Proofreading, for bloggers, is an essential step that sometimes gets overlooked. Most people do not want to review their own work, especially since most writers are the biggest critic of their own writing. The problem with this is that blogs that contain mistakes lose credibility in the eyes of readers, as well as with search engines when they are ranked. Proofreading is the ideal way to handle this problem- be sure to check out these tips before you start.
- Start with the Right Mindset
- Do Not Proofread as You Write
- Take a Break from Your Work Before You Get Started
- Do Not Just Skim- Slow Down and Read
Writers rarely enjoy the proofreading stage. After all, how likely is it that you want to go through and criticize your own work? If you read the introductory paragraph, however, you know that proofreading is essential. Instead of looking at it as a chore, look at it as a challenge. Challenge yourself to perfect your blog article. When you rise to the occasion, you will be in the right mindset to edit.
Proofreading jobs become increasingly difficult if you attempt to do it as you write your blog. When your focus is on editing, you will greatly hinder your creative thought. You can become distracted, lose track of what you are doing, and have trouble even getting through the article as you make changes. For this reason, always complete your blog in entirety before beginning the editing process.
It is always best to begin your session with a fresh pair of eyes. Do not edit immediately after you finish writing, since it can be easy to speed-read through the work since you are so familiar with it. Wait at least an hour, or longer if you can. If you are running behind on your deadline, wait at least 15 minutes or hire proofreading services with a quick turnaround time so a fresh pair of eyes can review your work.
It can be very easy to skim your own work. The best way to proofread is out loud, slowly so you can catch even hard-to-miss errors. If reading aloud is not an option, time yourself reading the average blog post. When you review your work, lengthen your average reading time by 1-2 minutes. If you find yourself incapable of slowing down enough to catch errors, consider online proofreading companies that can do the work for you.
Before you get started on any of your necessary editing, keep the above tips in mind. Though criticizing your own work is not always fun, it is a necessary step if you want to ensure high search engine rankings and earn the trust of your blog’s readers.