Benefits
So you’re on Substack. Congratulations! You and everyone else. :) Now, let’s make your copy shine. As a journalist for the past 20+ years, I’ve seen my fair share of so-called “content”—as a freelance writer, a staff editor, and, most recently, as an avid reader here on Substack where new letters drop more frequently than Pete Davidson’s pants. But you know what kills the mood? Broken links, incorrect information, run-on sentences, and—the biggest offender—too much copy in one post. Whether you’ve got thousands of subscribers and can’t keep up with your publishing schedule to screen your work with care and attention, or you’re new to the platform and need assistance getting going, consider me your in-network provider—your bonafide Word Doc.
You’ve got symptoms, I’ve got diagnoses, and together we can find a cure for the copy that ails you.
So, who am I, and why should you spend your earnings on me?
I’m a journalist with over 20 years of experience in media, publishing, and digital content. For the past 12 years, I’ve been freelancing for reputable outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, AFAR, and many more. Before that, I was on staff as an editor at The Daily Beast, The New York Post, and Page Six Magazine where I assigned staff writers and freelance contributors an array of lifestyle, culture, and entertainment stories, and helped usher their work from idea through to completion and, eventually, publication.
In addition to magazine, newspaper, and digital writing and editing, I also work with authors in nonfiction book publishing as a ghostwriter, editor, and coach. I’ve assisted with proposals, manifestos, and manuscripts.
Essentially, I know what it’s like to both be edited as a writer and do the editing as an editor. Every writer needs someone to look over their work—ask them and they’ll tell you so! But not every writer is a good editor. I am.
Finally, and perhaps most notably as it relates to Word Doc, I have my own popular Substack, Overthinking It, which I successfully migrated from Mailchimp way before Substack became the hottest club in town. My letter has both a free and paid model and features essays, recommendations, throwbacks, and more, read by thousands of subscribers. So I know the hustle and the drive are REAL. While it happens to the best of us, spotting a typo after I’ve just hit “publish” fills me with dread and disappointment, especially when my Mom alerts me to its existence. My goal is to help you avoid such shame. Or, at the very least, embrace it and do better next time. :)
How does it work, exactly?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, so options—I’ve got options! And they may shift based on needs, demand, and the evolution of this platform’s functionality.
Co-Pays - $75/$150/$200 & Up
Tier 1 - $75
This one-time fee includes a 15-minute call before the edit to align on goals. Then, I’ll do a light proofread of a single post up to 800 words, scanning for typos and issues with sentence structure, inserting questions or comments within the margins. One round of edits. 24-hour turnaround.
Tier 2 - $150
This one-time fee includes all of the above for writing between 800-1,200 words. Plus, I’ll make suggestions for how to improve prose, structure, and sell (headlines + subheads + social). One round of edits. 24-hour turnaround.
Tier 3 - $200 & Up
This one-time fee includes all of the above for writing 1,200 words and up, plus a line edit. Two rounds. 48-hour turnaround.
Open Enrollment Monthly Plan
For those of you who publish regularly and want another set of eyes to read over your work before hitting “publish,” this recurring membership plan is best. Pay one monthly rate (based on the frequency of your publishing schedule and the length of copy produced) and get a discounted bulk rate.
Out-of-Pocket Project Fee
Don’t know where to start? Looking for a pair of eyes to review your “About” page, subscription tiers, and other Substack verbiage? Or maybe you want a collaborator and/or to hand over the whole endeavor to someone else. We’ll start with a consultation call to discuss your needs and a concept, and determine the best strategy for execution. This can include everything from the name of your Substack and a full-fledged editorial calendar of future content, to a style guide, post writing and editing, illustrating, promoting, and more.
Ready for your first appointment? Reach out at the email below:
helloworddoc@gmail.com
