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What does a freelance copy editor do?

Freelance copy editors are considered the gatekeepers of the media and communications world. In their role, copy editors are responsible for proofreading, reviewing, and correcting written content created for print or digital communications. More specifically, a copy editor reviews written content to ensure there are no grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and syntactic errors. Furthermore, a copy editor might help refine written content submitted by an author and make suggestions on how the content can be improved.

Freelance copy editors should not be confused with freelance proofreaders. While copy editors review content to ensure proper sentence structure, story flow, and punctuation, a proofreader reviews content after the copy editor to make sure nothing was missed and all potential corrections were identified and made.

Freelance copy editors are most often employed by newspapers, magazines, content-heavy websites, and book publishers but may also be employed by local and network television news organizations.

What skills do I need to become a freelance copy editor?

As a freelance copy editor, you will need an excellent command of the English language, a good understanding of how a sentence should be structured, and a keen eye for detail. You'll also have to be familiar with a variety of writing styles. While every copy editor job is a bit different, there are common skills most employers or clients will require.

Common skills a freelance copy editor should possess include:

• Excellent writing and editing skills. It’s essential for copy editors to write and edit well. Because copy editors will review submissions from a number of writers covering a variety of topics, they must be able to offer effective suggestions that improve the final draft of all content.
• Attention to detail. Freelance copy editors often review large volumes of written copy covering myriad topics. As such, they must exhibit attention to detail to ensure the final copy has been refined and is suitable for use. This means fact-checking, looking for typos, and following brand style guides.
• A love for language. Whether working with English or another language, freelance copy editors must have a love and feel for the language they are working with. This ensures the final product resonates with the intended audience and encourages engagement. Plus, it makes for much better readability and SEO.
• Exceptional organizational skills. Because freelance copy editors often work with written content submitted by multiple writers, they must be well organized.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback. Freelance copy editors must maintain good relationships with the authors they work with. With that in mind, a copy editor should provide feedback in a way that ensures the author will readily accept their suggestions and view their recommendations as helpful.
• Ability to work well with others. Freelance copy editors must be able to work well with editorial assistants, publishing houses, and others. This ensures they will provide well-received feedback to authors in addition to gaining the trust of their superiors.

What are the core freelance copy editor job responsibilities?

While specific copy editing responsibilities may differ from client to client, there are core duties most copy editors will be engaged in during the course of a project. These responsibilities include:

• Review written content to ensure it is logical, well written, and structured in a style that is suitable for its audience
• Correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure of submitted work from a variety of authors
• Bring issues and questions to the attention of the authors
• Double-check facts for accuracy and relevance
• Format to follow the conventions and manuals of style requested by the client
• Review and correct captions for artwork, photographs, and other imagery
• Ensure final written content is consistent with the organization’s brand guidelines
• Refine or write headlines and subheads for articles and other content
• Edit written content to adhere to specific word counts
• Work closely with authors and proofreaders to ensure high-quality final content

Should I get a degree or certification to be a freelance copy editor?

In addition to developing your skills via experience across multiple copy editing jobs or projects, obtaining a degree and/or professional certification can help your Upwork profile stand out. While obtaining a certification may be helpful, it is not necessary to become a freelance copy editor. On the other hand, freelancers might find it difficult to become a copy editor without a degree from an accredited college or university.

Examples of popular degrees or certifications relevant to copy editing include:

• An associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in English, journalism, communications, mass media, marketing, or philosophy from an accredited college or university
• Copy Editing Certification Courses – offered by ACES: The Society for Editing