Business Editing
Friday, April 9th, 2010
Set up a successful blog to promote your writing career. With either your own website, or using a free blogging platform, you can attract readers from around the world.
 There is no doubt that the internet has changed the writing world. Not only does it provide a new means for writers to get published, but it also opens a new avenue for writers to promote and market themselves. The creation of a successful website can enhance a writer’s reputation, resulting in an increase in sales. It could also attract attention to the writing of an otherwise unpublished author, giving that author the exposure that he or she needs in order to secure an agent or publishing contract.
Blogging can be an excellent way to keep readers coming back to your website, and thus, to build a growing readership. When choosing a host for your blog, there are many free blogging platforms, such as Blogger or WordPress. These are ideal if you’re looking for a quick, cheap, and easy way to start your blog. Alternatively, if you’re interested in having more control over your website, buying your own web address could be the right choice. Either way, when choosing your web address, remember to keep it simple and logical, so that it’s easy for your readers to remember; simply using your pen name can be a good idea.
When it comes time to start uploading those all-important posts, remember to keep the content relevant. If you created the writing blog to help promote your writing career, then stick to that subject. This is what readers will come to your blog expecting and wanting to read more about: you as a writer. It’s best to keep any unrelated venting about your personal life on a separate blog. Additionally, it’s always good to offer your readers something useful to take away with them, such as information about your latest published work and where to find it, advice on the writing process, any writer’s workshops that you’ve enjoyed, or editors and editorial services that you’ve found helpful (such as, First Editing).
Of course, as with any piece of writing, make sure your blog posts read smoothly and cleanly, free from any distracting spelling and grammatical errors that may undermine your credibility as a writer. Remember to always proofread before you publish! If in doubt, submit it to a professional editing service, such as FirstEditing.com. We’ll be happy to polish your blog posts for you.
Tags: blog, blogging, blogging for writers, editing, Editing Skills & Services, editors, First, firstediting.com, How to, how to blog, Professional Editing, successful blogging, writers
Posted in Book Editing, Book Editors, Business Editing, Copy Editing, Editing Skills & Services, Fiction Editing, Manuscript Editing, Newsletters, Novel Editing, Proofreading, Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | No Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
 Yesterday we explained, How to Write a Press Release. Now that you’ve written your release, knowing how to send your release will ensure that it’s sent to the right hands for distribution. You’ve got the perfect event/product and you’ve managed to draft the perfect press release to highlight it. Now all you need is the right audience. Below is a list of tips on how to effectively get your press release into the hands of the media.
Query first
Compile your list of potential recipients by selecting the editors and journalists who may be most interested in what you have to say. Now comes the hard part – the best way to get your press release seen is to query each media outlet via phone or snail mail to ensure that they accept emailed press releases, and to obtain the most up-to-date contact information on where to send them to avoid the dreaded spam folders.
Know your audience
Get the full name, position, and email for the appropriate contact for your release. Sending a press release without specific contact information is the equivalent to folding your press release into a paper airplane and throwing it out your window. Only send your press release to one person per news outlet. The biggest complaint from editors? Receiving press releases that have nothing to do with what they publish.
Fax is dead
Send your press release via email; a stressed editor is more likely to grab a story from a format that lends itself to cut-and-paste. If you can make it easy for them to print your story, why not do it?
Don’t get attached
Format your email carefully. Don’t send your full press release as an attachment; due to the prevalence of computer viruses it is becoming standard practice to delete unsolicited emails with attachments unopened. Instead, include a ‘teaser’ of your press release in the body of the email, with a link to the full press release as it appears on your website.
Timing is everything
Mid-week is usually the best time to send out your press release, as editors aren’t swamped after the weekend but still have time to follow up with you prior to the next weekend. Avoid sending out press releases in and around known holidays.
Think big, but don’t be afraid to start small
Begin by reading the news; the content of your press release may unexpectedly become a hot topic. Trade publications, regional or local newspapers, free weekly newspapers or magazines, e-zines, newsletters, or other niche-market publications are all good places to send your press releases, in addition to national papers and high-circulation magazines. Remember, any exposure is good exposure!
Your editor at FirstEditing.com can review your release to make sure it’s consistent, error-free, properly formatted, and ready for distribution.
Tags: distribution, editing, Editing Skills & Services, editors, First, firstediting.com, How to, media, Press, Press Release, professional, Professional Editing, release
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
 A press, or news, release is a statement issued to the media to announce a range of news items, including events, awards, or new products or services, in order to generate feature news stories. In light of their aim, press releases need to be two things: accurate and interesting.
Journalists receive truckloads of press releases every day and therefore have standards as to what they expect to be included in each release.
