How to Level Up Your Editing Skills
You don’t edit three million words without learning a few things along the way. Erica Schneider , Founder of Cut the Fluff , is committed to sharing her hard-earned wisdom with anyone who wants to become a better writer or launch a new product or service.
Here are two examples of Erica’s simple yet effective editing tips for folks looking to step up their writing game.?
Tell Readers What, Why and How
When you read your content, be sure that anytime you’ve made a claim, asserted that something is important or recommended that your reader take an action, you have also backed it up afterward and shown people how to make it happen.?
“Otherwise, you’re creating this logical gap where you expect the reader to just trust you blindly,” Erica emphasizes. “It’s so much more powerful if you actually come and back that up, either with a really strong opinion or evidence that what you just said is true. Then, once you say ‘why,’ show people ‘how’ to do it.”
Help Readers Cross the Finish Line
Work on your copy’s “finish line.” Having a strong hook or lead-in is great and will get eyes on your copy, but many writers follow that up with an argument and then seemingly forget how to wrap things up.?
“Synthesize your argument,” Erica encourages, “or have a really strong final line that empowers people and moves them to action. There are studies that show people remember the first and last lines more than the middle, so remove any friction that exists and make your first and last lines cohesive.”?
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