How to Proofread and Edit Your Freelance Articles

If you want to become a professional freelance writer, it's important that your articles reflect your professional image. This means your work should be proofread, edited and polished.

Many writers find the editing process distasteful. In fact, quite a few believe that it's the editor's job to "clean up mistakes." But, in reality, a sloppy article could prevent you from getting published. Every editor is busy, and few have the time to clean up after an irresponsible writer. Instead, it's your job--as the writer--to create the best article possible.

As a result, both proofreading and editing can help your final article appear both professional and polished. Unfortunately, it's a task that many freelance writers dread. And once you look at an article three, four or ten times, it gets harder to notice little mistakes or even large, glaring errors.

Fortunately, you can proofread and edit your article without driving yourself insane. Here's how to do it:

Write it out: Your first draft is exactly that: a first draft. Allow yourself to write without self-editing. Getting the words on paper is the most important part of this stage, as well as researching your facts.

Let it simmer: It may sound counterintuitive, but shelving an article for a short period of time--even if it's only a few hours--can enhance the proofreading and editing process. If you have the time, put the article out of your mind for a day or two before returning to it.

Check for misspellings: Use the spellchecker. Even if it's automatic, click through it again. You never know when you might find another mistake. In some cases, the squiggly red line that indicates a spelling error has become so ubiquitous that we tend to ignore it.

Check for misused words: You may have a spellchecker on your computer, but that doesn't mean it catches every mistake. Your computer, for example, is unlikely to know the difference between "to," "too," and "two." So go through your article carefully and check for any misused words.

Check for punctuation errors: Most computers aren't going to check for punctuation errors, so it's your responsibility to catch them. Keep your audience in mind, since some punctuation usage varies across the ocean. British usage, for example, dictates that a period is placed outside of quotation marks (We're going to the "stable".). In the United States, however, periods are almost always placed inside quotation marks (We're going to the "stable.").

Double-check the facts: If you researched your work carefully, your facts are probably accurate. But it never hurts to double-check. If you interviewed an expert, call him/her again to ensure that your information is correct. Review all your research to make sure no numbers or words were misread or mistyped when you wrote the article.

Check the flow: Does your article have an opening hook? Are the facts reported in a linear order that makes sense? Have you avoided any type of circular reasoning? Is your expert introduced early in the piece (if necessary)? Make sure the progression and pace fits appropriately with the style of your article.

Read it aloud: When you read something silently--in your own head--it's easier to skip over words or miss a sentence fragment. Reading it aloud, however, gives you a chance to hear how the article really sounds. You can read it to yourself or to a friend, but it's important that you hear the words spoken. This is another great way to check the pace and flow of the article.

Read it again: Before you submit the article, give it one more quick reading. Read it at the pace you expect the audience to read it.

This may seem like a lot of extra work for a freelance writer. However, it's absolutely necessary if you hope to establish yourself as a professional in the industry. By proofreading and editing your own work, you'll gain a reputation as a skilled, responsible writer. As a result, you'll soon find that your writing talents are in demand!