Five questions to ask your editor before hiring them
Like many high-quality services, the decision to use an editor is a big investment. Any person deciding to hire an editor is committed to enhancing the quality of their written work and they want to know the editor they choose has the qualifications and skills to help them produce a final product they can proudly share, making their investment worthwhile. As such, it makes sense to deeply evaluate each professional to ensure your needs will be met. To begin this process, we provide five questions to ask any editor you’re considering hiring to assist you in making the right decision for you.
1. What's your background/training?
It’s important to learn about your editor’s background and training to decide whether their perspective will be a good fit for you and your project. If your project requires more focus on the grammatical and technical aspects, you may want to inquire into whether your editor’s background includes extensive training in the English discipline. If you’d like an editor who can evaluate your content, you may want an insider to your discipline and theoretical framework and will want to hear that they have received training in a field adjacent to yours. Ask them specific questions about their degrees, the institutions they attended, the skills they obtained while studying, and whether they have certifications or have taken any specific courses. While there is no one pathway to becoming an editor, understanding the background and training of your editor will help you to understand the perspective they bring to the work, which will impact your final product.
2. What services do you offer?
When reaching out to an editor, it’s important to ensure they offer the services that your project requires. They should have a website or a pricing sheet that provides an overview of the services they offer and explains what each service entails. If not, they should provide this information when you reach out about their services. . To make the decision on which editor is the best fit for you and your project, it’s important to know whether each prospective editor offers the services your project needs.
3. What is the cost for my project?
Budget is a huge factor when it comes to editing. Similar to editing styles and training, pricing can vary significantly from one editor to the next. Prior to deciding to hire an editor, you likely at least considered what you could realistically invest in your project. Reach out to editors you’re interested in ahead of time to request an estimate for your project. This can help you to evaluate whether there is a match between what you can afford and their estimated cost. Reaching out in advance also allows you the opportunity to adjust and determine which editors’ prices might be the best fit for you and understand which factors each editor incorporates into their pricing. Don’t hesitate to answer any questions necessary to clarify the estimate and what it is based upon. It’s important to know this information so that you may make an informed decision and ultimately choose the best editor for you.
4. What's your turnaround time?
How long it will take your editor to complete your project is important to know as you plan your next steps after receiving your edited product. Some editors can turn around your work in a couple of days, while others take weeks. You may want to communicate any preferred deadlines upfront and ask what factors determine the turnaround time when you initially reach out to the editor. The number of other projects in their queue, whether they outsource to a team, business structure, or personal life responsibilities can all impact the turnaround time for your project. Most editors are willing to accommodate your needs or inform you upfront if they cannot as long as you clearly communicate your needs.
5. What formatting guidelines do you use?
Each formatting style is different. Formatting styles are so intricate and specific that most editors only specialize in a few. Given the importance of formatting to any writing project, it is important to know upfront whether your editor can accommodate your project’s formatting needs. Share with your editor which format you’re seeking and ask whether they or someone on their team specializes in it. At The People’s Editor, we have an APA Format Specialist dedicated to meeting clients’ formatting needs.
Thinking about hiring an editor? We’d love to support you. Request an estimate for your project today!
