Why Providing Clear Guidance Matters for Editors
In the Club Ed membership group, we were discussing a (published) how-to book aimed at writers. One of the editors mentioned how the information was presented in a confusing way and that this made it difficult for her to continue reading. Then she remarked, “My mind is generally in a state of burden.”
I don’t know a single one of us who didn’t feel that remark in their bones. Everyone is in a state of burden.
Why Providing Clear Guidance Matters for Editors
THIS is why I harp so much on making your queries and guidance crystal clear and easy to understand when you’re editing. This is why providing clear guidance matters for editors because your clients are in a state of mental burden. If they have to decode your cryptic comments in order to understand your edit, they’re probably not going to do so. They may not even reach out for clarification. See: “My mind is generally in a state of burden.”
Keep this in mind from your first encounter with a potential client to the receipt of your final payment from them.
Help your clients succeed by checking that they understand your policies and expectations, remind them when a booked edit is coming up, ensure that your edit outlines a doable and cohesive revision (rather than overwhelming the AU with a laundry list of a hundred things going wrong), and include the next steps when you deliver your edit even if you’ve already described them previously.
This isn’t hand-holding and “doesn’t anyone know how to adult anymore?” This is recognizing that we are all dealing with a lot, all the time, and a little understanding goes a long way. The ability to show your best self (and work) to authors and clients is why providing clear guidance matters for editors.
Tips for Editors & Writers
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Give Yourself a Few Kind Words
I often hear from newer editors who are feeling a little doubtful. They experience imposter syndrome and second-guess themselves. This can make it difficult for them to market or to feel confident in raising prices – in short, they struggle to run a successful business because they’re not sure of their skills. It may not…
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Success from Small Wins
One of the challenges of building a small business – like a freelance editing business – is that it builds slowly over time and it requires a lot of consistent, persistent effort over that time. Every quarter, I run a marketing challenge for Club Ed members. The idea is just to do one small marketing…
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Watch Out for Editing Scams
Some people at Club Ed (including me) recently received a scam email about an editing “opportunity” and I thought this was a good time to remind everyone about how to spot these. When you receive an inquiry (usually by email), before responding, always stop to consider whether it’s a true request for services or a…
