5 Proofreading Tips for Better Content
Well-written content adds credibility to a brand. When useful information is presented clearly and concisely, it demonstrates a company’s expertise in its industry and establishes trust with its audience.
Whether it’s through website copy, emails, literature or social media – well-written content helps brands share their message, inform and educate their audience, and encourage potential customers to engage with the brand.
On the flip side, foregoing a thorough read-through of your content can lead to careless mistakes. Grammatical errors, bad links, and missing attachments signal a lack of professionalism, and a confusing sentence can send the wrong message altogether.
Here are a few tips on how to set yourself up for proofreading success and put out typo-free marketing materials:
AVOID DISTRACTIONS
Block off your calendar and allocate a specific amount of time to proofread your work. Choose a time of day when you feel most alert, and find a spot where you won’t be easily distracted by others. It also helps to silence your notifications and set your phone across the room as you review!
GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK
After you finish writing, take a break before diving into your proofreading process. This will allow you to revisit your work with fresh eyes and spot errors more easily.
ASK FOR HELP
It’s always best to have multiple people involved in the review process. Ask a colleague or friend for a second opinion, since they may be able to spot errors you might have missed, or make suggestions you didn’t think of yourself. It’s always easier to catch a writing mistake when you’re not the one who made it!
READ OUT LOUD
Reading your work aloud – whether it’s to yourself or others – can help you to identify errors in grammar, punctuation, and syntax. It’s also a good way to check for clarity and flow.
LEVERAGE ONLINE TOOLS / PLUGINS
In addition to a second pair of eyes, leverage online resources like Grammarly or Hemingway to help identify errors in your writing as you go. This will reduce the amount of typos and mistakes you’ll need to correct later on. Just be sure not to rely too heavily on it, since it won’t catch everything!
Follow these simple proofreading tips to ensure that your marketing materials are polished, professional, and effectively communicate your brand’s message. If your business is looking for copywriting, corporate messaging, or general marketing support, send a note to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch!
