One of the most important steps in the writing process is proofreading. You may have just written a great blog post, but if it is filled with spelling and grammatical errors, no one is going to take it seriously. Let’s be honest- sometimes editing our own work is hard. If you have been sitting at the computer all day, your eyes may not catch every little detail. Thankfully, there are so many techniques that writers use to make sure their work is in tiptop shape before hitting the public eye. I am here to share some of these tips with you!
#1: Use spell check. The first step when proofreading is to take advantage of the spell check button. HOWEVER, be careful. Even spell check misses the occasional spelling error, or replaces your misspelled word with a whole new word.
#2: Peer edit. Sometimes all you need is another pair of eyes to look over your work. Have a friend or colleague check it out if they are not busy.
#3: Read out loud. It may sound childish, but reading your work out loud like a report will work! You can catch a lot of grammatical errors when you actually hear the words and sentence. You may also realize that you are being too “wordy” or your flow is off.
#4: Go back with fresh eyes. Take a break- it’s that simple. Sometimes you just need to walk away in order to recuperate.
#5: Read backwards. Start from the bottom and look at every word. Singling out words will help you catch spelling errors.
#6: Make sure all the words are there. Our minds work faster than we can type. If you start typing an idea, you may MISS a word. This is a common problem- always watch out for it!
#7: Make a checklist. This way, you can develop a system that works best for you and always turn to it.
Honestly, whatever works for you is a great system. But whatever you do, do NOT skip the proofreading process- everyone makes mistakes! Think of proofreading as one of your insurance marketing strategies…it needs to be done, and it needs to be done right!
If you have any questions or additional tips to share, feel free to comment! Your trusty Insurance Bloggers are always here to help!