Editing
What is an editor?
An editor is a content professional who is responsible for ensuring the final, polished version of any written content produced for the client. Editors are used by organizations for the purpose of refining structure, pacing, spelling, punctuation, and overall style for a variety of works, including websites, novels, white papers, reports, and blogs.
How do you hire an editor?
You can source editing talent on Upwork by following these three steps:
- Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in an editor.
- Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
- Shortlist and interview editors. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview.
Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of editor you need to complete your project.
How much does it cost to hire an editor?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced editor may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their editing services more competitively.
Rates typically charged by editors on Upwork are:
- Beginner: $20 per hour
- Intermediate: $29 per hour
- Expert: $50 per hour
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How do you write an editor job post?
Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample editor job post titles:
- Prolific copyeditor needed to make web content shine
- Experienced editor needed to polish business book draft
- Need editor/proofreader fluent in Spanish to edit children’s book
Project description
An effective editor job post should include:
- Scope of work: From grammar check to structural review, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, styles, or technical proficiency, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Editor job responsibilities
Here are some examples of editor job responsibilities:
- Review white paper draft, featuring contributions from several SMEs, and refine content to ensure singular voice and style
- Take first draft of author’s blog entries and incorporate a humorous tone throughout
- Ensure final PowerPoint presentation contains proper grammar, sentence structure, and spelling
- Review draft of how-to booklet and edit to ensure it’s written in second person
Editor job requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in an editor. Here are some examples:
- Experience writing and editing large volume of blog posts
- Knowledge of applicable style guides such as AP, MLA, and AMA.
- Ability to regularly meet deadlines while providing high-quality work