Ask any client of ours, and they’ll tell you one of the unique values we offer is our editorial process. We take it very seriously – it’s what differentiates us from other on-demand content marketing agencies. It’s how we’re able to consistently deliver high-quality, market-ready copy to our clients.
Given just how important our editorial process is to our clients’ success, we thought it was about time to pull back the curtain and show you how it works. But we want to do more than just describe the workflow, which is why we’ve included a real-world example of how each step in our editorial process has helped us meet (and often exceed) expectations.
Backstage at Version A: Let the Content Marketing Magic Begin!
1. Assignment Desk
The assignment desk feels like home to me. I’m usually the person you’ll find filling this role at Version A. No matter how many projects are in progress or how many deadlines overlap, it’s always important to match the best writer to each assignment.
Some of our writers excel at more technical pieces, while others have a knack for punchy, creative copy. Some love writing web copy, while others enjoy digging into the meat of a white paper. Having a pool of writers at our disposal allows us to keep the content train moving without sacrificing quality.
Version A Anecdote: A client looking for a fresh look needed new web copy and a new brochure outlining their unique approach in their industry. Based on the warm, welcoming feeling they wanted to convey, I had a feeling about which writer would best capture their new voice. Less than two hours after delivering an initial draft of their new brochure, the client reached out to tell us how much they love it – and a solid match was made.
2. Writer
While each assignment has different requirements, many of our pieces require in-depth research skills and an ability to write engaging, scannable copy that positions our clients as thought leaders in the market.
Easier said than done. We spend a lot of time searching for quality writers and training them to meet our high editorial standards. Once we assign a piece out to a writer, they typically have one week to send us a first draft. We make sure each writer has access to all of the materials required for the assignment. We’re available to answer any questions that may pop up during the writing process so the writer feels supported to do their best work.
Version A Anecdote: Some assignments require a writer with a certain skillset. One client liked to use a creative theme to make a very technical topic more easily digestible and engaging. One of our writers turned out to be quite good at this, and the client landed a cover piece in an industry publication using a piece we wrote.
3. Copy Editor
Just about every writer knows how hard it is to edit your own work. You’re just too close to it. That’s why the copy editor is an integral role at Version A. This step in the process gets fresh eyes on a piece of content to ensure it checks off every box on the client’s list and also matches the client’s tone and style.
The copy editor also fact checks any research included in the piece, making sure it’s accurate, current, and from a reputable source. Once reviewed, the piece will go back to the writer for revisions and then back to the copy editor – until the copy editor is happy with it. This cycle makes it possible for us to deliver copy our clients barely have to edit.
Version A Anecdote: A client had a large rebranding project that required several existing blogs to be rewritten in a new, luxury brand voice. Finding the right balance between “high end” and “over the top” proved to be quite tricky and required a good deal of back and forth between the copy editor and the writer, but we got there.
On another occasion, a client acquired a competitor, which required writing about some new product offerings. Having a copy editor in place to double (and triple) check for accuracy was invaluable in order to ensure we were properly representing the brand.
4. Proofreader
Attention to detail. That’s what proofreading is all about. No matter how many times a draft has gone back and forth between the writer and the copy editor, you’d be surprised at how often small errors go unnoticed – a missing comma, capitalization, formatting issues, broken links.
This becomes even more important when each client has their own preferences when it comes to style choices like the Oxford comma, headline case, acronyms, and more. Without a proofreader serving as the last line of defense, we wouldn’t be able to call ourselves Version A.
Version A Anecdote: We were asked to proofread an 80-page report with a 3-day turnaround. The report was a compilation of sections written by different team members from different parts of the world. We devoted two resources to the project and flagged inconsistencies in style, localized spelling, and formal names, as well as grammar and punctuation, to ensure the client published a high-quality report to match their reputation and brand image.
5. You
Our favorite part of the process. By the time you see a draft of the piece we’ve written for you, it’s been through the ringer behind the scenes at Version A – which means we’re proud of the piece and feel it represents all that we stand for. All you have to do is review and publish
Version A Anecdote: Over the years, clients have expressed their happiness with Version A in many ways, including:
- Calling us out on LinkedIn.
- Referring us to other departments within their company.
- Referring us to connections at other companies.
- Bringing us along with them to a new job venture.
- Letting their leadership know the role we played in a big win.
- Specifically requesting a Version A writer they’ve come to trust.
Ready To Be Our Next Success Story?
If your content marketing team could benefit from a little behind-the-scenes help, the Version A team is here – whenever you need us. Let us help you hit your goals, improve engagement, and make your brand stand out in the marketplace.
