Tech Tips with Tamara: Editing a Document in PDF

Happy Summer to Everyone! :)  I'm at the midway point of my vacation time, and I feel like it has just flown by! Anyone else feeling the same way? Where has the time gone?  It has been hot, hot, HOT here in Florida and I haven't a clue when it's going to get cooler so, it's either the pool or the AC these days.  No just hanging out in the out of doors for me!  I'll fry like an egg if I do!

Anywhoo...on to the Tech Tip for the Week! :)

Editing

I don't really pride myself on being an 'editor', although I've done it quite a few times for a whole bunch of people. It's a whole lot of hard, disciplined work, and it's a lot easier to give something a five minute once-over and call it fabulous.  The problem with that is, if someone is depending on me to be critical and find errors, and I don't really LOOK for them, someone else will PAY for that product and expect it to be error free.  There's nothing worse than getting a note from a supporter that says...'Hey, I love your stuff, but...I found a few errors.  Could you fix these and re-upload?' (Especially after you've asked someone to look it over for you.)

Make sure that you are actively 'looking' for errors.  When I get something back from someone in 10 minutes, I know that they were not thorough.  Look through each page and read each word.  Look for spelling errors.  Read the directions to make sure that they make sense.  Check to see if the clip art is aligned.  It's your job to make sure that nothing in that pack is spelled wrong or unclear to your eyes.  Take your time doing that! :)

Make sure that you also comment where you thought something was a good idea, or the clips are cute, or something is really well explained.  Remember that even if its not the 'way' you would do it, someone spent a lot of time on it, so...be sweet and give positive praise whenever you can! :) 

Editing is hard work.  It's important work. If you can't dedicate the time to looking at it right away, and having an eagle eye for errors, just don't volunteer!  If you really love it, then offer to do it when you can, and make sure you're super thorough and positive.  People will come back to you if your work is good!  Then, maybe you can exchange editing for the completed product when the edits are complete!

Whenever I edit for someone, I put notes on their pdf file.

Check out this quick video tutorial to see how I edit for folks! :)

Happy Editing!