Make money writing — without writing?!?

You’ll be the behind-the-scene hero… [The Writer’ s Life]( July 6, 2023 "I'm a big fan of editing and keeping only the interesting bits in." – Sarah Vowell Hi {NAME}, Making money writing … WITHOUT writing?! I know it sounds odd … But when it comes to this incredibly valuable role, the majority of your time is actually spent reading, commenting, and editing. As you get more comfortable, you can certainly add in your own words … AND make more money as a result. But when you're just starting out as a copyeditor, your primary goal is to make what you're reading even better. That's right … Contrary to common misconceptions, copyediting is not simply proofing for typos and grammar … that's a proofreader's job. Copyediting is about taking good copy and pushing it the last few steps across the finish line to make it clear, concise, and as effective as possible … Much like an interior designer helps the architect push a well-built house into something potential homeowners want to buy. So today, I've asked an amazing copyeditor, Kathryn Aragon to take you inside the opportunity to see what copyediting is really all about. If you're looking to make money sooner rather than later … Or have been stalling on jumping in as a writer for any reason … [I highly recommend you check out copyediting as a way forward.]( You'll simply use the fundamentals of copywriting to improve copy and content that has already been written … Allowing you to make great money in this industry, get hands-on experience working with copy, and make great connections for your own future writing endeavors, all at the same time. Until midnight, you can grab our new copyediting program at a massive discount … [So, check it out today.]( It's your LAST CHANCE to grab it at such a low price. To your success, Rebecca Matter President AWAI How to Get Free Stuff as a Writer Imagine scoring free vacations … dinners out … gym equipment … house repairs … relaxing spa getaways … Barefoot Writers have a hidden avenue to land incredible bonuses — at zero cost … On top of enjoying total career freedom. Discover how it's done with our special report, 130 Amazing Perks and Freebies for Barefoot Writers (and How to Get Them!) — yours free with an $11 subscription to Barefoot Writer magazine. [Click Here Now For Details]( How to Monetize Your Writing Skills (Without Writing a Word) By Kathryn Aragon [freelance copyeditor working on laptop at desk] As writers, we're constantly looking for new and exciting writing projects. But there's another way to monetize your writing skills that's both fun and rewarding — and that is to become a copyeditor. And if you want to take your writing to the next level, copyediting will actually help you become a better writer. Let's take a look at the copyeditor's job and how you can add this valuable skill to your writer's tool belt. Copyediting Definition Copyediting is the craft of revising any writing project to improve its value, readability, and style. Now, that may bring up visions (nightmares?) of your high school English teacher pouring red ink over your essays. Thankfully, that's not what copyediting is about. As a copyeditor, you're a partner to the writer, helping them express themselves more effectively. You're also a partner to the business or publisher, ensuring the project will resonate with their audience and achieve their business goals. But you may be asking yourself, Is editing really necessary? The answer is Yes! Let's take a look. The Importance of Copyediting Every writer, no matter how skilled, needs an editor. You. Me. Even Stephen King. Writing is the act of crafting the message. Editing clarifies and amplifies the message, so the work can achieve its goals. Notice that word, goals. Beautifully written words are meaningless if they don't connect with the reader and achieve their intended goal. That's why editors evaluate every project through several lenses. "A good editor is someone who cares a little less about the author's needs than the reader's," says Dene October, author of Marco Polo and Enchanting David Bowie. And he's right. A good editor reads a project from the perspective of the reader. They see where the writer became a bit too focused on their words, or lost their train of thought, or muddied the waters by getting things out of order. As editor, you bring the message forward. You clarify it and polish it and make it shine. A good editor also reads a project from the perspective of the business or publisher. They understand its purpose and make sure it can drive those outcomes. Looking at it like this, copyeditors are mediators. They aim for a win-win-win, bridging the gaps between the writer, the reader, and the publisher. The Copyediting Job The copyeditor is an essential part of the writing process. Once the writer submits their work, the editor reviews it and prepares it for the next phase of the project — often, publication. That may involve marking up the writing, asking the writer to add sections, moving things around, and even a bit of writing or research. The editor checks for plagiarism and verifies that all quotes and proof elements are properly cited. They also make sure the project is well organized and easy to read. That means making sure the work has a logical flow, with no confusing tangents or gaps. Generally, 10% of a project's words can be