Editorial consultancyWhat I’ll do for youThis service can give businesses and other organisations guidance on developing their written materials, to make them as effective as possible.
I can advise you on:
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Depending on what we agree, I’ll assess some or all of your written materials, considering some or all of those factors. Then I’ll send you a report with my findings and recommendations, along with a new or revised style guide (more on this below) if that’s part of our agreed scope.
This can help you to shape the tone, style and presentation of your writing in the future, and make it more straightforward for editors and proofreaders to check it.
This can help you to shape the tone, style and presentation of your writing in the future, and make it more straightforward for editors and proofreaders to check it.
What is a style guide?
Not all elements of spelling, grammar, punctuation and so on are governed by cast-iron ‘rules’. Some are less well defined, and are subject to editorial style choices. For example:
- Spelling conventions: UK vs US, ‘ise’ vs ‘ize’ endings, ‘adviser’ vs ‘advisor’ etc.
- When to use capitals, hyphens and italics
- Single vs double quotes
- Numbers – for example: whether to use words or numerals; ‘£2m’ vs ‘£2 million’
A style guide is a set of guidelines that reflect an organisation’s preferences about things such as these.
It can help your organisation to project a coherent identity and professional image. It will help to make sure your written materials, such as website content, brochures and newsletters, have a consistent ‘look and feel’.
When a number of people are involved in the writing and editing, or it’s done over a long period, inconsistencies are especially likely to creep in. A documented house style, with someone to enforce it, can help you to avoid this.
I can help you by writing a new style guide or enhancing an existing one.
It can help your organisation to project a coherent identity and professional image. It will help to make sure your written materials, such as website content, brochures and newsletters, have a consistent ‘look and feel’.
When a number of people are involved in the writing and editing, or it’s done over a long period, inconsistencies are especially likely to creep in. A documented house style, with someone to enforce it, can help you to avoid this.
I can help you by writing a new style guide or enhancing an existing one.
Why me?
With my long experience of editing and proofreading, I have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of these issues, and can give you sound advice on good practice. I’ve completed training courses on developmental and structural editing, and in editing into plain language.
I’m a member of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), and I’ve been leading an initiative in the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) to help ensure that its communications are written plainly.
I’m a member of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), and I’ve been leading an initiative in the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) to help ensure that its communications are written plainly.
▶️ Get in touch to discuss how my consultancy work can benefit you.
