Posted by Sundi Hayes in I have this business idea which has been needling me for months now. Every time it comes to mind I want to yell “Hot Diggity!” I even went so far as to check the domain name. No, it isn’t Hot Diggity.
Still, the idea just sits there.
If your first question isn’t “Why?” then I want to know what else you are thinking about!
My business idea has to do with proofreading. I haven’t really developed it yet and so it sits. I have too many unanswered questions about how it would actually work, if it would be profitable and if anyone really wants it…the usual itty biz questions. Those of you who are habitual domain purchasers probably get this! I just don’t happen to be the owner of a few fist-fulls of domain names. So, my business idea sits there…all alone…in the quiet corners of my mind – until I feel the urge to shout, “Hot Diggity!”
Ramble no more
Sorry, I’m an extrovert and can’t help it sometimes. I’ll try to focus now.
In light of my secret business idea I thought I’d write a post about proofreading your stuff. More specifically YOU proof reading YOUR stuff. Websites and newsletters with frequent errors drive me CRAZY! Call it my personal bull dozer - it just pushes me over the edge. For anyone who has received an email from me pointing out errors of your ways, I’m (not) really sorry.
That being said here you go…
4 Steps to proofreading your own stuff:
Read your work out load. Pay attention to the flow of your words, or lack there of! Is your meaning clear? Is it concise? Is the sequence logical?
Reread to check for spelling and grammar. Also check punctuation and duplicate words.
Scan your work for proper names. Everything you don’t use in everyday language should be verified…names, geographic locations, technical lingo. Because sometimes comma location and extra zeros make all the difference, recheck your numbers.
One last time. Make your corrections, take a break and then reread it one last time. (Um, yes, that said take a break. As in doing something else for a little while. Preferably not something which involves detailed work!)
I just realized how great this is! Now, instead of an email to unsuspecting small business owners I can just send a link to my blog post! Hot Diggity!
Nibbling away -
Sundi
I absolutely agree with the four steps you outlined… but I must call into question the header of your first step: “Read your work out load.”
Did you deliberately include that gaffe (along with the use of what should have read “thereof”) to make your point from step two? If so, nicely done.
You hit the nail on the head with your advice to double check spellings of proper names, locations and any unfamiliar wording. By doing this, you not only ensure the correctness of your writing, but you learn information that — if committed it to memory — is stored there for next time you need it.
One item you didn’t mention, however, is the importance of consistency within a written piece. For instance, you used “proof reading” as two words and one word (proofreading); you also hyphenated the word “re-read” in one instance and left it unhyphenated in another. Choosing a single spelling (or form) and sticking to it makes for a more unified post.
All in all, though, Sundi, a compelling and thought-provoking post. Thanks!
Oh Rita! You should have seen the list I started with…I promised myself I’d keep it to a minimum. The list could actually go on and on. And on. And on. You are spot-on regarding the consistency. I’m not sure how the reread and re-read came about. Honestly, the proof read and proofread happened because I had it as two words in the title and changed my mind the last minute – as women tend to do!
I will go fix these two things right away.
Hard to believe this whole post was generated by a newsletter I received via email that utilized not one stitch of punctuation for any of the contractions it contained. Humph!
The other two were on purpose. You are the only one who has mentioned them though. This leads me to believe they either go unnoticed or people see them and click away. Frequent visitors know sassiness so maybe not…