This is an oldie but a goody. In today’s blog post, I’m going to go over a quick and easy checklist for you to use before you hit the publish button. Typos and grammar errors make our posts look unprofessional and can cause a reader to drop off. Honestly, when I come across a post with too many mistakes, I move on to another page. So use this post as a review to help eliminate those nuisance errors.
You’ve finally written that epic post.
Nodding to yourself, you say, “It is good,” and click the PUBLISH button to send it on its way. Twenty minutes later, as you reread your masterpiece, you realize that you used often in place of offer. Both words are spelled correctly, so the spellchecker did not catch the error. Then, a little further down the page, another mistake.
“Oh, no!” you cry and bring the post back to edit.
Again.
Before publishing your post, what could you have done to catch these silly errors?
Here are three tips that I use before I click the PUBLISH button.
The problem with being the creator, the writer, and the editor is that we are too close to our work and cannot always see our silly mistakes. Writing is like a big ‘ol pot of chili; it needs to sit overnight to let the flavors meld together. So, before you click that publish button, try these three simple tips to catch your mistakes before you publish that next epic post.
Checklist Tip #1: Put Your Work Away
After you have finished writing and are satisfied with your work:
- Put your work away and let it sit overnight.
- If you can’t wait overnight, put it away for a few hours and do something else.
- Go for a walk or cook dinner, but do something to get your mind off your work.
Taking a break for a short period will allow you to return to your work with clear eyes and a clear mind. Watch as you reread your post the following day; the spelling and grammar errors will pop out.
Checklist Tip #2: Read Your Post Out Loud
By reading your new post aloud, you can hear what you wrote and not read what you think you wrote. Doing this will help you catch any run-on sentences, wordiness, or misplaced commas. Read every word aloud, and by the time you reach the end of your work, you will have caught many errors that your grammar/spell checker did not catch.
Checklist Tip #3: Preview Your Post
Most blogging software has a PREVIEW POST button. This button lets you view your blog post just as it appears on your website. Previewing your post is a great opportunity to test the links and buttons placed within your blog. No one likes dead links or buttons that do not work. Your readers to abandon your blog. So, keep them reading your content with links that work.
After you reread your post and correct any other errors (believe me, they happen), you can send your post out for the world to see.
To Wrap It All Up
Let’s review: writing your blog post is a work of art. You pour your heart and soul into crafting prose to enlighten your readers. The last thing you want is to ruin your masterpiece with silly mistakes. Use this checklist to take a moment and let your post sit. You’ll be surprised by what you find when you come back to read your blog post with fresh eyes.
I Hope You Enjoyed This Post.
Be sure to check out my other posts. I cover everything from content creation to SEO to Social Media. So be sure to give it a look!
How to Write a Blog: 10 Steps to Perfection
Blog Headlines That Sizzle: Three Secrets You Need to Know
Content Secrets Revealed: Why Hiring a Freelance Writer Maximizes Results
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Until next time, everyone,
Peace, Love, and Happiness
