You've planned and researched your article and clattered out a rush of words on the screen. Somewhere within your messy first draft are promising glimpses of what might be, but it has a long way to go.

Welcome to the editing part of the blog writing process, where you transform your ugly duckling into a graceful swan.

If you're sceptical about how you'd even begin to turn your incoherent ramblings into something readable and valuable, have faith. It is possible. Follow this guide to edit your blog post effectively. 

Allow a Break Between Drafting and Editing

Avoid jumping straight into editing after drafting your blog post. Taking a break allows you to stand back and review your work with fresh eyes. It's easier to spot if a section doesn't flow and needs another approach. Ideally, draft and edit on different days.

Spelling and Grammar Check

Checking spelling and grammar at the start of editing can help you see what you are working with. But you should also do a final check once you have finished making changes.

A tool like Grammarly can help catch the most common mistakes. There is a premium and free option, but the free option is more than adequate for basic grammar and spelling checks. Remember, there are different spellings in British and American English. Adjust the region to pick up the correct English spelling for your location.

Topic Relevance

The content outline and first draft aim to ensure you capture the points you want to cover. But it can be easy to veer off-topic when you're in the flow of drafting.

Asking the following questions will allow you to assess whether you are meeting the brief and make the necessary adjustments:
 

• Is it clear who the target audience is?
• Does it present the problem and the solution?
• Have you missed a vital point or piece of information?
• Could some explanations be strengthened?
• Does the article flow from one point to another, or would switching the order make it more effective?
• Are any points irrelevant to the theme of the blog post?

Polish Your Writing

First drafts are about getting your ideas down. They are not the time to worry about crafting a perfectly written sentence or deliberating what words to use. Editing is when you start polishing that rough diamond.

• Clear and Concise Sentences
  Are you using unnecessary words? Adverbs like very, or really can sneak into sentences without really adding value—see what I did there? Reread it without the really, and it makes no difference. 
   
• Word Repetition
  If you've used the same word several times, could you find alternatives?
   
• Superfluous Sentences
  If a statement doesn’t serve a point, remove it. Also, check for redundant sentences repeating a point already made.

• Format and Tone
  Is the format and tone consistent? Can you add a pinch of magic to your words to make them sound more like you or the brand's voice?  
   
• Active Voice Over Passive Voice
  Essay writing from my study days left me with a tendency to slip into the passive voice, so I'm careful to watch for this. The active voice is better for blog posts because it's clear and direct, while the passive voice is wordy.
   
  Passive Voice Example:
  The article has been edited.
   
  Active Voice Example:
  I've edited the article.
   
• Fact-Checking
  Double-check sources to verify any facts and statistics quoted.  
   
• Strengthening Your Case
  Linking to credible sources to support your argument shows you've done your homework and know what you're talking about. Remember to check that every link opens correctly. 
   
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Keywords
  Short-tail and long-tail keywords can help your article rank higher in search engines. While you want your article to be visible in search results, write for your reader, not the algorithms. Keywords should flow naturally rather than appearing to be shoe-horned in.
  

Introduction and Conclusion

These are not just the bookends of your article. Your introduction and conclusion serve a valuable purpose.

The introduction should connect with the reader and capture their attention. It should give them a taste of what to expect and intrigue them enough to continue.

A conclusion can be more than wrapping up the article. If your reader has stayed until the end, it's a good sign you've provided some benefit. What do you want them to do next? Use this opportunity to include a call to action (CTA), whether it's signing up for a mailing list, requesting a quote, or learning more about a product. 

Structure and Formatting

Assess how the article looks visually. Chunks of unbroken writing can be off-putting. Split bulky paragraphs, use bullet points, or add images so your post has plenty of white space.

Ensure you've used the correct header tags so search engines understand your content. Your main title will be H1. H2 will be subheadings, H3 will be a subsection below H2, and so on. Your headings will also make your article scannable so readers can quickly understand what your post covers. 

Final Checks

When we read to ourselves, we can miss typos because our brain will see what it expects to see. Reading aloud can help you catch typos or clunky sentences. If you're running out of breath, it's a sign that a sentence is too long. You can also use read-aloud software to capture missed words and typos.

Run another spelling and grammar check on your final version.

Know When to Stop

It can be daunting to send your blog post out into the world, especially the first few times. If you're nervous, it can be tempting to procrastinate by continually tweaking, revising, and overthinking. You can talk yourself out of the entire article. Ask a friend or colleague to read it if you're unsure.

There has to be a point when you stop. I know it's time to let go if I've followed the editing process, but I'm still getting bogged down on the choice of one word or another. At this point, a word decision will make little difference.

Be brave and let it go. Writing is a continuous process of learning. With practice, it will become easier.