Editing and Proofreading for Copywriters, Coaches and other Business Owners
You focus on doing your best work.
I handle the details that make it shine.
You’ve completed your first draft. You spent way too long self-editing (again). It’s a far cry from the skeleton you started with – you have a solid piece of writing.
Except… it’s missing something. But what?
You rushed to get your copy ready. Now you’re almost out of time, but you know you still need to get it copyedited. Spelling and grammar really aren’t your strength.
Except… who can do that at such short notice?
You clearly briefed the online proofreading service on your voice. You told them in great detail which grammar rules you follow and which you ignore.
Except… they’re too strict and change what should be kept.
Whether you write for a living, for your marketing or for fun – you’ve probably experienced one (or all) of these.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Editing
is often considered a luxury, something only ‘proper’ authors need.
You’ve always self-edited your copy. You know how to improve it.
Why should you outsource something you can do yourself?
What if editing could save you hours?
Hours you could use to write, generate sales or scale your business?
is often an afterthought, the final chore before you hit publish.
You need it in a rush and use whoever can do it, fast.
Proofreading
What if you could plan proofreading?
Without major changes to your process?
The benefits of getting an editor involved
An editor or proofreader makes your copy clear, consistent and error-free. It’s still your words and your voice, only smoother, stronger and polished to a high sheen.
Your copy flows well, and your message is targeted perfectly to your audience, so they engage with you and see you as the professional, trustworthy expert you are.
Imagine what it would mean for your business if you could…
- spend more time working creatively on your core tasks and no longer had to wrangle copy, trying to figure out what it needs to make it flow well.
- plan when you need proofreading and no longer had to rush it through an online service that ignores your instructions and changes your voice.
- write your copy and no longer had to deal with fixing spelling, grammar, consistency and whatever else it needs.
Here's how I can help you get there
Substantive Editing
The Pressure Test
Copyediting
The Fine-Tune
Proofreading
The Spit and Polish
You start a writing project and give me a rough word count and timeline when you expect to finish your first solid draft. I’ll give you an estimate of editing time required and cost.
Your gain: A placeholder in my calendar for your editing.
You reach a specific milestone (say, when you start revising your first draft) and notify me.
Your gain: The placeholder for your editing becomes a spot in my calendar.
Your copy is ready for substantive editing.
Your gain: I’m ready when you are. No delays.
I always do two rounds of editing. I leave time between those two rounds, so I can approach your copy with fresh eyes and further suggestions.
Your gain: Your copy is at its best and ready when you need it.
You start a writing project and give me a rough word count and timeline when you expect to finish the final draft. I’ll give you an estimate of editing time required and cost.
Your gain: A placeholder in my calendar for your copyediting.
You reach a specific milestone (say, when you start the final draft) and notify me.
Your gain: The placeholder for your copyediting becomes a spot in my calendar.
Your copy is ready for copyediting.
Your gain: I’m ready when you are. No delays.
I always do two rounds of editing. I leave time between those two rounds, so I can approach your copy with fresh eyes and further suggestions.
Your gain: Your copy is at its best and ready when you need it.
You start a writing project and give me a rough word count and timeline when you expect to finish the copy. I’ll give you an estimate of editing time required and cost.
Your gain: A placeholder in my calendar for your proofreading.
You reach a specific milestone (say, when you start the final revision) and notify me.
Your gain: The placeholder for your proofreading becomes a spot in my calendar.
Your copy is ready for proofreading.
Your gain: I’m ready when you are. No delays.
I always do two rounds of proofreading. I leave time between those two rounds, so I can approach your copy with fresh eyes to make sure I catch any errors.
Your gain: Your copy is at its best and ready when you need it.
Editing Services
I use the Australian editing definitions; you may be familiar with different definitions. Bottom line: I cover all types of editing.
Substantive Editing
The Pressure Test
also known as structural editing; developmental editing in book publishing
includes elements of line editing
Suits
Any copy, especially marketing, coaching and course content
Stage of writing
You have a solid first draft. You’re happy with the content and structure but know it needs more.
What this gives you
- Your voice is clear and consistent.
- Your copy is smoother, tighter and more targeted toward your audience.
- You know where you need to address holes in the flow and strengthen arguments.
- You have suggestions that may trigger ideas to further elevate your content.
Heads up: Be prepared to rewrite sections after a substantive edit. Doing so will make your copy even stronger and more engaging.
What I check/look for
- overall structure and content
- suitability for target audience and purpose: message, language, word choice, enough/too little detail, arguments/examples, tone, style, readability
- good flow: highlight gaps, missing transitions, unclosed open loops, ensure arguments are effective and in the right sequence, content is fit for purpose
- clarity: remove wordiness, repetitions, ambiguity, awkward phrases, clichés – with the purpose of making your writing smooth, tight and engaging for your readers
- uniform voice: consistency of vocabulary, tone and cadence opportunities for improving the content, clarifying the message and strengthening the voice – presented as kind, constructive feedback, often with suggestions for solutions or a path toward one, meant to trigger ideas that help you elevate your content
Please note: I only correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and consistency where essential because at this stage of writing you may wish to rewrite some of your copy.
Copyediting
The Fine-Tune
includes elements of line editing
Suits
Copy that has had a substantive edit, usually second draft
Stage of writing
You’ve reviewed the editor’s suggestions and incorporated those you want to use. You’ve finalised content and structure of your copy.
What this gives you
- Your voice is strong because your spelling, grammar and punctuation consistently match your preferences.
- Your copy is clear and accurate.
What I check/look for
- spelling
- grammar
- punctuation
- headlines and subheads
- links
- abbreviations
- accuracy of quotes
- calculations
- consistent
- use of your spelling, grammar and punctuation preferences
- country-specific spelling (Australian, British, Canadian, US)
- spelling of words and names
- capitalisation
- use of numbers (spelled out/numerical)
- tenses
- pronouns (use of I, or we, or they)
Proofreading
The Spit and Polish
Suits
Final check before you publish
Stage of writing
You’ve completed the final revision. Your copy is ready, and you want to make sure it’s error-free.
What this gives you
- Your copy is free from errors, typos and omissions.
- Its format and layout are fit for purpose.
- You’re ready to publish, confident that your copy conveys your message accurately and professionally.
What I check/look for
Anything that could get you sued or would embarrass you:
typos
errors
omissions
formatting
layout
Ready to let me make your work shine?
Let’s get you back to being creative! If you think we’d be a good fit to work together, tell me about your challenges and how I can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
I edit and proofread
- Marketing copy – blogs, newsletters, articles, emails, web pages, lead magnets, brochures, posters, ads, etc.
- Coaching and Course copy – your slides, video scripts and participant resources
- Business documents – slides, reports, guides, etc.
I don’t edit or proofread
- Fiction. I love reading novels, but I don’t edit them. This is best left to a true specialist – not just a fiction editor but an expert in a particular genre. If you need help finding a fiction editor, I’d be happy to refer you to one of my editing colleagues.
- Medical, legal, scientific, financial or highly technical writing. I don’t have the specialist knowledge to edit these well but can refer you to someone who does.
- Writing that goes against my values. I won’t edit or proofread anything I consider offensive, such as content that’s exploitative, sexist, racist, anti-diversity or promotes violence or cruelty toward humans or animals. I’m also not the right editor for you if your content relates to one of the following industries: adult, gambling, guns, politics, racing, tobacco.
- Microsoft Word, using Track Changes
- Google Docs, using Suggesting
- PDFs, using Comment