What I do l need from you as a client?

If you decide to use my services, there are things I will need from you as a client.

A brief

I need a brief prior to my starting the work on the project that includes the following information:

  • the title/description and type of document or project (e.g. article, web copy, slide presentation, educational programme, etc.)

  • your job number or internal reference (if applicable)

  • the type of document or project (e.g. article, web copy, book, thesis, monograph, slide presentation, educational programme, etc.) and its subject matter (e.g. type 2 diabetes, overuse of antibiotics, etc.)

  • why the project was created (its aims, goals, and the key messages it hopes to get across) and its purpose and subject matter

  • the intended audience (e.g. the general public, medical professionals, technical experts in a given field, individuals with a special interest area, etc.)

  • proposed schedules and deadlines

  • accurate contact and payment information details

  • for editorial work, I need clarification of:

    • the initial format (e.g. manuscript in Microsoft Word), number of pages, word length, number of references, number of images/figures and tables, and intended final format (e.g. typeset, 8 page A4 newsletter)

    • whether the project is to be laid out in a design program and, if relevant, if a designer is lined up to work on it and if the designs have been established or a design brief done (if I am to work with the designer and/or existing designs, please provide their contact details and/or a copy of the designs for my reference)

    • whether the project is to be professionally printed

    • the preferred styles to be used (e.g. specifying UK or US English, providing any organisation or journal style guides, examples of similar documents or types of articles, etc.)

    • any other special requirements (e.g. providing specific guidelines to follow for university theses), details, or background information I should know

    • the level of editing or proofreading (as defined by this website) and/or other tasks required (e.g. am I providing an initial copy edit only or project managing the document throughout the production process? If you want a proofread, clarify if you want a ‘thorough’ or a ‘typos-only’ proofread. If you want a manuscript formatted to the style of an academic journal, clarify if you want a typos-only proofread [recommended to pick up all the style changes required] or even a thorough proofread or copy edit performed as part of this styling process)

    • whether I am to check reference citation details in online databases (e.g. PubMed) and Google for accuracy and supply missing bibliographical information as needed

  • for writing work, I need clarification of:

    • the language style and tone of voice required (e.g. language level, degree of formality, any particular vocabulary to be used and/or avoided, UK or US English, etc.)

    • any examples to be used as guidance both for style and content (e.g. previous projects in the same style or with similar content or examples of what competitors have done that you like; consider also including comments about what you like and don’t like to and why)

    • the synopsis/required content and content structure required (please provide a paragraph-long or bulleted summary of the piece setting out the required main points and running order)

    • the required word length/number of pages

    • the allocated hours and number of drafts

    • any relevant client resources and information to be provided (if you want the copy to talk about particular products or topics, provide me with any information that you have that may be useful; e.g. product information and brochures, references, any mandatory information to be included, etc.)

    • whether referencing is required (if relevant, provide details of your preferred referencing styles and confirm whether references and sources need to be annotated and in what format; are there any templates I am required to use?)

    • the intended final format for the document or project (e.g. web page, a typeset 8-page A4 newsletter, etc and whether the document to be professionally printed if applicable)

    • whether the project is to be laid out in a design program or figure redraws are required, and if a designer is lined up to work on it and if the designs been established (if I am to work with the designer and/or existing designs, please provide their contact details and/or a copy of the designs for my reference)

    • any other third parties involved (if I am to work with any third parties, please provide their contact details)

    • other special requirements (e.g. am I to source any images/figures whether for printing or the web and/or source copyrights etc), important details or background information affecting the project that I should know

    • the delivery format (e.g. Microsoft Word, HTML, etc.).

Other requirements

  • To meet your required timeframes, please submit your work to me by the time I agree with you. I always juggle multiple work commitments and projects submitted late may be unable to be completed within the timeframe required. If I have agreed to a same-day editorial turnaround (or an overnight turnaround for clients in other timezones), please ensure your files are with me for the beginning of my workday so I can coordinate your project in with my other commitments for the day.

  • Please note that if a single project is repeatedly delayed, I may be unable to continue to prioritise the project.

  • Unless otherwise agreed, please only submit final manuscripts that you don’t expect to make further substantial changes to for editing.

  • When returning previously edited work to me for a revised edit or sending a revised file, please use tracked changes in Microsoft Word to highlight the changes you have made to the file. If you are unable to use tracked changes, use some other form of highlighting (e.g. coloured text) to show your changes.

  • Please make payment to the terms agreed. If I ask you to pay upfront, I will start work once I have received your payment.

If you cannot meet these requirements, it may prevent me from completing the work, delay me in returning it to you, or it may incur additional charges.

Please note: any changes to the scope, content, or specifications of the project requested by a client after I have commenced working on it will be charged additionally at my hourly rate and may delay agreed delivery dates.


See my tip for those looking for an editor.

If you have further questions about my work or what I can do for you, please let me know.