How does editorial assistance work?

Why the need for editorial assistance?
Most people learn their skills or crafts and proceed to sell them in the marketplace, but only a relatively few number of vocations critically depend on being able to write to popular audiences and mass media.
Some SMEs are also excellent writers, but others struggle to know where to start, how to end, what is interesting, what is secondary, and time is wasted in front of an unforgiving white screen. PumpJack empowers SMEs to partner up with professional writers and editors who are trained to help pull valuable content out of an expert's brain and into print form.
How does a professional writer help an SME produce editorial content?
This can happen a number of different ways, but often an SME will provide some kind of dictation or recorded verbal content. The writer then transcribes and potentially fleshes out the thinking into a draft. The SME and writer can then collaboratively refine and build out the written work into a desired format, whether a mere email or letter, or something more public like a blog post, newsletter, editorial for placement in a newspaper, a book, or more.
How does a SME get paired up with the right journalist?
If publishing is key to your thought leadership platform, PumpJack can help.
Most people learn their skills or crafts and proceed to sell them in the marketplace, but only a relatively few number of vocations critically depend on being able to write to popular audiences and mass media.
- Engineers are trained to think through logistics, run algorithms, builds things and reduce risk.
- Attorneys are trained to persuade fellow legal peers that their legal theories are valid.
- Medical doctors are trained to communicate precise anatomical insight.
Some SMEs are also excellent writers, but others struggle to know where to start, how to end, what is interesting, what is secondary, and time is wasted in front of an unforgiving white screen. PumpJack empowers SMEs to partner up with professional writers and editors who are trained to help pull valuable content out of an expert's brain and into print form.
How does a professional writer help an SME produce editorial content?
This can happen a number of different ways, but often an SME will provide some kind of dictation or recorded verbal content. The writer then transcribes and potentially fleshes out the thinking into a draft. The SME and writer can then collaboratively refine and build out the written work into a desired format, whether a mere email or letter, or something more public like a blog post, newsletter, editorial for placement in a newspaper, a book, or more.
How does a SME get paired up with the right journalist?
- SME Audit. Fill out the PumpJack SME Audit. This is a free service and is available by fill out the PumpJack Contact Form. ("Yikes, that sounds painful." Nah, not at all. In fact, some even say the experience is cathartic. It is just a questionnaire that helps us get to know you, and it helps you think of your goals and objectives, perhaps in new ways.)
- Interview. PumpJack will schedule an interview with you by phone, Skype or Google Hangouts.
- Contract. If it seems like a fit, PumpJack will generate a SME Editorial Assistance Agreement. You will sign and date the last page and return to PumpJack.
- Activation fee. You will pay a non-refundable deposit of $250. PumpJack will then create and/or execute a strategy in keeping with your publishing ambitions, which could include the procurement of a journalist partner.
If publishing is key to your thought leadership platform, PumpJack can help.
Editorial Coaching
Editorial Calendar: Sometimes, writers just need a measure of accountability. PumpJack Editorial can come alongside a writer to help craft and execute an editorial calendar that will help keep the SME accountable. PumpJack Editorial will contract with a writer to bring accountability and as much editorial support as the writer needs. This can include:
- Ghost writing -- significant editorial help in crafting and writing final copy.