International Women’s Day

by Sara Davies | Mar 10, 2020 | proofread

This is my post for International Women’s Day (ok, I know it’s a bit late), as I am a woman running a small business, so I’m trying to do my bit.I run a freelance copy editing and proofreading business based in Southampton in the UK. I am happy to take on any work, whether it be an email, blog, CV or resume, article, essay, thesis, magazine, website or book. I’ve edited all of them and will happily carry on editing them all.

While I obviously work for local and national customers, I have regular international customers too. I will work with anyone from around the world. I accept payments through PayPal, so that shouldn’t be a problem for most of you.

If you have any document that needs copy editing or proofreading, then get in touch with me. I guarantee I will respond and do all I can to make your document(s) perfect. I have excellent English-language skills, and always work quickly and accurately. Most importantly, I will provide you with an exceptional service!

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you!

#IWD2020 #EachforEqual

What Is the Definition of Editing?

by Sara Davies | Mar 6, 2020 | proofread

The most common answer: correcting misspelt words or adding a comma where it belongs. That’s somewhat correct, but only the tip of the iceberg. The editing process involves many sets of eyes and several layers to complete.

It’s important to understand the different types of editing to know what to expect from the process, especially for self-publishing authors. Why? The revision levels focus on specific individual needs, including stylistic and substantive content. For simplicity, we’ll divide editing types into four main categories: content and development, line, copy and proofread.

The Steps Simplified

Step 1: Content and Development Edit

The first step for most manuscripts is content and development editing – reviewing the meat of the story, plot and characters. Developmental editing tackles the following:

• Flow;
• Organisation;
• Chapter (arrangement, length and number);
• Character voices;
• Dialogue;
• Plot and subplot;
• Pacing; and
• Impact of POV (first, second, third or combination).

Content and development edits can and will sometimes result in revisions to chapter order or construction, and even additional chapters written. Do chapters alternate between the hero and heroine, shifting from first to third person point of view? Content editors eat that up! They’ll ensure the third POV is following singular or omniscient rules, and that the audience connects with the character.

Step 2: Line Edit

Line edits focus primarily on sentence and paragraph structure with attention to:

• Words or phrases that are repetitious;
• Restructuring sentences that are not complete or inaccurate;
• Run-on sentences;
• Usage of words that clarify meaning; and
• Enhancing boring wording.

A line edit restructures sentences to elevate clarity and flow. Say there are two sentences describing something really important, but they don’t quite pull together. During this step, the line editor will take the two sentences apart and tease them until they read effortlessly.

Step 3: Copy Edit

The mechanics happen during the copy edit, focusing on specific rules, including but not limited to:

• Grammar and punctuation;
• Spelling nuances (for example, British English versus American English);
• Capitalisation, hyphenation, italicision; and
• When to use numbers instead of letters.

The copy edit can and should be automated using rules. Every editor uses two to three references to maintain consistency – specifically, a dictionary and a style manual. For fiction, the Chicago Manual of Style is widely used and accepted. Use of dictionaries should be selective to ensure spelling is primarily standard English wherever you reside or want your publication published. If you’re looking for an international or US audience, the Merriam-Webster dictionary is most common. If you’re aiming for a European or UK audience, I would recommend the Oxford English dictionary.

It’s also important to note, there are subtle differences between style manuals (APA, MLA, CMS, Chicago and so on), and dictionaries. This can be frustrating when semantics come into play about an edited final product. Using the same style manual and dictionary throughout will ensure consistency.

The copy editor can and should provide a style sheet, pointing out rules as they pertain to the revisions made. Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style is helpful, but the copy editor should provide the changes as they relate to the CMS for relevance as well as improving writing skills.

Step 4: Proofread

The proofread is the final, and hopefully, painless phase. A proofreader has the last shot at the manuscript and looks for:

• Spelling errors;
• Words that sound the same but are spelt differently;
• Correct usage of quotation and punctuation marks;
• Dialogue;
• Missed words (of, and, the); and
• Unwanted spaces.

Proofreading falls outside the technical realm of general editing. In-depth accounting for content and flow should occur before a proofread. A proofreader isn’t expected to critique or provide an exhaustive review.

A Few Pointers

It’s easy to see how manuscripts come together using this methodology, right?

