This article does a great job of highlighting both the visible pieces of an editorial relationship (pedantry and quibbles about commas) and the invisible (a smooth and consistent presentation to your clients). Another fantastic element good editors love providing is education: They teach you about your tendencies and weaknesses, so it becomes easier and easier to work together and turn out powerful stories as time goes on, drawing in new clients and opportunities. You touched on this as well!
Great read, and a good reminder Killian Piraro. I’ve been feeling inexplicably discouraged about my work as an editor lately, so the reminder of my part’s role and power is timely and encouraging. To build anything substantial, you need a team and the editors are a form of Quality Control.
Even if you’re a great writer, designer, or content creator of any stripe there’s no need to try to do everything yourself: Even just having the outlet of kicking something out to an editor when you’re tired or have better things to be doing than the needful article or bit of copy you have to write can free you up to do more of what you are great at.