Everything You Need To Know
It has been said that well-written content doesn’t cost, it pays. And as an editing services company, we know just how true this is. In the written world, the power of precision, quality, and clarity in writing cannot be emphasised enough – as without it, the whole point, narrative, or creative story can fall completely flat.
Poorly structured articles filled with grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors can send readers running for the hills in the blink of an eye. However, editing your own work as you go can prove quite time consuming, which is why we believe that just about anybody who writes anything can benefit in some way from our editing services.
So, whether you are writing an academic paper, a business proposal, marketing content, or even a full-length novel, it’s highly likely that you require editing services of some kind. But what exactly is an editing service and how can it make your life easier? Read on as we answer these pressing editing services questions and more.
What Does An Editing Service Do?
An editing service aims to improve written text by correcting or refining things like grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, tone, and sentence structure.
How Much Does An Editor Cost In South Africa?
The cost of an editor in South Africa can differ depending on a variety of factors like experience, the type, length, and degree of editing required. Rates can vary from around 20c-65c per word, R30-R50 per page, or R200-R350 per hour.
How Much Do Editing Services Charge?
The pricing of editing services depends on numerous factors like the type of editing, the level of editing required, the length of the document/s, as well as the experience and expertise of the editor in question.
What Is Editing Cost?
Editing cost is the amount of money charged for any type of editing by professional editors for their services. The services can include reviewing, revising, reworking, and ultimately improving any written text. Services can include editing, proofreading, or rewriting content completely.
How Much Does Editing Cost Per Page In South Africa?
The cost of editing per page will mostly depend on the type of editing required; heavy, moderate, or light editing, as well as the length of the edit. Generally, you can expect costs to be between R50-R150+ per page.
Proofreading And Editing Services
Editing services come in numerous types and forms, but ultimately they all have the same objective – improving the written content. Some of the most common types of editing services include the following:
Proofreading
Proofreading is a type of editing that focuses primarily on correcting transparent errors like spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typos. The objective is to ensure that the content is free of superficial mistakes and at the same time readable to the audience.
Copy Editing
Copy editing entails a more in-depth review as opposed to proofreading. It addresses issues with grammar, syntax, style, and consistency and aims to enhance the overall readability and clarity of the text. In almost all cases, anything said in the first draft can be said better, and that is where copy editing comes in.
Substantive Editing
Also known as developmental editing, substantive editing is a more technical form of editing that involves a comprehensive review of a document’s structure, organisation, and content. Its goal is to improve the overall flow, coherence, and effectiveness of the writing to a professional or academic standard.
Structural Editing
Readability is an often overlooked aspect of writing. When sentences and paragraphs aren’t correctly structured, readers can lose interest rapidly. Structural editing concentrates on structuring and organising text while addressing things like the arrangement of ideas, chapters, or sections to create a logical flow. This type of editing is common in email editing as well as book editing.
Content Editing
Content editing goes a bit further than just basic grammar and punctuation. The aim of this form of editing is to assess and confirm the substance and accuracy of the content. Content editors ensure that the information presented is accurate, relevant, and effectively communicated.
Academic Editing
Academic editing is tailored to academic documents like research papers, theses, and dissertations. Academic editing consists of high-quality editing meant to ensure adherence to high academic standards, clarity of arguments, and proper citation.
Creative Writing Editing
A story can quickly lose its meaning or impact when accompanied by substandard writing. Creative writing editing is geared towards enhancing fiction and creative writing through the proper structuring of storytelling, character development, dialogue, and the overall narrative.
Fact-Checking Editing
For non-fiction writing like academic papers and journalism, fact-checking is crucial to the integrity of the document. Fact-checking simply involves confirming the legitimacy of anything stated.
Localisation
Localisation is the practice in which leading linguistic experts adapt content, text, or written word of global brands to local markets so that the original message and tone still get delivered to the market as intended. Cultural differences in the melting pot that is South Africa dictate this type of service to be in high demand. Localisation can be applied across a range of applications like websites, technical documents, marketing channels, e-learning modules, and on-screen displays like navigation systems, cell phones etc.
