Becoming An Editor

Becoming An Editor is made up of nine in-depth modules, each focusing on a different area of editing. Each module is broken down into lessons on specific topics. You can make your way through the course in your own time and come back to finished lessons to refresh your knowledge whenever you like.

The lessons contain a mixture of informative content that teaches you about the different types of editing and the industry as a whole and instructional content that describes in detail the active skills required to edit different types of writing.

As well as the comprehensive written content, each module includes additional components to keep you engaged. Our quizzes and try-it-yourself exercises are designed to help you test your skills ahead of the final assignment and highlight areas you might need to revisit.

In the final module, we’ll take you through the main areas to review and provide a practice test before you attempt the final assignment. In this, you’ll need to edit a document according to the instructions provided and using the skills you’ve learned in the course. You can take as long as you need to complete the assignment, and we encourage you to refer back to the course while you work. Once your edited document is graded by one of the tutor team, you’ll receive detailed feedback. If you don’t pass the first time, don’t panic! You can purchase an additional attempt.

We estimate Becoming An Editor can take around 40 hours to complete, but the time it takes varies greatly depending on individual learning styles and situations.

But one of the highlights of learning with Knowadays is that you can easily slot it into your schedule. When you purchase one of our courses, the material is yours to work through and return to as often as you like. This means you can begin when it suits you and complete the course at your own pace. There are no deadlines or time restrictions, even on the final assignment!

Although many people complete only our Becoming A Proofreader course and go on to enjoy fulfilling freelance careers, our Becoming An Editor course will help you refine your skills and develop new ones.

Becoming An Editor teaches you how to improve the structure, content, and flow of a text. But that’s just the beginning! The course also explains how to work with digital content, how to edit for a global or a specific audience, how to approach different styles of writing, and how to factor in the legal and ethical aspects of copy editing.

If you want to work on more complex documents – and enjoy a higher earning potential – our Becoming An Editor course will teach you what you need. Plus, success in both courses will give you the opportunity to take up a work trial with our partner company, Proofed. For more details, please see our work guarantee page.

When you pass both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with distinction scores of 80% or higher, you’ll have the chance to enter a 10-document trial period with our partner company, Proofed. Completing only the Becoming An Editor course does not guarantee work with Proofed.

Please note that to work with Proofed, your country of residence must have a tax treaty with the United States and use a currency that’s compatible with Proofed’s payment platform. Review the full list of countries to check if your location is eligible.

To complete the course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and access to a full version of Microsoft Word (Office 2016, 2019, or 2021, or Microsoft 365).

While you can view the course on a smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook, they don’t include a full version of Microsoft Word with the necessary tools to complete the practical exercises and final assignment. It’s also easier to study using a larger screen size.

Aside from that, all you need is some time to study, a little self-discipline, and the drive to explore the world of editing!

You don’t need to have studied editing in advance to take the course; however, you should have a good grasp of the principles of proofreading. Although it’s not mandatory to take our Becoming A Proofreader course beforehand, it is highly recommended (and it is necessary to complete both courses to be eligible for the work trial with Proofed). Becoming An Editor is designed to be your journey to training as an editor, so it assumes you have confidence in the mechanical aspects of proofreading a text.

You can still take the course if English isn’t your first language, but please be aware that you’ll need an excellent command of written English to pass the final assignment.

Lots of experienced professionals take Knowadays courses too, so if you already have editing skills you’d like to expand on, or if you want to redirect your career, this course (and our guaranteed work offer) is an excellent option.

Becoming An Editor is presented in US English. However, the practical exercises are in a mix of US and UK English so you can get plenty of practice working in each of the two most common dialects.

We offer our Becoming A Proofreader course in both US and UK English, so learners can reinforce their learning by seeing the dialect rules applied in the text.

In Becoming An Editor, we cover the main areas professional editors are likely to work in. However, the skills and techniques taught in the course can be applied to any style of writing.

There are specific lessons on working with creative, business, and academic writing, as well as content intended for digital publication. When you’re starting out, we recommend gaining experience in all areas before you decide to focus on a particular type of writing.

Absolutely. Becoming An Editor includes lessons on the various types of creative writing, the structure of manuscripts, and different narrative styles, so you can learn all you need to know about working on this type of copy. Plus, the skills and techniques taught in the course can be applied to any type of writing.

We recommend taking on all types of work when you first start out as an editor, as this is the best way to build your confidence, experience, and reputation. The publishing industry can be a tough nut to crack, so the more expansive your background and experience, the better your chances will be.

Becoming An Editor is accredited by CPD, a professional entity that assures excellence in training. CPD-certified courses are meticulously checked by industry experts, meaning they have been thoroughly reviewed and approved as being valuable professional training. This makes them a great addition to your resume.

When you complete Becoming An Editor, you’ll receive a digital certificate that you can attach to your resume, website, or online profile to showcase your abilities to potential clients or employers.

It’s difficult to know if a course will suit you until you give it a go – which is exactly why we offer two lessons of the course for free. You can get a taster of studying with Knowadays by taking our sample lessons, and you can reach out to the tutor team if you have any questions.

