What Constitutes an Editorial Style Guide?

An editorial style guide is essentially a framework that dictates how language and words are utilized within your communications. It encompasses aspects such as:

• Default tone of writing (formal versus informal)
• Regional language preferences (UK English vs. US English; metric vs. imperial measurements)
• Preferred terminology ('customer' vs. 'client')
• Specific spelling preferences ('embed' vs. 'imbed')
• Pronoun usage (whether organizations are treated as singular or plural)
• Target audience readability levels
• Other general formatting and style rules

While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights the core elements of what a style guide covers.

Additionally, there are other types of style guides that may be relevant, such as design style guides that outline rules for colors, fonts, logos, and document dimensions in branded materials.

Why Implement an Editorial Style Guide?

1. Consistency: A style guide ensures your brand maintains a recognizable voice, making it seem as though a single author is behind all communications, even if that is not the case. This contributes to a consistent brand identity and helps attract your target audience by establishing the right tone—be it casual or formal.
2. Efficiency: A style guide acts as a quick reference, allowing you to avoid constant research on writing styles. This not only saves time but also reduces errors, leading to increased productivity.
3. Professionalism: Well-crafted and consistent content projects a mature and polished image, increasing the likelihood that potential customers will trust your brand.
4. Facilitating Discussions: When new writing style rules emerge, having a style guide prompts thoughtful discussions before finalizing any decisions. This contrasts with making hasty choices that could lead to inconsistencies later on.
5. Simplifying Team Collaboration: For teams or freelancers, a style guide aligns everyone's efforts, minimizing confusion and the number of questions that may arise during the writing process. This should lead to fewer edits during the review stages.

Does Developing a Style Guide Require Much Effort?

Creating a style guide from scratch necessitates an initial time investment to establish your rules. However, once the foundation is set, you'll start reaping immediate time savings. As you continue writing, the need for new entries will diminish.

If you prefer a faster route, consider using an established style guide rather than crafting your own. Popular options include Hart's Rules (found in the Oxford Style Manual) in the UK and the Chicago Manual of Style in the US. Many organizations also rely on newspaper style guides, such as the Guardian and Observer Style Guide in the UK or the AP Stylebook in the US.

Integrating Your Style Guide with Established Norms

Choosing whether to develop your own style guide or adopt an existing one is a matter of personal preference. A hybrid approach—combining an established guide with your own specific rules—often works well.

Creating a custom guide allows for greater control and memorization of specific rules, while established guides save time and facilitate quicker onboarding for writers who are already familiar with them. However, you may encounter additional costs, especially if multiple team members require access to a particular style guide.

Tips for Crafting an Effective Style Guide

To create an efficient style guide, I recommend using a note-taking application like Notion. This method offers several advantages:

• Ease of Search: A digital format allows for quick searches, making it easier to adopt the guide as a habit.
• Simplicity of Updates: Style guides are living documents, and digital tools make it easy to implement changes.
• Accessibility: Sharing the guide with team members is straightforward, ensuring everyone has access to the latest version.

Additionally, encourage open discussions within your team when new style rule suggestions arise. Different perspectives can lead to solutions that resonate with a broader audience.

Finding the Right Support for Your Style Guide

If creating a style guide feels overwhelming, consider hiring an editor experienced in developing style guides. They can assist you in the process, whether you need someone to do the majority of the work or simply want guidance as you build your own.

The first video, "Style guides: what are they and do I need one?" dives into the essentials of style guides and their significance in writing.

The second video, "What Is a STYLE GUIDE?" elaborates on the concept and importance of style guides in various writing contexts.