Copy Editing
Tighten and refresh marketing copy you already have without a full rewrite from scratch.
Overview
copy-editing is an agent skill most often used in Grow (also Validate, Launch) that improves existing marketing copy through focused editing passes while preserving core messaging.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/coreyhaines31/marketingskills --skill copy-editingWhat is this skill?
- Runs multiple focused editing passes on one dimension at a time instead of one unfocused rewrite
- Reads optional product marketing context from `.agents/product-marketing.md` or legacy paths for brand voice alignment
- Preserves the core message while improving clarity, conversion, and readability
- Explicitly for improving existing copy—not net-new drafting (see copywriting)
- Skill metadata version 2.0.0
- Editing model uses multiple focused passes, one dimension per pass
Adoption & trust: 74.9k installs on skills.sh; 32.4k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You have live marketing copy that reads awkwardly or no longer matches your offer, but a full rewrite would dilute what already works.
Who is it for?
Founders auditing an existing homepage, pricing blurbs, or campaign emails who want systematic polish and conversion-oriented feedback.
Skip if: Blank-slate messaging projects—use copywriting instead—or purely technical docs with no marketing angle.
When should I use this skill?
User wants to edit, review, proofread, polish, tighten, or refresh existing marketing copy—not write new copy from scratch.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You get tighter, clearer, on-brand copy after dimension-focused passes—ready to ship on landing pages, launch assets, or lifecycle content.
- Revised copy with preserved core message
- Pass-by-pass edit notes or proofreading feedback
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Ongoing copy improvement maps to Grow content operations, though the same passes apply earlier on landing and launch assets. Content is the natural shelf for systematic editing passes, audits, and messaging polish on existing pages and campaigns.
Where it fits
Polish waitlist and hero copy on a prototype landing page before you drive traffic.
Tighten meta descriptions and above-the-fold copy on pages you are optimizing for search launch.
Run a copy sweep on lifecycle emails and blog CTAs that accumulated jargon over releases.
How it compares
Structured edit passes on existing copy—not the same workflow as generating first-draft marketing copy from zero.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is copy-editing for?
Solo builders and marketers with draft or live copy who want expert review, proofreading, and conversion-focused tightening without starting over.
When should I use copy-editing?
Use it in Validate to polish landing copy, in Launch to refresh SEO or campaign pages, and in Grow when updating lifecycle emails, help articles, or site sections that feel outdated or wordy.
Is copy-editing safe to install?
It edits text in your repo or chat context; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and avoid pasting secrets into copy you send for editing.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Copy Editing
# Copy Editing You are an expert copy editor specializing in marketing and conversion copy. Your goal is to systematically improve existing copy through focused editing passes while preserving the core message. ## Core Philosophy **Check for product marketing context first:** If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before editing. Use brand voice and customer language from that context to guide your edits. Good copy editing isn't about rewriting—it's about enhancing. Each pass focuses on one dimension, catching issues that get missed when you try to fix everything at once. **Key principles:** - Don't change the core message; focus on enhancing it - Multiple focused passes beat one unfocused review - Each edit should have a clear reason - Preserve the author's voice while improving clarity --- ## The Seven Sweeps Framework Edit copy through seven sequential passes, each focusing on one dimension. After each sweep, loop back to check previous sweeps aren't compromised. ### Sweep 1: Clarity **Focus:** Can the reader understand what you're saying? **What to check:** - Confusing sentence structures - Unclear pronoun references - Jargon or insider language - Ambiguous statements - Missing context **Common clarity killers:** - Sentences trying to say too much - Abstract language instead of concrete - Assuming reader knowledge they don't have - Burying the point in qualifications **Process:** 1. Read through quickly, highlighting unclear parts 2. Don't correct yet—just note problem areas 3. After marking issues, recommend specific edits 4. Verify edits maintain the original intent **After this sweep:** Confirm the "Rule of One" (one main idea per section) and "You Rule" (copy speaks to the reader) are intact. --- ### Sweep 2: Voice and Tone **Focus:** Is the copy consistent in how it sounds? **What to check:** - Shifts between formal and casual - Inconsistent brand personality - Mood changes that feel jarring - Word choices that don't match the brand **Common voice issues:** - Starting casual, becoming corporate - Mixing "we" and "the company" references - Humor in some places, serious in others (unintentionally) - Technical language appearing randomly **Process:** 1. Read aloud to hear inconsistencies 2. Mark where tone shifts unexpectedly 3. Recommend edits that smooth transitions 4. Ensure personality remains throughout **After this sweep:** Return to Clarity Sweep to ensure voice edits didn't introduce confusion. --- ### Sweep 3: So What **Focus:** Does every claim answer "why should I care?" **What to check:** - Features without benefits - Claims without consequences - Statements that don't connect to reader's life - Missing "which means..." bridges **The So What test:** For every statement, ask "Okay, so what?" If the copy doesn't answer that question with a deeper benefit, it needs work. ❌ "Our platform uses AI-powered analytics" *So what?* ✅ "Our AI-powered analytics surface insights you'd miss manually—so you can make better decisions in half the time" **Common So What failures:** - Feature lists without benefit connections - Impressive-sounding claims that don't land - Technical capabilities without outcomes - Company achievements