Q. I have a degree in communications. Why do I need Bitnar Editorial?
A. When you work intensely on a project over time, writing it and reading multiple drafts, it’s often hard to “see” the text anymore. I offer an objective eye and a fresh look at the individual document as well as at multiple documents of a project. After many drafts and content edits from a variety of sources, I’m here to check that nothing has slipped through the cracks in terms of content, usage, style, grammar, tone, and flow. This way, even the most complex material is clear to your readers.
Q. How do you determine what is the correct style?
A. I use the Chicago Manual of Style, the AP Stylebook, and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition) as my staple style guides and dictionary. If a client wants to use a different style guide, I am happy to oblige. There are, of course, standard grammatical rules that I apply.
Q. Why do I need a proofreader? Isn’t the spell-check feature in my word processing program enough?
A. While helpful in the writing stage, your computer’s spell-check feature will never catch all the typos, word substitutions, grammatical inconsistencies, omitted words, or subject-verb disagreement. Proofreading entails going through the document word by word, line by line. A professional proofreader will spot errors that a computer program – and most writers – will miss.
Q. What do your clients most want when they hire you?
A. They want a partner on the project to make sure there are no errors in the text, that the document’s concepts can be clearly understood by the target audience, and that the information is consistent across – often – multiple documents. Because I have worked for HR consulting firms for a number of years, my clients know I understand their terminology and concepts, as well as what to look for when reviewing HR-related documents (e.g., benefits, compensation, performance management, career development).
Q. What kinds of jobs do you work on most often?
A. The projects I receive can require anything from a simple proofread to more extensive structural editing. I am often asked to review and edit Word documents at an early stage of the project. I then copyedit and proofread subsequent PDF drafts until the document is final. Project documents can range from a postcard to a flyer to a booklet to an email to a legally required benefits document – or several – of one hundred pages or more.
Q. My clients need documents and presentations prepared in a variety of formats. What formats and techniques do you work with?
A. I edit, copyedit, and proofread all manner of text – everything from Word or RTF documents, PDFs, brochures, gatefolds, and interactive flipbooks, as well as Microsoft PowerPoint and animated Prezi presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and websites.
Q. What if my client disagrees with your changes?
A. When I begin work on a new company’s documents, the first thing I do is see if the company has a style guide in place. If none exists, I work with you and the company to create such a guide. Doing so ensures that the terminology, formatting, and overall style are consistent with the company’s preferences and that there’s continuity across the client’s entire body of work. If necessary, I am happy to explain the reasoning behind my edits. In the end, it is up to the client to decide whether or not to make the changes or edits I suggest.
Q. How long will my job take?
A. I will do my best to work within your time frame. My goal is to provide the editorial support as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. Since each project is different, please contact me to talk about your specific needs.