Are you struggling with what skills you need to hire? Copywriter or editor - which do you need?
While both can contribute important skills to your writing project, it's important to distinguish between the two and to determine which set of skills you actually require.
In this article, we will discuss the roles and the differences between an editor and a copywriter.
Which came first - the chicken or the egg, or in this instance the copywriter or the editor?
The Copywriter
Copywriters write copy, which means they write the original content. In today's world, the original content can relate to blog posts, advertising material, websites, Ebooks, short stories and brochures. The list is endless.
Copywriters are commercially driven to write original content based on their client's directives. This is what differentiates them from the writers of a novel.
Skills a good copywriter needs:
- a good understanding of the client's requirements
- great research skills
- good creative writing skills, including the ability to self-edit
- an understanding of how SEOs work
- the ability to include keywords naturally within the text
- to be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
A good copywriter should have the ability to write about almost anything, with the goal of making something sell.
The Editor
An editor's role is to edit or reorganise the original content so that it is well-presented and easily understood by the targeted audience.
There are many different types of editors, from copy editors to structural editors. However, they all need the same basic set of skills.
Skills a good editor needs include the following:
- a good grasp of grammar to be able to correct word use, spelling and punctuation
- to be able to adjust the length and structure of sentences and paragraphs
- to make sure the flow and language of the material is suitable for the subject
- check for a consistent style, including fonts, titles and page layout
- an understanding of how SEOs work
A good editor will be able to polish the original article while keeping the fundamental meaning intact.
So who do I need?
Writers of any kind will almost always have an overlap of skills; copywriters do self-edit when they’re writing, and editors are constantly re-writing when they are correcting grammar and organising content. However, the different sets of skills are quite clear.
So ask yourself some basic questions like the following to determine which set of skills you actually need:
- Do I have enough original content?
- How much writing needs to be done?
- What is my deadline and do I have the time?
- What is my budget? (Original content is normally more expensive than a quick edit)
Answering these simple questions will help you determine who is right for the job. Both copywriters and editors can add value to your content to help make you stand out.
If you still have any questions about the skills you need, feel free to contact me for further advice.
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