Writing & copy editing
How Square sounds, how to work with our copy editing team, and audience insights that help define how we relate to businesses with our words.
Resources
Below are links to downloadable assets, guides, reference materials, and more. If you’re an external partner, you can download resources from the Brand Asset Library.
Writing guide 
Square Style Guide
Audience insights
Copy edit request form
Writing
Writing
Writing at Square comes with its nuances, but overall, we center how we sound and what we say around these four foundational principles.
Clear
Business owners have countless decisions to make. Our copy helps them by being as clear and concise as possible. Focus on benefits and be direct so audiences get the message and grow their trust in us.
Confident
Our confidence comes from experience and knowledge. We were the first of our kind in the industry, but we don’t let our ego get in the way. We share what we know so businesses can always turn to us when planning their next moves.
Real
Be open about the realities of running a business — even the tough stuff — but don’t dwell on the struggles. Focus on what’s good now and the good to come.
Inclusive
Always keep your audience in mind. Meet people where they are in terms of knowledge, goals, interests, etc. Our messaging should welcome people in and create conversation.
Writing
The Square writing guide
The complete Square writing guide contains more details, best-in-class examples, helpful writing tips, and resources for top-quality writing and localizing your work.
Copy editing & proofreading
Copy editing & proofreading
Copy editing at Square encompasses the copy edit and proofreading stages and follows the Square Style Guide. It’s meant to help you understand the mechanics of our writing, including detailed guidance on grammar, style, and Square terminology. Guidance is updated regularly in line with the Square writing guidelines.
Copy editing & Proofreading
Square copy editing is a two-step process.
Copy editing and proofreading are two distinct revisions that make up one complete process. As a best practice, these revisions happen in separate stages to ensure that work is error-free before it goes live.
((1)) Copy editing
Copy editing happens in the creative phase. It’s a comprehensive review of work in progress. It acts as a check to help writers refine their work.
((2)) Proofreading
Proofreading happens in the production phase. It’s a limited review of finalized work. It acts as a backstop to catch any remaining errors before shipment or publication.
Copy editing & Proofreading
How to get your work reviewed
Some projects need copy editing, some need proofreading, and some need both. When you reach the appropriate stage to loop in editors — first or second draft for copy editing; final version for proofreading — use the copy editing request form below. (Note: These links are limited to Block, Inc. employees.)
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