While both proofreading and editing skills are essential when writing blogs, it is first important to understand how the two are different from one another.
Proofreading is more of a surface-level correction performed on the final draft. It involves removing any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, formatting issues, etc. In contrast, editors have a more thorough job to perform. They need to identify contextual errors in the body of the content and fix them; plus, they might also have to reduce the verbiage to make the copy more readable and clearer.
So, when proofreading blogs you’ve written, it is essential to think like an editor so that all errors missed in the initial editing process are mitigated. Read on to discover how!
Five Essential Tips for Proofreading Like an Editor After Blog Writing
Thinking like an editor when proofreading blogs is the best way to ensure you get an error-free copy with increased readability. Here are some X essential tips to follow:
1. Pay More Attention to Detail
When you’re proofreading blogs, make the most out of your editing skills by paying attention to detail. Be thorough when reading each line, and ensure that the task has all your focus. If you get distracted, you’ll likely miss a few significant errors, which might impact the overall quality of the blog.
Ideally, you should work in an environment that doesn’t cause any distractions. Try working in a library or your home office where no one can disturb you. And if you find your mind wandering off, take a small break and start afresh.
2. Remember Not to Edit “Intentional” Mistakes
As a proofreader, one of the most important tasks is omitting grammatical and spelling errors. But not every mistake you find within the copy needs to be edited.
During blog writing, many writers often make errors intentionally to form a new word, or the context of the error may be linked to a specific purpose. Back in the old days, writers often misspelled words on purpose to attain higher SEO ranking, but with the advanced Google algorithm, that is no longer necessary. Even today, a writer may still make intentional mistakes to add an element of creativity.
So, when proofreading blogs, make sure your mind doesn’t go on autopilot. If you do, you’ll mitigate all errors without understanding the context. Even if you’ve written the blog yourself, during proofreading, you might omit the error if your mind isn’t entirely focused. Remember the underlying goal of the copy and if the mistake fits well with the context of the blog writing, let it go.
3. Research the Topic You’re Proofreading
Researching the topic is one of the most important editing skills when proofreading blogs. Perhaps the blog was written some time ago, and the stats have changed since then. So, when you come across any such data, make sure to research it so that the blog has all the updated information . You do not want to publish a blog with outdated statistics or data.
4. Make Sure The Copy Uses Only Royalty-Free Sources
During blog writing, writers often use images, videos, and other reference materials to make the copy more appealing and engaging. However, when proofreading the blogs, make sure that all the content used is royalty-free and does not require licensing. Using other people’s work without permission will lead to potential legal issues and a bad reputation.
5. Read Out Loud
When you’re proofreading blogs, you’re mostly reading the text in your head. And while the text may seem to flow in your head, if you read it aloud , it might sound funny. Of course, this doesn’t always happen, but for good measure, proofreaders should read the copy loudly.
Using this approach, you’re more likely to identify mistakes that didn’t seem obvious before. Rather than looking at the sentences and structures as a proofreader, reading aloud changes your perspective to that of a reader. This helps improve the blog’s flow and overall quality.
The Bottom Line
Thinking like an editor when proofreading blogs allows you to create a more engaging, readable, and error-free copy. While both proofreading and editing skills are different from one another, they are essential for blog writing. But the important thing is to pay close attention and work in a distraction-free environment. And remember to take breaks when your mind starts to wander off. Editing or proofreading on autopilot won’t make much of a difference, so make sure you proofread and edit with a fresh pair of eyes and mind.
If you want completely mistake-free blogs, you can always hire professional blog writing services that deliver proofread and edited content. This way, you can get clearer content with updated statistics and royalty-free resources.
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