Writing and editing are two different jobs. When you try to do both at once, you write slowly and edit poorly. The fix: write freely first, then edit in separate passes, each focused on one thing. This is how professional editors work, and it’s surprisingly fast once you get the hang of it.
Before you start: take a break
Step away from your draft for at least a few hours, ideally a day. Fresh eyes catch problems your tired eyes skip. If you can’t wait, change the font or read it on your phone; it tricks your brain into seeing it anew.
Pass 1: Structure (the big picture)
Ignore commas and word choice. Ask:
- Does the post deliver the promise in the headline?
- Does the introduction get to the point quickly?
- Are the sections in a logical order?
- Is anything missing that the reader needs?
- Is there anything that doesn’t help the reader? Cut it.
- Do the headings, read alone, tell the whole story?
Pass 2: Clarity (sentence by sentence)
- Split long sentences. If you need to take a breath, it’s too long.
- Replace jargon with plain words, or explain it.
- Swap vague words (“things”, “stuff”, “very”) for specific ones.
- Add an example wherever a point feels abstract.
- Prefer active voice: “We tested three tools” instead of “Three tools were tested”.
Pass 3: Style and flow
- Cut filler: “really”, “just”, “actually”, “in order to”, “it is important to note that”.
- Vary sentence length so the rhythm doesn’t feel flat.
- Check your voice is consistent and friendly.
- Break up long paragraphs and add lists where it helps.
- Make sure transitions connect your sections.
Our Word Count & Reading Time tool shows average sentence length, readability and your most-repeated words, all handy for this pass.
Pass 4: Proofreading
- Read the post out loud. It catches missing words and awkward phrases.
- Check names, numbers, dates and prices.
- Click every link.
- Check headings for consistent capitalization.
- Run a spell checker (but don’t trust it blindly).
- Preview on mobile and desktop.
Final checks before publishing
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Headline clear and accurate | ☐ |
| Meta description written | ☐ |
| Images compressed with alt text | ☐ |
| 2–3 internal links added | ☐ |
| Category set | ☐ |
| Excerpt written | ☐ |
| Disclosures added if needed | ☐ |
Editing tools that help
- Built-in spell check in your browser or editor
- Grammar checkers (useful, but review every suggestion)
- Text-to-speech, to hear your post read aloud
- A friend from your target audience, often the most valuable editor of all
Common editing mistakes
- Editing while writing the first draft.
- Only proofreading for typos and skipping structure.
- Accepting every grammar-tool suggestion (some make writing stiff).
- Editing forever. At some point, publish. You can always update.
An editing example, step by step
Here’s a rough draft sentence and how it changes through the passes:
| Pass | Version |
|---|---|
| Draft | “It is really important to note that in order to actually grow your blog you basically need to be posting content on a consistent basis.” |
| Clarity | “To grow your blog, you need to post consistently.” |
| Style | “Want your blog to grow? Post consistently.” |
| Proofread | Checked: correct punctuation, matches the tone of the post. |
The meaning didn’t change, but the sentence went from 27 words to 6. Multiply that across a post and it becomes much easier to read.
Words and phrases to search for
Use your editor’s find function (Ctrl + F or Cmd + F) to hunt for common filler:
- “very”, “really”, “quite”, “just”, “actually”, “basically”: usually removable
- “in order to”: usually just “to”
- “it is important to note that”: cut it and state the point
- “there are many…”: often weak; be specific
- “thing” / “stuff”: replace with the actual noun
- “utilize”: “use”
- Repeated words: our Word Counter lists your most-used words
Editing for skimmers
Many readers won’t read every word, so give them shortcuts:
- Can someone get the main idea from the headings alone?
- Is the key sentence of each section at the start of the section?
- Are important phrases in bold (sparingly)?
- Would a list or table make a dense paragraph easier?
- Is there a summary, checklist or “quick answer” for readers in a hurry?
Getting feedback without a professional editor
- Swap with another blogger: edit one of their posts in exchange.
- Ask a reader: someone from your audience will notice what’s confusing.
- Use the “explain it back” test: ask a friend to read a section and tell you what it said. If their summary misses your point, the section needs work.
- Re-read old posts: editing your own posts from six months ago is the fastest way to spot your habits.
FAQs
How long should editing take?
Roughly a third to half as long as writing the draft. A post that took two hours to draft might take 45–60 minutes to edit well.
Should I hire an editor?
Not at the start. Learning to edit your own work makes you a better writer. Consider an editor later for important pieces like e-books or cornerstone guides.
Pair this with how to write a blog post, step by step and blog post format.