Tag Archive for: blog

5 More Self-Editing Tips

In the previous article, I’ve provided you 4 helpful self-editing tips. Because I know editing is a difficult task, I’ve decided to share more self-editing tips. Are you ready? Below, I’ve listed additional 5 self-editing tips just for you.

  • Tip 1: Don’t be too hard on yourself.

    • You don’t need to achieve perfection. If you have applied the previous 4 self-editing tips, remind yourself that there is NO such thing as a perfect post. You don’t need to beat yourself up. I’m not saying that you should settle for so-so.
    • All I’m saying is writing is a journey. Sometimes, the road is bumpy.  There’s an impending deadline and you need to publish numerous posts in a span of a few days. Scrutinizing every post won’t bring you closer to your goal. Just do the best that you can, and if you made some mistakes along the way, learn from it. Move on and do better next time.
  • Tip 2: Take a break.

    • When you are totally out of ideas, sometimes, it is best to give it a rest. Maybe you are stuck in a rut. Go out and get some fresh air. Order your favorite, and then, go back to where you left off. This time around, did you notice something different? Check out for anything that stand outs as coarse and bothersome. Try to rephrase it, and if it doesn’t work, delete it altogether.
  • Tip 3: Stop repeating the pronouns.

    • Refrain from starting every sentence with a pronoun. I wrote this. He fixed that. She made this.  It is perfect! No, it’s not. Frankly, these sentences follow a boring routine. Spice things up!
    • Try your best not to start with a pronoun. Change your sentence structure from time to time to keep your readers glued to their screens. Compel them to read by adding diversity to your work.
  • Tip 4: Avoid cliches!

    • Cliches are overused. When you are drafting your blog, find something unique. Search for uncommon terms and acquaint yourself with more ways to describe objects or circumstances.
    • If you ask me, writers are only effective if they are readers too. Reading helps widen your vocabulary, and most importantly, it broadens your perspective. You see things in a different light.  So, in order to write more, you need to read more.
  • Tip 5: Organize and prioritize.

    • When things get messy, simply declutter. Remove the words that create clutter. Your blog post should be organized neatly, and there shouldn’t be confusion. Every word should have a purpose. If a word is not necessary, remove it.
    • If you think that the given topic is too long, divide it. Arrange and plan carefully what goes first. Then, make a follow up post if you think there are other things you need to discuss thoroughly. You don’t need to dump everything in one blog post.
erasures on paper.

Don’t be afraid to make the necessary erasures.

Blogging is not an easy job, but with enough practice, you will get better. Don’t be afraid to start all over again. There are no standard rules here. It doesn’t follow the traditional norm. Feel free to experiment and break from the usual structure. Above all, dare to be different. Make waves and show the real you!

 

4 Helpful Self-Editing Tips

If you follow the blog religiously, you know that I’ve given various writing tips already. So, let’s now proceed to self-editing tips. Blog writing can be tough, but editing is tougher. Contrary to popular belief, editing isn’t just correcting errors and deleting unnecessary sentences. The truth is that editing is more of seeing the blog post as a whole. Is it cohesive? Is it purposeful? Is it understandable?

girl writing on her notebook

Below are 4 important tips you need to know when you are self-editing your blog post:

  • Tip 1: Avoid redundancy.

    • Once you have you completed your blog post draft, read it again and check for words that are clearly recurring. Try to replace these words with their synonyms to avoid obvious repetition.
    • Almost every writer has that word he frequently uses when he needs immediate support. We tend to repeat certain words or phrases when we are out of ideas.
    • No matter how hard you try avoid it, you just can’t not use your “go-to” word. The best solution would be to identify what are your “go-to” words are so that you will be aware every time it repeats. Try to lessen its recurrence and consult a thesaurus if you need to look for similar terms.
  • Tip 2: Read it aloud!

    • It is important to read your work out loud because if your blog post sounds awkward to you, there’s something wrong with the flow. The whole article should sound natural and straightforward. If there are any hiccups, it would clearly stand out. So, don’t feel weird about it because your blog post will be  a lot better if you get rid of the obstacles that seems off and overdone. Repeat the process until the post sounds apt and uniformly neat.
  • Tip  3: Ask your friends to read it aloud.

