What to pay an editor?

Linda Van Fleet · 03-13-2009, 09:54 AM

Opinions please!

I am a content provider. My partner and I have been doing all editing up to this point but our workload has greatly increased and we need help. In order to compensate someone fairly I need to know:

What is the going rate to pay someone who edits articles?

What does an article editor's job entail?

Thanks!

Linda

Steven W Johnson · 03-13-2009, 04:21 PM

FREE! Unless the work gets overwhelming. I've been giving away tech editing for years, and built some AMAZINGLY long and mutually prosperous relationships as a result. You'd be SHOCKED to see the names on my client list.

Linda Van Fleet · 03-13-2009, 05:00 PM

Is that an offer, Steven?

I actually have an editor - someone who is unemployed because of this bad economic situation; I simply want to make sure I pay him fairly without losing my shirt.

According to what I've read an editor's job varies by the employer and the type of writing. I am thinking of requiring my editor to proof read, fix grammar and sentence structure, correct punctuation and to make sure the content is cohesive. Does that sound like an adequate job description? When we edit we do all of the above and make changes on the fly without a thought as to whether we are wearing the editor's hat or the re-writer's hat.

Another problem will be to determine a fair price ... the unemployed guy can't work for $0.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has an opinion.

Linda

Steven W Johnson · 03-13-2009, 11:10 PM

Sure Linda,

I do all those things you require PLUS I am quite likely to catch things like changes between active and passive voice as well as point out sections where a bit more WIIFM is in order or the text could be trimmed up without losing meaning, or re-stated so the narrative flows and reads better.

As long as you aren't planning to send me 4 hours of editing per day or some such, I can pinch hit for you until a "regular" editor can be identified. I'm in the middle of some major projects that will be making obscene amounts of money, so my time is valuable, but I'm happy to help if you need me.

03-13-2009, 09:54 AM	#1
Linda Van Fleet HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia, USA. Posts: 160 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 18 Posts	What to pay an editor? Opinions please! I am a content provider. My partner and I have been doing all editing up to this point but our workload has greatly increased and we need help. In order to compensate someone fairly I need to know: What is the going rate to pay someone who edits articles? What does an article editor's job entail? Thanks! Linda
	Need Custom Articles? Article Rewrites? No monthly membership fee!

03-13-2009, 04:21 PM	#2
Steven W Johnson Direct Response Master War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Posts: 338 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What to pay an editor? FREE! Unless the work gets overwhelming. I've been giving away tech editing for years, and built some AMAZINGLY long and mutually prosperous relationships as a result. You'd be SHOCKED to see the names on my client list.
	Direct Networker - Chg Your Model, Chg Your Fortune

03-13-2009, 05:00 PM	#3
Linda Van Fleet HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia, USA. Posts: 160 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 18 Posts	Re: What to pay an editor? Is that an offer, Steven? I actually have an editor - someone who is unemployed because of this bad economic situation; I simply want to make sure I pay him fairly without losing my shirt. According to what I've read an editor's job varies by the employer and the type of writing. I am thinking of requiring my editor to proof read, fix grammar and sentence structure, correct punctuation and to make sure the content is cohesive. Does that sound like an adequate job description? When we edit we do all of the above and make changes on the fly without a thought as to whether we are wearing the editor's hat or the re-writer's hat. Another problem will be to determine a fair price ... the unemployed guy can't work for $0. Thanks in advance to anyone who has an opinion. Linda
	Need Custom Articles? Article Rewrites? No monthly membership fee!

03-13-2009, 11:10 PM	#4
Steven W Johnson Direct Response Master War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Posts: 338 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What to pay an editor? Sure Linda, I do all those things you require PLUS I am quite likely to catch things like changes between active and passive voice as well as point out sections where a bit more WIIFM is in order or the text could be trimmed up without losing meaning, or re-stated so the narrative flows and reads better. As long as you aren't planning to send me 4 hours of editing per day or some such, I can pinch hit for you until a "regular" editor can be identified. I'm in the middle of some major projects that will be making obscene amounts of money, so my time is valuable, but I'm happy to help if you need me.
	Direct Networker - Chg Your Model, Chg Your Fortune