This document provides 10 tips for editing that can also apply to life lessons. The tips include understanding the writer's goals by listening well, finding the call to action and purpose that drives you, knowing your target audience and viewpoint to avoid communication issues, choosing a style and convictions while respecting others, learning from mentors and experts, proofreading with a fresh perspective, and building relationships with those who trust you.

1. E D I T I N G T I P S Y O U C A N A P P L Y T O L I F E
L E A R N
10
1 Before editing a word, an editor tries to
understand the writer's goals. Life lesson: The
more you listen, the more knowledge you receive.
F I N D T H E C A L L T O A C T I O N
3 Editors search for a call to action and ensure it's
prominent. Life lesson: What purpose drives your
life? What pushes you from the comfort zone?
W H O I S T H E T A R G E T A U D I E N C E ?
4 Editors always ask writers this. Life lesson: You
can't be all things to everyone. You can mean
something amazing to at least one person.
W H A T I S T H E P O I N T O F V I E W ?
5 Editors search for this when editing. Life
lesson: Knowing someone's viewpoint may help
avoid or minimize communication road blocks.
C H O O S E A S T Y L E
6 Editors choose style guides to edit content for
various formats. Life lesson: Discover your personal
style. Respect the style of others.
F O L L O W B E S T P R A C T I C E S
7 Editors learn from mentors, friends and colleagues.
Life lesson: Get a mentor. Study the work of
experts; your skill level will grow.
K N O W T H E B R A N D
8 Some editing projects require brand guidelines that
editors must incorporate for brand identity. Life
lesson: Establish personal convictions. Cling to them.
P R O O F T H E W O R K
9 Editors like to step away briefly from the work so
they can come back with fresh eyes. Life lesson:
Give yourself time to gain a new perspective.
B U I L D R E L A T I O N S H I P S
10 Writers seek out the best editors because they trust
them. Life lesson: Who seeks you out? Who trusts you?
R E A D
2 An editor searches for the main idea the writer is
trying to convey. Life lesson: People want to be
heard. Practice listening.
Daybreak Lit 2018