No matter how much great copy you write, how many cool images you add, how well you format or how much HTML you know, if you don’t proof read before you publish it is all wasted.
For most writers this is a no-brainer, checking your work should be part of the process (as should research).
Wordpress allows you to view your posts (as they will appear on your site) while you write and edit them.
This is a handy feature that should be used frequently as you write, format and edit your posts.
Editing Checklist
Spelling
Spelling mistakes are an instant credibility killer. If your browser doesn’t check your spelling for you, (that means you internet explorer users) cut and paste your text into a word doc and check the spelling before you publish. Save that copy so you have a physical backup of your work too.
Grammar
What you say can be sheer genius, but if you say it incorrectly no one will listen anyway. Proper grammar is on the decline and while it is important to absorb web trends, it is also important to keep your english simple and standardized enough that it can be read by a larger audience. People reading translated into other languages, handicapped and mobile readers everywhere will appreciate you.
Common Mistakes
We all make them, but when you are writing you have the opportunity to correct them before anyone sees them. Find a funny way to remember them and use it.
Punctuation
Created to emphasize points and separate ideas in writing, proper usage gets your point across most efficiently. Try to avoid excess punctuation, one question mark is just as effective and far less irritating than four of them.
Cliches
We’ve all heard them our whole lives, do we need to read them too? Before you publish be sure to go on a cliche search and destroy mission.
Formatting Errors
No one speaks HTML as a first language, so expect mistakes. It’s a good idea to check your code as you go along (mistakes can be hard to find), but not everyone can be bothered. It doesn’t matter when you check it, as long as you do.
The Squint Test
Give your post the squint test, when you squint your eyes can you follow the important ideas by reading headers and bold text? Formatting should take into consideration all types of readers, the ones who want to read in-depth about a topic; and those who are looking through your post for the specific bit of information they searched for.
Self Love
Link to yourself wherever possible (within reason), sometimes as you read back through a post you’ll find new opportunities to do so, take them.
Sourcing
I can’t stress enough how important it is to credit your information and image sources. Your proofreading process should automatically include checking for sources.
Consider Your Audience
Ask yourself a few questions: What do you want to accomplish with your post? Sell a product, provide a reference, become popular on social media? If your post is a call to action, does it get your reader there? Read your copy as objectively as you can to see if it accomplishes its intended goal.
Checking Links
This is the one editing step I recommend you do after posting. Check your code when you edit, but wait until you have published the article to check each link. As soon as you click that link (yes, even if you haven’t published) you alert whoever you are linking to. Better to have them come back to your site to find a polished and published piece in which you reference them rather than an error page.
Again, The Reminder
Once you hit save (or autosave kicks in) what you have written is no longer just on your computer, it’s on someone’s server. That’s right, you don’t even have to publish for your words to be out in cyberspace, under someone else’s control. Write accordingly.
This is the grand finale for my wordpress posting tips series, be sure you read all of them to learn how to write the best wordpress post in town.
The Intro
Pt. 2 Formatting
Pt. 3 HTML
Pt. 4 Images
Just a quick note that if grammar and punctuation aren’t your thing or you just need a different set of eyes looking your post over, there are copy editors who specialize in editing blog posts. I do it in the html source code so I can insert special punctuation like em dashes, etc., among other reasons. Outsourcing the editing is just a way to take a blog to the next level of professionalism if you’re at that point of readership.
Good list, by the way!
Another set of eyes checking your work is ideal.
Unfortunately that usually requires turnaround time, which can work to a bloggers disadvantage when they have hot news to publish.
How do you get around that?
That’s true. It works best for people who schedule their posts so I can have some lead time. In any case if it’s a business day, I can usually turn a post around in a matter of an hour or two. I either publish the post directly after editing it or send the author the html as a txt file so they can publish.
The most important part is building a relationship so there’s a comfort level between writer and editor. I think it’s important for the blog writer to know what to expect from me as an editor, both as far as turn-around, and what the editing will consist of.
Thanks!
For top quality, prepared posts I think it is important, especially if they will be earning lots of exposure.
Wonderful post and helpful tips!