Editing client’s text

[The_Hat]

How much do all of you fix your clients copy? Do you rewrite it when it needs it? Do you put it up as is? I only ask this because just now I am working with a person that has just about the worst grammar / spelling I have ever worked with..

[Fiver]

it can be a delicate situation, but no, I wouldn't put it live full of errors.

if you can take the time (charging by the hour) to fix things up, send it back to them with changes highlighted for them to 'sign off on' - maybe they'll get the hint that they need a copy editor.

you could send a note asking if they want to put it live as is, or if they would like you to edit it for grammar, spelling and word-flow (stating clearly an associated cost). People tend to be much more careful with their written word if they know it will cost them a pretty penny should they do a sloppy job.

Word the request professionally and they will be less likely to take it as an insult to their writing abilities (they'll more likely see it as you trying to earn money off of them for something they could do themselves, and hey, maybe next time they will actually do it themselves!). I think using terms like word-flow instead of 'bad grammar' can help soften the ego blow.

[akmac]

If it's not in your contract, you don't do it. Tell you're client you're happy to perform the service, but that at your rates they're better off using YOUR areas of expertise and THEIR spell checker.

If they are unaware of their grammar problem, let them know.

[The_Hat]

I must admit that my post was part attempt at an interesting forum topic and part venting of steam. BTW.. one of the things that they wanted placed online was one of their brochures.. one that they had been giving out as a common procedure.. sitting right there on their front counter... also chock-full-o-nuts. Depressing.

The brochure I typed and corrected the mistakes for online.

[edited by: The_Hat at 10:14 pm (utc) on Jan. 3, 2007]

[abbeyvet]

I sometimes say nothing and just edit. If anyone has ever noticed they didn't say so. I have one client who runs a really, really sucessful business and has no grasp of grammar at all. I correct it, on the basis that that if she had such a grasp she might mind but as it is I honestly don't believe she even notices. I just know what is coming and charge accordingly. But it horrifies me to think of her answering emails.

Possibly there is some problem there with literacy, dsylexia or something like that, unacknowledged.

As a related aside, my favourite sign is the one displayed on a sandwich board outside a bar/restaurant near here every day which reads "Lunch now been served". No point going in there then.

[weeks]

I deal with this all of the time. Are you an employee or a contractor?

If you're an employee--tricky. It depends.

As a contractor, typically, we might clean up the obvious errors if they are irregular and it's clear it is not our responsiblity , but it the problem is severe and regular, we will bring in an editor to talk with the client.

Do NOT get too helpful, re-writing headlines and such. Then it is your job and you will be held responsible. That is not good for anyone, especially you but not the client, either.

[rocknbil]

Customers are a sensitive lot. If you outwardly point to their errors it often puts them on the defensive ("whadaya think, I'm stoopid?") If you post the content as given, sure, you can always fall back on "as given" legally but in their mind they will always think "well that's what I'm paying you for, and I blame you for letting me make a fool of myself."

I've found customers are most gratified when I silently watch their back. Typos and grammatical errors I just fix, anything that changes the meaning I figure out how to gently present the problem so in remembrance they think it was their idea. :-)

In any case, the clock is ticking, it's hard enough to make a buck without doing it for free.