Editing, proofreading, copywriting and copy typing
With the next generation having received their exam results, it’s made me reminisce.
Not everybody will know what they want to do, or exams may not have gone to plan – and that’s OK. Many routes are available.
I am delighted to announce not one, but two exciting developments in the world of netwalking.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then, let’s begin.
Unlock your mind, fulfil your potential and live life to the full this September!
It gives me great pleasure to announce details of an exciting evening of relaxed networking, positivity and connection in the company of author, Mohammad Haroon.
In business and life, it is all about relationships and the personal touch.
The energetic, enthusiastic and all-round fabulous person that is Lucy Shutt-Vine recently held a launch party for her new resource, The VIBE check – a planner that helps you pause, reset, then take control of your career, one week at a time.
It was a pleasure to attend the book launch of writer Liz Champion in Barnsley, having worked closely on ‘Before Work and at Weekends’ with her.
Liz had many people attend her launch, which was great to see, having witnessed first-hand her dedication and desire to succeed with her collection of non-fiction essays about her life and times.
How exciting to see Emma Meheux’s insightful read Sales Before Marketing entered into The Business Book Awards.
This practical guide introduces Emma’s proven 10-point UniC sales planning process – a simple yet powerful framework to help small business owners boost sales, attract quality leads, and grow with confidence.
The postman has literally delivered!
A big thank you to Sharon Brown – The Book Chief Publisher for sending me a copy of her new resource, ‘Sell The Damn Book!‘, which I had the pleasure of editing.
Hands up, who likes a plan?
The dates of the CRS Editorial netwalks for the whole of 2026 are now available!
Fun in a bun!
I was delighted to discover recently that ‘Hoddog’ – an exciting game to build the longest hotdog before the last ketchup splats – was included in the goodie bag at the Inside Soap Awards 2025.
Do you know those moments when you are engrossed in the day-to-day running of your business and doing work for your valued clients, that you completely let things just pass you by?
Well, this happened to me at the start of October 2025.
Hands up who likes a short story.
I know I do!
Allow me to introduce you to an adorable little family. One that includes a fair few characters with some pretty cool friends.
Let’s eat grandma!
A fine example of the importance of punctuation, don’t you think?
It was a pleasure to appear on a business podcast to share my tips and thoughts on what makes good copy, and the different things you can implement in your business to make your words work for you.
Join me as I chat to Tracey and Ian Earl, and discover how to elevate your content.
April is Autism Awareness Month.
It makes me incredibly happy to see the book of Bethany Lunney doing so well.
Preparations are being made ahead of a milestone day of commemorations and celebrations.
The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe will unite families and the wider communities as we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
True or false?
CRS Editorial works on games and trivia.
So, this happened in mid-November.
Many thanks to all those who kindly sponsored me and helped to not only reach, but exceed, my fundraising target for the mental health charity, Leeds Mind.
Football.
The world’s most popular sport – and a passion for countless people, including me!
To have recently combined my love of the English language with a detailed resource about a Premier League club was dream job territory.
Every day presents an opportunity to think of others and to be kind, but on 13 November, thanks to the power of social media, we come together to celebrate World Kindness Day.
Kindness comes in many forms.
Happy 4th birthday to CRS Editorial.
Please forgive this little self-indulgence, but as I often hear we should celebrate our wins, this is quite a significant one for me.
From its beginnings in 1875 to the modern day, the illustrious sporting machine that is Redruth Rugby Football Club is steeped in history.
With so much to tell of this famous club, Nick Serpell has done just that in a fantastic encyclopedic book.
CRS Editorial is delighted to continue its sponsorship of Farsley Celtic midfielder Ryan Watson for a second season.
Ryan has been in fine form in pre-season, having finished the last campaign strongly, as Farsley narrowly avoided relegation from National League North on the last day of the season.
Drum roll, please!
It is a privilege to share with you, something that has been in the making since February 2024.
The summer secret is out (and oat!), and it’s a delight to speak of my involvement in the process.
Wimbledon, you served an ace!
Having entered the ballot for tickets a few times, this time proved successful.
The magnificent Grounds and Court No.1 awaited our arrival.
Just how clear is your message?
The words you use to promote your business are crucial.
With only one chance to make a first impression, care and attention are strong foundations for writing compelling copy.
What follows are top tips to ensure your writing stands the best chance of hitting the mark.
How many hats do you wear at any one time?
Quite a few, I imagine.
Being a business owner can present excitement and challenge, and there’s a feel-good rush when you are able to overcome an obstacle, look back on the hurdle and say, ‘I did it!’
You’re hosting a dinner party and can invite three famous guests. Who are you choosing?
Ever been asked or heard this question?
A place at my table is always reserved for the legend that is Sir David Attenborough. His lifelong love of the natural world is unrivalled, and I’d be excited to hear first-hand about his encounters with nature.
A pillar of society, he’d certainly be at the head of the table.
Do you want to promote your business and protect your all-important reputation?
Of course you do!
So, why the rhetorical question?
The end of the year is a time to review where we are at, which includes celebrating those all-important wins.
As a business owner, it is easy to get caught up in the everyday tasks, without taking stock of achievements.