There are common misconceptions. Content and development editors aren’t responsible for grammar and punctuation. Line and copy are often confused, although it’s clear that sentence structure and grammar rules are different focuses. The same problem arises with copy edits and proofreads.

Hopefully it’s clear why the editing steps don’t often occur out of order.

Every piece is essential. Sometimes steps are skipped or omitted. It’s also not unheard of to use multiple proofreaders to polish the final product. Regardless, several editing style combinations based on skill level are possible.

And Then There’s Everything Else

Editing a novel can be daunting. Knowing and understanding what to expect each step of the way is part of the process. Remember, when working with an editor, or as an editor working with a writer, stay open to suggestions and discussion. Sometimes discussing revisions sparks ideas.

Importantly, don’t rush the process. Editing is the last step of writing the novel. At best, it’s harrowing aligning calendars to finalise cover art, formatting, marketing and a million other tasks that coincide at the same time. Taking the time to work through these layers will deliver a sound product.

If you have any document that needs copy editing or proofreading, then get in touch with me. I guarantee I will respond and do all I can to make your document(s) perfect. I have excellent English-language skills, and always work quickly and accurately. Most importantly, I will provide you with an exceptional service!

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

“Sara is a pleasure to work with – affordable and very reliable”

by Sara Davies | Feb 14, 2020 | proofread

“I am a children’s author using Sara’s copy editing service. Sara is a pleasure to work with. Affordable and very reliable, quickly ironing out any worries. She delivers promptly and does everything asked of her. Loved the fact that Sara gave me feedback on my work, which was very important to me. I look forward to a long working relationship with Sara.”
– Lois Davis, UK
[copy edited & proofread series of children’s books from February 2020]

Here is my latest feedback from a very happy customer! I copy edited Mincemeat and the Incredible Train Ride, the latest in a series she has written for children. It’s very well written, and tries to instil kindness in children – a great thing to do!

Copy Edit

If you have any document that needs copy editing or proofreading, then get in touch with me. I guarantee I will respond and do all I can to make your document(s) perfect. I have excellent English-language skills, and always work quickly and accurately. Finally, I will provide you with an exceptional service!

Get In Touch!

All you have to do is visit my contact page. Just tell me the word count and type (Word, PDF, etc) of document you need edited, attach it if you want and send it (please ensure you include your email address).

I will then email you a quotation (my prices are fully negotiable), and we can take it from there! Once agreed, I will then fully copy edit and/or proofread your document for you according to your wishes.

If your document needs to follow a particular format or style (MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc), then just let me know.

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

In-Demand Editing Service

by Sara Davies | Feb 9, 2020 | proofread

“Worked with Sara for over three years and rely on her to edit and send out documentation and submit specialised forms online. Quick worker, reliable and helpful. Happy to recommend this company!”
– Dr James Thornhill, Beech Hill Safety
[complete site documentation and edit documents, April 2017 onwards]

I got this review from James Thornhill on My Local Services last year I think. I’ve been doing a lot of work for him lately, and he is still as happy as he was then, I also have reviews of my services from other customers on Yell, Free Index and Yelp, along with my Testimonials page.

If you need any document edited or proofread, then get in touch with me. I guarantee I will respond and do all I can to make your document perfect. I have excellent English-language skills, and always work quickly and accurately. I will provide you with an exceptional service!

All you have to do is visit my contact page. Just tell me the word count and type (Word, PDF, etc) of document you need edited, attach it if you want and send it (please ensure you include your email address).

I will then email you a quotation (my prices are fully negotiable), and we can take it from there! Once agreed, I will then fully copy edit and/or proofread your document for you according to your wishes.

If your document needs to follow a particular format or style (MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc), then just let me know.

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

New book I’m editing

by Sara Davies | Feb 8, 2020 | proofread

At the beginning of this week, I started editing Christina’s World, a dark novel written by the son of a client of mine. It is very dark – murders going on all over the place!

But it is a great story, and I’d like the viewers of this site to get the first look. It obviously isn’t published yet as it’s going through editing, but once it is, please take a look.

I provide full editing and proofreading services to whoever needs it. Whether you are a student, small business, regular emailer or blogger, writer, novelist, publisher or journalist, I am here to help. I regularly provide proofreading online.