trimmed — and never missed. The challenge, of course, is knowing which words can be cut. (Hint: Think adverbs, adjectives, articles, and phrases that don't really say anything.) As Truman Capote said, "I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil." The copyeditor's job is to identify the unnecessary bits and gaps, and work with the writer to fix those issues. What's Required to Succeed You don't have to be the best writer to be a great editor. In fact, the most important skill for copyediting success isn't grammar. It's critical thinking. You need to be able to see what the words really say. You need to be able to evaluate the flow of ideas and find stoppers and gaps that keep the message from shining through. You also need an eye for detail. You need to be able to zoom out to see the overall structure and message of the project, and then zoom in to catch awkward phrases and words that miss the mark. You need to know the mechanics of writing, including punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and grammar. But just as important are the soft skills of copyediting. You need to be able to collaborate with the writer and the client. And at the end of the day, each should feel you made their jobs easier — and their work better. The Opportunities Are Endless Because most businesses are publishing in one way or another — their blog, newsletters, e-books, and marketing campaigns, for example — copyeditors have a lot of options. You can hang your shingle as a freelance copyeditor, working with businesses and indie authors. Smaller companies often prefer to keep an editor on retainer than to hire someone full time. And book authors need a trusted copyeditor to help them get their book across the finish line. Another option is to take a job as an in-house editor. If a company has a blog, you can bet they need a copyeditor to review and edit every article before it's uploaded to the website. Companies that run a lot of direct-response campaigns also need an editor to review their lead magnets, reports, and an array of marketing pieces. But there's another opportunity that's a little closer to home. When you become a copyeditor, you become a master of the written word. And that affects your own writing for the better. Suddenly, your first drafts are cleaner and better. You're able to edit your own work and produce higher-quality projects for your clients. You become an in-demand writer and get paid better as a result. Bottom Line As a writer, you're likely aware of the importance of continually developing your craft. That includes grammar and style, but it also includes adjacent skills, such as copyediting. The difference, of course, is that copyediting can take your writing career to new heights. Which means the question isn't should you learn copyediting. It's when will you start? To give you the best foundation, [what you need is here]( in our new copyediting program. From your role in the copy process … to the mechanics of editing and proofing … to understanding how to use a style guide … to the importance of accessibility … to where to find clients … and everything in between … It's all in the program! [Check it out today]( — it's your last chance to grab it at a big discount. What's Hot at AWAI … 👉 LAST CHANCE: [Grab our copyediting program for just $297!]( 🔥 [Get up to 90% off our most popular programs during our 4th of July Sale!]( ✔️ [Your ESSENTIAL copywriting checklist.]( 👀 Don't miss our Inside AWAI session, Make a Great Living as a Lead-Gen Copywriter, tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. [Grab access instructions here!]( 🤩 ICYMI: Inside a Copyediting Agency with EditorNinja Founder John Doherty. [Watch Katie's interview with John here.]( 😄 Want stronger copy? [Check out these seven tips.]( 🙌 Check out the all-star lineup of powerhouse speakers set for AWAI's 2023 Copywriting Success & Getting Clients Bootcamp [here](! Way to get your foot in the door, Peggy! [Social media post about reaching out to a client about future copyediting work] Editing is a great way to get in with prospects. Good job reaching out to a new client and setting yourself up for future work, Peggy! (To get started as a copyeditor today, [check this out](.) Have your own story to share? Email us at mysuccess@awai.com, or [post it over in the Facebook group](, so we can celebrate your win too! Free Training: Make a Great Living as Led-Gen Copywriter [Inside AWAI with Pam Foster and Rachael Kraft Lead-Gen Copywriting Become a Rainmaker for Companies] Friday, July 7, at 11 a.m. ET 👇 [Access Instructions Here]( Full Access for Just $1!!! This free blueprint shows you how to make $2,500 to $8,000 a month as a writer. And for just a buck, you'll gain access to every resource you'll need to execute that blueprint. All the roadmaps … All the articles … All the how-to videos … All the training webinars … The member forum, the job board, the tutorials, the tools … All of it! [Check It Out Now]( Featured Jobs You can find these jobs and thousands more on [WritersWanted.com](: --------------------------------------------------------------- Website Content Writer (freelance) — Thrive Internet Marketing Agency Contract, Remote Create, develop, and manage high-quality, engaging, SEO-optimized and conversion-centered content for client's web presence. 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