Hi, I’m Ariel. For the past two years, I’ve been editing most of the new content on Making Sense of Cents. Besides working on this blog, I’m about to graduate with a degree in English Literature from Washington University, where I’ve also been accepted into their competitive Honors program. Though my academic writing differs from blog posts, I use similar strategies for both. I’ve also sought additional writing and editing help through my university to enhance my skills.
Professionally, I don’t just edit here; I also write knitting patterns and provide technical support for other knitwear designers. So, I’ve got a lot of experience in various writing fields.
Blogs are unique because they let you use a conversational tone while offering professional advice. We’ve all seen blog posts or articles with mistakes that make us question the writer’s credibility. Editing is the final step that turns your message into a polished, trustworthy piece of writing. If you want to grow your blog through partnerships and affiliate marketing, companies need to see that you can represent them professionally.
Editing can seem daunting, but with the strategies I’ll discuss, you can become a better writer and editor, earning your readers’ trust and taking your blog to the next level.
### Why You Should Be a Better Editor
Years ago, a professor once told me, “You had me until this mistake, and from there on, I wasn’t sure I could take you seriously.” That small error showed I hadn’t put enough effort into my writing, despite spending hours on research. This comment stuck with me, and I’m sure many of us have felt the same when reading something online.
To keep your readers engaged, avoid losing them over spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Crafting your article well will guide your readers from questions to answers, rather than leaving them confused. Editing ensures your posts are cohesive, thoughtful, and authoritative, making your readers trust you and come back for more advice.
### The Editing Process
Everyone has a different editing process, but it’s crucial to find one that works for you. For my academic and professional writing, I separate writing and editing. I do free writing first, focusing on getting my ideas down without worrying about errors. After letting it sit for a day or two, I go back to edit.
For editing, I need a quiet environment because it’s a more precise process than writing. The break between writing and editing allows me to reflect on what I’ve written and consider changes. You might need to edit your articles several times, and that’s okay. If you get frustrated, take a break and return later. For Making Sense of Cents, everything is edited at least twice. I also focus on individual words and read everything out loud while editing.
### Find an Editing Platform That Works for You
For editing posts on Making Sense of Cents, I use Google Docs, which lets both Michelle and me see all edits in real-time and add comments if needed. For academic writing, I either print things out to edit on paper or send them to my mom, my favorite editor, who uses Adobe Acrobat.
Microsoft Word and other word programs have editing functions that let you track changes. Find one that’s user-friendly for you, even if it means experimenting with different software. Seeing your edits helps you recognize common mistakes and learn how to avoid them in future writing.
### Organize Your Thoughts
Organizing your thoughts before writing helps create a cohesive post. Sometimes, it’s easier to write without worrying about organization, but an organized post guides your readers from introduction to conclusion. You might find it helpful to create an outline before writing or to free write first and then organize your points during editing.
### Create a Style Sheet
A style sheet helps maintain a consistent style and format for your posts. It can include fonts, list organization, subheadings, etc. Using a style sheet consistently makes your posts familiar to your readers, adding value to your blog.
### Do You Need to Follow a Specific Writing Style?
You don’t necessarily need to follow specific writing and citation styles like AP, MLA, or Chicago for your blog. What’s important is consistency. For example, I use the Oxford comma, spell out numbers below 10, and italicize book titles. If you want to attract freelance writing jobs, consider adopting the style used by the companies you’re targeting.
### Know Your Writing Weaknesses
To become a better editor, identify your writing weaknesses. Maybe you struggle with spelling, commas, or modifiers. Knowing your common mistakes helps you focus during editing. Learning the reasons behind grammar rules can also help. For example, I used to overuse commas, but understanding their proper use has improved my writing.
### Create a Help Sheet
A help sheet is a reference tool to ensure consistency. For example, I keep a help sheet for hyphenated words, which I often struggle with. It saves time by having rules readily available while editing.
### Know Your Voice
Your writing voice is crucial for engaging readers. It might change based on what you’re reading, but getting comfortable with it takes practice. Writing in a conversational tone can make your content more approachable. Consider your audience and use industry terms relevant to your niche.
### Energize Your Writing
Using an active voice can make your writing more engaging. For example, instead of saying, “Financial independence brings you happiness,” say, “You will find happiness through financial independence.” This directly tells your readers what to do and understand.
### Put Your Reader in Your Posts
Speak directly to your readers to engage them. Instead of saying, “People will love this recipe,” say, “You will love this recipe.” This approach makes your readers feel personally addressed.
### Concision is Key
Being concise respects your readers’ time. During editing, focus on the main point of each paragraph and cut unnecessary information. This doesn’t mean extra information isn’t valuable, but it could be used for a more in-depth post later.
### Be an Aware Writer and Editor
Be conscious of how your writing affects your readers. Consider social and political contexts and avoid potentially offensive terms. Awareness can be honed during editing. If you think something might offend, provide context or reconsider its inclusion.
### Get Help When You Need It
Even the best writers and editors need help. Use online resources, take courses, or read books to improve your skills. My favorite online resource is Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips. If editing feels overwhelming, consider hiring someone to help.
### The Bottomline
To grow your online content, remember these key points:
– Editing adds cohesion and professionalism to your blog.
– Find a writing and editing process that works for you.
– Acknowledge your weaknesses and work to improve them.
– Respect your audience by presenting trustworthy content.
– Don’t let the editing process stop you from writing. Put your ideas out there and improve as you go.