I will ensure all your spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax are in perfect English. I will also check through any references or bibliography included in your work.

I am happy to provide a revision if you’re not happy with my initial work.

All you have to do is visit my contact page. Just tell me the word count and type (Word, PDF, etc) of document you need edited, attach it if you want and send it (please ensure you include your email address).

I will then email you a quotation (my prices are fully negotiable), and we can take it from there! Once agreed, I will then fully copy edit and/or proofread your document for you according to your wishes.

If your document needs to follow a particular format or style (MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc), then just let me know.

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

“Marvellous editing!”

by Sara Davies | Feb 5, 2020 | proofread

“Marvellous editing! Thank you so much!”
– Osman Açikgöz, Kayseri, Turkey
[edited novel The King’s Kumite, August 2017]

This is a review I got in August 2017 from a very satisfied customer. This book, The King’s Kumite, is available on Amazon.

I provide full editing and proofreading services to whoever needs it. Whether you are a student, small business, regular emailer or blogger, writer, novelist, publisher or journalist, I am here to help. I regularly provide proofreading online.

I will ensure all your spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax are in perfect English. I will also check through any references or bibliography included in your work.

I am happy to provide a revision if you’re not happy with my initial work.

All you have to do is send an email ([email protected]) or visit my contact page. Just tell me the word count and type (Word, PDF, etc) of document you need edited, attach it if you want and send it (please ensure you include your email address).

I will then email you a quotation (my prices are fully negotiable), and we can take it from there! Once agreed, I will then fully copy edit and/or proofread your document for you according to your wishes.

If your document needs to follow a particular format or style (MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc), then just let me know.

I guarantee a great service at a very affordable price. Just ask any of my previous customers and they will all vouch for me.

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

Punctuation Explained

by Sara Davies | Feb 3, 2020 | proofread

Punctuation is there to let the reader know how a sentance should be read and understood.

Sentences are the building blocks used to construct written accounts; they are complete statements. Punctuation shows how the sentence should be read and makes the meaning clear.

Every sentence should include at least a capital letter at the start, along with a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark at the end. This basic system indicates that the sentence is complete.

Here are the basic signs of punctuation:

• Comma (,);
• Full stop (.);
• Exclamation mark (!);
• Question mark (?);
• Semi-colon (;);
• Colon (:);
• Apostrophe (’);
• Quotation marks (“   ”);
• Hyphen (-);
• Brackets ((  )  or [   ]); and
• Slash (/).

Comma (,)

The comma is useful in a sentence when the writer wishes to:

• Pause before proceeding;
• Add a phrase that does not contain any new subject;
• Separate items in a list; and
• Use more than one adjective (a describing word, like beautiful).

For example, in the following sentence, the phrase or clause between the commas gives us more information behind the actions of the boy, the subject of the sentence:

The boy, who knew that his mother was about to arrive, ran quickly towards the opening door.

Note that if the phrase or clause were to be removed, the sentence would still make sense, although there would be a loss of information.  Alternatively, two sentences could be used:

The boy ran quickly towards the opening door. He knew that his mother was about to arrive.

Commas are also used to separate items in a list.

For example:

The shopping trolley was loaded high with bottles of beer, fruit, vegetables, toilet rolls, cereals and cartons of milk.

Note that in a list, the final two items are linked by the word ‘and’ rather than by a comma.

Commas are used to separate adjectives.

For example:

The boy was happy, eager and full of anticipation at the start of his summer holiday.

As commas represent a pause, it is good practice to read your writing out loud and listen to where you make natural pauses as you read it.  More often than not, you will indicate where a comma should be placed by a natural pause, though the ‘rules’ of where a comma needs to be placed should also be followed.

For example:

However, it has been suggested that some bees prefer tree pollen.

Full Stop (.)

A full stop should always be used to end a sentence, unless an exclamation or question mark closes the sentence. The full stop indicates that a point has been made and that you are about to move on to further explanations or a related point.

A series of three full stops (an ellipsis) can be used to indicate where a section of a quotation has been omitted when it is not relevant to the text, or where the person speaking is delaying. This can be typed on an Apple computer with Alt+colon. Here’s an example of an elipsis:

“The boy was happy… at the start of his summer holiday.”

