Before anything they create is published and made available to the general public, any media platform that employs audio, visual, or written components needs to be refined and outfitted. An editor may help with this because they are the foundation of any media team or production company, whether they are involved in writing, making videos, or making movies. Read on to learn more about the various types of editors and what qualifications you’ll need to work as an editor in the expanding field of digital media.
What does an editor do?
In order for creative to be ready for publication in books, blogs, magazines, newspapers, or even websites & advertising material, editors organise, plan, and alter writing projects. They review submissions and choose what should be posted based on the writing style and potential reader appeal. Before publishing, they check for proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling as well as consistency and clarity in the topic, organisation, and prose of those stories.
There are other ancillary activities associated with the role of a professional editor, and the specific responsibilities vary depending on the business. For instance, unlike editors who work with written material, who may handle everything from manuscript editing to management on sites and beyond, editors who work with video or podcasts have different responsibilities.
Types of Editor
In order to stay on top of the newest trends and advertise their websites or publications, editors need to be proficient in multimedia & social media. Once you begin working in this field, you can look at a variety of career profiles.
Commissioning editors
In addition to producing high-quality content on schedule and within budget, they play a role in managing outside contributors.
Section Editors
Magazines, online, and print publications are all managed by section editors. Editors of news and features are included here.
Web editors
They are also known as social media editors or online editors. They are in charge of the website’s overall content as well as the photos that appear on it.
Video or film editor
Editors of film or video are crucial to the post-production of a movie. To make the story clear and pertinent, they carefully choose the film to create a sequence.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are the basic requirement to become an editor.
- It’s not that difficult to break into this area if you have a knack for writing and a passion for it.
- You need to be fluent in the language. For that reason, the majority of editors are expected to possess a Bachelor’s degree in the preferred language.
- A UG degree in the subject, or at the very least a strong command of it, may be required if you wish to work as a Hindi content editor, for example. A degree in the English language is necessary to work as an English content editor.
- For certain digital content editors, it is not necessary, though, as the company is more interested in a candidate’s talents and language competence than in their academic background. Thus, having a bachelor’s degree would be acceptable.
- After graduating, students can apply for a postgraduate degree or diploma in journalism or mass communication. You can learn more about various facets of digital content thanks to this.
- A PG certificate or diploma programme can help those who want to work for a publishing business. These programmes in editing and book design are widespread.
How to Start a Career as an Editor?
The actions you can take to seek a profession in editing are listed below.
Complete your undergraduate education
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline can help you start a career in editing. Degrees in marketing, mass communication or creative writing are often preferred by employers since they can help you comprehend editing, fact-checking, proofreading, web design, writing, researching & publishing. Although these degrees give applicants the supplementary skills needed for editing jobs, employers don’t necessarily need them.
Acquire work experience
If you’re still in school, consider contributing to the newspaper or magazine of your institution. It can aid in your professional development and help you become a better editor. If that isn’t feasible, you can search for part-time work nearby or within commuting distance. Volunteering is another way you can support a non-profit or a local news outfit. Working in such settings might give you excellent experience to highlight in your portfolio and resume.
Undertake short courses
You can improve your qualifications for positions as an online editor by taking advantage of the many short training sessions and certifications that are offered. Self-paced training courses and online certificates can be an excellent place to start. You can develop your skills in preparation for a job in editing by taking weekend courses.
Develop a reading habit
It’s important to note that many well-known editors in this industry are avid readers because it helps them become better writers and editors. Reading widely in any genre can make you more familiar with the writing process and a more skilled editor. Building a reading habit could be a smart place to start if you want to work on editing.
Employment Sector/Industry for Editor
There are several job options available for editors. The following are things they can use
- Newspaper houses
- News agencies
- Magazines
- Websites
- Publishing houses
- Freelancers
- Advertising companies
- Radio & TVstations
- NGOs
- The government sector
Top Recruiting Companies for Editors
The following are some of the top publications, periodicals, and newspapers where an editor can find work.
Newspapers
- Times of India
- Hindustan Times
- The Indian Express
- The Hindu
- The Tribune
- Magazines
India Today
- Femina
- Outlook
- Vogue
- Reader’s Digest
- Business Today
- Forbes
Publishing Houses
- Penguin Random House India
- Rupa Publications
- Roli Books
- Harper Collins
- Hachette India
- Pan Macmillan India
- Scholastic India
Salary
An editor’s pay is based on their qualifications, experience, and various other factors. As a result, it differs depending on the organisation, the project one is working on, and personal characteristics. However, the monthly average pay in India is between 30,000 and 35,000.