Whether you've utilized our writing and editing services before, or you've stumbled on us for the first time and are curious, I'd like to remind everyone of what we do here at Edit This®. What is Edit This? Companies like yours want to communicate with clients, spark engagement, and build trusting relationships, and one of the best ways to do that is with unique and authentic written content. The only problem is that most entrepreneurs don't have time to write and edit their

A student reached out to us recently asking if we'd be willing to answer a few basic questions about the world of writing and editing. A soon-to-be high school senior, this young lady shared that she wants to edit books someday and possibly work for a publishing company. Naturally, we were happy to help and tried our best to give some quick on-the-spot answers in e-mail form without getting too wordy. Below are three of the questions she asked. I'm sharing in case you've cons

Welcome back to another hilarious edition of the Gamel Funny Farm blog, where you get to learn all about my quirky family. Below are a collection of random photos, conversations, and unforgettable moments we've had over the last few months. Our boys, Christian (13) and Jackson (9), are witty and have amazing comedic timing. On top of that, my wife, Leslie, and I are 10 percent normal and 90 percent goofy. When you add it all up, you have the Gamel Funny Farm. For everyone's c

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, let's discuss the difference between Sight, Site, and Cite. Do you know when to use each one? Most of you might be saying, "Why, yes, I do!" But for others, it's not that easy. Sight, Site, and Cite are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. Let's clear up any lingering confusion. Sight refers to our ability t

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog, let's discuss the difference between Waste vs. Waist. Do you know when to use each one? Waste vs. Waist are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. Waste has several meanings. Examples include referring to excess or unwanted material, trash, or to use something carelessly or without reason. It also can be used to de

The holiday season is upon us. That means your mailbox is soon to be filled with warm and fuzzy holiday cards from family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Perhaps reading that was a reminder that you need to send out a few dozen, too! And when you do, don't fall victim to the age-old grammar fail that so many families overlook during the holiday season: using an apostrophe to pluralize their last name. You don't need the apostrophe! Here's how to make your last name plura

You're sitting there late at night, trying hard to come up with a blog topic that customers want to read. Just when you're about to give up, the thought hits you: what are my competitors blogging about? No. I can't do that. Can I? Is it bad to read competitor blogs? Reading competitor blogs may feel like a big no-no and perhaps a little naughty. But so long as you're not copying them, I'm here to tell you there is nothing wrong with this tactic. You can learn a lot from readi

As much as I enjoy writing serious and educational stuff about writing and editing, it's nice to let loose every once in a while and write something fun and a little off the beaten path. I think I have proved that over the years with a variety of blog posts that hopefully have made you giggle at least a few times. If not, that's fine, too. I'll just try harder. :) If anything, at least it shows just how much I love what I do for a living. In case you've missed any of those po

Blogs and blogging for small businesses is something I talk about and write about a lot. So it only makes sense to keep all of that useful information in one place so that loyal readers don't have to dig too deep to find what they need. In 2018, I created a roundup of those posts to share with the masses. I updated it again last year, and since then, I've had even more to say on the topic. So here's another updated post with all my blogs about blogging. I even included a few

My blog post today isn't about writing and editing. I'm not here to share any knowledge or convince you to pick me when you can't find the right words. I'm also not concerned with SEO, backlinks, or anything else that could beef up potential new viewers. This isn't Edit This®. This is Steve Gamel. And all I want to do is share a special thank you – from me to you. So let's jump right in. Thank you for allowing me to chase my passion – to do something I truly enjoy. Many peopl

A few years ago, a client reached out to me with an interesting request. She needed me to write a quick blurb to promote their bank's new debit card program, but it couldn't be longer than a few sentences and should take less than a minute to read. I'm used to writing copy that's short and sweet. This one was a bit different, though. The blurb was going to be read by a PA announcer during halftime of an upcoming football game. "I'd try to write it myself, but I was supposed t

I've spent an entire career writing for and about other people and their businesses, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I love my job. With that said, it is nice when other people write and talk about me every so often. From having spotlights written about Edit This® to radio interviews, Facebook Live videos, and a commercial, I have been blessed to watch my little company go from this small idea that no one understood to something many people want to know more about.

Welcome back to another hilarious edition of the Gamel Funny Farm blog, where you get to learn all about my quirky family. Below are a collection of random photos, conversations, and unforgettable moments we've had over the last few months. Our boys, Christian (13) and Jackson (8), are witty and have amazing comedic timing. On top of that, my wife, Leslie, and I are 10 percent normal and 90 percent goofy. When you add it all up, you have the Gamel Funny Farm. For everyone's c

Every small business needs to jump on the social media bandwagon. And why? Well, not only does practically everyone use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for catching up with friends and family, but they also use them to make decisions on where to do business. Naturally, we should do the same if we hope to win the attention of our target audience. Plus, it's fun to build relationships and show your company's personality! So, where can you interact with Edit This® on socia

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, let's discuss the difference between Than vs. Then. Do you know when to use each one? Most of you might be saying, "Why, yes, I do!" But for others, it's not that easy. These are perfect examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. But don't worry. We are here to clear up the confusion. Than is used as a comparison.

It can be a daunting task for freelance writers to get noticed by potential clients. Sure, there is a lot of work out there to be had, but if the list of quality writers who are competing against you for those opportunities is twice as long, how can you possibly stand out? I asked myself that same question six years ago when I started Edit This®. I had my computer, an enthusiastic attitude, and tons of creative juices – but only one client. Truth be told, that client was from

Imagine that you're a young writer anxiously counting the minutes until your first interview for an upcoming feature article. This is your big break, and to make sure it all goes smoothly, you spent the past three days researching and compiling a laundry list of questions. By the looks of your prep work, everyone is bound to love your article. But one thing I urge you not to forget is this: the best journalists, writers, and storytellers are the ones who realize that active l

Freelance writers love to stay busy. It doesn't matter if we are writing a blog, magazine article, novel, website copy, or helping a client come up with the right words for their company newsletter – give us something to write and a little direction, and off we go. But the reality is that freelance writing is hard work, and it can lead to unhealthy habits and health risks if we aren't careful. Does any of this sound familiar to my fellow freelance writers? * Sleep deprivation

Some people might think all a writer needs is a laptop, a notepad, a pen, and plenty of ideas. Those certainly are important, but any freelance writer knows it's not always as simple as that. From office and desk tools to go-to resources and phone apps, there are so many essentials every writer needs at their fingertips to help them work efficiently, block distractions, and make sure their writing always sounds good. I wrote a blog on this same topic a few years ago, but look

Business owners want to communicate with clients, spark engagement, and build trusting relationships. One of the best ways to do that is with unique and authentic written content. The problem is that most entrepreneurs don't consider themselves good writers. And even if they are pretty decent with stringing words together to form a coherent sentence, they know deep down that they don't really have the time or desire to do it on their own. It is much easier to hand everything