A single full stop may also be used to indicate the abbreviation of commonly used words as in the following examples:

• Telephone Number = Tel. No.
• September = Sept.
• Pages = pp.

Exclamation Mark (!)

An exclamation mark indicates strong feeling within a sentence, such as fear, anger or love. It is also used to accentuate feeling within the written spoken word.

For example:

“Help! I love you!”

In this way, it can also be used to indicate a sharp instruction

• “Stop! Police!”

or to indicate humour

• “Ha! Ha! Ha!”  

The exclamation mark at the end of a sentence means that you do not need a full stop.

Exclamation marks are a poor way of emphasising what you think are important points in your written assignments; the importance of the point will emphasise itself without a sequence of !!! in the text. An exclamation mark should only be used when absolutely essential (to indicate shouting, for example) or when taken from a direct quote.

Exclamation marks should be used sparingly in formal and semi-formal writing.

Question Mark (?)

The question mark simply indicates that a sentence is asking a question. It always comes at the end of a sentence:

For example:

Are we at the end?

Note that the question mark also serves as a full stop.

Semi-colon (;)

The semi-colon is perhaps the most difficult sign of punctuation to use accurately.  If in doubt, avoid using it and convert the added material into a new sentence.

As a general rule, the semi-colon is used in the following ways:

When joining two connected sentences.

For example:

We set out at dawn; the weather looked promising.

or

Assertive behaviour concerns being able to express feelings, wants and desires appropriately; passive behaviour means complying with the wishes of others.

The semi-colon can also be used to assemble detailed lists.

For example:

The conference was attended by delegates from Paris, France; Paris, Texas; London, UK; Stockholm, Sweden; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Mumbai, India.

Colon (:)

The colon within a sentence makes a very pointed pause between two phrases. There are two main uses of the colon.

It is most commonly used when listing.

For example:

She placed the following items into the trolley: beer, fruit, vegetables, toilet rolls, cereals and cartons of milk.

Or it can be used within a heading or descriptive title.

For example:

Human Resource Management: Guidelines for Telephone Advisers

Apostrophe (’)

The apostrophe, sometimes called an inverted comma, has two main uses.

The apostrophe indicates possession or ownership.

For example:

The girl’s hat was green, (girl is in the singular).

This shows the reader that the hat belongs to the girl.

The girls’ hats were green, (girls in this instance are plural, ie, more than one girl, more than one hat).

This indicates that the hats belong to the girls.

Another use of the apostrophe is to indicate where a letter is omitted:

For example:

We’re going to do this course. (We are going to do this course.)
Isn’t this a fine example of punctuation?  (Is not this a fine example of punctuation?)
The time is now 7 o’ clock. (The time is now 7 of the clock)

Note that a common mistake is to confuse its with it’s.

It’s indicates to the reader that a letter has been omitted.

For example:

It’s a lovely day is an abbreviated way of saying:  It is a lovely day. 

Note that in most formal writing, the practice of using abbreviated words is inappropriate.

Quotation or Speech Marks (“….”)

Quotation or speech marks are used to:

1. To mark out speech
2. When quoting someone else’s speech

For example:

My grandpa said, “Share your chocolates with your friends.”
“George, don’t do that!”
“Will you get your books out please?” said Mrs Jones, the teacher, “and quieten down!”

It is worth noting that to report an event back does not require speech or quotation marks.

For example:

Mrs Jones told the pupils to take out their books and to quieten down.

Hyphen (-)

The hyphen is used to link words together.

For example:

• sub-part
• 18th-century people
• second-class post
• gender-neutral phrase
• non-verbal clause

It should be noted that when two words are used non-descriptively, they shouldn’t be hyphenated. For example:

The service I received was second class.

The hyphen is also used when a word is split between two lines. The hyphen should be placed between syllables at the end of the upper line and indicates to the reader that the word will be completed on the next line.

Brackets (   )

Brackets always come in pairs (  ) and are used to make an aside, or a point which is not part of the main flow of a sentence. If you remove the words between the brackets, the sentence should still make sense.

For example:

“The strategy (or strategies) chosen to meet the objectives may need to change as the intervention continues.”

