Word wrangler for hire! Do you want someone to dive in and overhaul text in your web pages and documents? Or to give you guidance on how it can all fit together so it really works for your audience?
If working with words isn’t one of your main skills, bringing in someone with experience and a fresh perspective can take the pressure off you and really help your text to shine. I can see things that you can’t and polish it up much more quickly than you struggling through another six versions!
Good writing:
- has the right structure to convey information to readers
- embodies your messages and brand
- works for your audience and makes them want to keep reading
- flows well
- is professional and error-free.
It might be web pages, ebook text, reports, leaflets, promotional materials, online help sections or info for new users.
Your message depends on what you say, how you say it, and how you present it. I can help across the range of those things.
What I bring to the process
Hi, I’m Tim Gray. Words and me go back a long way. Some of the key things I can provide are:
- attention to detail for zapping errors and suggesting ways to make the text flow better
- stepping into a reader’s perspective to make sure their travel through your info works well and give them what they need
- helping you articulate who you are and what you do
- reframing things clearly in plain English
- listening to your needs and respecting your writing voice.
Last year I had a new, very attractive website designed but it hasn’t been getting the reach or clickthroughs I had hoped for.
I approached Tim as someone who understands the kind of message I want to promote about my business and my services.
He is kind and gentle but gets to the point in an efficient way. If you want someone to help you improve your copy without making you feel like an idiot Tim is your man.
– Katherine Bellchambers, The Nottingham Herbalist
Who I work with
Mostly I work with folks like these, where better communication can help to unlock better lives and more good things in the world:
- solo entrepreneurs in creative and personal development fields
- introvert business owners
- social enterprises
- thought leaders
- organisations leading social change.
My background
So hi, I’m Tim. I live in Nottingham, UK, and my history is a tapestry of all sorts of stuff – with writing and info presentation as a common thread.
Past and present work includes:
- currently editing and proofreading books for well-known game publishers
- helping coaches and others overhaul their websites and prepare books
- writing and self-publishing tabletop roleplaying game books
- web publisher and learning resources editor at Citizens Advice
- editor of Nottinghamshire environmental newsletter
- sustainability reports and publications.
I’ve even written a book about writing – The Radio-Controlled Message Bottle – writing to communicate.
But it’s not just about the word skills – it’s about working together too.
I listen to what you want from a piece so that we’re working in the same direction. And I know that editing isn’t just about correctness, but letting your authentic voice come through more clearly.
As line developer for a handful of game lines, I’ve worked with many editors and proofreaders. I consider Tim to be one of the best, in either capacity. As an editor, he is thorough and has a keen eye for finding issues, and as a proofreader he is meticulously thorough. Furthermore, he dependably hits his deadlines.
– Jason Durall, roleplaying game line developer
What it costs
I’ll usually give you a package price for the project, once I have a good idea what you’re looking for. As well as how much content there is, I’ll look at the level of help you need for your text, how complex and urgent it is, and how much interaction we’ll need to have.
How to go ahead
Please email me initially to talk about a job or ask questions.
Tell me what you’re looking for help with. If we don’t already know each other, give me a couple of sentences about who you are and what you do. If the job is working on existing text, it’s usually helpful to see a sample to gauge how much input you need.
It may be useful to have a short call, usually via Skype – especially if we haven’t worked together before – so we know we’re on the same page about what you want from the process, formats to use, and so on.