Why is copy editing important to PR?

Ensure external communications appeal to media with copy editing

As a public relations firm, we believe it’s important to provide you with a white-glove experience. One of the ways we do that is by offering comprehensive PR solutions and value-added services at no additional cost. One of those services is copy editing all content and documents that we share with the media, post on a newswire, or otherwise submit on your company’s behalf.

For Axia Public Relations, utilizing a copy editor ensures we produce clean, flawless products for publication – including following current U.S. English, the Associated Press Stylebook, our own style guide, and other standards – on behalf of our clients. Specifically, AP Style is a style and usage guide that professional journalists use to write and format their stories. We uphold those same standards to communicate in the news media’s preferred language. We also know how important it is to create a consistent brand and to provide messaging that’s easily digestible and engaging for consumers.

What is copy editing?

Copy editing is a tool to ensure that every written word an individual or company produces supports the goals of those writing them. This service ensures the basic mechanics are correct (spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, etc.) and the visual presentation (typeface, spacing, etc.) is professional and appealing. Depending on the desired depth and scope of work, copy editing can also entail more benefits like:

Ensuring consistency of voice and style
Cursory fact-checking
Checking every sentence and paragraph for singleness of meaning and logical presentation
Suggesting changes and inserting comments to draw attention to unclear passages
Improving flow and impact from one idea to the next
Padding or trimming as word counts demand
Tightening up copy for clarity and conciseness
Reworking text to ensure it delivers a clear and cohesive message

Whether the copy is for a news release, blog post, letter, email, web page, story pitch, contract, poster, brochure, advertisement, or even a simple contacts list, it’s prudent to run it by a copy editor before sending it out.

What’s the difference between copy editing and proofreading?

Proofreading is similar to copy editing and less extensive. It covers the basic mechanics like spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Copy editing will go deeper to address the visuals (typeface, spacing, page breaks, image placement, etc.) as well as the bones of the message itself. This includes details as minor as replacing single words with better-fitting alternatives or as involved as reworking entire blocks of text for better clarity, flow, and impact.

What does a copy editor do?

Copy editing involves four basic elements: reading, applying, fixing, and double-checking. The first and most obvious step is for the editor to read the provided copy. Then, the editor must apply the client’s preferred manual of style to that copy. Whether that style is a circulated manual of style, such as AP Style, or an internal style sheet specific to the client, the copy editor will ensure correct and consistent use of mechanical and visual elements throughout the piece. Adhering to the prescribed voice and style, the editor amends, adjusts, fact- and link-checks, polishes and sometimes rewrites to produce pristine copy. Once a final read-through confirms perfection, the editor sends the copy back for the client’s stamp of approval.

Axia wants to be a long-term partner with your company, which is why we provide copy editing, media monitoring, and spokesperson training as value-added services with our long-term campaigns. For many companies, having a copy editor on hand is an added expense. We’re pleased to offer this service at no additional cost, ensuring we present impeccable content for and about your company and saving you money in the long run. Don’t believe us? Check out the cost of an in-house public relations department and call us to manage your long-term PR efforts.