Square Brackets […]

A different set of square brackets [   ] can be used:

• To abbreviate lengthy quotations;
• To correct the tense of a quotation to suit the tense of your own sentence; or
• To add your own words to sections of an abbreviated quotation.

To abbreviate lengthy quotations in an essay or report

“We can define class as a large-scale grouping of people who share common economic resources, that strongly influence the types of lifestyle they are able to lead.  Ownership of wealth, together with occupation, are the chief basis of class differences.  The major classes that exist in Western societies are an upper class […]; a middle class […] and a working class […].”
(Giddens, 1997, p.243)

To adjust a quotation to suit your own sentence

For example, if you were writing about class structure, you might use the following:

According to Giddens, (1997, p.243) the “[o]wnership of wealth, together with occupation, are the chief basis of class differences”. 

To add your own words to sections of an abbreviated quotation

For example:

“The way to [start] is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Note, that when using square brackets, only the occasional letter, as in the above example, or the occasional word (for example, when changing the tense of the sentence) would be placed in square brackets in this way.

Slash  (/)

Many people use the slash instead of or, and, etc, but this is not always helpful to the reader. There is, however, a modern convention in gender-neutral writing to use ‘s/he’.

First of all, saying ‘people’ rather than ‘men’ helps massively! Avoid referring to professional people as ‘him’, try saying ‘them’. Also, refer to professional people by their non-gender-specific terms, ie, ‘actor’ rather than ‘actress’. Wiomen can be actors too!

Capital Letters

The correct use of capital letters is also important in writing. Obviously, each sentence needs to begin with a capital letter.

Every proper noun (names of people, places, boats, pets, companies, programs, etc) needs to be capitalised. When it comes to companies that use lower case letters for their names, logos, etc (such as giffgaff), the choice is yours. Personally, I would capitalise as, to me, it looks wrong not to.

I hope you found this helpful! If you need any document (essay, dissertation, thesis, CV or resume, article, magazine, blog, email, book, etc) edited or proofread, then you’ve come to the right place!

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.

I have a lot of positive feedback on my Testimonials page, so please take a look to see their comments. I also have reviews on Facebook, Yell, Yelp, Free Index and My Local Services. I always do my best work when people really need me, so please take a look at the services I offer and get in touch!

I look forward to hearing from you! You can also email me at [email protected].

Improve Your Writing

by Sara Davies | Jan 30, 2020 | proofread

1. Brush Up on the Basics

Before you can start writing incredible content, you’ll need at least an intermediate understanding of the basic principles of writing.

This doesn’t mean you need to enroll in a prestigious creative writing programme at a top university, but you will need to know the basics of grammar and spelling. Every writer should have a copy of ProWritingAid, Writing Forward or another guide on their desktop, or a copy of English Grammar: 100 Tragically Common Mistakes, KS2 English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling or another such guide on their bookshelf, as these small but invaluable guides are some of the most comprehensive resources on the correct use of grammar and other helpful topics.

2. Write Like It’s Your Job

If you want to get better at something, you have to practise – and writing is no exception!

Unfortunately, there are few shortcuts that can transform you into an amazing writer overnight, and even the most talented writers had to learn their craft over a period of many years. It’s admitedly even harder to write while considering SEO and how to drive traffic to your post. 

If you want to improve your writing skills, writing on a regular basis will not only diminish your fear of the blank page (or blinking cursor), it will also help you develop a unique style. So, even if nobody reads it, keep writing. Practice makes perfect.

3. Read Like It’s Your Job

The best writers are also keen readers, and reading on a regular basis is an easy way to start developing your writing skills. I don’t just mean blog posts, either – diversify your reading material. Expand your horizons to more challenging material than you typically read, and pay attention to sentence structure, word choice and how the material flows.

The more you read, the more likely you are to develop an eye for what makes a piece so effective and which mistakes to avoid.

4. Find a Writing Partner

If you work at a reasonably sized company, the chances are pretty good that there is at least one other person who is also wondering how to become a better writer. Although writing is typically considered a solitary activity, the best writers know when it’s time to get much-needed feedback on their work.

Talk to your coworkers (or friends) and ask someone if they’d be willing to cast an eye over your work – they may spot mistakes that you overlooked.

Finding a writing partner is also a great way to hold yourself accountable and keep going.

