Is the copy editor more important than the writer? Where does a proofer fit in? What’s the difference between a copywriter and a copy editor? Are they the same person?
For the uninitiated, the jargon used by professional writing teams can be confusing. In fact, you may be using these terms interchangeably not realizing they denote different things. So, if you find yourself unclear about who does what and when in the writing process, here’s what you need to know.
It Takes 3 to Tango
To the non-writers of the world, it seems like three different people at three different times in the process are entirely unnecessary. But they are 100% wrong.
The division of roles strengthens your content and ensures the right hat is worn by the right person at the right time to create memorable—and effective—messages.
A Copywriter Writes
No, seriously. A copywriter just writes.
Think of it this way: a copywriter is an artist. In the writing process, you start with them.
A talented copywriter challenges themselves to be as creative as possible when crafting your message. You want the copywriter focused on using the imaginative, free-thinking part of their brain—not the analytical side.
You don’t want them worried (or focused) on the mundane. Let someone else worry about style, grammar, and flow. Let your copywriter create. Their editor will reign them in and keep them on track when necessary.
A Copy Editor Edits
Behind very successful writer is a sharp, strategic copy editor. Moreover, the marriage between a creative copywriter and shrewd copy editor is pure magic when the right minds come together. Neither one is more important than the other in the process—and they can’t be the same person.
Rather, they are the union of a creative mind and a strategic mind, both of which is necessary for the success of any persuasive message. If the writer is the artist, the copy editor is their sage—their wisdom will elevate a copywriter’s work and improve it.
How so? Well, the copy editor speaks the same language as the copywriter, but while the copywriter is invested in creativity, the editor is all about strategy. They look at the content from 30,000 feet above and asks critical questions, like does this piece achieve its ambition? If not, how is it missing the mark? They see what needs to change—specifically, how it needs to change—to achieve its ambition.
A strong copy editor doesn’t just offer critical feedback. They see the flaws in content, AND they know how to fix them.
A copy editor may rewrite a piece directly, or offer feedback to the writer on how to improve their message, but at the end of the day, their job is to find the problems with content and fix them. A copy editor is also responsible for checking the content for grammar, style, spelling, and punctuation issues before it is sent over to the proofer.
A Proofer Looks for Errors
When a piece is nearly done—meaning it has been written, edited, laid out, and designed—it is ready to go to a proofer.
A proofers job is different than a copy editor, though they may seem like there is overlap to the uninitiated. The easiest way to explain the difference is to say the proofer is a finisher, not a writer and not an editor.
The proofer is looking at a mockup of what is essentially a finished product. They should focus on finding egregious mistakes that slipped through in the editing, design, and layout process. They standardize formatting per page and make sure you remain consistent in your use of grammar and style throughout the entirety of the piece.
Proofers don’t rewrite work; they don’t tell a writer what’s wrong with their message, they don’t suggest different ways to improve upon a point, or offer alternative words based on connotation.
Think of it this way; a proofer shouldn’t offer ways to improve your writers work—they are only looking to fix egregious errors that somehow slipped through. If your proofer is coming back with suggestions for improvement, they aren’t truly proofing.
Unlike the copywriter and the copy editor, the proofer has no skin in the game. They are the final set of eyes before your work is released to the masses and they are there to make sure you don’t go out the door with egg on your face.
All Equally Important
No one person is more important than the other in the process. All three hats are critical to crafting compelling and memorable content. They work together to ensure your content is creative, strategic, and free from errors.
Rhiannon Pickus 