What Is a Copy Editor?

What is a copy editor? There are many different types of editors – developmental editors, line editors, copy editors – each working at a different stage of the publishing process. With so many different types, it’s easy to get confused about what is involved in each occupation.

In this blog post, we’ll focus on copy editing. We’ll:

• Tell you what copy editing is
• Describe what a copy editor does
• List the skills a copy editor needs
• Explain how to become a copy editor
• Share an opportunity to train as a copy editor

What Is Copy Editing?

Copy editing is an in-depth edit that happens after developmental (or substantive) editing but before proofreading. A copy editor could be considered the last line of defense before a document is published. They focus on the fine details of a document, checking for mechanical errors, ensuring consistency, and improving readability. They often provide detailed feedback and make suggestions to the author if more extensive corrections are required.

While copy editing shares some similarities with proofreading, and the two services are sometimes offered in combination, they are distinct tasks.

What Does a Copy Editor Do?

A copy editor’s job is to make sure that a piece of writing is clear, concise, and accurate. They help make sure that all elements of the document work together to convey the intended message while also maintaining the author’s voice.

A copy editor is generally responsible for:

• Correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Ensuring consistency in the use of capitalization, underlining, bold, italics, etc. 
• Checking that formatting is applied consistently (including text, page layout, paragraph breaks) 
• Making sure the document follows a given style guide
• Revising word usage and ensuring it’s appropriate for the intended audience
• Rewording confusing text and trimming unnecessary words
• Suggesting improvements to readability (e.g., adding headings or lists)
• Ensuring consistency in point of view, tense, tone, etc.

Proficient copy editors have the opportunity to work on a variety of different content from a multitude of industries. Sometimes, you might be working as part of a larger editing team; other times, the copy edit might be part of a fuller editing service you provide to your own clients. Copy editors may work on news articles, manuscripts, blog posts, social media ads, and so much more!

What Skills Does a Copy Editor Need?

No formal education is necessary to be a copy editor. However, there are certain skills you’ll need to do the job well:

• Attention to detail: A copy editor needs to make sure the documents they work on leave their hands completely error free. Even the smallest mistakes need to be remedied.
• Excellent writing skills: Writing skills help you be a better editor. As well as writing detailed comments to the author, you may be required to revise text for clarity, concision, and readability.
• Language knowledge: Overall expertise in the rules of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, is important. You should be familiar with the different English dialects and be comfortable enough with the language to quickly detect when something is amiss.
• Understanding different style guides: Applying a consistent style is a vital part of the copy editing process. Often, this will mean making sure a document sticks to a certain style guide. For example, The Associated Press Stylebook, The Chicago Manual of Style, and the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook. 
• Ability to meet deadlines: A copy editor may have multiple deadlines and will need to be able to stay calm under pressure. It’s important to have good time management skills so you can meet all your deadlines. It also helps to know how to handle it if you miss one.
• Written and verbal communication skills: Whether you’re working as part of a large team or directly with a client, you’ll need to be able to communicate effectively. This means giving clear feedback, providing support, and offering guidance to authors, other editors, publishers, etc.
• Computer literacy: While you could print out the document, most of your work will likely be done on a computer. Knowing how to operate word processing software like MS Word and Google Docs is essential. 
• Strong work ethic: Whether you are working from home or in an office, you’ll need to take responsibility for the tasks assigned to you. This means making sure you stay focused so you can get your work done to the best of your ability.

How to Become a Copy Editor

As mentioned above, you don’t need a particular qualification to get into copy editing. If you want to explore this exciting career path, there are some simple steps you can take.

1. Acquire the Relevant Skills

You don’t need any previous work experience to be a copy editor, but an education in journalism, writing, communications, or English could be useful. There are also a lot of excellent online courses you can take to teach you everything you need to know to get started.

2. Read and Write Frequently

Just like anything else, practice makes perfect. You can perfect the skills you have learned from taking a course by reading and writing as much as possible. 

Read the type of content that you would like to edit and make mental (or physical) notes about improvements that could be made. By familiarizing yourself with what you hope to edit, you can identify common issues that arise from those kinds of documents.

Even though you won’t be writing your own material as a copy editor, writing as much as you can will help you learn more about the creative process, and that will help you become a better editor.

3. Build a Portfolio

When you are just starting out, creating a portfolio might seem like an impossible task. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. You just need to be proactive. If you’re having a hard time getting your first assignments, try some of these options:

• Ask friends and family if they have anything they need edited. 
• Reach out to potential clients through networking, on social media, or by cold email. You can contact anyone looking for a copy editor or find clients that are representative of the work you want to specialize in.
• Check freelance marketplaces. These might not be the highest paying opportunities, but finding work this way can help you quickly build your portfolio. 

4. Gain Experience

Copy editors can work in a variety of different industries, including magazines, newspapers, marketing, advertising, public relations, and social media. If you crave the freedom of freelancing, then there are lots of different ways to find copy editing jobs online.

5. Market Yourself

Whether you’re working freelance or looking for better career opportunities, it is always wise to know how to sell the valuable services you offer.

Consider creating your own website to display your portfolio, list your prices, and showcase favorable testimonials from your past clients. Also, make sure to update your LinkedIn profile and other professional networking sites regularly.

Becoming an Editor

If the life of a copy editor sounds appealing, it’s never been easier to get started.

Our Becoming An Editor course will teach you all the skills you need to excel at this career. It’s beginner-friendly, can be done at your own pace from the comfort of your own home, and includes expert online tutor support. And, upon completion, you’ll receive a CPD accredited certificate to show off your talent. Sign up for your free lessons today.