The best way to tackle the fearsome press release is by answering the most basic questions every journalist asks when covering a story:
Who – What – Where – When – Why
Once you’ve got all of that information nailed down, you’re ready to begin drafting your press release.
The Headline
The headline is your chance to grab the attention of the journalist – remember, with press releases, you only get one shot. Encapsulate the content of your press release in one sharp, concise, and catchy sentence. Bold and center your headline on the page.
The Body
Begin with the date and city in which the news item originated; this can be done in point form.
Now, pull together your “who – what – where – when – why” into short, concise sentences that explains in brief detail what your press release is about.
Use the third paragraph to give your press release a personal touch here – expose the ‘human interest’ side of your news item. Why will people care? Who will be affected? Explain in further detail why your item is newsworthy. Make it engaging and make it catchy. If it’s appealing, a journalist will bite.
Finally, don’t forget to include your contact information. The contact info you include should be specific to each press release, and should include the following:
Company name
Media department’s name and contact person (if applicable)
Business address
Telephone & fax numbers with proper country/city codes and extension numbers
Mobile phone number
Email addresses
Website address
Time of availability for contact
Final Tips
Use the Times New Roman font in size 12 to keep your press release clean and simple. Flashy fonts and layouts aren’t going to win you any points – they just mean more work for editors.
Keep it to one page. Once you’ve got a feel for writing press releases your goal should be to have your press releases published as-is. Papers today have shrinking page counts and are often short-staffed; if you can provide copy that’s publishable with little-to-no editing, you’re more likely to see your press release in print.
While creating a press release may need some practice, remember that you are not alone. Having another pair of eyes reviewing your press release is a very good idea. A professional editor, such as the editors at FirstEditing.com will review your press release for editing and formatting to ensure your press release is perfected and ready for media submission.
Come back tomorrow when we explain “How to send your press release”
Tags: editing, editors, First, firstediting.com, formatting, How to, How to write a press release, journalists, media, news, news release, Press, Press Release, Professional Editing, professional editor
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Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Editing, whether it is for an academic journal, a short story submission, or a non-fiction manuscript for publishing, always follows basic rules of grammar and punctuation. This blog will help you learn the basic rules of em dashes and ellipses, and how to use them accurately in your work. While this blog will assist fiction writers most often, this is a useful skill to have in your writing arsenal.
The em dash
 Em Dash The em dash is a longer dash that is similar to a hyphen. It is used to show a pause in a quote that is all one sentence, and it is also used to show when one sentence trails off and another begins.
For example,
“I hope that you have told me the truth – you don’t always.” This quote is all one sentence, but there was a pause in between the words truth and you that are represented by the em dash.
OR
“He just walked right in through the – He didn’t even think to announce his presence!” This shows that one sentence trailed off and another began – NOTE the capital letter to begin the second sentence.
When typing in Microsoft Word, you can prompt one of these dashes by placing a space after the last letter of the word, hitting the hyphen key (next to the zero) and then pressing your spacebar again before typing the next word. Most Microsoft Word applications use an auto format that will insert the em dash for you.
Ellipses
 Ellipsis
In contrast, the ellipsis is used to show when a thought trails off and the sentence is incomplete. It is a series of three dots.
For example,
“I just couldn’t believe what he was…” she muttered, as if to herself.
These quotation marks most often trip up fiction writers, as they’re used often in dialogue. However, whether you are writing a fiction piece, or working on an academic submission, please remember that the professional editors at Firstediting.com are always here to assist you with your work. Happy Writing!
Tags: editing, editors, ellipses, firstediting, Professional Editing, Proofreading, The em dash, writing tips
Posted in Book Editing, Book Editors, Business Editing, Christian Writing, Copy Editing, Editing Skills & Services, Fiction Editing, Manuscript Editing, Newsletters, Novel Editing, Proofreading, Technical Editing, Thesis/Research Writing, Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | No Comments »
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
Editing your own work can oftentimes be a daunting task; however, there are some basic guidelines you can follow while writing and editing your work or that of others, which can make the process much less challenging. The following guidelines, as well as some accompanying examples, have been cited directly from William Strunk JR. and E.B. White’s “The Elements of Style: 50th Anniversary Edition“, a definite must-read for every writer and editor!
1. Form the possessive of singular nouns by adding ’s, unless it is the possessive of an ancient proper name.
For example: James’s house Moses’ law
2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last. This is often referred to as the “serial comma.”
For example: apples, bananas, and oranges purple, yellow, and red
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas.
For example: My brother, John Smith, is a well-renowned police officer. While we were on our way to New York, a tiring drive, to say the least, we stopped many times to enjoy the scenery.
4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause.
For example: The road was slippery, but we continued to drive to the movie theatre. The house was a beautiful sight, and the gardens were absolutely magnificent.