    • If you are still a newbie blogger, asking a friend or co-worker might help you a lot! If your work sounds good to you, but does it have the same effect on others? Do other people find the flow polished and smooth too?
    • Your friends need not to be expert linguists because the purpose of this is NOT to search for grammatical or typographical errors. In reality, you just need their honest opinion regarding the flow of your work, and ask them if it does make perfect sense. Do they get your point? Is it too lengthy? Is the message clear? Is the solution you’re giving actually helpful? You need a fresh pair of eyes to answer these questions and  your teammates can help you with that.
  • Tip 4: Keep it simple.

    • It’s just a blog. You do not need to overanalyze it. Your readers will easily get your point if you keep the sentences shorter. Remember that you are blogging in order to offer some help and your purpose is NOT to confuse people.
    • You will be driving them away if you will present your thoughts and ideas in a very lengthy manner. The length does not define the usefulness of the article. It boils down to its ability to offer concrete solutions.
    • It is your job as a blogger to let people know about certain things. They won’t learn from your if you keep overwhelming them with enormous chunks of highfalutin words. Keep the sentences and paragraphs short. So, whether your audience is a 5th grader or a college student, they will still get your point.

How To Blog About Boring Topics

In one of my previous blog entries, I gave tips on blog writing. The 1st tip was to choose a topic that you like. However, there are times that you need blog about covalent bonds, reverse osmosis, or anything that’s less appealing. I know how you feel because there were also times when I had to write about topics that I loathe. However, as the blogger, you need to prove your flexibility. Whatever the topic may be, you should be able to work around it and produce exceptional content. Below are tips on how handle difficult subjects:

  • The first thing you need to do is to make an outline.

    • The given topic is harder than the usual so it is expected that you can’t magically conjure words. It takes a bit of effort to do. In order to be on the right track, you need write an outline to
    • It doesn’t need to be long and wordy.  The purpose of this outline is guide you so your thought won’t be all over place.
    • For example, you will write about designing a website for the “millennial” crowd. Here’s what you’ve got to do:
      • First, you will need to indicate in your introduction that this is not any other web design. This will focus on the millennials. You will include the scope of your blog
      • Next step is to plan. Before you give your web design tips, you need to, of course, know the market. Research on the “millennial” crowd. Who are this so-called millennial? What are websites are targeting the same demographic?
      • So, once you are done with your research, you can now focus on writing the body of your blog post. In this part, you can list a series of tips on what the millennials like or dislike. Provide tips on how to capture their attention.
      • Lastly, you need to plan the conclusion. Reiterate your points. What are the things you want to emphasize? Do you want to promote your web design services? This is the ideal time to insert it. Neatly wrap your blog in a shiny bow. Always end with a positive note.
    • The purpose of an outline is to know where you are going. You will have an idea on the scope of your work. You will not be confuse whether you should turn right or left. Again, the outline does not need to be detailed. You just need to list down key points of your planned post.
Planning trips.

Plan, research, look for any interesting!

  • The next important tip is to research.

    • I don’t claim that I know everything. There are topics that are too heavy for me. Believe me, even professional bloggers face the same dilemma. If I don’t know what to write on my outline, I research. You can do the same if you don’t know a thing or two about the given topic.
    • For example, you are assigned to do a travelogue or any travel related post. You don’t need a passport to do it.
    • It doesn’t mean you’re being dishonest because you haven’t been to that country. You need to be naturally curious about the place. Research about their customs and beliefs. Learn about the country and its culture.
    • What separates you from the rest is your ability to search for credible sources. Collate the different things you gained from researching about a specific country. Moreover, a great researcher does not rely on one source only.
    • If you’re quoting another website, make sure that these websites are credible and topnotch. For example, the famous TripAdvisor. This travel website offers reviews and bookings for anything travel-related.
    • Another great source is the official website of the city or country. You can also rely on government websites, travel associations, and etc.

The truth is there are blog posts that will feel like a chore.  Blogging is an easier task when you are excited on the selected topic. However, that is not always the case. You just have to accept that not every post is going to be something you personally like. Just remember that when you are excited about your post, the readers will feel it. They will the rush of excitement when they’re reading something created from the heart.