A good copy editor is more than just a good speller and grammarian. A good copy editor is a subject matter expert (or is willing to become one) and a good writer. Here are just a few things to look for when hiring a copy editor:
- A good speller and grammarian (yes, the obvious)
- Someone who reads copy out loud and has a good ear for copy that flows well
- Someone who can perform simple mathematical calculations. One of the most frequent errors can happen when numbers don’t add up (or percentages seem skewed).
- Someone who has good judgment and understands the impact of words. You don’t just want someone who is a straight proofreader, you want someone who can subject facts to a little rigor, for example, can this claim be substantiated?
- Someone who knows a style — by that I mean AP Style, Chicago style, New York Times style. Secondarily, someone who understands the importance of having a style.
This doesn’t just apply in the journalistic realm, it applies in the world of marketing, advertising and business.