Hi fiction lover! It’s a new year, and we’re making all sorts of resolutions. Maybe even promises to ourselves! For me, I have something big I’m venturing into. Content editing! I am using all of my skills in editing to expand to content such as blog posts, social media captions, and newsletters! I am super excited, but you might have the question: what is a content editor (exactly)? I will be happy to dive into this service and why it’s so needed in today’s digital world. Will you come along? Also, you might even decide whether it’s right for you to hire a content editor, or maybe even to become one!
So, What is a Content Editor?
I’m guessing you’re familiar with the word “content creator” and everything it entails. It seems that everyone wants to be one! Whether that be a YouTuber, blogger, or influencer on social media like Instagram. Content creators are on the rise, and each year they only gain more traction—steadily growing in numbers, not only in followers but also in revenue.
This shift in the digital world brings about new possibilities for editors! I’ve never seen so many people start a newsletter or try to draw people’s attention through their social media captions. So, content editing becomes necessary to refine a person’s or brand’s message. We wouldn’t want a caption with so many typos that the message becomes undelivered. That might even give a bad impression to the reader who might never consider following that person.
A content editor uses skills from all four types of editing. Developmental—the big picture of what the content is trying to portray. Line—going sentence by sentence and sharpening the phrasing and word choice. Copy—aiming for consistency and clarity with a focus on retaining style. And proofreading—a final sweep through the post to ensure that everything is shiny. After all, one mistake can be detrimental to not only one piece but the whole of the person’s reputation.
Content editors have the joy of working with brands and people, so they need to understand storytelling and what people are drawn to in the digital world. Besides masterful editing skills, content editors need to be good collaborators. A command over the written word is essential, but not enough in today’s editing landscape.
When Should I Hire One? Should I Become One?
If you are experimenting with creating content and are stuck with refining your message, it might be a good idea to consider hiring a content editor. The content editor can help with making that blog post, caption, or even YouTube script the best it can be. Look for a content editor that has experience in the field. For example, a content editor might state that they have experience in the gaming world or the fashion industry.
To become a content editor, the first step is to train the editorial skills. Once you get a grasp on grammar, style, and more, you can consider specializing in certain types of content. For me, I’m specializing in blog posts, newsletters, and social media posts! But there are countless pieces of content to consider working with—as long as it involves some sort of reading and writing.
One thing to consider: editing content and editing fiction use a lot of the same skills. Of course, the types of sentences are going to be very different, but if you enjoy editing fiction, content also tells a story in a much shorter format. (And the best pieces have some interesting personal stories.) I recommend content editing for people who are naturally drawn to social media or love opening newsletters from their favorite creators.
Are you going to hire one? I highly suggest you check out my services page! I would love to work with some bookish content creators especially. And, if you want to learn more about how to do content editing, send me an email and I’ll be happy to brainstorm with you.
This was a fun post—and a milestone too! Did you find out more about what is a content editor? I hope you will consider my editing services, whether you write content or fiction. Thanks for joining me on this journey! Visit me on my blog again next week! Happy New Year, and let’s continue to find joy in all types of writing and storytelling.