5. Do not break sentences in two. Basically, do not use periods for commas.
For example: Incorrect: She was an interesting talker. A woman who had traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries. Correct: She was an interesting talker, a woman who traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries.
6. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation.
For example: Lisa’s grocery list contained a mere three important items: bread, milk, and eggs.
7. Use a dash to set off an abrupt break of interruption and to announce a long appositive or summary.
For example: His first thought on getting out of bed—if he had any thought at all—was to get back in again.
By no means are these seven items an exhaustive list of things to look out for while writing and editing; however, they’re definitely a good place to start. I will be sure to revisit this topic again in a future blog to highlight more items to take note of during the editing process. Hiring a professional editor, such as the editors at FirstEditing.com can ensure that your document is perfect and ready for publication.
Gina
Editor Specializing in Business Editing Services for FirstEditing.com
Tags: editing, editors, professional editor, Proofreading, punctuation, writing tips
Posted in Book Editing, Book Editors, Business Editing, Copy Editing, Editing Skills & Services, Fiction Editing, Manuscript Editing, Novel Editing, Proofreading, Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
It may be appropriate to use sexist (or gender specific) language in a novel or religious writing, but there are very few times when you can or should appropriately identify a character, individual, or subject using only a masculine form of the word. And, using a combination (him/her) is cumbersome.
In educational writing (course assignments or research papers), journalism, and in business, sexism in the use of language is discrimination. Style manuals, office policies and procedures, and employee handbooks and are excellent resources for using gender-neutral language. And, it is important to be gender neutral. Not being gender neutral can be a costly mistake. I know a manager who tosses resumes and job application letters into the “Do Not Interview” pile when she spies sexist uses of the language. It does not make a good impression in these gender-neutral times.
Use of sexist language most often occurs with third-person masculine pronouns (he, him, his, himself) or with job titles that include a gender preference (fireman, chairman, foreman) (Andersen, R. 1994). Words such as stewardess, waiter or waitress, actor and actress have been changed to a gender-neutral format: flight attendant, server, actor.
There are also sexist words that are not job titles but relate to a group of people: mankind, the average man, manned, all men. In exchange, words such as people, average person, staffed, and all people should be used. In technical writing, “ensure that the reception desk is manned 24 hours” should be replaced with “staffed 24 hours.”
After monkeys flew into space and we moved on to using astronauts, we had “manned spacecraft.” Certainly that wording is no longer appropriate.
What are some options for ensuring that your writing is gender neutral? First, adopt the titles that are in use today:
- Letter carrier
- Chairperson or Chair
- Spokesperson
- Flight Attendant
- Police Officer
- Server
- Firefighter
- Host (no Hostesses)
- Journalist, Writer
- Actor (no Actresses)
- Sportsperson
- And, don’t use male nurses to distinguish from nurses (female)
Most businesses and workplaces now use administrative assistant or word-processor or assistant rather than secretary as a position title.
If you are using female and male wording together, make sure that they have equal treatment. Examples include:
Ladies and Gentlemen or Men and Women
but not: Men and Ladies
Husband and Wife
but not: Man and Wife (Yes-change the wedding vows)
John and Mary Doe or John Doe and Mary Jones
but not: John Doe and wife Mary
If using a sentence where the subject can be he or she or him or her, try to find another way to write the sentence without using him/her or he/she. For example, the sentence:
Prior to giving a patient medications, make sure that you verify his/her name by checking their identification bracelet.
Change the wording to:
Prior to giving a patient medication, make sure to verify their names by checking the identification bracelet.
Or even better:
Check the patient’s identification bracelet to ensure that it matches the name on the prescription prior to administering medications.
Another example:
A researcher should submit his proposal by December 15 (Do not use he to mean both men and women)
Each physician must submit his patient reports within 24 hours.
Better examples are:
The proposal deadline for researchers is December 15.
Each physician must file patient reports within 24 hours.
Watch the use of the language especially in public relation materials, advertisements or job applications and in your speech. It is very easy to alienate new customers, clients or potential employees by using sexist language. Sexist language in your business writing (e.g. memos, emails, articles, technical writing) is not professional and may at times, be illegal, violate human resources policies and procedures and not meet style guidelines. So, in editing your materials, ensure that you use gender neutral language at all times.
An excellent example that illustrates that “man or he” cannot stand for both men and women is this sentence (Andersen, 1994)
“Modern man no longer pampers himself during pregnancy. He works almost up until the day of delivery and is back at work within a few weeks of leaving the hospital.”
p.48
Reference:
Andersen, R. (1994). Powerful Writing Skills. National Press Publications, a division of Rockhurst College Continuing Education Center, Inc.
Tags: gender neutral, gender neutral language, gender specific, sexist language
Posted in Business Editing, Proofreading, Writer's Tips | 3 Comments »
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