Inspired by James Hall and his ‘Book of Success’, and by key conversations with Ben Catley-Richardson, Bella Hegarty and countless others, I bring you this year’s ‘Wall of Fame’ – a celebration of some of the books edited and/or proofread throughout the year.
Puzzlement, complication, confusion.
Call it what you want, but overcomplicated and jargonistic text will turn people off and alienate them from your message.
Join me as I break down the barriers and talk plain English!
To the wealth of talent whose imaginations run free for our enjoyment…
To the entrepreneurs who enable our learning…
1 November is yours to celebrate.
Have you ever wondered:
Thanks to Simon Treen’s Working Hours podcast, you can now find out this information…and more!
Here’s the link if you would like a listen: https://the-working-hours-podca.captivate.fm/episode/craig-smith
#Podcast #BusinessTalk #SmallBusiness
At every turn, there exists a lesson. When least expected, determination to succeed in life and therefore business can be reinforced.
Canada, a country with spectacular scenery and diverse habitats, proved the location for a recent lightbulb moment of tenacity.
Inspirational.
Motivational.
Uplifting.
Thought-provoking.
Fascinating.
Looking to drive traffic to your website?
One of the ways in which you can do this is with good copy.
It might be your written copy is not intended for the web; maybe it is for a magazine article, for example. No matter, as the following points remain.
Friday 24 February 2023 – a date that will be etched in my memory, forever!
Having been a business owner (just saying these words makes me want to check I’m not dreaming!) for nearly two and a half years, the rollercoaster of emotions, the journeys enjoyed, the paths explored, and the multitude of challenges faced, continue to be so worthwhile.
‘I don’t need a proofreader, I’ll get my team to check my work.’
Wish I had a pound for every time I have heard this in my career!
Only, team members aren’t always able to spot mistakes.
Employing a professional proofreader and editor to look over your work is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a show of strength! After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Join me as I yield my metaphorical red pen around the streets of my hometown.
Though I tend not to make new year’s resolutions, one thing I am mindful of doing in 2023 is taking time-off and enjoying it to the full.
Early January saw an exciting visit to London to watch a sport close to my heart. It was fabulous to see masters of the baize in action.
Sport is one of my outlets; my passions – be it watching or playing. The whole experience of such a break has cued me up for another exciting year full of learning, client work, meeting people and thriving as a business owner.
Believe in the power of people!
We all need help and support with our businesses. Businesses (or certainly the ones I like to engage with) are made up of individuals who are in touch with their human side and who will happily engage in conversation about a wide range of subjects, not necessarily always related to work.
I’ve been fortunate to speak with some stellar people this year. There have been far too many meetings to mention every single one, so here’s a monthly rundown of 12 key people who have afforded me their time, be it online or in-person, and who have subsequently brought a smile to my face.
Everybody employed within business and those who run a company will have heard the phrase ‘to have a business mindset’, but what does this actually mean?
Sure, we all have a mindset, but how do we switch between our everyday thinking about our personal and family lives into a thought process that focuses solely on business? Are they indeed mutually exclusive? I would argue not. To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (14-20 November), join me as I divulge the key ingredients that have helped me on my journey to date, as well as detailing the kinds of people I continue to learn from.
As the mantra dictates, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’.
These words ring true as I celebrate having been chosen by Theo Paphitis and his team as a Small Business Sunday (#SBS) winner on the eve of my second business birthday.
Having joined the strong band of entrants a few times previously, I again entered with desire, enthusiasm and a hope I would be picked to join this supportive environment.
Lo and behold, at the start of September 2022, I was chosen as a winner!
The words we use and how we structure our sentences to promote our business and interests can be the difference between a sale or a goodbye.
When writing promotional copy, it is crucial it resonates with the intended audience and entices people to want to find out more.
Written from the perspectives of a company CEO and employees, and considering the thought-process of a potential customer, discover the differences in how to promote your business and pick up tips that could transform your rate of return.
Just how good are you at general knowledge? Can you take value from hours spent playing Trivial Pursuit and the likes, and name that year in a flash?
Well, now’s your chance, as I present to you a rundown of events from one particular 12-month period.
Get those thinking caps on, as we are about to embark on our journey!
With the first half of 2022 fast-becoming a distant memory, let’s stress the importance of pausing for a moment, taking stock and charting progress made to date.
It is easy to forget the things that have gone, choosing instead to concentrate on the coming months. Time stands still for no person, though it is imperative we consider our achievements to date; achievements that could help shape our future direction.
So, join me as I review the first half of 2022 and look ahead with buoyancy to what may come next.
With instant access at everybody’s fingertips, you could be forgiven for thinking that the humble library is a thing of the past. That long gone are the days of visiting these amazing institutions, replaced all too easily with online purveyors of books, journals, reviews and reports.
At times, even the most staunch library advocate may succumb to the power of Amazon or the likes, though it is important we remember these cherished buildings not just for what they offered, but for what they continue to provide.
Join me as I take you behind the scenes of one of Britain’s oldest surviving independent libraries; a place that is steeped in tradition, having served its public duty since 1768.
