#Challenges of an Editor: Pricing and the Case for Value

One of the challenges I face as an #editor is convincing clients to pay well to get their writings spruced-up.

This can be super tricky.

At first, I get this kind of feedback after telling them my fee:

“Please now, is it not just to help me correct the mistakes? It’s something my sister can even do sef, but I just feel I should give it to you since you are an experienced writer.”

Fast forward to when I’m done editing or rewriting the manuscript for the client after all the back-and-forth haggling is done, I get this:

 "Wow! I couldn’t have written it this better. Thank you so so much. It’s really good!” 

This comes as no surprise to me though.

Most authors/clients tend to have a bias towards their work, and, as at the time of writing, they are likely to feel that there couldn’t be a better way to express their ideas. 

But that's a sheer fallacy.

So long as the proverbial room for improvement never gets occupied, writers (including me) need the help of a second or third critical eye to go over their drafts, especially if it’s a really important piece of writing.

I recently edited a paper for a client on the theme: "Domestic Violence in Nigeria". From her very first statement, it was clear she needed to work on making her use of language precise and concise.

What the client wrote:

"Fighting and beating in the home amongst parents and sometimes even including the children is a very bad thing that is not making my country Nigeria to move forward ever."

What I recommended:

"Domestic violence is a menace that cogs the wheel of progress in Nigeria."

There are several kinds of editing. What I have just done for her is called line editing. And I would go on to do this for every sentence she had drafted.

Depending on the genre, the timing of delivery, and the nature of editing to be done on the manuscript, experienced editors can charge anything from N500 to N5000 per page. I know editors who even charge more than N5000 per page. Others charge per hour of work done on the manuscript. Whatever works for each one. 

Any other suggestions on how her original statement could have been improved?

And if you're an editor, what are some of the challenges you face? Do well to share with me.

Meanwhile, you can contact me for your professional manuscript makeover.

Or refer me to someone whose writing will sure need some.

P.S.: My charges are wallet-friendly...