In general, when deciding whether to take an editing course, ask yourself:

• • Does it cover the basics?
  • Does it include interactive activities and practice material?
  • Does it include learning support?
  • Will I receive a certificate to show potential clients?
  • Does it have positive reviews?

With Becoming An Editor, you get all of this and more.

An editing career could be for you if you enjoy:

• • Reading, writing, and understanding the intricacies of the English language
  • Spotting errors in written text using your excellent attention to detail
  • Constantly learning new things
  • Helping others reach their potential with their writing
  • Working at your own speed and in your own time

If these points sound appealing, then you could make a great editor! You can explore more common traits and skills for a good editor in our blog.

In the editing process, proofreading comes right at the end – after comprehensive editing, line editing, and copy editing are complete. Here’s the process:

Comprehensive editing ➜ Line/stylistic editing ➜ Copy editing ➜ Proofreading

A proofreader’s job is to remove or fix mechanical issues, such as incorrect or missing punctuation, grammar mistakes, and spelling errors.

An editor, on the other hand, makes sure that the words, sentences, and paragraphs all showcase the writer’s ideas clearly with a smooth flow and consistent, authentic voice.

However, the lines between proofreading and editing can blur when it comes to modern on-screen work. Some clients might not know what kind of proofreading or editing they need. Luckily, our course teaches you everything you need to know about the different types of editing, along with how to assess the scope of each job before you begin.

You can read more on the differences between proofreading and editing, as well as the different levels of editing, in our blog.

From big businesses to nonprofits, all sorts of companies create content that requires editing. Some will keep production in-house, but there’s a consistent need for professional freelance editors who can complete work to an excellent standard. There is also a deep pool of individuals who require editing services, including students, self-publishing authors, academics, and other freelancers!

The rise of artificial intelligence is also boosting demand for editors. Our partner, Proofed, has witnessed clients from an array of industries test AI in content production and seen that there’s a significant need for humans to review, fact-check, and edit the results.

Web copy, blog posts, social media content, email marketing, theses, fiction, manuscripts, journal articles, legal texts, medical reports – there’s an enormous variety of editing work available (and that’s not even an exhaustive list)!

The short answer is yes! While it’s easy to think that AI would render editors unnecessary, it’s actually created a whole new area in which they are essential.

The explosion of AI-generated writing has led to an even greater demand for skilled humans who can review and correct it. An AI model is great for generating ideas and drafting content, but its output tends to be clunky, repetitive, and bland – you can tell it lacks human subtlety and nuance. Becoming An Editor includes a dedicated lesson on recognizing and editing AI-generated content, so you’ll be well prepared to polish this content to a higher standard, confidently ensuring clarity, concision, and consistency.

Furthermore, AI cannot distinguish between fact and fiction. While AI-generated text sounds confident and convincing, it is often full of errors and even hallucinations, meaning it needs a human touch to ensure accuracy and readability. While this growing need is what prompted us to create our How To Fact-Check course, Becoming An Editor also contains a detailed lesson on fact-checking and accuracy. This means you’ll understand how to ensure that AI-produced writing is trustworthy.

The rates you charge as an editor may vary based on factors such as:

• Your experience
• The complexity of the project
• The specialist subject area
• The type of client

The EFA (US) suggests an hourly rate of $38–$60 for copy editing (depending on the nature of the project), and the CIEP (UK) suggests a starting rate of £34.70.

Editors’ annual earnings will also depend on the style of editing they do. According to Salary.com and other sources from our research, specialist editors receive these wages on average:

• Developmental editor: $65,305
• Fact-checking editor: $44,655
• Line editor: $56,166
• Copy editor: $75,000

When you begin, it will take you time to build up to charging a higher fee for your services. However, as you gain experience, skills, and clients, you’ll be able to increase your rates.

You can read more about how to set your freelance editing rates in our blog.

If you pass the final assignments in Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with distinction scores of 80% or higher, we’ll fast-track you into your first editing job! As part of our guaranteed work offer, you’ll have the opportunity to take on a 10-document paid trial with our partner company, Proofed. New editors are onboarded on a monthly basis, so it won’t be long before you’re able to take on your first document from a real client.

If you would rather find your own clients or balance working with Proofed with working independently, then there are a few steps you can take to get started:

• Update your resume (to share with clients or to apply for editing opportunities).
• Sign up to freelance marketplaces or editing agencies.
• Promote yourself on social media, or build a website.
• Network with fellow freelancers in online groups or communities.
• Review more editing and freelance tips on the Knowadays blog!

There are plenty of resources available, but our Becoming An Editor course will set you up for success. As well as covering all the vital techniques and skills you need to know to edit effectively, the course also contains an entire module on working as a freelance editor, including how to find clients, set your rates, communicate well, and more.

If you’re not sure whether Becoming An Editor is right for you, we’re here to help you decide. Reach out at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. If you’d rather speak to someone in person, let us know so we can pair you up with the perfect person to help.

For more general queries, you can also visit our main FAQ page.

Remember that if you do take the leap, you’ll receive ample support from our tutors along the way. Each member of the team is a Knowadays graduate, so they’re perfectly placed to give you a helping hand.