5. Join a Workshop or Take a Night Class

Most people balk at the idea of standing in front of a room full of strangers and baring their soul to the world, but joining a writing workshop can be immensely beneficial – and a lot of fun (if you manage to find a good one).

You don’t need to have an unfinished novel hidden away in your desk drawer to join a workshop. These days, content marketing meet-ups and professional development groups are becoming wildly popular. Join one of the many content marketing groups on LinkedIn to meet like-minded writers, or search for writing workshops near you on sites like Meetup. Pick a topic, write something, listen to the feedback of the group, then revise it. Rinse, repeat.

6. Dissect Writing That You Admire

Most people read the same blogs or sites on a regular basis because the material appeals to them – but fewer people understand why their favourite blogs are so appealing.

Find a handful of recent blog posts you really like, then print them out. Next, just like your high school English teacher did, take a red pen and highlight things you liked: certain sentences, turns of phrase, even entire paragraphs. Examine why you like these elements and see if there are any common threads in your favoured reading material. See how writers take one subject and transition into another. Apply these techniques to your own work.

7. Imitate Writers You Admire

Before we go any further, a disclaimer – imitation is not the same as plagiarism. Don’t rip off anyone’s work. Ever.

Just as you probably have a list of blogs you read often, you’ll likely also read the same writers on a regular basis. Identify what it is you enjoy about their work and see if you can use it to improve your writing skills. Does a writer you like use humour to spice up dry topics? Try it. Do they use pop culture references to make their work entertaining and useful? Try that too.

8. Remember That Outlines Are Your Friend

The blinking cursor of a blank page is a considerable foe, even for the most experienced writers. Before putting pen to proverbial paper, sketch out an outline of what you plan to write. This will be your battle plan, and it will help you win the war. Very few – and I do mean very few – writers sit down to write anything without a solid plan in mind.

An outline doesn’t have to be complex. A simple framework of which sections should appear in a particular order, along with a few sentences about what each section contains, may be enough. If the topic you’re tackling is a little more complex, your outline might have to be, too – but having an outline before you write is like having a roadmap in the glove box of your car before a road trip. If you start to feel lost, refer back to your outline and get back to kicking ass and taking names.

Let’s take a look at a real example:

Introduction

Brief summary of the post

Section 1 – What is Brand Voice?

Paragraph(s) explaining the key principles behind brand voice (style, tone and messaging)

Examples of each

Section 2 – Developing Brand Voice with Content

Explanations of how to develop brand voice using content (written, visual, video)

Considerations for content producers/marketers to bear in mind when producing content (strategy, goals, overall brand messaging)

Section 3 – Examples of Content That Builds Brand Voice

Several examples (three or four) of content that aligns well with marketing positioning and branding of recognizable brands

Conclusion

Wrap-up

This outline can become your latest post. The overarching structure keeps you on target.

9. Edit Your Work Ruthlessly

So, you’re writing every day (or regularly, at least), and you’re feeling more confident about your work. Awesome! Now you’re going to become your own harshest critic.

Editing is a tough skill to learn for beginner writers, because they place immense value on the time and effort they put into writing in the first place. However, a lot of writing is actually rewriting, and this is where the cold, hard eye of an editor will serve you well.

Develop the discipline as it takes time to eliminate extraneous words (more on this shortly). Resist the temptation to wax lyrically and get to the point. Not sure if a paragraph works? It probably doesn’t. Be tough on yourself, and know when to delete or rework something. Your work will be much stronger as a result.

10. Accept That First Drafts Are Almost Always Crap

The best writers make it look so easy. After reading a great post, it’s tempting to imagine your favourite bloggers effortlessly turn in incredible posts with minimal effort before spending the rest of their day reading obscure books in a quaint corner café somewhere. Take comfort in the knowledge that this isn’t how writing works.

First drafts are almost always crap, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t create a masterpiece on your first attempt – chances are, you probably won’t, and that’s okay too. Just get your ideas down on paper first, then go back and start cleaning up. Writing is a repetitive process, and even the best writers have to spend a lot of time reworking material they were probably too embarrassed to show anybody.

