

 

21. Is There a Demand?

There is a great demand for copy editors.

This demand is because of the explosion of written narratives that are on the internet either through blogs, written documents or websites.

Individuals and businesses look for quality editors so that the documents that are posted are free of errors, flow freely, adequately express the point that is being made, and so forth.

 

22. Read and Write Regularly

As a copy editor it is important that you continually hone your craft and sharpen your skills and talents.

This can be done by reading and writing regularly so that you maintain your level of catching grammatical mistakes, analyze the flow of written ideas, sentence structure, etc.

As with any other occupation the Mantra for a copy editor should be practice, practice, and practice some more.

 

23. Sign up With Professional Association

Also, being part of a professional association is a good idea as you can get those letters behind your name as it relates to your credentialing

A possibility of a membership association could be Editorial Freelancers Association or The Society for Editing.

 

24. Freelance

If not wishing to work at a typical 9 to 5 job is the opportunity that is provided to you by being a freelancer.

With freelancing you have the ability to take what jobs you wish, work on your own schedule, not be bound by restrictions that may be placed by a manager, etc.

Freelance opportunities abound on the Internet and can be found by registering for such freelance websites as

• Freelancer.com
• Upwork
• Flex Jobs

 

25. Workplace

The typical workplace for a copy editor can be found as a staff member of periodical publications.

Some of these publications can include:

• Newspapers
• Publishing houses
• Public relations firms
• Magazine
• Newspapers
• And so forth

 

Personal Story

I had the opportunity to be involved with a construction project that was commissioned by a charity that I worked with and for.

 At the end of the construction project, we had an opportunity to do a walk-through and create a punch list in which certain things that needed a final touch up, were neglected, or weren’t right for one reason or the other and were captured on this punch list.

The construction foreman would then provide the oversight to ensure that the work was completed and that these areas that needed attention were addressed and finalized.

This process is similar to the role of a copy editor who takes the semi-finished product and creates a punch list of areas of the narrative that need attention either grammatically, rewording, etc.

 

Becoming a Copy Editor FAQs

 

Where Does a Copy Editor Work?

A copy editor can be part of the freelancing landscape and be self-employed and pursue their own jobs based on their own preferences.

Some of the employment positions that they can be found in include:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Book publishers
• And so forth

 

How Many Copy Editors Are There?

According to Zippia there are 36,796 copy editors of which 61% are women and 39% are men.

 

You Can Do It

If you have good to excellent writing skills, and are detailed oriented to the point where you are knowledgeable and particular about grammar, writing structure, continuity of thought in a narrative, etc., then a strong possibility of you being a quality copy editor in be a reality.

 

Conclusion

In all processes, where something is made or manufactured, there is a set dynamic in which the item that is created is not ready for distribution or shipment to a customer until it has gone through the final evaluation and quality step of inspection.

This last step in the process is generally a quality control measure and is critical so that the product is satisfactorily supplied to the customer.

It is no different in the world of writing and the quality control individual that is involved in the process is a copy editor.