Writing comes naturally to me, and my copy is usually strong. Grammarly even stopped tracking my word count after I hit around 3 million words!
But here’s the truth: My writing could always be better. I still miss errors that slip through—and the same goes for my marketing and publishing clients’ work.
That’s why I dove into AWAI’s Copyediting course, led by the fantastic Mindy McHorse. At the very least, it sharpens my own process.
Better yet?
It lets me offer professional copyediting as an add-on service to my copywriting and marketing clients.
The Copyediting Path: From Idea to Polished Publication
AWAI’s infographic lays out the full publication path:
- Idea Organization
- Copy Creation
- Editing
- Copyediting
- Proofreading
I’m a pro at Idea Creation and Organization—I can turn a spark into a detailed outline or mind map in minutes. From there, drafting copy flows fast.
Then? I used to skip straight to “Publish!”
What Mindy taught me changed everything: the distinct purpose and methods for each editing pass. Plus, smart ways to collaborate with clients using Track Changes and comments in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. (Word reigns supreme for precision, but Google Docs excels at real-time teamwork.)
My Revamped Writing and Editing Process
Now, for my projects, I draft in Google Docs instead of jumping straight into WordPress and hitting Publish.
I invite clients or collaborators to review and comment right in Google Drive.
My routine includes:
- A Grammarly pass to catch errors and refine phrasing
- Double-checking links and references
My Secret Weapon: An AI-Powered Copyeditor
I’ve uploaded all the course transcripts and PDFs into a dedicated AWAI folder in Grok (the AI tool from xAI).
I’m adding materials from other AWAI copywriting courses and bootcamps too.
Result? Grok becomes an exceptional copyeditor on demand.
I feed it my copy, ask for reviews and suggestions—and get polished rewrites with detailed, graceful explanations.
The best part? The feedback is kind and constructive—never harsh. Mindy emphasizes delivering suggestions without triggering resistance, and Grok nails that perfectly.
Final Thoughts: Level Up Your Writing (and Your Income)
This course has equipped me with tools and processes to elevate my own writing—and my clients’.
With Grok’s help, I can now confidently take on copyediting projects I might have passed off before.
What about you? Need a sharp eye on your copy, marketing materials, or publishing projects?
Let’s chat—I’m here to help!
Greg Dixon
Chief Enabler
Shared Visions Unlimited
Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Services
