If you’re considering outsourcing editing but not sure how or where to start, ask yourself a simple question: Would you benefit from having a second set of eyes on your writing, and if so, can you work it into your pricing margins?

Outsourcing editing could be wise and free you up to do the work you are best at. We spoke with John Doherty, Founder of Editor Ninja, to demystify the process of outsourcing editing and how for some freelance writers, it makes business sense.

Does outsourcing editing make sense for you?

If you have a couple of years of experience, a strong client base, and are consistently busy with writing work, it might be time to consider outsourcing the editing phase of your work. By outsourcing this piece of the puzzle, you’ll have more time to focus on business development, taking on more projects, etc. (all while maintaining quality control on your drafts.)

While you may love some parts of the process (like strategy, writing, and client management), you may want to save time on editing, which can be a tedious but important task. This time bought back from outsourcing can help you create other revenue-generating opportunities. Think about it: If you’re worth $200/hour as a writer, investing in an editor at a sixth of your cost can save you 15-20 hours a month, which amounts to significant savings.

“When you hire a contractor, you want to be able to use the time saved to generate 3X of your current revenue.”

- John Doherty

If making more money isn’t your M.O., outsourcing this part of your work could also be a chance to gain better work/life balance. You could spend those extra hours unwinding, going on walks, or getting more travel time. When people decide to go the freelance route, it's usually in part because they want more flexibility. Outsourcing editing can be an investment in your well-being and help you gain the flexibility you sought when you originally went down this path.

Freelancer-Editor Fit

Instead of spending an hour or more editing a piece line by line, outsourcing the task means you instead do a cursory read-through, resolve the editor’s comments, and can be done with edits in a couple of minutes.

Investing in a professional editing service allows you to get content edited at scale, too. With a service like Editor Ninja, you'll be assigned a primary editor and a backup editor, so you aren't floundering if one editor has to go on emergency sick leave. This is important, because as your freelance business scales, you might require multiple drafts edited daily. Unlike a solo subcontractor, an editing service can handle large requirements at a premium.

Remember: You shouldn't totally abdicate the content review process. If you have 100 editing points a month, think of your editor as someone who can take 90 off your plate.

“Whether you're an in-house content marketer or a freelancer, always be involved in the process even if you choose to outsource editing services.”

- Emma Siemasko

Start small and don’t overcommit

A common concern freelance writers cite is losing control over their work if they outsource. They worry that the output may not be as good or that it isn’t what their clients signed up for. We recommend starting small as you begin to outsource. Give up some control, outsource a test project, and see if it saves you time. Don't jump into a retainer right off the bat.

Find out: Does the service you offer allow you to request editing for a single document rather than an entire project? Test the quality of the editing services with a trial post and establish trust and confidence in the company before outsourcing more work.

A subscription or an annual contract could mean hundreds of dollars a month, so it only makes sense to invest wisely.

Take edits off your plate

Is it the right time to outsource editing? Do a time and energy audit. How much time are you spending in meetings, writing, editing, and managing finances? Which of these do you love doing? Which brings you energy?

If editing isn’t on that list, it might be time to hand it off to someone else who loves it.

How to outsource editing as a freelance writer