Stop for a moment and consider the titles "editor," "writer," or "proofreader." While still used regularly within businesses today, these terms have roots that stretch back to the 15th-century printing press.
So here’s a question: Are these titles truly serving the professionals who hold them? Or are they outdated, and subtly devaluing the strategic work these people often perform for business?
Beyond Grammar and Proofreading
The truth is, if you’re in a business environment and working with content today, you're likely doing a lot more than writing or rewriting words, correcting grammar or catching typos. You're probably already:
An Opportunity Has Opened Up
Despite performing these high-stakes, strategic functions, the traditional job titles these professionals use have often led organizations to perceive their work as mostly clerical.
However, this very disconnect presents an opportunity right now. For too long, the critical oversight provided by writers, editors and proofreaders has been undervalued, often seen as "just" a final check.
But now, with the proliferation of AI-generated content and the critical need for reliable, responsible information, businesses are more acutely aware of content-related risks than ever and may be better able to understand the value editors, writers and proofreaders bring.
Articulating Your Value
If you are a writer, editor or proofreader, you may want to focus more strongly on your risk mitigation and critical thinking skills. If you are already working for an organization, ask your manager to look into adopting Content Quality Control (CQC). It will help your team and business, and also provide you a pathway to gain greater business credibility.
Beyond Grammar and Proofreading
The truth is, if you’re in a business environment and working with content today, you're likely doing a lot more than writing or rewriting words, correcting grammar or catching typos. You're probably already:
- Mitigating Risk: Scrutinizing content for potential errors or misinterpretations that could damage your organization's reputation.
- Guarding the Brand: Ensuring messages align with core business objectives and maintain a consistent voice across all platforms.
- Advocating for Audiences: Identifying hidden biases, championing accessibility and ensuring content will resonate with your audience.
- Overseeing AI: Reviewing, refining and fact checking both human- and AI-generated content, catching nuances and errors technology can miss.
An Opportunity Has Opened Up
Despite performing these high-stakes, strategic functions, the traditional job titles these professionals use have often led organizations to perceive their work as mostly clerical.
However, this very disconnect presents an opportunity right now. For too long, the critical oversight provided by writers, editors and proofreaders has been undervalued, often seen as "just" a final check.
But now, with the proliferation of AI-generated content and the critical need for reliable, responsible information, businesses are more acutely aware of content-related risks than ever and may be better able to understand the value editors, writers and proofreaders bring.
Articulating Your Value
If you are a writer, editor or proofreader, you may want to focus more strongly on your risk mitigation and critical thinking skills. If you are already working for an organization, ask your manager to look into adopting Content Quality Control (CQC). It will help your team and business, and also provide you a pathway to gain greater business credibility.
