I've edited 3+ million words in 5 years.
"Step away for 12 hours, then edit" is elementary advice.
Here's the 3-step process pros use to polish drafts to (near) perfection:
"Step away for 12 hours, then edit" is elementary advice.
Here's the 3-step process pros use to polish drafts to (near) perfection:
There are three editing types.
1. Developmental editing
2. Copy editing
3. Proofreading
I do them in that order.
Start with the big picture, then zoom in.
1. Developmental editing
2. Copy editing
3. Proofreading
I do them in that order.
Start with the big picture, then zoom in.
Developmental editing = Structural editing
Use it to evaluate:
-Does it answer 'the why' behind search intent?
-Is the narrative ordered correctly?
-Is the perspective accurately reflected?
-Is audience targeting on point?
-Are CTAs strategically placed?
Use it to evaluate:
-Does it answer 'the why' behind search intent?
-Is the narrative ordered correctly?
-Is the perspective accurately reflected?
-Is audience targeting on point?
-Are CTAs strategically placed?
It's important to start here because every piece of content needs a goal and purpose.
Otherwise, you're speaking to everyone and reaching no one.
Also, the way you present ideas varies by format + goal.
Get this wrong, and edits like "killing passive voice" don't mean shit.
Otherwise, you're speaking to everyone and reaching no one.
Also, the way you present ideas varies by format + goal.
Get this wrong, and edits like "killing passive voice" don't mean shit.
My developmental editing process:
1. Return to your draft after time away
2. Re-read the brief or realign on goals
3. Read the draft WITHOUT editing
Don't fix small errors yet.
Instead, leave structural notes throughout.
Copy editing shifts your mindset.
Don't lose focus.
1. Return to your draft after time away
2. Re-read the brief or realign on goals
3. Read the draft WITHOUT editing
Don't fix small errors yet.
Instead, leave structural notes throughout.
Copy editing shifts your mindset.
Don't lose focus.
Next, reorganize sections & ideas as needed.
For example, a thought leadership article on quality content aimed at a senior audience doesn't need a 'What Is Quality Content?' H2.
But a how-to thread aimed at beginners might need it for context.
The purpose drives the structure
For example, a thought leadership article on quality content aimed at a senior audience doesn't need a 'What Is Quality Content?' H2.
But a how-to thread aimed at beginners might need it for context.
The purpose drives the structure
Copy editing = Flow, format, & function
Use it to check (1/2):
-Are arguments complete?
-Do paragraphs flow seamlessly?
-Are sentences written in active voice?
-Is it free of redundant words/phrases/ideas?
-Does it include “the why” behind “the what”?
-Does it have takeaways?
Use it to check (1/2):
-Are arguments complete?
-Do paragraphs flow seamlessly?
-Are sentences written in active voice?
-Is it free of redundant words/phrases/ideas?
-Does it include “the why” behind “the what”?
-Does it have takeaways?
Use it to check (2/2):
-Are bulleted lists in the same tense (parallelism)?
-Are sources original and interpreted correctly?
-Does it include unique insights that help it stand out?
-Does it have spelling mistakes/awkward spacing/dialect errors)?
-Are headers tied to outcomes?
-Are bulleted lists in the same tense (parallelism)?
-Are sources original and interpreted correctly?
-Does it include unique insights that help it stand out?
-Does it have spelling mistakes/awkward spacing/dialect errors)?
-Are headers tied to outcomes?
Running through copy editing ensures that:
-The narrative flows smoothly
-Every sentence adds value
-Questions are answered fully (what + why + how + takeaway)
The best content is easy to digest, interesting, and engaging.
Strong copy editing gets you there.
-The narrative flows smoothly
-Every sentence adds value
-Questions are answered fully (what + why + how + takeaway)
The best content is easy to digest, interesting, and engaging.
Strong copy editing gets you there.
My copy editing process:
1. Reorganize/remove paragraphs as needed
2. For every claim, make sure the reason/benefit is clear
3. Make sure every single "what" has a "why"
4. Make general statements more specific
5. Check for readability (clear = better)
Here's the trick:
1. Reorganize/remove paragraphs as needed
2. For every claim, make sure the reason/benefit is clear
3. Make sure every single "what" has a "why"
4. Make general statements more specific
5. Check for readability (clear = better)
Here's the trick:
To catch things like this, you have to switch to an editor’s mindset.
When you’re thinking like a writer, you’re focused on getting ideas out of your head.
Here, "good enough" is absolutely enough. Obsessing over details stunts the creative process.
So...
When you’re thinking like a writer, you’re focused on getting ideas out of your head.
Here, "good enough" is absolutely enough. Obsessing over details stunts the creative process.
So...
Switching to an editor's mindset is all about going from "this is good enough" to "what's missing?"
Now, you’re intentionally looking for:
-Holes in arguments
-Friction points in flow
-Generalizations
-Redundancy
-Wordiness, etc.
Now, you’re intentionally looking for:
-Holes in arguments
-Friction points in flow
-Generalizations
-Redundancy
-Wordiness, etc.
Proofreading = Nitpicking
My proofreading process is honestly quite short.
I catch most mistakes during a developmental edit.
But I always read it one final time to catch tiny errors that slip by.
This is pretty much the only thing I use Grammarly for.
My proofreading process is honestly quite short.
I catch most mistakes during a developmental edit.
But I always read it one final time to catch tiny errors that slip by.
This is pretty much the only thing I use Grammarly for.
There you have it! A professional editing process.
If you've found this valuable:
Follow me @ericasmyname for more content writing & editing tips
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If you've found this valuable:
Follow me @ericasmyname for more content writing & editing tips
And retweet to share:
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