About Ilsa
Featured
"An absolute perfectionist, always on hand to answer any queries as well as being super-easy to chat to and so down-to-earth. There aren’t enough superlatives in the world to describe how good she is at what she does."
I am passionate about getting words exactly right.
I love helping people and businesses to create or improve just about any type of written content.
I have close connections with other editors, copywriters, proofreaders, graphic designers and website designers. If I can't help you, I'll very happily find someone who can.
SERVICES:
- Copyediting and proofreading – for businesses, charities, publishing companies, authors
- Copywriting – finding (different) ways to make sure your ideal clients want to connect with you
- Ghostwriting – non-fiction
- Creating books and their blurbs, newsletters, educational material, website content, blogs and marketing material
Media
Books, multi-author publications, illustrated books, online materials, educational materials, websites/blogs, company literature.
Experience
Freelance since 2007
Director, WordSure Ltd, 2009–present
Training
Copy-editing (Publishing Training Centre) 2014
Proofreading (Publishing Training Centre) 2008
Clients
For over ten years I have completed copyediting and copywriting work for a large number of SMEs and publishing companies. This work has beein mainly in the areas of business development, business training, life coaching, entertainment, wedding services, hospitality, photography, graphic design, health and fitness.
I have worked as a proofreader for Random House and for advertising/design agencies. I’ve copyedited a range of internal, marketing and training materials for a number of businesses with 400+ employees, in the fields of insurance and educational development.
I have recently ghostwritten a book on motivational business development, to 100% 5-star reviews on Amazon. I have also helped a number of aspiring authors to develop their book content to very high standards and to self-publish on Amazon, for which I have completed the typesetting and submission to KDP.
I also make time, whenever possible, to complete pro bono copyediting and copywriting work for non-profit organisations.
Subjects
Advertising
Antiques
Business development
Charities
Children’s books
Entertainment
Graphic design
Health and Fitness (nutrition, gyms, bootcamps)
Hospitality
Life coaching
Marketing
Mental health
Personal wellbeing
Photography
Schools (development, health and safety, governors, primary)
SMEs
Travel
Website (editing, writing, basic design)
Wedding services
Other qualifications
Diplom zur Industriekauffrau – business management diploma from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (requiring fluent German)
testimonials
Hiring Ilsa at WordSure as copy-editor for my book Blissful Wedding Planning: Becoming a Stoic Bride was the easiest and the best decision that I could possibly have made. The proof of this came when I read through her example editing – she’d gone through the first few thousand words of the book and made some suggested amendments and sent it back over as an example of what she could do.
I was gobsmacked to find that, despite writing the book myself and having re-read it over and over again, when I was reading through Ilsa’s changes to work I felt utterly compelled and enthralled by it – it felt fresh and new to me whilst still maintaining my writing style perfectly.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that my book will be a much better commercial success because of the work Ilsa has done on it.
Aside from the copy-editing, she also did an incredible job typesetting the book on InDesign – this took my pages and pages of loosely formatted text and turned it into what is now a published book.
It reads so well, it looks the absolute business, and all of this is due to Ilsa.
An absolute perfectionist, always on hand to answer any queries as well as being super easy to chat to and so down-to-earth.
There aren’t enough superlatives in the world to describe how good she is at what she does.
Chris Piercy
Hypnotherapist, magician and author
chrispiercymagic.co.uk
When I send draft copy to WordSure, it comes back not only perfectly proofed but also with improved sentence structure and flow. Ilsa often even cross-checks and corrects facts, figures and historical details – such is her forensic attention to detail!
Working with WordSure gives me the confidence to hand over copy to my clients ready for publication. They are flexible enough to accommodate my deadlines, which are often tight.
The copy editing process with WordSure is incredibly smooth. I can go from a rough draft to fully proofed, print-ready copy in two emails.
Working with WordSure has made me realise just how much an automated spell check / auto-correct on the laptop can miss.
Andy Lockley
Somewhere up north
somewhereupnorth.co.uk
I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of Ilsa’s book copy-editing service with my first novel.
She diligently trawled through it like shiny knife through dirty butter, making corrections where needed and suggestions where my language and grammar skills weren’t nearly as good as I’d thought.
Not only did Ilsa spot things us mere mortals miss (and I’d had it ‘proofed’ several times by a few people that had missed them), but she was always very diplomatic and empathic when delivering edits, knowing that she is pretty much handling someone’s baby.
I cannot recommend Ilsa enough. She rocks.
Paul Chambers
Author
I was introduced to Ilsa as I’m terrible at copy-writing or anything related. She has improved not just my business but my life by taking out all the stress, from everything like emails, blogs and website content. She also moulded the content from me and my co-author, Spencer Wood, to create our now published book, STEP: Steps Towards Extraordinary Potential. Ilsa will find ways to make your business shine amongst the crowd, is 100% reliable and good fun to work with. You won’t find a better copywriter or copy-editor.
Lee Smith
leesmithmagic.com
Ilsa came highly recommended. I’d told a friend I was preparing new content for my website. I could never imagine just how much and how valuable a service I received. Ilsa has the perfect way with words. My one reservation had been “my service is so personal, how can someone understand me and my own business as much as me, with the same passion and interest?”. I cannot begin to describe how thorough and dedicated every contact I’ve had with Ilsa has been. She spread magic through my web content, and actually made me realise how proud I am of my work and NOW my website reflects this. She thought of things I’d not even considered. Her amazing eye for detail and passion for writing are astounding. I can honestly say she is the most hard-working and dedicated professional, and she has added so much value to my website, brochures, contracts and documentation. I’m blown away with the service!
Sharon Cooper
Wedding Photographer
sharoncooper.co.uk
Ilsa at WordSure is a force of nature. With boundless enthusiasm and bubbling with fresh ideas, she brings something new to every project. She gets under the skin of our aims and objectives and always delivers something that is above and beyond our expectations.
Dean Harmer
Creative director, aitch:creative Limited
aitchcreative.co.uk
I have worked with Ilsa on several projects in the last few months, including the content of our own website. She has always gone out of her way to make the whole process simple, and fun, while providing excellent website copy that has transformed our site into something eyecatching, exciting and more importantly converting readers into clients. Going far beyond her remit, and thinking out of the box, she has provided us with excellent ideas on the layout, site maps and call to action on our site that have all worked exceptionally well. I have no hesitation in recommending Ilsa for your project.
Mark Holt
Director, HitchinTV
hitchintv.co.uk
I can’t speak highly enough of the work that Ilsa produced for BOTH our books (my husband’s and my own). She was an invaluable part of our team, and she allowed our thoughts/meaning to come across in a more precise and effective manner. Ilsa contributed endlessly with her time and editing skills, and kept the flow of the material all the way through the books. Although our relationship started as a working relationship, I am proud to call this skilled and kind woman our friend. Thank you Ilsa!
Chantal Barnes
Author of The Way of the Explorer, co-author of The Way of the Dog
Service
Disclaimer note
The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.