Do you have a knack for bringing out the best in content and have an impeccable understanding of grammar? If so, editing might be the perfect career path for you. It is a lucrative career path that can become a great full-time job or a source of stable passive income for you.
Every process that results in being published involves an editor, making them an undeniably crucial part of several industries. It means that becoming an editor can open you up to a vast land of career opportunities.
If you are not sure where to begin your career as an editor, here are some of the best tips you can follow.
Strengthen Your Language Skills
Becoming an editor who will be recognized in the industry for their skills is not an easy job. You must have impeccable grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and language skills to be recognized for your talent.
You must refine and strengthen these skills by practicing them regularly and gaining feedback from experienced editors in your circle.
Gain Editing Experiences
If you do not have any prior editing experience, it can be hard for you to get new clients to trust you enough to pay for your services. You must gain editing experience to start your journey as an editor and show people that you have what it takes to become a reliable editor.
You can gain experience by editing for your friends and colleagues for free or lower rates than the general editor salary in the market. Such experiences can help you build an amazing portfolio.
Learn Different Editing Types
Every editor does not have the same job. There are several different types of editing that you must familiarize yourself with in order to start your career successfully. Here are some of the most common types of editing you must know about.
- Editorial Assessment
- Developmental Editing
- Copy Editing
- Proofreading
- Fact-Checking
Familiarizing yourself with different types of editing will help you see what you are best at and which aspects you need to improve.
Study Different Style Guides
Editors must also learn about different style guides and see how they are different from one another. This information can help you cater to the preferences and needs of clients who follow different style guides for their work.
Start by learning more about the most popular styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago Manual of Style, and others that may be popular among your client base.
Grow Your Network
Anything that gets published goes through an editor. There are so many networking opportunities for editors, authors, and other professionals in the industry. The habit of networking can help you expand your knowledge and opportunities.
You can also attend events in the industry to gain recognition and stay updated on the trends. It can also be helpful in landing new opportunities and getting recognized by industry experts.
Create a Portfolio
Every editor needs a portfolio. It can be the most fruitful platform for you to showcase your expertise and let people know what sets you apart from other professionals in the industry.
Make sure to create before and after samples to show your clients what you bring to the table. In addition, you can also highlight your certifications and additional skills to your portfolio to stand out among your competitors.
Specialize in a Genre
As a beginner, there is no harm in taking up work from any genre for editing to build your portfolio and show your adaptability. However, you must consider specializing in a genre if you are considering growing as a professional editor.
Specializing in a genre allows you to become an expert in that niche. You will start gaining recognition as a go-to person for that specific genre and start to attract the right clients for the type of work you prefer.
Stay Updated
Another important thing for every editor to do is stay updated in their industry. If you are not updated, you will not be considered a reliable resource by your clients. Every client seeks someone who is an expert in their niche, and staying updated can help you become their ideal match.
You must subscribe to reliable resources for industry news and always keep looking for trustworthy resources for advancement. In addition, do not forget to look into tools that can help you hone your skills even further to remain competitive in the field.
Set Clear Goals
Are you considering your career as an editor in the long run, or is it just a temporary side hustle to gather money for a bigger goal? No one can guide you to who you want to be in the coming years. Some decisions are yours to make alone.
Take some time to establish short-term and long-term goals for your editing career. These goals can help you stay focused and motivated in times of challenges or despair.
Seek Mentorship
Mentorship can play an important role in helping you grow as a professional editor and hone your skills to offer better services. You can find people in the industry with reliable information and hands-on experience to offer guidance and advice.
You can also ask them to review your work and help you navigate your career as an editor. Their guidance can help you polish your skills, gain confidence in yourself, and broaden your horizon for a better future as an editor.
Market Yourself
Just like in any other field, the competition in the editing field can be overwhelming. There are many professionals out there who have the same skills as you and may even have more experience than you. Standing out without putting in any effort is nearly impossible.
You must never miss out on an opportunity to market your skills and let the world know what you have to offer. You can put yourself out there by creating a professional website, establishing a presence on social media, and asking friends and family members to help you through word-of-mouth referrals.
