Qualities of a Good Freelance Editor

What does it mean to be a freelance editor? Freelance, or freelance writer, are words commonly used for an individual who isn't necessarily dedicated to any one company long term and, more importantly, isn't committed to the editor as an employee. Editors are independent contractors who receive projects from both freelance writers and established editors. If you're interested in freelance editing, the first step is to become a freelance editor. This is by far the easiest step to consider if you are interested in freelance editing work.

One of the biggest things that separated freelance editors from regular employees was their reliance on social media. Editors relied on social media because it allowed them to create relationships with other freelance editors and get feedback on their work. Today, most editors still rely on social media because it's one of the best ways to find freelance editing jobs. A blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, or website are all good ways to showcase your abilities to the world. Remember, a good editor always has a website.

When working as a freelance editor, you also have to take into consideration your time management skills. Freelance editing is short work but, like any profession, requires constant attention to details. Clients want a finished product and may send you multiple projects. The editor doesn't necessarily know how many projects to take on at one time. Your time management skills will have to regulate between taking on work, communicating with clients, and ensuring you have enough material to complete the project.

Some other important factors of freelance editing jobs include proofreading and grammar. Clients expect editors to catch errors and grammar problems. To be successful, editors must be fast, accurate, and polite. Proofreading is an important part of freelance editing jobs because clients often pay for mistakes they aren't able to see. Clients also want well-written articles that make them look professional and impressive.

Many freelance editors specialize in particular subjects such as cooking, science, health, and small business. The number of editors available changes depending upon the focus of the client. Clients that require specialized services can usually find freelance editors who have expertise in their field. For example, if a client wants to hire editors to proofread and write articles about gardening, they can find people who have extensive experience in this field.

In addition to being a great writer, another key characteristic needed by a freelance editor is quality punctuation and grammar. Clients will pay a lot less for editing work if they get solid punctuation and grammar. As a freelance editor, you must strive to edit for clarity and uphold grammar and punctuation rules. This means checking for mistakes in your work, reading through your work with a fresh pair of eyes, and, finally, proofreading everything again to make sure there are no broken paragraphs, misspelled words or sentence boundaries.

Another important trait of a good freelance editor is a willingness to listen to clients. Many clients may request multiple drafts of the same piece. Clients may change their minds or add new elements to the story line. Clients will often give you more time than they're worth if you don't listen to and take into consideration their needs and suggestions.

Freelance editors often communicate with their clients using email, telephone, and Skype. Communication is vitally important between a freelance editor and a client. Make sure you have good eye contact when you speak to clients and they have the same eye contact when looking at your editing project. Grammar and punctuation are two important things to consider as part of the editing process. A freelance editor who has mastered these skills is a valuable asset.