As an individual or business, any writing that represents who you are and what you do needs to be professional, precise, and, above all, correct. Let me put the polish in your work.
SERVICES
The type of work that I am available to assist with include, but are not limited to print collateral, business plans, proposals, business correspondence, website content, newsletters, user manuals, and theses. Below is a list of the services I offer, and their descriptions:
Proofreading
Proofreading is the must-have, last step of the process before you publish or print your work. It is the minimum that you would want to spend on your project to ensure that it is professional and has no embarrassing mistakes, which are possible even with the most seasoned professionals. However, to make best use of any proofreading service, you should ensure that the content of your work has already been edited, as proofreading will not make up for awkward wording or incorrect information.
Proofreading includes the correction or revision of the following:
- Spelling (e.g. American vs. Canadian English)
- Grammar (e.g. subject-verb agreement, misplaced modifiers, sentence fragments)
- Punctuation and Mechanics (e.g., quotation marks, hyphens, commas, semi-colons)
- Diction (e.g., word usage, as in imminent vs. eminent)
- Cross-references (e.g., “See Illustration 23 on page 114”)
- Consistency in numerals, fonts, capitalization, sequencing in lists, and formatting (following client guidelines if applicable)
Copy Line Editing
Copy line editing adds a level of judgment and critical thinking to the process. Your work would be edited line by line, which may involve some restructuring to improve flow and provision of suggested alternatives throughout the work. Depending on the amount of editing required, and in order to ensure the accuracy of the edited piece, some coordination and clarification with you may be necessary.
Copy line editing includes the following:
- Proofreading (as described above)
- Changing text and headings to achieve parallel structure
- Enforcing consistent style and tone
- Changing from passive voice to active voice, if requested
- Enforcing client style guides, if requested
- Flagging and/or revision of:
- Inappropriate figures of speech
- Ambiguous or incorrect statements
- Discrepancies in logic
- Discrepancies in tone and voice
- Rough transitions
- Wordiness, triteness, and inappropriate jargon and acronyms
- Over-used vocabulary
- Awkward syntax
HOW IT WORKS
Obtaining a Quote
The first step is to e-mail me at vania@bestwordforward.com with the following information:
- Electronic file of your work, in whole or in part
- Brief description of your project
- Length of work (word count)
- Special style requirements
- Type of service required
- Deadlines
Upon receipt of your information, I will contact you for further clarification as required and let you know when you can expect to receive the quote (usually within 24 hours). The quote that I send will detail the scope of work, milestones, price and payment schedule, and final delivery date. If the quote is acceptable to you, I will send you the contract to sign. Once I receive the signed contract and deposit (for flat-fee projects), work will commence.
Submitting Your Work
Electronic Files: I accept files created in Word, PowerPoint, Keynote, Illustrator, Indesign. However, I recommend Word because is the only format I accept that supports the Track Changes feature, which makes note of every change I make and allows you to either accept or reject each one. All editing is done within the electronic files you provide.
Hard Copies: I only accept hard copies for printed marketing collateral such as brochures, media kits, and signage. All other documents must be submitted in electronic format.
Communication
Once work commences, I will keep you informed of my progress. Since I may need to contact you for clarification or discuss issues as they arise, I will request that you be available through e-mail or phone in order to avoid delays in the schedule. Of course, you are always welcome to contact me with questions, concerns, or changes along the way.
FEE STRUCTURE*
My fee structure reflects the fact that different types of work and clients may require different ways to engage my services.
1. Flat fee:
Finite projects such as articles, manuals, websites, etc. typically work best on a flat-fee basis. The final quote will vary, depending on the type and length/size of project, amount of work involved, special style requirements, and deadlines.
After reviewing a sample of your work, I will send you a quote that includes a description of services, special requests, deadlines, project cost, and payment schedule. Please see the ‘How it Works’ section below for more information on quotes and payment.
2. Hourly Retainer:
A retainer system is often advantageous for businesses that have a relatively steady need for proofreading and/or editing services and want to work within a fixed monthly budget. With this system, my services are a convenient call or e-mail away, and costs are contained, as services will not exceed the budgeted allowance without prior approval. I charge by the hour and track my time in 15-minute increments, detailing the work on each monthly invoice.
3. Hourly Pay-as-you-go:
Pay-as-you-go may be more suitable for businesses and individuals that have either an occasional or less predictable need for proofreading and/or copyediting. As with retainers, I charge by the hour and track my time in 15-minute increments, detailing the work on each monthly invoice. However, with hourly pay-as-you-go, there is a minimum charge per project of $50 (one hour of my time).
*All prices are in Canadian dollars, and GST/HST will be added for applicable provinces
Payment
For flat-fee work, payment installments can vary with the size and length of the project, and all require a deposit prior to commencement of work. For most small- to medium-sized projects, half is due upfront, and half at 50% completion. For rush projects (one week or less), full payment is required upfront.
Hourly retainers and pay-as-you-go arrangements are billed monthly.
I accept payments via Paypal and cheque.