11. Find a Good (Patient) Editor

Whether you’re trying to make the case for a content strategy to your manager or want to start guest blogging on your favourite sites, finding and working with a good editor is one of the best things you can do to improve your writing skills. The best are those who show you why something doesn’t work, rather than just telling you that it doesn’t.

Allowing someone else to read your work can be brutally difficult for some writers, especially when they’re just starting out, but it’s crucial that you develop good habits from the outset and learn to accept constructive criticism about your work. Remember – writers are desperately needy creatures who need to be constantly reassured that they’re the creative geniuses they believe themselves to be, but you’ll need to develop a thick skin if you’re serious about your work, and a good editor is invaluable when it comes to toughening up.

12. Eliminate Unnecessary Words

Another common mistake among beginner writers (and some more experienced writers who should know better) is writing overly complex sentences in an attempt to “sound” more authoritative.

In many cases, shorter sentences can have a greater impact. You may have heard of a six-word story that was supposedly written by Ernest Hemingway, which reads, “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.” Whether Hemingway wrote this or not is irrelevant – the power of these six words shows that brevity can be a powerful tool when used correctly, and not every sentence needs to be overwrought to get your point across.

13. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane

Writing should be fun, and along with the thrill of seeing your byline for the first time, seeing how far you’ve progressed is one of the most satisfying parts of being a writer. Every now and then (but not too often), re-read your earlier work and marvel at how much better you are now than you were then. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve worked hard, so don’t be shy – congratulate yourself.

14. Don’t Be Afraid to Say What You Think

Most content on the web is bland and dreadfully boring. This is because far too many bloggers focus on regurgitating the same news as everybody else without bothering to add their own opinions. Obviously you don’t want to fall foul of libel laws, but that doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) say what you think.

Once you’ve started to discover your own “voice”, don’t be shy about sharing your opinions. This makes for more interesting reading. Don’t be contrary for its own sake, and don’t set out to purposefully piss anyone off, but make sure there’s enough of you in your writing to make it a worthwhile read for your audience.

15. Do Your Research

Aside from plagiarizing someone else’s work, nothing will undermine your credibility faster than failing to do your homework.

In their eagerness to be done with a blog post (or even major newspaper article), many writers try to take shortcuts with the facts. This can range from accidentally fudging a statistic out of haste to being lazy when it comes to sourcing or attribution. Not only can this land you in big trouble with your editor/content marketing manager/other boss-type person, it also makes you look like an amateur.

Everybody makes mistakes, and you don’t need to spend weeks cross-referencing every last statistic (see the next tip), but common sense should prevail here – don’t rely exclusively on sites like Wikipedia, and use current, primary sources whenever possible.

16. Remember Done Is Better than Perfect

You should definitely take the time to write as well as you can, proofread and edit your work thoroughly, and ensure that your piece flows logically from one point to the next.

However, this doesn’t mean you should take weeks to write something.

No piece of writing will ever be perfect – you have to know when it’s time to let it go. This is especially important in content marketing, because you’ll rarely (if ever) have the luxury of crafting agonizingly beautiful blog posts full of poignant sentences and evocative imagery. As you become more confident, the “writing” part of writing will become easier and faster, but never lose sight of the fact that deadlines, or editorial calendars, are just as much your masters as any boss or manager.

Summary: How to Improve Your Writing Skills

1. Brush up on the basic principles of writing, grammar and spelling.
2. Write like it’s your job and practise regularly.
3. Read more so you develop an eye for what effective writing looks like.
4. Find a partner. Ask them to read your writing and provide feedback.
5. Join a workshop, meetup or take a writing night class.
6. Take the time to analyze writing you admire.
7. Imitate writers you admire.
8. Outline your writing.
9. Edit your writing.
10. Accept that first drafts are often bad and revise.
11. Find an editor who demonstrates patience.
12. Eliminate unnecessary words from your writing.
13. Review your earlier work and see how you’ve grown.
14. Don’t be afraid to say what you mean in what you write.
15. Make sure you do adequate research on your topic.
16. Don’t delay writing – get it done now.

I hope you found this helpful! If you need any document (essay, dissertation, thesis, CV or resume, article, magazine, blog, email, book, etc) edited or proofread, then you’ve come to the right place!

I will edit or proofread any InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Libre Office or PDF (annotate) document you have.