Tragic Stories: Has This Happened to You?

I hear it too often.

“Ma’am, can you help me? Can you really help me? I had an editor. I paid him…”

The story doesn’t end well. I wish it did, for my client’s sake, but it doesn’t. Two precious things are gone and never regained: time and money. I’m sad when I hear the story—especially in connection with a dissertation—then I always offer my best response: I’m sorry to hear that. How can I help?

I’m not sure how to help editors know and keep to their skill set. (Editors, if you’re reading—please, I beg you to honestly evaluate your skills!)

I know you, as a client for the services, hope for the best and need to trust someone implicitly. These tragic experiences shouldn’t be anyone’s reality. This is your opportunity to think about how you might choose an editor for your work. It’s important!

You can’t shake the tree and be sure all the nuts fell out, but you can try to take on your selection process boldly and in a thorough manner.

I suggest the following:

Who do you know?

You may know members of your cohort, people who have finished similar works, others who required professional editing services. It’s possible a referral will help you find a good editor.

When you do find an editor to interview, ask good questions. Ask hard questions.

Does the editor know APA format and documentation?
Which resources will the editor refer to? (A: your school’s site or Purdue’s OWL site.)
Exactly which services can this editor confidently deliver?
Has the editor successfully edited works similar to your project? (It’s not wrong to give someone a chance, but remember you are taking one.)
Can the editor say more about the “success” of the other works? (You hope the Chair was pleased with the editing work.)
How many of those kinds of works have been completed?
Have past clients written reviews of the services and their experience?

Be comfortable with the fees.

This is the hard part. Sometimes people get a great deal on their editing. A skilled editor is just starting a new business or working into a new area in the field. My first dissertation project took a little longer while I adjusted to the fussy format and documentation style. My client and I worked well together, but I set my fee in line with my experience and skill in that specific editing work. My skills have improved, and I’m much more confident and competent. As you might expect, my fees reflect that. Remember a skilled editor is worth the investment. Attention to detail and skill set make all the difference in your final project and your experience.

Be the kind of client you would want to have in your office.

Make the process easier for the editor and yourself. Choose the editor you’d like, and then work well with that editor. Admittedly, there will be more than one way to create writing solutions through edits. You may not agree with some. If the editor presents acceptable and professional services, graciously respond with your thanks and immediate account follow-up (whatever may be necessary). Think about offering a review or testimonial when your experience was positive. Anyone can offer negative feedback. Did you know the positive is often completely overlooked?

Hope you find this helpful. Feel free to comment below and ask specific questions. Better yet, track over to the Contact page!

~Jennifer