Creating a stellar business copy might consume much of your time, and by just looking at it, you may think – Woohoo! I’ve done a great job!
But there is always something slipped through the cracks that only a proofreader can take care of.
Well, we’re not here to discourage you, but 39% of consumers easily get turned off due to poorly written copy.
What’s the reason behind it?
Since copywriters rely too much upon their curated copy, they often neglect to proofread it.
Why Should You Proofread Your Copy Before Publishing?
Things can be tough and overflowing when you’re in charge of a hectic marketing role.
And it makes you think – Time to drop a few unnecessary things out.
And the very first thought that comes to your mind is — I can put proofreading at the bottom of my priority checklist.
At this very moment, you’re making way for mistakes to slip in and ruin your writing efforts.
Proofreading is quite different from copywriting in the first place. It requires much more attention, focus, and in-depth analysis. By proofreading your content, you don’t just remove spelling or grammar mistakes, but also make it sound better and convincing.
So now, we’ve put forward the importance of proofreading, let’s dive into the details of how you can be a proofreading master by just following simple steps – In short, a precise proofreading checklist.
Proofreading Checklist (For Your Ultimate Brand Copy)
Make your copy clean and free of errors by going through each point of this professional proofreading checklist.
1) Get Away From Distractions
Being in a marketing role can be a lot engaging, and thus the distractions are always ready to occupy your mind.
Before you even start the proofreading process, make sure that you’re in a quiet environment where you could actually possess better productivity.
2) Get Your Tone Right
Since a brand is recognized by its tone and picture, your copy must resonate with it.
For example, if your brand is known for its authoritative and professional tone, your copy should reflect it the same way – You wouldn’t want your copy to be funny or humorous in this situation, would you?
3) Spell-check Your Document
Although it is recommended to proofread your document manually, an automatic spell-check comes handy all the time.
The convenient way to do it is by using the word processor’s own spell check features (Microsoft Word and Google Docs applications). You can use 3rd party plugins too (Grammarly, ProWritingAid, etc.) to make sure your copy sounds flawless.
4) Double-check Smooth Flow
The best way to convert your prospects is to engage them to step by step.
Nobody wants to date you at your first meeting, right? – Well, not everyone, of course.
Your every sentence and paragraph should be connected and convey the same message back and forth. The goal is to make your prospect read each word of your copy so that the big idea behind your copy is clear.
5) SEO Proofreading
Writing content for human beings? Don’t eliminate search engines out of your picture!
Validate the keywords and their distribution throughout the copy for better SEO rankings. Also, don’t forget to link your content internally and externally.
Here you can see more tips about SEO copywriting.
6) Format Consistently
Consistency is the key to curate a professional copy. Here are a few things to look out for consistency in your copy.
- Justification
- Capitalization
- Spacing
- Paragraph Alignment
- Bullets and Numbering
The Final Words
So there you have it, the most essential proofreading checklist for your business copy.
Do you need help? Hire me as your Spanish proofreader!
Feel free to share your thoughts out by commenting below!
