Process

Clean copy is the goal and the whole process

In newsroom lingo, “clean copy” refers to revised text with all its editing markup resolved and erased. Most of the time, that’s what Word Jones clients see: the near-final product. The chart below offers a peek into the work and care that get us to that point.

It shows pieces of a mostly linear workflow, but keep in mind the process is rarely this tidy. Experienced writers and editors collaborate, regroup, and swap, skip and repeat steps on our way to work that meets our standards. And it’s this practiced agility that allows us to jump into projects at any point, without a lot of handholding and without getting flustered when your goals shift, timelines change or new information is introduced.

Strategy

Exploration

Identity

Planning

Try on multiple messaging angles and present options for consideration

Align stakeholders on messaging, verbal identity, voice and tone

Define your purpose, choose the format or create a project scope

Information sourcing

Interviews

Compliance

Research

Get important details and insights from subject-matter experts

Nail down project particulars: legal requirements, submission checklists, formatting, etc.

Find and collect trustworthy information from a variety of sources

Writing development

Outlining

Drafting

Organize and order information so it can be easily understood and used

Develop whole pieces of writing informed by your ideas, goals and audiences

Basic editing checklist

Mechanics

Readability

Content is free from spelling, grammar and punctuation errors

Ideas are clear, transitions are logical, and language is appropriate for your objectives

Consistency

Navigation

Editorial style choices are purposeful and consistent with your preferred guidelines

Links, headings, numbering and table of contents are functional and intuitive

Fact checking

Formatting

Important details — such as names, dates, quotes and titles — are confirmed correct

Documents and content follow your internal specs or provided submission criteria

Specific editing checklist

Research citation

SEO

Reference lists, footnotes, links and in-text citations are accurate and consistent

Text and tags help search engine algorithms correctly understand online content

Accessibility

AI enhancement

Language, hierarchy, alt text and image descriptions comply with ADA and WCAG guidelines

Your AI-produced text is revised for accuracy, smooth flow and consistent messaging

Design proofing

Brand safety

Visual elements represent and enhance ideas, without introducing errors

Language and tone are appropriate, inclusive and culturally relevant