Diving into the world of freelance copy editing, you’ve likely started applying for gigs, only to stumble upon the pivotal requirement: crafting a cover letter. This isn’t just a rehash of your resume; it's your chance to weave a compelling narrative around your proudest professional milestone. Striking the perfect balance between formality and originality can be tricky, and you’ll want to avoid clichés to keep your reader engaged. Remember, brevity is key—your story must unfold on just one page. Let's unpack how to write a freelance copy editor cover letter that stands out.
- Personalize your freelance copy editor cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
- Format and design your freelance copy editor cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
- Introduce your best achievement in your freelance copy editor cover letter to recruiters;
- How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your freelance copy editor cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.
What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your freelance copy editor resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.
If the freelance copy editor isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Freelance copy editor cover letter example
JOSHUA NELSON
Seattle, Washington
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Demonstration of relevant experience: The cover letter highlights a past successful campaign, showing evidence of the candidate's ability to enhance B2B content specifically within the cloud computing domain, directly relevant to the prospective employer's field.
- Quantifiable achievements: It specifies a 25% decrease in factual errors, providing a clear, measurable outcome of the candidate's work that can be appealing to the hiring manager, showcasing the results-driven nature of the applicant.
- Alignment with company values: The candidate expresses that their personal goals align with the company's dedication to innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology, showing they've researched the company and understand its vision.
- Role-specific skills: Mentioning technical editing acumen and project management skills targets the role’s requirements, making the candidate appear well-suited for the position on offer.
What are the basics of the design or format of your freelance copy editor cover letter?
To start, here's a reminder for you: the Applicant Tracker System (or software that is used to assess candidate profiles), won't be reading your freelance copy editor cover letter.
Recruiters enjoy reading freelance copy editor cover letters with a standardized format that uses:
- the same font as the resume (e.g. modern ones like Raleway or Volkhov are prefered over the clichéd Times New Roman or Arial);
- single spacing to keep the content concise and organized (this is all ready for you in our cover letter templates);
- a one-inch margin to wrap around the text, like in our cover letter builder;
- PDF as a file format, as it allows your design (and visual element) to stay the same.
Finally, we can't go on without mentioning the key sections of your freelance copy editor cover letter.
In the top one-third, make sure to include a header (with your contact information, name, role, and date), a salutation, and an introduction.
Next, follows the heart and soul of your freelance copy editor cover letter or its body.
End your freelance copy editor cover letter with a closing paragraph and, if you wish, a signature.
The top sections on a freelance copy editor cover letter
- Header: Includes your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details, ensuring the letter appears professional and makes it easy for the recruiter to contact you.
- Opening Greeting: Addresses the hiring manager or editorial team by name if possible, showing attention to detail and personalization, which is crucial for a copy editor.
- Introduction: Highlights your passion for editing and any relevant credentials or industry recognition, giving the recruiter a snapshot of why you are the right candidate.
- Body: Expands on your experience, mentioning specific genres or types of content you specialize in editing, and demonstrates your editing philosophy and approach, illustrating your expertise and fit for the role.
- Closing: Reiterates your interest in the position and includes a call to action, such as inviting the recruiter to review your enclosed portfolio or resume, while thanking them for their time.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Meticulous attention to detail: Recruiters look for copy editors who can spot and correct minor errors that others might overlook, ensuring flawless written content.
- Strong grasp of grammar, punctuation, and style: Copy editors need to have a comprehensive understanding of the English language to maintain consistency and clarity in the text.
- Familiarity with style guides: Knowledge of various style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) is crucial as different clients may require adherence to specific editorial standards.
- Proven track record in editing: A portfolio or examples of past editing work will demonstrate skill level and expertise in enhancing written materials.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines: Copy editors often need to turn around projects quickly while maintaining high-quality work, making time management and efficiency highly valued.
- Excellent communication skills: As they often need to discuss changes with authors or clients, copy editors must be able to clearly explain their editorial decisions and suggestions.
How to start your freelance copy editor cover letter: with a greeting, of course
Have you ever considered just how powerful a personalized salutation can be?
We sure have news for you! Your freelance copy editor cover letter should start with the right salutation to recruiters, nurturing a sense of respect and individuality.
Greet recruiters by using their first name (e.g. "Dear Tom" or "Dear Patricia") if you've previously established contact with them.
Otherwise, opt out for the less familiar, "Dear Ms. Peaches" or "Dear Ms Kelsey", if you've found the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or a corporate website.
"To whom it may concern" is never a good option, as it creates a sense that you've been sending out your freelance copy editor cover letter to anyone. Instead, use "Dear HR team" or "Dear (company name) recruiter" for a feeling of exclusivity.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Recipient's Full Name],
- Dear [Recipient's Title and Last Name],
- Dear [Industry] Hiring Team,
- Dear [Department] Department,
Your freelance copy editor cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your freelance copy editor cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your freelance copy editor cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your freelance copy editor cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
What to write in the body of your freelance copy editor cover letter
Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your freelance copy editor cover letter.
It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.
Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your freelance copy editor resume.
Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.
But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.
Select your achievement that:
- covers job-crucial skills;
- can be measured with tangible metrics;
- shows you in the best light.
Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.
Time to wrap up your freelance copy editor cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your freelance copy editor cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your freelance copy editor cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
No experience freelance copy editor cover letter: making the most out of your profile
Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their freelance copy editor cover letter to stand out.
Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.
Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.
Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?
Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.
Key takeaways
Creating your freelance copy editor cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
