9 Common Editing Mistakes Content Creators Can Easily Fix
Mistakes in the editing process can sabotage even the best content. Hear from a Founder & CEO and a Senior Content Editor who share valuable insights into refining content creation. First, learn how simplifying your messaging can make a big difference, and finally, uncover the importance of aiming for readability. Discover nine expert insights that will elevate any content piece.
- Simplify Your Messaging
- Thoroughly Proofread and Edit
- Prioritize Clarity Over Complexity
- Follow Publication Guidelines
- Stand Out with Unique Content
- Establish Emotional Connection
- Understand Your Audience
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing
- Aim for Readability
Simplify Your Messaging
The most common mistake I see content creators make is over-complicating their messaging with long, unclear sentences and unnecessary jargon. This can confuse readers and dilute the content's impact.
To fix this during the editing process, creators should focus on simplifying their language and breaking up complex ideas into shorter, more digestible sentences. By keeping the writing clear and concise and removing any fluff or filler, the content becomes easier to read and more engaging. Additionally, reading the content aloud during editing can help catch awkward phrasing and improve overall flow. This small shift can make a big difference in clarity and reader retention.
Thoroughly Proofread and Edit
The most common mistake I see content creators make is neglecting to proofread and edit their content thoroughly. Many rush through drafts, leading to typographical errors and awkward phrasing that undermine their work's professionalism. To fix this, creators should take a break after writing, read their content aloud to catch flow issues, use editing tools for grammar checks, and seek feedback from peers. By implementing these practices, they can significantly enhance the quality of their content and improve audience engagement.
Prioritize Clarity Over Complexity
In my experience running a local SEO agency, I've seen a frequent mistake content creators make that can easily be corrected during the editing process. Many creators tend to overlook the importance of clear and concise messaging, particularly when explaining the value of optimizing Google Business Profiles.
For instance, I once reviewed a blog post intended for local business owners. The writer packed the piece with technical jargon that might have been clear to an SEO expert but was confusing to the average reader. While the information was accurate, it failed to resonate with its intended audience. The key takeaway got lost in the complexity of the language.
To address this, I recommend that content creators prioritize clarity over complexity. During the editing phase, they should read their work from the perspective of the target audience. Asking questions like, "Will my audience understand this?" can lead to more straightforward language that conveys essential information without the fluff. Simplifying terminology and providing relatable examples can also bridge the gap between technical knowledge and everyday understanding.
Follow Publication Guidelines
One of the most common mistakes I see during the editing process is content creators not following the publication's guidelines. This could include simple things like adhering to AP style or citing sources correctly. Another issue I frequently notice is the need to adjust copy for continuity and flow, which can be addressed during editing.
To avoid these mistakes, content creators should carefully review the publication's guidelines to ensure they're adhering to the correct style. Additionally, reviewing previously published articles can help mimic the publication's tone and style without losing your unique voice. Maintaining open communication with the editor throughout the writing and editing process is also key for crafting a piece that requires minimal revisions and is ready for publication.
Stand Out with Unique Content
One of the most common mistakes content creators make is throwing out content that doesn't stand out to the reader. Everything that can be said has probably already been said a million ways. Make sure you stand out, or your message will get lost in the over-saturated ocean of information.
To fix this during the editing process, pull up an online thesaurus and switch out a few of your words for something more creative. Add a personal anecdote or some creative imagery. Develop your own voice, and have fun with it!
Establish Emotional Connection
Lack of emotional connection to the writing is a common mistake I see in a lot of content creators. As writers and editors, it's on us to use our words to establish a connection to the people consuming our content. The goal should be to make people feel attached in a way that they want to take action. More thoughtful attention to this through language could be instrumental in helping a buyer's journey (E-commerce) and creating stronger brand loyalty as a whole.
Understand Your Audience
One of the most common traps content creators can fall into is not fully understanding the audience they are speaking to, and therefore not generating content that is relevant to that audience. The desire to simply "get the word out" and tell their story can sometimes supersede doing what is necessary to truly connect with their target readers or viewers. Proper research into this demographic in advance of creating any content can prevent this from happening, improving open rates and click-throughs, and resulting in more successful calls to action. Editors can catch this by themselves developing a full understanding of the market and ensuring content is aligned with that specific audience's interests and challenges.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing
As a content editor, I see two main mistakes by creators that editors often need to correct. First is not knowing your target audience. Creators need to understand the brand they are writing for and who their clients (current or potential) are. If it's a high-end furniture company, the tone and content style should reflect that target audience. Getting to know the brand before you ever write a single word is critical, so when the copy arrives at the editor, the tone is already in line with the brand.
The second is keyword stuffing. Everyone knows the value of SEO, but some writers go overboard and feel a keyword needs to be in nearly every sentence they create. With SEO, sometimes "less is more." Focus on the ideal number of keywords using research, and don't force them to the point that they sound awkward and unnatural. The use of keywords should be seamless to the reader, and if it stands out to you as an editor because of overuse, it's time to remove some so the copy flows naturally.
Aim for Readability
The most common mistake content creators make, especially in medical writing, is what I call sentence sprawl. Too many weighty sentences, clauses, or complicated terms produce difficult-to-read content. Readability, using simple, clear content, should be a content creator's goal, no matter the audience, their education level, or the topic.
