The #1 Secret to Flawless Copywriting
Self-Editing is Your Secret to Success
Typos are sneaky little things, and they can cause trouble for even the best copywriters. A misspelled word or a funky sentence can instantly disrupt a reader and derail their train of thought.

When the reader has to work to understand what you’re saying, your point is already lost. 

Self-editing is a form of self-defense! It helps you spot those misspelled words and disjointed sentences, and will improve the quality of every piece of content you write.

But, of course, you’ll need to pay close attention when self-editing, to make meaningful improvements to your work. 

Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you master self-editing. 
  • Focus on one section at a time. Check the headline, then the intro, then the next paragraph, and so on. Once you’ve proofread each section, then do a full read-through.

  • Read aloud to yourself. Reading out loud helps you process the words you’ve written the same way a reader will in their head. It’s also a great way to input intonation. 

  • Have your computer read back to you. Many word processing programs will read your writing back to you. It’s a great way to listen while reading what’s on the page. 

  • Read from the perspective of your audience. Just because you know what something means doesn’t mean your audience will. Edit with an objective frame of mind. 

  • Develop an editing process. Do a pass for grammar and spelling. Then, check for word choice and clarity. Then, edit for structure. Procedural editing equates to consistency. 

Want more tips on how to self-edit for a polished, powerful piece of content? Join our Copywriting 101 Course and get practical tips like these to become a stronger copywriter.  

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