So, say you’ve written and published a book or two and you’re struggling with the online marketing aspect. You’ve built a website with all the basics; bio, book list, and pretty pictures. Maybe you even made a business logo. And you have a blog where you churn out interesting tidbits about the writing craft, your personal writing experience, or your story worlds.
Yet still you wonder, why are there not enough hits on my website? Is anyone actually reading these blogs? Who cares about my [enter favorite social media platform here] posts?
Or maybe you’re an editor, and you want to pick up some extra work or expand your editing knowledge. Those of us at Fictionary just love expanding our knowledge about story, writing, editing, and revising.
No matter why you clicked on this blog, consider discovering more about content editing.
Not to be confused with developmental editing, or any of the other five types of editing. Some refer to developmental editing as content editing, but the majority lean towards the definition we’re going to discuss in this blog.
What Is Content Editing?
Some websites stand out noticeably from others and are easier to navigate, bringing about a pleasant user encounter.
The difference is content editing, which is all about creating a smooth, factual, and organized reading experience of web content with eye-catching visual formatting and graphics.
Just as manuscripts need to be checked to make sure every scene relates to the overall story goal and theme of the book, web content also has specific requirements. Editing and revising web content can take a good website (or other piece of content) and make it shine, attracting more readers, getting more clicks, and selling more books.
The good news is, you probably aren’t as emotionally attached to your website content as you are to your book-baby. This means that when you get the email full of red marks and suggestions, you won’t feel so shell-shocked.
Content editing—just like all other types of editing—is about bringing out the good of what you already have by cutting away the extraneous and shining up the best parts. Sometimes, clarity is more important than voice, but editing finds that perfect balance between the two.
What Does a Content Editor Do?
A Content Editor, also sometimes referred to as a Content Manager, Head of Content, or Content Marketing Manager, has several important duties.
Writing Content
Sometimes the Content Editor is in charge of assigning or assisting in the writing process of the content. If you wish to hire someone who will write the full content as well, they are often referred to as a Content Writer and will need to be hired separately.
Everyone, please take a moment to shake your pom-poms for Millie—our Fictionary Marketing Manager!
Researcher
Content Editors must be competent researchers. Not only to verify facts within the content but also to understand the market and what readers are interested in. They should be able to determine where to find documented sources and follow online trends.
Strategist
Content Editors also check for strategy. Does the content reach the appropriate audience? Is it making the readers think about or feel the way that you want them to? This is where their understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) comes into play as they decide the best topics, titles and search terms to use in order to get traffic to your site.
Editor
Content Editors also do the editing and proofreading. This requires skills in copyediting and grammar that surpass my own. Programs such as Word’s grammar feature, Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway can help make a copy editing job easier, but even finding consistency across the different softwares is difficult and trends in English change.
Designer
Content Editors must also have a basic knowledge of web design, or the ability to work well with a web designer to create a visually pleasing page.
Certain branding elements become important here, like for the Fictionary software, app, and community, the gold, teal, and navy blue colors are used along with the Fictionary logo to make it visually clear that they are related. An author may choose their own colors and create a logo to brand their website and blogs.
Analyzer
And then, once the baby bird of your blog/website/social media post has set flight, your Content Editor is expected to keep an eye on the virtual foot traffic—in the form of click rates—to your content. How many people show up? Do they buy once they’ve been there? Do they sign up for your newsletter?
How to Become a Content Editor
Degree
To become a content editor, begin by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communication, or a related field. This will help build basic skills in researching, grammar, ethics, different writing styles, multiple platforms, and various writing softwares.
If you wish to move into a higher-level position, consider achieving a master’s degree. Graduate programs teach more advanced skills, specialized skills, and help establish network contacts for future learning, internship, or job opportunities.
Job Training
For any job, training in a working environment is essential. Getting hands-on training experience while being mentored by an expert in the field can quickly bring your skills and knowledge of the field up to date.
So consider an internship or some job experience in a different editing position or related field.
Portfolio and Resume
Establish a portfolio using class projects and real world instances of content editing you have done. Examples show potential clients the previous work you have done, which may be similar to what they are looking for. It also shows how experienced you are.
Build your resume the same way, showing off your content writing and editing skills.
Technology
Gain proficiency in Microsoft Office, content editing softwares, SEO, basic HTML, publishing tools, and more. Computer knowledge is a must for most jobs these days and if you plan to work solely online, it will be essential.
Professional Social Media
Create a professional bio on LinkedIn, TikTok, FaceBook, SuperPath, Indeed, GlassDoor and others. These are good places to advertise your skills and search for job openings.
And if you’re a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, add your content editing qualifications to your Fictionary bio.
The Benefits of Content Editing Services
Better Quality
Just like with any editor you hire, the idea is to end up with a more polished piece, whether that is an article, self-bio, or a manuscript. Professional services create a professional product which attracts consumers.
Consistency
Working with a professional will also generate consistency across content, voice, and branding. This builds trust with readers that they know what to expect when they come to your site and read your content.
Team
You don’t have to do everything. When it comes to writing, let’s face it, no one gets to spend all their time writing. Whether it is other commitments or the marketing side of being an author that takes you away from that precious writing time, any little bit helps.
And everyone has both strengths and weaknesses. Having a content creator can fill a need. Also, bouncing ideas and different opinions create an opportunity for the work to grow.
How to Find Content Editing Services
Word of Mouth
Finding a reliable and compatible Content Editor can be easier through personal recommendation because the person knows the editor’s personality, style, and ability.
So reach out to author and online business friends to see if their Content Editor has openings on their client list. And if their own Content Editor is unavailable, perhaps they could recommend someone who is qualified and still open to new clients.
While word of mouth generally achieves the best results, consider that you should still do your own research to find the best fit for your project.
Assess portfolios, sample work, and communicate with possible Content Editors. Sometimes you can get a feel for their work style through emails, or you might need a phone call or online face meeting.
Online
If you don’t know where to start, many online platforms advertise Content Editors looking for clients. Both agencies and freelancers post their bios, qualifications, experience, reviews, and portfolios for potential client perusal.
Professional network and job posting sites include LinkedIn, Indeed, and GlassDoor. Social media platforms that are becoming more popular places to advertise for jobs are TikTok and FaceBook. While more niche listings can be found on SuperPath, Upwork, and Fiverr.
Fictionary
Come join the kindest writing community on the internet. The Fictionary Community | Fictionary, is a place where you will find all kinds of resources for both writers and editors.
There you can meet our Fictionary Story Coach Certified Editors, World’s Best Story Editors | Fictionary. Every editor that goes through the Fictionary certification has a bio in the Fictionary community. Some of them are certified in other editing programs, including copyediting and content editing.
After reading the bios, if you find a few who interest you, contact them to find a good match for both your project and your personality. Then, enjoy the benefits of having your very own Content Editor.