How to Become an Editor

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With the increasing number of publications out there these days (especially online), there’s a large demand for editors, so those who have an interest in this type of position may find themselves wondering how to become an editor, in addition to questions like, “what is an editor’s salary?” While typical salaries can vary from state to state and position to position, the average editor can expect to make around $50,000 per year, according to Forbes. However, you can’t typically become an editor overnight; there are some steps you’ll want to follow for the best success.
 
What is an Editor – Book Editor Job Description 
An editor works to perfect articles by proofreading, and correcting written material.   Editors can work in many different areas such as magazines, advertising, and for newspapers. If your interested in reading more on what is an editor, click here.
 
Decide on an Area of Expertise

Interested in how to become and editor?  First of all, understand that there are many different types of editors out there, and the question of “what is an editors salary?” can vary based on which specific position you find yourself in. You’ll need to decide on a specific career path that’s right for you. Some examples of common editor positions include:

  • sports editors
  • copy editors
  • legal editor
  • technical/publishing editor

You don’t need to be 100% set on one type of editing, but having an idea of where your interests lie can help.

Obtain a Degree and Gain Experience

What are the requirements to be an editor?  While you may not need a college degree in all situations in terms of how to become an editor, it certainly helps. A degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field can provide you with the education and experience needed to be successful as an editor down the road. A Bachelor’s degree or even a Master’s is a great stepping stone. However, you’ll also want to gain some real-world experience in the field as much as possible while in college.

A good way to do this is to write for your school paper, serve as an editor for a magazine, or even complete some freelance editing here and there. This will get you on the right path in terms of how to become an editor

Land a Job or Work as a Freelancer

Once you have your degree, it’s time to put yourself out there in the last step of how to become an editor. If you want to go into publishing, for example, you might be wondering how to become an editor for a publishing company and “what is an editors salary?” in such a position. Generally, when it comes to how to become an editor for a publishing company, you need to start as a proofreader. From there, you can work your way up to an editor. In other industries, however, your degree and previous experience could be enough for you to land an editing job off-the-bat.

If you can’t find immediate work, you can always explore editing on a freelance basis. This can be a great way to gain experience and earn money while working from home as an editor. From there, you can network and expand your horizons.

Book Editor Jobs At Home

Are you interested in pursuing a career or picking up some extra editing work and want to know more about how to get freelance editing jobs?  Check out this freelance job site where you can  work from home, and pursue book editing and other freelance job opportunities on Upwork.com. Here you’ll find many jobs that offer a variety of editing jobs from book editing, to video editors, voiceover editing and more.

Now that you have a better idea of how to become an editor and what is an editors salary, you can make a better decision regarding whether or not this is the right career for you.

Additional Resources:
 
Source
http://www.forbes.com/sites/booked/2011/08/18/the-lives-and-salaries-of-magazine-and-book-editors-4/
http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/glossary/g/editordef.htm

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