Reasons to Hire a Proofreader or Editor

Three of the most popular writing services available today are known as proofreading, editing, and rewriting services. The most unfamiliar to you among these is likely to be rewriting, also known as “paraphrasing”, which is not the focus of this article. Instead, proofreading and editing is the focus, and – in particular – the question of why to hire proofreaders or editors.

Good writing relies on strong proofreading and editing services, and receiving a rewriting service where necessary can also be beneficial. The general case for hiring a proofreader or editor arises from clients – whether students, businesses, authors, or scientists – who are interested in working with an expert to optimise their chance of publication.

Five other, more specific, reasons why you should hire a proofreader or editor are given below:

 

1. Save yourself some time

Having a proofreader or editor check over your work will save you around 30-60 minutes for every 1,000 words included in your manuscript. If you are a researcher, businessperson, or student who wants to maximise your productivity, avoiding spending 5 hours (or more) proofreading or editing your 5,000-word journal can prove definitive in advancing your standing.

 

2. Save yourself the frustration

Editors and proofreaders have streamlined and perfected the process of checking documents for accuracy, flow, spelling, referencing (in-text and end-of-text), grammar, punctuation, readability, concision, general English language editing, and all other areas relevant to publication. They can execute the task quickly, systematically, and effectively, whereas you – working alone on your document – are not as well-positioned to improve your manuscript.

 

3. Enhance academic and scientific writing

To ensure you write with the concision, clarity, and matter-of-factness required in academic, technical, and scientific writing, working with an experienced editor is essential. Many experienced proofreaders are available who can assist you with this task, but if your document is currently in very bad shape, contacting an editor rather than a proofreader is strongly recommended.

 

4. A new look

When you work with an editor, you don’t just get a fresh pair of eyes; at the same time, your manuscript receives an overhaul. The editor’s role is to ensure that your document is as strong as it can be, and unlike a friend or colleague – who might hesitate to suggest that you should delete a section or change some content in your written work – a qualified and experienced editor is ideally positioned to look at your document with a critical and constructive perspective.

 

5. Develop other projects

If you are a busy researcher, student, or professional, balancing several projects at a time can be challenging. For this reason, working with a proofreader or editor can lighten your workload, allowing you to focus on multiple long-term tasks simultaneously. For example, if you are publishing a book, you can recruit an editor to work with you on the proposal, editing, and formatting phases; and you can work with other editors and proofreaders at the same time to prepare job or university applications, to write letters, or to create marketing or research materials.