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Reaching over 100,000 subscribers, the network provides news and views from the ever-changing landscape of Caribbean cricket. It began as a podcast, founded by journalist Machel St Patrick Hewitt, and grew to incorporate in-depth video analysis and expert writing. The demand for written pieces necessitated a move to a subscription-based model, which put Machel at a crossroads.
Caribbean cricket journalism finally gets its own platform
With the help of local-journalism champions CounterPress, Machel moved his network's written output to a dedicated platform: Caribbean Cricket News. However, if the site was to live up to its billing as a source of high-quality cricket writing, it needed quality control for both submissions and in-house writing. Like a lot of indie publishers, Machel doesn't have the budget for a full-time sub-editor, but this case study proves that publishers can access the same professional service for a fraction of the cost.
I had already worked with CCN founder Machel on his football platform, From Bromley With Love, so he knew the kind of value I could bring to his new venture. Even so, he gave me a test run with some articles pre-launch to see whether my skills extended to cricket journalism. This also gave me an early feel for the house style.
I'm neither a cricket aficionado nor a member of the Caribbean diaspora, so you might be wondering how this came about. In truth, a good copy editor doesn't need close ties to the subject matter as the task is the same: elevate the writing by removing mistakes and zeroing in on the heart of the story.
Test passed, ahead of the launch, I helped Machel word a short article explaining the switch from a free platform to a subscription service. Asking your readers to pay for something they once received for free is a delicate conversation. The key is explaining the rationale while also building excitement.​
The question, of course, is what's in it for the reader? Naturally, pursuing a financial model will make the platform sustainable for the writer, but it should also help them devote more time to the work, improving the quality and frequency of the articles. And when it comes to improving quality, finding a talented and reliable copy editor is key.
Whether the article is an external submission or a piece of in-house writing, the process is the same. When the article arrives, I analyse its strengths and weaknesses then get to work improving it. The service is tailored to each piece individually.
RECEIVED
I email to confirm.
EDITED
With rewriting if necessary.
DELIVERED
Within 24 hours.
REVIEW
One free re-visit if needed.
For CCN, I ensure the terminology is consistent with other articles and that the writing fits the house style. I also pay close attention to technical terms, researching where necessary, and I take time to familiarise myself with Caribbean turns of phrase.
Edit complete, I return the article to Machel so he can post it promptly on the CounterPress platform. Delivery is always within 24 hours, with the average timeframe being 3 to 6 hours. The service also caters for people for whom English isn't a first language, as well as new writers who aren't proficient but have a great story to tell.
Gaining a copy editor's expertise will vastly improve the quality of your publication's output, and it doesn't cost nearly as much as you'd think. We can come up with a plan that's bespoke to you, but the average cost is just £25 - £30 per article. Short articles, circa 750 words or fewer, are a mere £15.
The service and pricing are tailored to you, so if you run a magazine, for example, you can pay per issue at a discounted rate. You can even put me on a permanent retainer if it suits you; it's still cheaper than a full-time hire. Machel hasn't looked back since he brought me on board, and you won't either. Let's chat.
"Machel quote pending."
Machel - CCN Founder
If you like the sound of having a copy editor at your beck and call, let's chat.