1. What is editing?
1.1. Editing is the journalistic process of reviewing, selecting and assessing print, audio, video, social and any other news media and strategic communication products.
1.1.1. In the process of editing, journalists may make corrections, tighten, reorganize and apply styles for consistency, fact-check, assess balance/fairness and determine a story's priority among other news items.
1.1.2. Editing may also lead to key decision-making and working with authors to shape how a story will be told and the medium used to tell it–it could be newspaper, online, magazine, radio, television, mobile, social, press release, annual report, etc.
2. Responsibilities of an editor
2.1. Editors will...
2.1.1. Monitor competitors and industry trends
2.1.2. Develop ideas for stories and identify the right people and media to tell them
2.1.3. Decide whether to accept or reject submitted media content from contractors, volunteers or others
2.1.4. Make decisions relating to how content should be revised to meet industry standards for quality
2.1.5. Prioritize content for audiences
2.1.6. Meet with writers, reporters, researchers, project managers, photographers, graphic designers, marketers and others
3. Types of Editors
3.1. There are many different jobs and roles editors can take on in the media industry including at online sites, newspapers and magazines. To name a few...
3.1.1. Editor in Chief, otherwise known as the Executive Editor
3.1.2. Managing Editors and assistant or deputy managing editors, who are often second in command
3.1.3. News editors, who oversee the news desk or specific beats
3.1.4. Online, Social Media or Engagement editors, who create and distribute content to audiences
3.1.5. Editorial page editors, who oversee the content on an editorial page
3.1.6. Department or section editors, who oversee business, features, sports or other departmental content
3.1.7. Photo video and graphic design editors
3.1.8. Copy editors
3.1.9. Freelance editors, who edit publicity or strategic communication materials, grant applications, technical writing, books, etc.
3.2. Social Media and Engagement editors are the newest and fastest growing occupation within the editing field.
3.2.1. The expansion of social media and consumers having more media choices than ever before has led to a demand for this new editing role.
3.2.2. Media organizations need dedicated editors to focus on how to help audiences find their content–and to improve metrics for their sites by increasing page views and time spent on the site.
4. Jobs in Editing
4.1. Salaries can vary widely depending on the size, ownership and reach of a media outlet. The high end of salaries are usually from large media companies–especially at magazines and speciality media.
4.1.1. Copy editors: $25,000-$60,000
4.1.2. Mid-level editor: $50,000-$110,000
4.1.3. Editor: $50,000-$200,000
4.1.4. Senior Editor: $70,000-$200,000
4.1.5. Online Editor: $30,000-$75,000+
4.2. Careers in editing can be very rewarding but highly competitive. To read more about the job market for editors, click the arrow to learn about the occupation on MyJobSearch.
4.2.1. Magazine editors can be very highly paid for their work and specialize in many different industries. To read more about the types of magazine editors, click the arrow.
4.2.2. Multimedia editors can work at a wide variety of publications and companies and have diverse and creative job opportunities. To read about the career of a multimedia editor, click the arrow.
4.2.3. Copy editors work in all mediums in the media industry and often have a knack for catching spelling, grammar and factual errors. To read more about working as a copy editor, click the arrow.
4.3. The working conditions and schedules of editors vary considerably depending on how much responsibility the editor has and what industry they are in.
4.3.1. Copy editors and graphic editors may work regular and predictable hours, while editors who are higher in management may work longer hours, particularly if there is breaking news.
4.3.2. Some people thrive in the high-pressure and fast-paced environment. Editors usually spend much of their time in meetings and working at their desks.
5. Editing at the School of Journalism
5.1. Students can gain editing experience in every sequence and many of the interest areas at the Missouri School of Journalism.
5.1.1. Student can attain experience through work in print and digital and magazine newsrooms–the Columbia Missourian and Vox Magazine and by choosing Magazine Editing, News Editing or Visual Editing and Management as their interest area.
5.1.2. Editing also occurs in Convergence, Radio-TV and Strategic Communication. To view more of the Interest Areas available and to browse their coursework, click the arrow to visit the School of Journalism's website.
5.2. Since finding work as an editor can be difficult and very competitive, students will need to gain practical "on-the-job" experience in editing through their coursework and internships.
5.2.1. To excel at editing, one needs a command of the language, copy-editing skills, strong writing skills, an eye for detail, a knack for understanding audiences, creativity and visual communication skills, a deep knowledge of subject matter and the ability to manage teams and groups.
5.2.2. Editors use the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, dictionaries, thesauruses, customized stylebooks for particular city or topic and websites such as American Society of Copy Editors, Associated Press Managing Editors and the American Society of News Editors.