How To Become a Copy Editor
Copy editing is one of the most important jobs in writing and publishing. If you’re interested in becoming a copy editor, here are some tips on how to get started.
What is Copy Editing?
Copy editors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of content published by newspapers, magazines, books, and websites. They work with writers and authors to ensure that their writing is clear and easy to understand. Copy editors also ensure that there are no grammatical errors or typos in the text.
How Do You Get a Job as a Copy Editor?
The first step to becoming a copy editor is getting an education in English or journalism. There are many different schools that offer these programs throughout the country, including online programs that allow you to study from home. After completing your degree program, you can look for employment opportunities with newspapers and magazines in your area or online publishing companies such as Amazon or Google Newsroom.
How To Become Copy Editor
People with a good eye for detail who enjoy reading and correcting errors may be able to build a successful career as a copy editor. Copy editors need to be meticulous and focused to help their team produce flawless pieces of writing. Before pursuing copy editing jobs, it is important to understand the main functions of a copy editor and the training required to carry out those duties.
In this article, we explain the role of a copy editor and outline the steps you need to take to start your career as a copy editor.
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What is a copy editor?
Copy editors are responsible for proofreading different kinds of text and ensuring they meet basic standards for grammar, spelling, style, readability, voice and other factors. Their role is to uphold a high standard of quality for all writing that an organization generates, making sure that written content effectively communicates an idea.
They collaborate with writers, illustrators and publishers to standardize written content and complete deliverables on a schedule. Copy editors may work as part of an in-house editing team or provide freelance editing support.
Related: Editor-in-Chief: Everything You Need To Know About the Role
What does a copy editor do?
Copy editors look over written content for both style and organization. They make minor corrections themselves, such as adding in commas or fixing typos. For larger issues, such as organization, focus or tone, copy editors leave detailed feedback so that the original writer can make extensive corrections. Copy editors may also remove sections from a piece of writing to reduce the word count or re-write some sentences to improve the flow of ideas. Some of the other duties of a copy editor include:
- Fact-checking claims
- Checking sources and adding links
- Writing titles and subtitles
- Making suggestions for future improvements
- Coaching writers on their employer’s style guide
- Adjusting page layout and formatting
Copy editors can work with any kind of writing. They can edit news stories, job descriptions, manuscripts, emails and even internal documents. Some copy editors may specialize in a technical field where they have a more research-heavy role.
Read more: What Does a Copy Editor Do?
Average salary for a copy editor
Copy editors earn an average of $35,865 per year working full time. Where you live, what kind of company you work for and your experience level can all impact your income as a copy editor.
How to get a job as a copy editor
To become a copy editor, use these steps as a guide to start your career:
1. Pursue a college degree
Employers often look for copy editors who have a degree in English or a related field to ensure they hire people who are well-versed in grammar rules and written communication. Some employers may also accept an associate’s degree or equivalent experience, but a bachelor’s degree is a standard qualification for many copy editing positions. Select courses and electives that aim to strengthen your technical writing and editing skills, such as:
- Editing fundamentals
- News editing
- Corporate communication
- Pagination
- Literary journalism
- Public relations
- Journalism ethics
- Proofreading
2. Read and write regularly
The best way to strengthen your skills as a copy editor is to constantly practice by reading and writing regularly. Read the types of content you want to edit to immerse yourself in industry best practices and identify common issues with flow and readability. Whenever you read someone else’s work, make note of the improvements you would make to develop an editor’s mindset.
Although you won’t be writing content by yourself as a copy editor, writing on your own can help you become a better editor as well. Practicing writing can give you insight into the writing process, allowing you to give better advice and more useful edits.
3. Explore different specialties
Consider pursuing a specific niche based on what type of writing you enjoy working with the most. Apply for editing and proofreading internships in different fields to discover what specialties suit your talents and career goals.
Related: 6 Types of Journalism Jobs To Explore
4. Learn various style guides
Take the time to study popular style guides before applying for copy editing roles. While each organization or client may have its own unique style guides, they often use elements of the popular academic style guides such as APA, MLA, Chicago and Turabian.
Employers often expect copy editors to have a mastery of these style guides and be easily able to adjust punctuation and formatting without using a reference. This is especially relevant if you want to copy edit for any type of scientific or technical writing.
Try using flashcards or workbooks to practice using the style guides most common in your chosen specialty. You may want to invest in your own copy of official style guides and review any updated versions as they are released.
5. Build a portfolio through freelance
Look for small freelance editing jobs that you can use to hone your skills and develop an editing portfolio. Building an editing portfolio allows you to demonstrate the exact impact you could have on a client’s writing projects.
Be sure to show your editing process by either saving a before-and-after version of these assignments or scanning documents to show your markups. You can use your portfolio to show your knowledge of standard copy editing notation and ability to streamline and improve low-quality content.
6. Gain certifications
Many schools offer certificates in copy editing and other writing courses. Having a certification can set you apart from other applicants and give you additional knowledge about the field. You can also take professional development courses and certifications in complementary fields like marketing or publishing.
While pursuing official certification, consider signing up for a professional association for copy editors such as the Editorial Freelancers Association or the Society for Editing, also known as the American Copy Editors Society. Professional associations may help you get training, attend workshops and develop your skills throughout your editing career.
7. Build a polished resume
As an aspiring copy editor, your resume and cover letter must be completely error-free. Any written content you submit should be grammatically correct and add value to your application. Remove any repetitive or irrelevant information and choose strong verbs and adjectives so that you can demonstrate your writing ability. Spacing and punctuation should also be consistent to show that you understand formatting conventions and can apply them to your own work.
Related: Copy Editor Cover Letter Sample
8. Market yourself
Whether you want to work freelance or as part of an organization, marketing your professional skills can identify you as a top applicant for copy editing positions. Consider creating your own website to showcase your professional skills or use social media to network with other writing and publishing professionals.
Reach out to clients and organizations that produce the type of content you want to edit, explaining the value you would bring to their writing process. You can look for websites that have writing and editing errors and offer an editing sample to show how you could improve their web presence.
9. Complete editing tests
Many copy editing jobs require you to submit an editing test as part of the application process. In a limited time frame, you’ll have to read a style guide and apply it to a piece of writing. These test pieces are often intentionally filled with errors, so be meticulous about noticing and correcting as many mistakes as possible.
Frequently asked questions about copy editing
If you’re interested in this career path, review the following answers to frequently asked questions about copy editing:
Where do copy editors work?
Copy editors commonly work at magazines, newspapers, marketing agencies, publishing houses and public relations firms. Any organization that produces written content may have the need for a copy editor.
What is the work environment for a copy editor?
Copy editors generally work in an office environment, working during standard business hours. They may share a workspace with writers to facilitate the editing process and improve turnaround time. Freelance copy editors may work from home with flexible hours as long as they meet the client’s deadlines.
What should a copy editor major in?
Copy editors can major in a range of writing-related fields, such as journalism, literature, communications, linguistics, creative writing and marketing.
What is the difference between a proofreader and a copy editor?
While copy editors perform proofreading as part of their role, copy editing encompasses several other responsibilities. Proofreaders focused solely on technical errors while copy editors revise the text as a whole to improve the style and focus of the piece.
