Do you need an expert in your field to edit your writing? Not necessarily.

One of the things I like best about editing is that I get to work with so many subject-matter experts (usually in education, but I’ve edited for other fields, too). Often, I’m trying to help them refine their words so they’re clear and understandable for busy professionals who are smart and capable, but perhaps less immersed in the current jargon and latest research. In short, these are top experts writing for knowledgeable non-experts.

As an editor, I’m able to stand in for the audience, identifying areas where the writing isn’t clear to someone like me. I’m able to see where the possible misunderstandings are. Sometimes my own misunderstandings of the writing help writers see where they went wrong.

Having an expert vet your writing is helpful, but sometimes you need that outside eye with a little less subject-matter knowledge.

But what if you’re writing for subject-matter experts? This may be a time when an editor with knowledge in your field is essential. And no matter who your audience is, a subject-matter expert might be able to alert you to potential objections to your argument or point you (or your readers) to some additional resources. This is something I do regularly for education writers, and I’m able to do so because I’ve been editing in this field for so long.

However, a non-expert editor can still be helpful. We can focus on the expression of ideas, rather than the content. We can identify where your writing is creating confusion rather than clarity. The best editors know the limits of their knowledge and will look things up or ask questions when they aren’t sure about the meaning of a passage.

In many cases, the ideal is to work with a subject-matter expert early on, to check your ideas and arguments and make sure your material is accurate and defensible. Then, you might bring in an editor from outside the field you can focus on word use and expression. What you need may depend on where you are in your project.

When hiring an editor, decide what you need from them. Is subject-matter knowledge a necessity? Or do you really just need an expert in clarity and expression who can make your ideas shine?