Why every business needs an editor
“I run a successful business with a strong brand. Do I really need an editor?”
The short answer? Absolutely.
When most people hear the word editor, they think of someone trimming word count, correcting grammar, fixing typos, removing enough em dashes to prove a human being actually wrote the content.
Editors certainly do those things, but after 20+ years in marketing communications, I’ve realized the most valuable edits have little to do with the mechanics of the English language and a lot to do with perspective.
Every business can benefit from someone who isn’t so closely entwined in the day-to-day operations. Someone who is willing to ask: Does this actually make sense and connect with the people you’re trying to reach?
Business owners are smart people. They know their industry, processes, and products. They live and breathe their business every single hour of the day. And that’s exactly why communication can become challenging. When you’re deep inside your own expertise, it’s easy to communicate from the inside out. People may know your brand but not fully understand your story because what feels obvious to you may be confusing to others.
That’s where a seasoned communicator, who can edit with efficiency and bridge the gap between expertise and understanding, can work wonders for your business.
One of the most valuable things communicators do when they edit is translate. Not from one language to another but rather from expert language to customer language. They help transform what’s in your head into messaging your audience can quickly understand. They help explain not only what your business does but why it matters.
Translation is only part of the job. Being an adept interviewer is another key skill. Professional communicators ask better questions because they know the value isn’t solely in the answers. It’s in asking the right questions to get to the crux of the matter.
This is what I do with clients all the time. I’m not simply writing content. I’m helping uncover what they are really trying to say. I’m asking questions that lead to better insights, and then, I’m listening carefully to the answers. This discovery process is where the magic happens.
At the end of the day, every business needs someone who can challenge assumptions, ask thoughtful questions, and help bridge the gap between expertise and understanding. The best editors advocate for the audience, and when the audience wins, the business wins too.
Editing isn’t just fixing. It’s a key part of communication that uncovers meaning. It brings clarity to complexity. It helps businesses communicate in a way that creates connection, builds trust, and inspires action.
No matter how successful a brand becomes, there’s always value in having someone who can provide perspective. I'd love to be that resource for you. Let's talk.
