Why Editing and Proofreading Is Necessary for Your Content

Writing takes several revisions before publishing your written work. But is there a better way to revise? The proper method here is editing and proofreading.

Revising content means that you have to follow the correct procedure. And this is where editing and proofreading come in as two separate activities. Although editing is the most used term, you need to separate editing from proofreading.

The segregated approach divides your attention to important aspects of your content. In this article, we're going to differentiate editing from proofreading and why both actions are necessary.

What Is the Difference Between Editing and Proofreading?

The interchangeable terms editing and proofreading generally mean the same thing, which is to revise your content. However, the reason for splitting them into two different terms is because both require distinct actions. What are they? 

Let's identify their differences.

Editing Process

When we say editing, you check if your writing makes sense and if readers understand the content. The editing procedure requires creative and critical thinking. You have to review the following factors when you edit a piece of content:

• Proper flow of ideas and transitions
• Consistency
• Clarity of words
• Sentences are easy to read and understand
• Appropriate tone and writing style

What you're doing in editing is a broader, non-specific task to have logical content. You have to organize the ideas so that readers can understand what you are trying to express. Editing your content will make it readable and has a proper structure upon reading. 

There are no grammar rules that you have to review, only the general idea behind your words. Concentrate on how the content reads and sounds, depending on your intended message. Correcting the grammar and spelling is for a separate procedure: proofreading.

Proofreading Process

Proofreading, on the other hand, is more systematic. You will have to look for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Aside from these fundamental aspects, you also have to consider the following:

• Passive to active voice
• Using the right version, such as American vs British English
• Proper use of AP or other stylebooks

You have a more defined method in proofreading. The spelling, grammar, and punctuation formats all have proper rules that you need to follow. You are following the rules to use the language, be it in English or other foreign speech. It will depend on the type of language you'll be using for the content.

Unlike editing, proofreading is about polishing your work and making it error-free. You have to correct the writing mistakes in your content. Separately proofreading your content allows you to focus on just addressing the technicalities of the spelling and grammar. In most cases, proofreading is the final step to well-written content.

Both editing and proofreading are two separate actions you need to do. While it might seem like additional work, editing and proofreading are crucial. Let's dig into why editing and proofreading are a significant part of content creation.

Importance of Editing and Proofreading

More than 30% of 1,500 marketers create content as their approach to marketing. With this, it's vital to have content that went through proper editing and proofreading. 

Here are a few of the outcomes when you edit and proofread content accordingly:

Correct spelling and grammar

The most obvious reason to edit and proofread content is to correct mistakes. You have to review for spelling errors, grammar inaccuracies, and lacking punctuation. It needs to be spotless before you publish your work.

Accurate spelling and grammar will depend on the language you're using. The English language, for instance, can have different spelling variations. Aside from having perfect grammar, your writing style must also connect with your audience's preferred reading tone.

Make clearer sentences 

Readability is crucial when it comes to written work. Your audience has to be able to understand the sentences and paragraphs. If the goal of your post is to inform, a straightforward sentence construction relays the idea more concisely.

The Flesch reading test is a generally accepted metric for readability. A Flesch score of around 60 indicates that your content is easy to understand. It will be clearer to read, making it easy to digest the information or idea you're presenting to them.

Add credibility

People will trust what they read when there are no glaring mistakes. It gives an impression that it's professionally written content. Editing and proofreading go together to make your work credible to the readers.

Aside from containing valuable information, you should also present your content in a spotless format. Nowadays, articles are available for just about any topic. You can make your content stand out by doing editing and proofreading. Doing so means you have reviewed every word you're using, attracting even more readers to read and share your content.

Create impactful content

It's possible to have high-quality content that impacts the readers after editing and proofreading them. When you review the words you use, you can come up with more persuasive content. It will be a more decisive and precise article that convinces readers to believe or form an opinion.

Editing and proofreading help you choose words that relay ideas more vividly. Your content will be relatable and easy for the readers to understand. Creating an impact is even more crucial when you have a content marketing campaign.

For SEO purposes

Editing and proofreading are not only to have error-free articles. You can also edit and proofread your content for SEO by strategically inserting keywords. Search engines can pick up your article or website content with keyword optimization. Not only are you creating flawless and readable content, but you are also making it easier for search engines to index your work.

Statista cites that on-page content is 57% effective in SEO, making it vital to review what you publish. You can make your content more effective for SEO after you edit and proofread them. Additionally, regularly revising content for SEO can make you gain insights into what works for your niche.

Editing and proofreading are a significant part of content revision. And, as much as you want to edit and proofread it by yourself, it's beneficial to have an editor or another individual spot mistakes.

Having another person edit and proofread content is worth it. Their point of view can help you improve your content. They may be able to spot mistakes or corrections that you would otherwise miss. 

Whether you choose freelancers, third-party writing agencies, or a full-time editor, they can enhance your content before publishing them. With that, how do you know which service would be better to choose? We'll get into that here.

What To Look For in Editing and Proofreading Services?

Cost-effective

While quality editing and proofreading come at a cost, it doesn't have to be expensive. You don't need a best-selling author or an editor with a Ph.D. to edit and proofread content. Alternatively, there are various services available that you can choose to revise your work.

Freelancers can take on the editing and proofreading task if you prefer not to have a full-time editor. Another option is a subscription that includes editing and proofreading services. Both of these choices have varying costs. It is about picking which option is suitable for your work and budget.

Reliability

Choose editing and proofreading services that are reliable and have a professional work ethic. It will be easier to collaborate with them in producing an error-free and effective write-up. If you find it hard to trust freelance editors, you can subscribe to writing services instead.

Writing services from subscription firms are a better choice. These subscription-based writing services, such as Delesign's SEO writing, are more reliable. They'll allot a dedicated writer to edit and proofread your content.

Delesign has carefully selected its writing talent to work on editing and proofreading tasks. Also, if the assigned writer will not be available, other proficient writers are ready to take on your project. Thus, your editing and proofreading tasks will be continuous. You'll have a flawless written piece of content that best represents or conveys your message.