Proofreading vs copyediting vs copywriting

How are proofreading, copyediting and copywriting different? Here's a quick guide so you can make sure you get the best from anyone you hire to help you with words.

1. Proofreading

A proofreader addresses the question, 'Is this writing technically correct?'

So they look at

• spelling
• grammar
• punctuation
• consistency of formatting

Spelling and grammar are fairly obvious. Punctuation is actually harder than spelling, but it can make all the difference. Look at these two sentences:

Woman, without her man, is nothing.

Woman; without her, man is nothing.

As for consistency of formatting - where there's more than one ‘correct’ option, to make your writing look professional, you need to pick one option and stick to it. For example:

• Is it ‘organise’ or ‘organize’? (Both are accepted in Australian English.)
• Is it ‘ebook’ or ‘e-book’ or ‘Ebook’ or ‘E-book’?
• Do you write titles in sentence case? Or Do You Write Them In Title Case?

2. Copyediting

Copy editors ask a different question: 'Does this writing flow smoothly and clearly?'

All the proofreader's concerns about grammar, spelling and punctuation are just as relevant here. Errors can trip readers up. But the copy editor also considers the way words are used. Ambiguity, complex sentences, transitions between sentences and so on.

Still not sure about proofreading vs copyediting? Here's an example to show the difference.

Look at how the copy editor changes the last sentence. The proofreader makes it grammatically correct; the copy editor makes it easier to follow.

Personally, I'd recommend copyediting rather than proofreading.

Note also that writing is not like maths. There isn't always one correct answer. You may not like some edits your copy editor makes. That's fine. Talk about it. Work out something you can both agree is clear and suitable.

3. Copywriting

Copywriting is a whole new ballgame. The most obvious difference is that you don't have to provide the first draft. Instead, you provide a brief, either written or verbal.

Just as important, but less obvious, is that the copywriter has a different goal. Copywriters produce writing which drives readers to take action.

Is your copywriter doing a good job?

If you're reviewing something a copywriter wrote for you, the key question to ask is, 'Does this writing push the reader to do something?'

There are a whole range of related questions you can ask:

• Does it pull the reader in? Titles, headings and first sentences matter! The very first thing a piece of writing has to do it get you to start reading.
• Does it promise some kind of benefit? There has to be a reason it's worth you doing whatever the writer (and their client) want you to do.
• Does it paint a picture? Can you imagine either the delights which await once you act, or the horrors if you don't? That's what triggers emotion and makes someone more likely to act.
• What proof is there that you can trust the promise? If you don't believe in the promise, you won't act. Simple as that.
• Finally, is there a push to act? The 'call to action'. A big button to click. A contact form. A phone number in huge font.

If your copywriter's providing all this, they're doing a good job.

If they're not, talk to them. (Or to me! ??)

Which writing service do you need?

Now you're clear on the difference, you can decide what you want.

Here at NoBull Marketing, the focus is on copywriting.

Our clients are smart, educated, savvy people. They can express themselves clearly, and they know how to use a spellchecker, or Grammarly.?But grabbing the reader's attention, then painting a picture which persuades them to act is much harder. That's what I do. It's about making the words work harder.

I also do some copyediting.

I don't offer proofreading. Whenever I start proofreading, I also start copyediting - because if I'm going to spend time working on someone else's writing, I want to make it shine. Just the way I want everything I write to shine.

So if you want the words in your marketing to work harder, I'd love to chat. Please drop me a line or reach out and connect.