Does my editor understand my audience?
Know your marketing deal-breakers ahead of time
You’ve finished the rough draft of your book. Now you’re ready to find an editor to clean the copy up. Whether the assignment calls for substantive editing, copy editing, or proofreading, rolling the dice and choosing the first person who looks like the Grammar Police may not be the best business move. You need to find an editor who is both qualified to edit your book and understands how to market the material you’re writing. While your editor should be qualified to cross your T’s and dot your I’s, this should also be a person who is passionate about your project.
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Here are five real-life experiences I’ve had with private clients who taught me valuable lessons about why an editor needs to be able to meet both requirements before being hired.