What do Copy Editors do?

A Copy Editor would typically need to:

• Fact-check and edit the written text to ensure correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and style guidelines.
• Be familiar with working with online publishing systems, databases, and paper manuscripts.
• Depending on the industry, they may edit news reports, job descriptions, manuscripts, emails, and internal papers.
• Manage a more research-focused function if working on a technological subject requiring specialized expertise.
• Ensure the writers provide all essential materials and documentation, examine the written content for style and organization, and make minor edits.
• Provide thorough input on organization, focus, and tone so the original writer can make the necessary modifications.
• Ability to sub-edit text written by a variety of authors to preserve a consistent and cohesive organizational style
• To minimize the word count, delete sections of the text. Sections of the text to make the content more streamlined
• Check whether the document’s new words, phrases, and slang are appropriate for the intended market; double-check statements, dates, and figures; and include connections to sources.
• Arrange photo, article, and advertisement page layout and formatting; draft and build pre-publication titles, captions, and preliminary pages.
• Before publication, collaborate with the commissioning editor, author, and publisher to increase textual clarity and resolve the potentially libelous matter.
• Before publication, supervise articles and books’ indexing, typography, and design to ensure they satisfy editorial standards.
• To guarantee that all publishing dates are reached, coordinate and liaise with writers/authors, senior management, the IT team, designers, and marketers.
• Coach writers on their employer’s preferred style guide; give suggestions for future improvements
• Keep track of publication archives to access material and articles as needed.

Standard Work Environment

Full-time Copy Editors generally work out of office buildings in major cities, where most media and publishing organizations are based. Freelance and contract Copy Editors may work from home and visit the office as needed.

You may find yourself managing many tasks at the same time. The type of newspaper you work for and your specific tasks may affect your travel.

Work Schedule

Copy editors work 40-hour weeks, while production deadlines and specialized roles may influence their daily hours, including evenings and weekends.

Employers

Copy editors work 40-hour weeks, while production deadlines and specialized roles may influence their daily hours, including evenings and weekends.

Copy Editors are generally employed by:

Media Companies

Publishing Houses

Digital Publications

Newspapers

Magazines

Marketing Agencies

Public Relations Firms

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional organizations and groups, such as the International Publishers Association (IPA), are essential for Copy Editors who want to further their professional growth or interact with other professionals in their industry or trade. Membership in one or more organizations adds value to your CV while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• Stress due to tight deadlines in the high-stakes environment of publishing and media
• Finding and addressing errors in the written text while tactfully communicating with the author the need for requisite changes
• Potential disconnect with one’s style due to long-term immersion in the clunky language and texts that struggle
• Lack of freedom to produce independent writing of one’s choice due to client/employer expectations and deadlines
• Health issues from largely sedentary work done on laptops, computers, and digital devices

Suggested Work Experience

Internships and traineeships at publishing houses, media businesses, or communication agencies will assist aspiring Copy Editors in honing their attention to detail, understanding of grammatical standards, and familiarity with popular writing style guides.

Beginning as editing assistants in smaller and less well-known publishing houses may be easier for recent grads. In preparation for the more difficult function of Copy Editor, you may proofread and edit texts for one to two years, building a network of connections and a solid editing portfolio.

An organization that provides you with a taste of editing chores while also providing you with technical expertise about the software used on the job is a great way to start your career.

Furthermore, you might focus on a specialized niche that matches your skills and career objectives. A well-organized editing portfolio that includes before-and-after versions of assignments will demonstrate your impact on a client’s writing project, notably your understanding of conventional copy editing notation and ability to modify subpar text.

Employers also look for people with experience in other forms of media, such as television, newspapers, or social media. University journals, websites, publications, bookstores, and libraries provide additional opportunities to get relevant experience early in one’s career.

To demonstrate your devotion to course providers and future employers, read about the profession and interview or job shadow skilled Copy Editors.

Recommended Qualifications

Although copy editing is not limited to any major, most aspirants find that a bachelor’s degree in journalism, publishing, media, publishing studies, communications, electronic media, marketing, creative writing, public relations, or English can help them get started.

Editing principles, news editing, corporate communication, pagination, literary journalism, public relations, journalism ethics, and proofreading would be suitable electives.

Graduates with scientific or technical degrees can use their subject knowledge to gain entry-level positions with specialized publishers and society magazines. Some employers may prefer applicants with a publishing master’s degree. Choose one that corresponds to your hobbies and career goals.

If you can demonstrate your work potential, an HND (Higher National Diploma), an accredited certificate course, a foundation degree, or an associate degree in the abovementioned disciplines may suffice.

Prospective Content Editors who enjoy language and pay attention to detail should spend their high school years improving their English usage, research, and writing skills.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registration

An approved copy editing certification can demonstrate the competency of a new Copy Editor, often by job experience, training, and passing an examination.

Certification from a reputable and objective organization can help you stand out in a competitive employment market, boost your progression prospects, and allow you to work independently as a consultant. Furthermore, successful certification programs safeguard the public interest by adopting a Code of Ethics.

Applicants may also be subjected to a background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, schooling, credit history, motor vehicle records (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, usage of social media, and drug testing.

Projected Career Map

Personal performance, experience, gaining further knowledge, and industry norms determine the career advancement of Copy Editors; many would have started small with low-budget projects or less popular journal areas before progressing to more difficult jobs.

You could potentially advance to the position of Managing Editor or Executive Editor. The entrepreneurial path to becoming the Publisher of your publication is another possible, albeit somewhat ambitious, choice.

Copy Editors with a propensity for writing may pursue jobs as Reporters, Editors, or Freelance Writers. In contrast, those with a penchant for figures may pursue careers as Business Reporters or Financial Editors.

Job Prospects

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a related profession, relevant internships and experience, well-honed grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax skills, and a sharp eye for detail have the best career prospects.

Beneficial Professional Development

CPD will assist an active Copy Editor develop personal skills and competency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

With so many options to carve out a place for yourself in technical, scientific, and specialized editorial responsibilities, all you need to do is expand your knowledge in a specific field.

Make the most of your natural ability for language or numbers to excel in jobs that require one more than the other. A strong eye for detail and a willingness to learn frequently leads to more opportunities and responsibility.

Take advantage of professional courses that help you develop technical abilities by focusing on numerous editing and marketing technologies that are now affecting the publishing industry.

Conclusion of Copy Editor

Copy Editors who can ensure that their client’s tale tells the finest story possible, sometimes known as “the grammatical gatekeepers of the media world,” are their actual partners in publication.

Advice from the Wise

“Editing is simply applying any good reader’s common sense.” That is why, to be an editor, you must be a reader. It is the most important qualification.”

Explore Also: How to Become a Content Writer?