Don’t Blog Alone: The Game-Changing Role of a Blog Editor
Blogging can be a lot of fun. But sometimes, it feels overwhelming because you’re trying to juggle everything. You try to keep your blog consistent. But you’re bogged down by the tedious process of writing, editing, and formatting. Then, there’s being sure your blog is SEO-optimized.
You’re not alone—many bloggers face the same challenges.
So, what’s the solution?
A blog editor!
An editor is a vital yet often overlooked partner in your journey to blogging success.
In this post, I’ll delve into the critical role that blog editors play, explore how an editor can improve your content’s quality and reach, and provide guidance on how to find the perfect editorial partner.
Don’t blog alone! Keep reading to discover how a blog editor can be the key to unlocking your full blogging potential.
What Does A Blog Editor Do?
There are different types of editors, and you can find the perfect fit for your needs. Let’s look at the different things editors can help you with. You can choose an editor to help only with tasks you need help with and not the others. Or, you can also choose a full-service editor who can do all of these things.
Proofreading and Copyediting
The most basic functions of an editor include checking and correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They can also ensure that your thoughts are clear and your writing is consistent. For example, if sometimes you use an acronym in some places and the full phrase in others, they’ll point that out and ask which you’d like to use.
Content Structuring
Have you ever wondered if your blog post is structured in a way that will make sense to your reader? Do your points flow? Is your argument well constructed?
An editor can check that all your thoughts are organized into clear, logical structures. This ensures that your readers follow your blog’s points and are ideally led to take action in your CTA (call to action) at the end.
SEO And Keyword Optimization
Editors can help with many SEO and keyword optimization tasks, from choosing keywords to artfully fitting them into your blog without “keyword stuffing.”
Many editors are well-versed in optimizing blogs for SEO. If you’re not sure if you’re doing it “right,” an editor can help you understand how and where to use keywords to so your blogs get highly ranked.
When I edit blogs, I also use tools to ensure that the post is SEO optimized and provide additional suggestions to improve it.
Fact-Checking and Research
Do your blogs contain statistics and facts that you want to be double-checked or sourced? Citing sources in your blog can help with credibility and increase your SEO rankings.
Don’t have the time to do the research? Editors can take this critical but time-consuming task off your hands. Editors can do a variety of fact-checking and research tasks including:
- Verifying the accuracy of the information
- Ensuring facts, statistics, and claims are correct
- Finding the source for a fact or statistic you’ve included
Match Your Brand Voice
Some editors have additional training in brand voice. For example, I’m a Certified Brand Voice Specialist. This means that I can quantify your brand voice. Then, I can help ensure that all of your writing matches that voice.
Having a consistent brand voice builds the audience’s confidence that they know you. They know what to expect from you and your brand. If you want to learn more about brand voice, here’s an article to get you started.
How A Blog Editor Transforms Your Blogging
Now that you know the tasks blog editors can do, let’s look at how using an editor can transform your blogs.
Improve Quality
Using an editor will improve the quality of your blog. It’s that simple.
Editors have a keen eye for detail and understand how to refine your writing. They’ll ensure your blogs communicate your message clearly and effectively.
Beyond the basics of proofreading, editors consider the overall structure and flow of your posts, reorganizing content as needed to create a more logical and engaging reading experience.
The end result is that your high-quality blog establishes you as a reliable source of well-crafted, authoritative information.
Enhance Readability
Ideas that flow logically and smoothly from one to the next make your blog readable. A readable blog helps captivate readers and keep them engaged.
Your editor will ensure that:
- Ideas flow
- Complex sentences are simplified
- Blocks of text are broken up
- Bullet points and numbered lists are included
- Bold and italics are used to make it skimmer-friendly
By enhancing the overall readability, editors help ensure that your readers stay immersed in your posts from start to finish. Your readers will be informed, entertained, and eager for more.
Higher Ranking Pages
If your editor is well-versed in SEO-optimized content, they’ll help make sure that your blogs rank as high as possible. This means your blogs get found by your ideal readers and potential clients.
They can double-check that you’ve:
- Chosen the best keywords for your content
- Put the keywords in the key places that search engines look for
- Not stuffed keywords into the blog (because the post will be penalized for stuffing)
Time Efficiency
An editor speeds up your blogging process.
By delegating copyediting, SEO-optimization, and fact-checking/research to your editor, you can gain hours each week while improving the quality of your blogs.
When I work with an editor (yes, even though I edit for others, I still use an editor), my blogging is quicker and less stressful. I’ll finish a good first draft (one level above a shitty first draft) and send it off. They help refine my ideas, flow, and SEO while I’m working on other things.
I get to the final draft faster than I would otherwise.
Finding the Right Blog Editor for Your Unique Needs
While finding an editor to work with you can seem daunting, there are some basic steps to follow.
First, look at the list of skills above and decide what you need.
Second, find an editor and try them out. If you don’t know an editor, you can ask other bloggers for their recommendations. I recommend The Editing Marketplace. I’m one of the editors you can work with in the Marketplace.
Third, give it a try! I’d recommend using a piece that isn’t on a hard schedule for your first time working with an editor – just so you aren’t pressed for time (turnaround time can vary from one to five days).
Fourth, evaluate how working with an editor went and what you’d change next time.
Fifth, repeat steps three and four!
How Much Does an Editor Cost?
It’s hard to give a blanket amount for cost. It all depends on the skills you need. A basic copyeditor who only checks grammar, spelling, etc., can cost as little as three cents per word. For someone who helps with SEO optimization or fact-checking and research, expect a higher amount.
Before ditching the idea of using an editor based on cost, remember how much time you can save and the ability to produce higher-quality blogs for your audience. How much is that worth to you?
What’s Next?
Blogging can be lonely. An editor can help it be less lonely while helping you produce better content. They can take all the low-level tasks off your list, from grammar and spell-checking to SEO optimization and fact-checking.
If you’ve never outsourced some of your work before, hiring an editor can be a great way to get your feet wet, too.
And I’ve added editing to my services! If you want to talk about my services, just contact me.
Are you going to give using an editor a try? If so, let me know how it goes!