Inspiration comes in many forms and there are untapped moments of genius within us all.
Whichever way you choose to express yourself in your business or family life carries with it an undercurrent of creativity. You may not think so, but it is present in every task you complete.
Anguish, drama, pain, tragedy. I could go on…
All words we associate with negative experiences when what the majority of us want to hear and read are examples of positive and uplifting behaviour such as kindness and love; traits naturally associated with human existence.
On 1 October 2020 began a journey into the unknown. Bereft of a comfort zone but armed with a desire to succeed.
Equipped with a trusty toolbox of skills and backed by a quarter of a century’s worth of experience, the hurdle of redundancy was overcome and a new chapter was opened.
Many authors and content creators with whom I have worked throughout my career have produced fantastic resources only to wonder how to get their work viewed by the right people and in the correct places.
Here are 13 tried-and-tested ways to ensure your book gains maximum exposure.
Target market. An oft used phrase, but what does it mean?
Communicating with fellow human beings is a key ingredient in the rich tapestry of life. Be it on a personal or business level, the volume of information readily available for consumption is profound. Though when the time arrives to translate those conversations to words on a page, do you give consideration to the people you are writing for – your target market?
Having completed work for both British and American clients, I want to share with you a couple of tips on how to ensure your content is fit for its intended audience.
Is your workload at an all-time high with seemingly no end in sight? Is that to-do list noted down next to you growing longer by the day? If you find yourself giving an affirming nod to these questions you are not alone, and help could be at hand.
Many homeworkers, be they self-employed/freelance or using their house for occupational purposes out of recent necessity, may find levels of productivity take a nosedive when conducting activities in the most familiar of surroundings.
What follows are six techniques I have adopted that have helped ensure productivity remains aligned with my business goals of meeting deadlines and providing a high-quality service…they may also work for you!
Feeling the energy generated by a live audience has been in meagre supply for as long as we care to remember. But we may dare to dream, with the vaccination roll-out representing light at the end of the tunnel. Pilot sport and music events have been the trailblazers, paving the way for our ears to be treated once again en masse to the clank of the turnstiles, our eyes to be fixated on the safety curtain, and our noses to inquisitively enquire or be repulsed by the smell of event catering. With meticulous planning and our continued cooperation, the multi-coloured plastic seats of stadia and the more luxurious supporting structures of the dress circle will soon be once again inundated with our hindquarters. Join me as I take a trip down memory lane and relive ‘the good old days’ before rebooting the sat nav and planning new adventures.
Always being open to trying new things is a cornerstone of continual learning. As the Team GB mantra for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games attested, ‘Better Never Stops’, which is why I have dipped my toe into the water of appearing on a podcast, among other learning adventures.
If you would like to hear more about the following, then it is time to boil the kettle, pour your favourite hot drink, and join Kirsty Major and I.
Firstly, other networking platforms are also available (that’s that out of the way!). The testing times brought to us courtesy of our modern-day nemesis, the COVID pandemic, have seen us all at the whim of networking sites to keep in touch with our family, friends and colleagues. Whether it be Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google’s Hangouts Meet, Cisco Webex or another of the many purveyors of interaction, online networking has enriched our lives of late, which begs the question, are you ready for a return to the old-style in-person meet up?
Join me as I detail the pros and cons of our increased tech usage, and evaluate its impact on our lifestyles.
Does your project require the expertise of an editorial professional, but you are unsure to what degree? Fear not. You are not alone.
A significant number of clients I have worked with are initially unsure whether their work is in need of an edit or a proofread. Allow me to help and show you the differences that exist between the two.
Are you counting down the days until the end of December and the conclusion to 2020? If you are, you aren’t alone.
Like an overfull belly on Christmas Day, it is safe to say we have had enough! Not one more sprout, not one more negative news bulletin. I am no magician and therefore am not claiming that 2021 will be trouble free, because, quite frankly, life isn’t life without its ups and downs. But if we can put the year 2020 out with the rubbish, we can look to the future with optimism, hope and encouragement.
Sitting comfortably? Join me as I detail the five ways I intend to kickstart the new year!
The year 2020 will forever be etched in our memories. For many of us, the constant battle against COVID-19 and the restrictions on life as a result of it, will feature prominently on the agenda when it comes to ‘worst year ever’ chats. When the pandemic hit and those who could began to work from home, it was far from ideal, but we did as us humans do and ‘got on with it’. A large number of us, me included, were made redundant as a direct result of coronavirus.
Here, I detail the five steps I took that helped me get through this tough time and enabled me to set up a new business. I hope they can help you do the same.
Football. It can unite and divide opinion in equal measure. Whichever team you support, you will have thoughts about their chances of winning, of silverware, of securing a prize-money rich position in the table, or of survival in the current league. But what of the kits? Or, more specifically, the shirts the players of your team wear.
As a lifelong fan of football, I try not to get too misty-eyed and nostalgic about the replica shirts I owned whilst growing up, mainly due to the fact my mother discarded them as soon as I experienced a growth spurt (love you mum!). Standard fare you may think, but not for someone who is obsessed with the history of the game and their team.
