Understanding Editorial Guidelines: What Editors Want

TL;DR:

• Editorial guidelines are a roadmap for freelance writers.
• There are a few critical elements editors will expect you to follow.
• Be a freelance superstar by aligning your pitch and work with editorial standards.

As a freelance writer, your ability to maintain long-term editorial relationships depends on your understanding of editorial guidelines. These guidelines are more than just suggestions—they are a blueprint for what editors want. Guidelines ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with a publication’s voice. Whether a beginner or a seasoned writer, reading and adhering to a publication’s writing guidelines can set you apart from the competition and keep editors returning for more.

Why Editorial Guidelines Matter

Editorial guidelines serve as a roadmap for writers and editors. They outline the publication’s standards, style, tone, and formatting. They ensure that all content is consistent, regardless of who writes it. For editors, guidelines are a tool to streamline the editing process and maintain the publication’s integrity.

All publications have editorial guidelines, whether it’s a one-pager or a whole booklet. Your editor will typically send you a copy when you get an assignment, or they’ll point you to a copy on their website. Understanding and writing to these guidelines shows that you respect the editor’s time and the publication’s brand. Ignoring them, on the other hand, can end with your assignment being sent back for revisions or, worse, rejected altogether. (Yes, it happens!)

Key Elements to Follow

Editorial guidelines can be broken down into several critical areas:

Tone and Voice
Every publication has a unique voice. Some may prefer a formal, authoritative tone, while others lean toward a conversational and approachable style. Make sure you understand the publication’s voice before you start writing. If in doubt, review past articles to get a feel for how they communicate with their audience. You don’t want to be stilted if they want relaxed, and you don’t want to be casual if they’re going for formal.

Formatting Requirements
Guidelines often include specifics on formatting, such as font style and heading structure. For example, some publications might want a lot of bullet points in their content, while others prefer numbered lists or only paragraphs. Follow these formatting rules where provided. If nothing is provided, go with a standard 10- or 12-point font in regular paragraph style (as opposed to block paragraph formatting).

Word Count
Word count isn’t a suggestion for print—it’s a strict number. Over- or under-writing will disrupt the publication’s layout and flow. Stick to the word count provided, and always aim for concise, impactful writing. Word count isn’t as important for digital publications, but you still want to stay within their range.

Sourcing and Attribution
Proper sourcing is crucial. Editors expect you to back up claims with credible sources. Use reliable references, such as academic journals or official reports. The guidelines will tell you whether they want inline links or a separate reference list. Some publications may want footnotes that they’ll remove later. Most publications have a team that checks all the references in every article to make sure they’re correct and won’t create legal issues for the publication, so make it easy for them to check your facts!

Preferred Style Guides
Many publications follow a specific style guide. Almost always it’s the Associated Press Stylebook. Many publications also have a house style guide, and they’ll let you know about any special writing rules. Style guides cover everything from punctuation to capitalizing job titles. Stay up to date on AP guidelines, and keep the guide or website handy for quick reference.

Practical Tips for Aligning with Editorial Standards

There are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re hitting the mark with a pub’s style and tone:

1. Read the Publication: Before writing, read several articles from the publication to understand its style, tone, and audience. This will help you naturally align your content with their expectations.
2. Ask for Clarification: If any part of the guidelines is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the editor. It’s better to get clarity upfront than to submit work that misses the mark.
3. Edit Ruthlessly: Review your work before submitting it with the editorial guidelines in mind. Check for tone, formatting, and adherence to the style guide. Tighten your writing to meet word count requirements and make sure every sentence adds value.
4. Use the Guidelines as a Checklist: Treat the editorial guidelines as a sort of checklist before you send in your content. Going through each section and checking your work ensures you haven’t overlooked any important details.

Editorial guidelines are a freelance writer’s best friend, because they help you meet an editor’s expectations and the publication’s standards. By applying the guidelines in your work, you improve your chances of getting repeat assignments and building a reputation as a reliable writer.

Editors value writers who can deliver high-quality work that requires minimal revisions. By following editorial guidelines, you’ll set yourself up for success.