Do I Need Editing Services?
As editing services experts, we have been in the industry long enough to know that even the most experienced writers and content creators can benefit from having editing services. Whether it’s for marketing, a thesis, a new book, or even for social media, it will always be advantageous when any form of editing services are applied.
How Do Editing Services Work?
The process of editing services depends on what editing is required specifically. However, the process would typically involve collaboration from the client and editor in the form of consultation. After all the requirements have been discussed, a quotation will follow that would cover the aspects of editing level, word count, and any additional services.
If accepted, the editing process can begin and continuous feedback and communication are provided as necessary, to ensure that the editor/s understand the objective at all times. An opportunity is then provided where changes can be reviewed and approved after which the final document is delivered. This approach ensures that the editing service aligns with the client’s vision and elevates the written content to its highest potential.
How Long Do Editing Services Take?
Editing timelines will vary based on several factors like the document’s length, the complexity of the content, the type of editing required, and what level of editing is required. However, we will always be transparent with our turnaround times so that expectations can be set and subsequently met.
What Types of Documents Do You Edit?
International Language Consultancy is equipped and qualified to apply editing services to any type of document. In the past decade, we have refined thousands of documents which include but have not been limited to books, academic papers, letters, websites, articles, scripts, business proposals, theses, dissertations, essays, and much more. We are able to convert any first draft into a work of art.
What Qualifications Do Editors Have?
Our editors all possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university and many editors hold extensive experience in either academia or some of the country’s biggest publishing houses and publications. This ensures that all editors are adequately qualified to provide editing services to your documents.
Are Editing Services Confidential?
The International Language Consultancy are professional editors and, as such, we adhere to the highest ethical standards and maintain complete confidentiality with regards to the content we edit. All work and content that we edit remains the intellectual property of the author.
Editing Services Near Me: International Language Consultancy
Choosing to invest in editing services can make or break your written project. So, how do you settle on an editing service, with the peace of mind to know that your work is in good hands? Here are a few tips that can help you make an informed decision:
Check qualifications and experience
Any editing service worth its salt would have the qualifications and experience to back it up. Before you decide on a service, request proof of qualifications and samples of previous work. Credible institutions would have no issue with providing this beforehand.
Consider your budget
As we have covered earlier, different types and different degrees of editing have varying costs to them. Ensure that you compare quotes from multiple providers and make sure that the institution is completely transparent with what they are providing.
Look for ratings and reviews
Just about any business in the digital age today should be listed on Google, if not somewhere else on the internet. If they aren’t, this should be a cause for concern already, But checking for ratings and reviews from former clients would give you a good idea of what to expect in the form of service from the agency that you are considering.
Ask about specialised knowledge
Large/credible agencies would have field experts in most industries. If your document requires specific industry knowledge or expertise, inquire whether the agency has someone who has experience in that particular field. This can make a massive difference when it comes to technical, academic, or specialised content.
Define your editing needs
Be sure that you establish exactly what you need in an editing service beforehand, and consider whether the agency can provide the specific type of editing your document requires. Is it proofreading, copyediting, substantive editing, or a combination of them all? Understanding your needs will help you find an editor with the right expertise.
Editing Services In South Africa: International Language Consultancy
The International Language Consultancy (ILC) is a world-class translation, transcription, proofreading and editing service station. At International Language Consultancy, we continuously push the boundaries to provide our clients with only the very best language services so that their work can achieve its full potential.
We have been providing numerous industries with proofreading, translation, transcription, and editing services for over a decade. We created ILC as a means to meet the high demand for quality control in writing and communications here in South Africa. We proudly provide our numerous services in a variety of South African as well as international languages.
The ILC teams are composed of highly experienced language practitioners, linguists, and
educationalists. We know how to deliver quality services and products with a quick turnaround time and in line with all the specifications of your project. We bridge the gap between clients and professionals who all have the same objective – which is world-class writing, editing, proofreading, and translation services.
So, if you are looking for a professional language agency to assist with your next writing or transiting project, do not hesitate to contact us and find out how the International Language Consultancy can help you. Email us for a free quotation or client referrals today!