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The Secret to Proofreading Your Own Product

by Scott Ames
15 replies
This is simple. If you can't afford a proof reader, and perhaps have no family member that can help you proof read your products, this simple idea will catch many or even most of your written mistakes.
Read your material aloud, just like you were reading for the news or for an audio book. Don't skip any words, really pronounce each word aloud and actually read it. You may feel silly, but it will catch a lot of mistakes.
If you do have family members that can help, have one of them read it out loud while you listen. That is better than you doing it by far. Perhaps a son or daughter would be willing to read for you.
You'll be surprised how many errors you catch and might even have more thoughts to insert while you listen.
#product #proofreading #secret
  • Profile picture of the author stacyfox
    Another useful tip I learned from College journalism days is to read your copy backwards, starting at the bottom and reading, line by line, up. Read from right to left. You'll be surprised at the number of mistakes you catch this way - it forces you to read every word.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Motley
    Reading it backwards is also how we were taught to proofread. works pretty well
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Good tips. I find that the underlying principle is to set your writing in
    a different context. Reading aloud, reading backwards, change the
    font, use a print out, hardcopy instead of reading from the computer
    screen--the key is to set your writing in a different 'environment'
    than you created it.

    For example, I normally write sales letters in MS Word and then transfer
    to DreamWeaver or FrontPage and then view the page in FireFox browser.
    Each time I change the environment I will pick up a new mistake.

    Just like typing this post, I will see the mistakes after I hit submit that
    I don't see now because the setting changes.

    -Ray Edwards
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    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
      I never thought of it that way, but it makes sense.

      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Good tips. I find that the underlying principle is to set your writing in
      a different context. Reading aloud, reading backwards, change the
      font, use a print out, hardcopy instead of reading from the computer
      screen--the key is to set your writing in a different 'environment'
      than you created it.

      For example, I normally write sales letters in MS Word and then transfer
      to DreamWeaver or FrontPage and then view the page in FireFox browser.
      Each time I change the environment I will pick up a new mistake.

      Just like typing this post, I will see the mistakes after I hit submit that
      I don't see now because the setting changes.

      -Ray Edwards
      Signature

      Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

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    • Profile picture of the author melanied
      That's a great post, and it does explain why I always notice mistakes in posts only after I hit submit! LOL

      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Good tips. I find that the underlying principle is to set your writing in
      a different context. Reading aloud, reading backwards, change the
      font, use a print out, hardcopy instead of reading from the computer
      screen--the key is to set your writing in a different 'environment'
      than you created it.

      For example, I normally write sales letters in MS Word and then transfer
      to DreamWeaver or FrontPage and then view the page in FireFox browser.
      Each time I change the environment I will pick up a new mistake.

      Just like typing this post, I will see the mistakes after I hit submit that
      I don't see now because the setting changes.

      -Ray Edwards
      Signature

      *melanie

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  • Profile picture of the author CliveG
    I was taught many years ago that all proof reading should be done out loud. Difficult if there is only one of you. However, last week I tried saving a document as a PDF and getting Adobe Reader to read it back to me. Picked up a couple of silly errors that I had missed x times.

    Clive
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    AdsReact - Innovative Website Software that Supercharges YOUR PPC PROFITS!
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  • Profile picture of the author rbthanders
    Good tip. Although I generally think I'm a pretty good writer, it's almost always inevitable that there are a couple of really stupid mistakes!
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  • Profile picture of the author OnlineMarketingSys
    If you aren't shy around people, you can try going down to your local College and asking someone in the lunch room to read you material. You would be surprised how many people, if they have the time will offer to help you out. I've done it a couple times, when I needed to get things proofread and didn't have the time to have it professionally edited.
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    *WSO* Last Chance over 150++ Copies Sold -The Secret To $8,318.96 In One Month Without Paying Google ONE CENT!
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  • Profile picture of the author ramohr
    You guys are spot on. When you listen to someone read your copy out loud
    You get tho hear where they get stuck...or something in the letter might make
    the reader stumble. You can make the necessary changes. I learn this from
    Jay Araham.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Talking also helps you WRITE the piece if you are mental blocking on what to write. You look as mad as a hatter if someone sees you explaining complex ideas to your pets or just sitting and rattling to yourself, but it will help you organize your thoughts or even just figure out how you want to word something.
    Spoken language is instinctual and written language is not.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author CBSnooper
    Backwards is the best way to catch spelling mistakes. When you're reading it forwards, your brain knows what word is coming from the context of the sentence so you tend to read it correctly.

    Forwards and aloud is the way to catch grammatical errors.
    Signature

    Mike
    ~~~~
    CBSnooper - Take the hard work out of finding hot Clickbank products.

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    • Profile picture of the author Brad Spencer
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      Good tips. I find that the underlying principle is to set your writing in
      a different context. Reading aloud, reading backwards, change the
      font, use a print out, hardcopy instead of reading from the computer
      screen--the key is to set your writing in a different 'environment'
      than you created it.

      For example, I normally write sales letters in MS Word and then transfer
      to DreamWeaver or FrontPage and then view the page in FireFox browser.
      Each time I change the environment I will pick up a new mistake.

      Just like typing this post, I will see the mistakes after I hit submit that
      I don't see now because the setting changes.

      -Ray Edwards
      This is one of the areas I'm adding to my editing checklist. I go down my list and by the time I'm done with the checklist it has been reviewed 3 different ways. Thanks for adding a 4th.

      Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

      This is simple. If you can't afford a proof reader, and perhaps have no family member that can help you proof read your products, this simple idea will catch many or even most of your written mistakes.
      Read your material aloud, just like you were reading for the news or for an audio book. Don't skip any words, really pronounce each word aloud and actually read it. You may feel silly, but it will catch a lot of mistakes.
      If you do have family members that can help, have one of them read it out loud while you listen. That is better than you doing it by far. Perhaps a son or daughter would be willing to read for you.
      You'll be surprised how many errors you catch and might even have more thoughts to insert while you listen.

      I have two tips to build off this idea.

      1. My "10% slice rule"- After i'm done writing an ebook, article, or other "long dated" publication...I try and eliminate 10% of the words in the document.

      I just finished a new ebook and it was around 3,000 words. I ended up getting it to 2550 by editing passive voice, combining sentences, deleting phrases (For Example..., in my opinion...) that were redundant, and writing in simpler language.

      This rule helps me publish easier and more thoroughly for the target audience.

      2. Readability Tool

      Just discovered this in an article marketing post here at WF but it really seems like a good way to make things easier. My opinion is that if things are simple so I go after the low-hanging fruit.

      The Readability Test Tool

      I totally agree with you on the original thread. Reading aloud is an easy way to catch mistakes and make things simpler.

      Cheers,

      Brad Spencer
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I think the main problem may be that by the time we are
    finished writing something we just want to get it out the
    door and see if people will buy it.

    I usually build-up written projects in stages, proofing as
    I go... but when I get to the final draft stage I just put
    it away for awhile. When I come back and read it
    in a week or so my eyes are fresher.
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  • Profile picture of the author OSContent
    That's an interesting point about putting the writing in a different environment. I have definitely noticed the difference, too--not only when I'm editing my own work, but when I'm doing a second round of editing on someone else's work.

    When you look at writing in the same environment twice, it's easy to skip 50% of the words in each sentence because you've already seen it once and you know what's coming next. When you put it in a difference environment or remove it from its context, it's not quite as clear what's coming next, so you can't skip over things as easily.
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