Why you should never skip the proofrading
Proofreading is an integral part of the process, not an optional add-on!
You’ve heard the phrase ‘a fresh pair of eyes’, I’m sure of it, but have you really thought about why that phrase is so important especially when it comes to ensuring your copy is the best it can be before you hit publish?
Now, you may well be thinking ‘But Sooz, I used AI, and that grammar/spell/sense checks itself’! WRONG!
Or even, ‘I edit as I write, that is way more efficient AND helps me shape my copy as I go along’ AGAIN, INCORRECT!
Here in this blog I’m going to explain why proofreading is an ABSOLUTE MUST whenever you’re creating something you’ll publish, and I’ll unpick some common misconceptions around AI and its efficacy!
Proofread, Edit, Tweak, Repeat
Follow these simple steps to ensure your copy is clear, correct and connects with the audience you want to reach.
Proofread Once you’ve gotten all the info you want to include in your copy, take a step away and do something else. This could be for an hour or a day, but just give your brain a break from the task before you come back with those lovely fresh peepers we mentioned earlier!
Now, take the time to ensure your message is clear, that your copy engages the reader, root out any spelling and grammar blips, maybe even read out loud, and ask yourself ‘does it flow easily?’
Edit Make those changes you’ve just identified. Don’t wait as you may lose the flow of what you were trying to say.
Tweak This is where you identify those little nuances that may be missing that reflect your tone of voice, or that of your business. These little changes, such as contractions you would use in speech (e.g. changing will not to won’t), make it more human and result in a deeper connection with the reader.
Repeat Ok so you don’t have to repeat the process again, but you can if you want to, it won’t do any harm! But I liked it here ‘cos it sounds like a fun dance move and I LOVE an excuse to hit the dancefloor!
Don’t Edit as you write
I know this isn’t a universal truth, and I am biased as this is how I prefer to work, but editing whilst you write is not a wise move.
Here’s why, when you’re writing your first draft your brain is occupied with getting all the necessary information down on paper (or screen). You’re likely to be working pretty quickly as you try to keep up with the thoughts and if you are in ‘the flow’ then the finer details and corrections will slip you by, naturally.
Now, if you try to edit as you move through this first initial part of getting your words down, then you’ll be breaking any flow you may have achieved. You’ll be interrupting your thought process, making your copy disjointed and stuttery as a result.
I always advise getting the first ‘word vomit’ or ‘brain burp’ down in words before you do anything else.
Even if it comes out as bullet points or statements without reasoning, get it all out of your brain BEFORE you go back and try to bring it all together as a cohesive piece of writing.
Writing copy is not a once-and-done process, we can’t expect perfection from the first sitting. It does take a little time, but it’s so worth it!
Doesn’t AI have my back?
Many people will assume I am massively biased against AI purely due to the nature of what I do, but it’s not true - HONEST!
I think AI is a fantastic development for all things creative. It can come up with 100 ideas for content creation in the time it takes me to have one singular slurp of my Lions Mane tea! (IYKYK) It can populate an argument for and against any given idea faster than I can open my trusty notebook for ideas and inspiration. So I get it that it’s become a natural ‘go-to’ for those who don’t love the writing process.
But can it ever really be a substitute for the nuances of the human voice? For our propensity to choose random words to illustrate our point, or to use our very own brand of humour to endear an audience to our cause?
If you use AI, either to check your own work or to create a piece of copy for you, then I urge you to PLEASE still take the time to proofread it thoroughly. Bear these points in mind when you do
Spelling and Grammar Most AI will naturally refer to Americanized spelling and grammar, think z rather than s in words such as ‘organise - organize’.
Verbose language AI loves its emphatic, impactful word choices. Be sure that the words included are those you would use in your daily language, it needs to feel like it’s you speaking after all.
Commas for days Having learned from vast amounts of data, AI tries its best to mimic its own data set. This means it often breaks up a sentence, every thought, and each part, with a comma. This stops the natural flow of the sentence, it’s not how we speak, so it shouldn’t be how we write!
Human Connection Yes, this is my soap box and I will always stand by the fact that human connection is QUEEN!
If you’re using AI to write your copy for you, then I’m guessing what you actually do for a living is not related to writing at all, and instead you’re trying to achieve something else altogether with your business. Writing is just another task that is necessary for you to reach out and engage your audience and help build a relationship of trust, from which they will then go on to invest in you.
But this relationship will never flourish if the words you’re using don’t reach them in a place that inspires an emotional response, invites them to learn more, and makes them feel heard and understood. Proofreading your AI-generated copy and tweaking it to ensure it sounds like you and what your business represents is key to creating that all important connection.
Still don’t want to proofread?
And if proofreading really isn’t your thing, then I’m here for you.
Send it over my way, I’ll tweak, edit and repeat until we are both sure this piece of copy is both connective and reflective of you.
Have a listen to what Becci from Be Heard Socials thought of the website copy I looked at for her and how it turned out ⚡
Becci from Be Heard Socials says great things about having Sooz proofread her copy
