Not even the best freelance language editors can read their clients’ minds. Sure, experienced language editors can make an educated guess, but they can’t be sure what you want unless you tell them.
In this short post I will list the three main things to tell your freelance editor, especially if you’ve never worked with them before, to increase your likelihood of being happy with their service.
To get the service you need, tell your editor what you need and what you don’t
The main thing you should know before you start working with a language editor is what their services comprise.
Editing can mean different things to different people, so your freelance editor should give you a description of their service.
Read through this description, pick what you need and what you don’t, and let your editor know your decision. For example, maybe you want the in-text citations to be checked against the reference list, or you don’t need a document with changes tracked or with comments.
For instance, from my experience, many authors prefer not to have their research paper appendix edited, to keep editing costs low. And most of the researchers I collaborate with use reference management tools, so my clients rarely ask me to format references.
To save on language editing costs, tell your language editor to skip the unnecessary tasks
Another thing you should tell your freelance language editor is if they should make major edits to certain parts of the manuscript (such as the abstract and introduction of a research paper). Or, if you’ve already edited a certain section to perfection, ask the freelancer to avoid changing it too much. Finally, if you know you’ll need to revise a part of your document later, tell the editor to skip it for now. You’ll not only reduce editing costs but also avoid rework.
To increase your chance of being happy with the result, decide the level of editorial intervention you need
Also tell your language editor if you prefer light or heavy edits. If you’re not sure how the editor works, have them edit a sample of your paper first.
Be clear about what you like and what you don’t. Your freelance language editor will use your feedback to tailor their service so it matches your preferences.
In sum, why give detailed instructions to your freelance language editor?
Simply instructing your freelance language editor to “edit the attached paper” is fine if you and the editor have collaborated many times before, and they know your preferences. But if you’re working with a new freelance editor, give them detailed instructions. You’ll save money and increase the likelihood of getting the editing service you need.
Experienced editors will know what questions to ask you so they can tailor their language editing services to your needs. But it can only benefit you to understand what language editing means and what information your freelance editor should give you before you decide what detailed instructions to give them.
Do you need a freelance language editor? Send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
If you prefer to work with another editor but don’t know where to find one, please consider checking my LinkedIn List of Freelance Editors and Proofreaders.
Related posts:
- Things your freelance editor should tell you
- What I tell people who hire a freelance editor half-heartedly
- Things I’ve learned from eight years of freelance editing
Last revised on 20 June 2023
