Copywriting Tips: What’s The Difference Between Line Editing & Copy Editing?

So you're a copywriter or a content writer and thought you'd offer some editing services to new and existing clients to add a little extra cash to your freelancing bottom line. Smart. But what exactly are these editing services you're offering? What do they entail? Will you do line editing or copy editing or both? Because, spoiler alert, these are two completely different services, and clients will have certain expectations of your work depending on which service you choose to offer or agree to do. So keep watching to get a full breakdown of the difference between cop editing and line editing and see which one is right for you. Hey, posse, what's up? It's Alex. I hope you dig my new background. I absolutely love it. Changing it up after two years. I am coming at you this week with a topic that might not be the most interesting subject in the world, but it is one that we definitely need to talk about because we are copywriters, and that is copy editing versus line editing. What's the difference? And which one is right for you if you're planning to offer these services to your clients? If you're new to the crew, welcome. You will find a ton of copywriting, freelancing and marketing tutorials right here on my channel. So be sure to subscribe and hit that bell icon to be notified when my next tutorial goes live. Now, the reason I say we need to talk about this is because I see so many freelancers and copywriters out there offering editing services when they really have no idea about what that actually entails. And then I also see so many business owners out there looking for editors. And when I ask them, do you need a line editor or a copywriter editor? They're like, I don't know. What's the difference? So I am here to set the record straight. Now, while there are, of course, some similarities between copy editing and line editing, they are two very different services that will have different goals and responsibilities, and they actually are needed at completely different times during the writing process. So it's really important to know the difference between the two. So let's dive right in. What is line editing? So the number one goal and responsibility of a line editor is to look at the overall content, writing style, and language that's being used throughout the entirety of the copy. Okay, so the purpose of a line editor is not to comb a document looking for errors. Instead, what a line editor is focusing on is the way that language is being used to communicate with the reader. In other words, they are asking questions like, does this make sense? Is there A good flow? Is the language clear? Does it convey the desired emotion, goal, and purpose of the copy? Do the words communicate precise meaning? Or is the messaging too broad and all over the place? So, according to nybookeditors.com, a line editor looks for words or sentences that are extraneous or overused, run on sentences, redundancies from the same information being repeated in different ways. Verbose sentences or paragraphs that need to be tightened up, sections where the writer's meaning is unclear or their ideas are too complex, bad transitions or confusing language that needs to be simplified, tonal or tense shifts and unnatural form. Phrasing or changes that can be made to improve the pacing and cadence of the copy. Or words and phrases that might need to be added to add clarity or improve readability. So this is the person who would come in and say, yo, this sentence does not make sense here. I would definitely move it here. Or hey, you've already said that three times. You should probably cut this out to avoid redundancy, right? They are really helping you to improve the overall feel and flow of your writing so that you're telling a story and writing copy that actually makes sense and reads well. Now, a line editor needs to be familiar with the audience, the product, and the big promise so that they can really make sure the messaging works and takes the reader from point A to point B to point C. So it's really holistic editing and requires a much more experienced writer and one who charges more than a copy editor. So what is copy editing, you're wondering? By contrast, the goal and responsibility of a copy editor is to address laws and errors found in writing on a very technical level. So, like a proofreader. So this is the person you want going through your writing with that fine tooth comb to ensure there are zero spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors. So as a copy editor, they correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. They ensure consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization throughout your copy. They also flag ambiguous or factually incorrect statements. So, as you can see, these are two very different services that you would want at very different times during the writing process. Line editing, right, or making changes to the feel and flow of your copy should always come before the final copy editing or proofreading, because what's the point of going to all the trouble of extensively proofreading when your writing could be changed or altered or completely, you know, scrapped after a thorough line edit? So that's why you want copy editing to be the very last and final thing that's done before pushing publish. So line editing versus copy editing. What's the difference? Well, to make it super simple, think of it this way. A line editor helps you tell a better story story and really craft the messaging from point A to point B to point C. Right where a copy editor makes sure your grammar and spelling is good to go. Now I'm curious. Which services do you offer or do you want to offer? Comment below and let me know. Thank you so much for watching. Until next time, I'm Alex. Ciao for now. All right, guys, if you enjoyed that video, make sure to check out the next one from me right here. And you can click right here to get a free gift. Have you ever wondered what services you should offer as a copywriter? Today I'm talking about 16 ways you can start making more money in your copywriting business.