our techniques

So, you wonder, how do we go about getting started?  And, then, what can I expect as the proverbial ball starts rolling?

To determine what work is needed on your project, we suggest an initial consultation (which may be in person, by e-mail, or via telephone). During this “visit” a member of the-freelance-editor team will try to discover your project’s background, its scope, its goals, and its audiences, as well as any budgetary limitations or time constraints that exist.

Large editorial projects

The next step in an editorial project is to perform a sample edit of the project (a complimentary review, by the way). You may choose the sample to be edited; if you’re working on a large project, any consecutive ten pages will work, though most authors just provide the initial ten pages.

From that completed sample, we both learn something:

• We, at the-freelance-editor, get to see your writing style, which enables us to formulate a proposal for the project; we can also usually establish a “drop-dead” deadline (or a production schedule, if that’s more appropriate) and a guaranteed maximum price at this point.
• But, perhaps more importantly, you get to see our editorial style, which will help you decide if we are a good fit.

If you choose to proceed, we will start your editorial review (a formal proposal/contract is required of some projects, as is an occasional small deposit). As we work through the project, we can meet as regularly as you wish, to discuss issues, questions, and possible changes.

During the process, we use a number of accepted and respected sources. We edit and proof, for example, primarily according to the rules of The Chicago Manual of Style, current edition. We also consult dozens of familiar style manuals and grammar guides. These include Theodore Bernstein’s The Careful Writer, Harry Shaw’s Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions, The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, and The New Oxford Guide to Writing.

Of course, you can always furnish your own style guides, recommend additional resources, and suggest alternative ideas and solutions. After all, you always maintain veto power! Because, in the end, the project is your project.

Smaller or on-going editorial projects

Some projects—for example, creating blog or social media posts or developing or updating website text—need to be handled a little differently because they have shorter deadlines or the content you need has to be more spontaneous.

In those instances, your team at the-freelance-editor will continue to work with you, but we will likely push you to do more of the upfront work, the writing, so that your audience will still see you as the capable and intelligent “expert” you are. Our role will be more to polish what you write—to make suggestions for improvement, to correct your spelling and grammar errors, and to erase questions about your logic.

As always, though, you maintain veto power. Why? Because the ultimate product, the deliverable, needs to be your creation.

Other types of projects

Some project types, such as ghostwriting, just fall outside many of the norms. But, rest assured: we will collaborate with you to the extent required (or the extent you desire) so that your goals and objectives remain yours, and your project retains your message. That’s the kind of relationship that makes our team at the-freelance-editor work so well with other teams.

And, do I need to mention that you always maintain veto power? That’s right: in case you hadn’t caught on by now: any project you hire us to work on is your project!

Getting to know us?

Now that you know, at least in general, the techniques we use—though remember, we’ll always customize them to fit your circumstances—please take a few more moments to explore a short discussion on my philosophy and to learn more about me, the-freelance-editor, and my qualifications: you can follow links from the drop-down menus to review “Why use a freelance editor (at all)?” and “our specialties,” or you can continue with our “About the-freelance-editor” page, as well. If nothing else, I’ve posted a current resume and some samples of my work—review them as you can.

Then, if you want to know still more, get in touch! I look forward to meeting you and to hearing about your project.

At the-freelance-editor, we work  with you—the author, the originator,
the content writer—and your team, to help you say what you want to say to the audience you want to reach.

So, get in touch—you won’t know how we can help you and your team until you do!

If you still have questions or concerns after exploring our site  or  if you’re ready to see how we can work together to reach your goals, contact us—whenever you’re ready.

Welcome!
You’ve found
the online home of
the-freelance-editor. 
As a professional freelance
editor (which means my services
are for hire by any person or
organization that needs them),
my goal, and the goal of my team,
is to collaborate with 
you—the author, the originator,
the content writer—to reach your
ultimate goals: 

(1) to say what you want to say
to the audience you want to reach
and 

(2) to have your readers
concentrate on your message,
not your mistakes. 

So, get in touch—you won’t
know how we can help you and
your team until you do!

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