Why Proof Reading Matters.

No matter how skilled a writer is, there’s one crucial step that should never be skipped in the writing process: proofreading.

Many writers believe that if they’ve written the?piece of work in question, regardless of whether it is 1,000, 10,0000 or 100,000 words in length, they’re well-positioned to spot any mistakes.

I don’t agree.

Whether I’m crafting a blog post, ghosting a biography or writing one of my own books, having a fresh pair of eyes to look over my work is something which I consider to be absolutely essential-and not only to me but, in the cases where I am working for a client, a professional courtesy to them as well.

I worked with a client once on their life story, completing a first rough draft of the manuscript after a few weeks work. The next step in the process was for me to work all the way through that draft ?from beginning to end, doing, as I call it, and as its referred to in the building trade,?‘the snagging’ where I identify and correct, amend or edit any parts of that draft that needs a little bit more work done on it..

That second draft is, for me, close enough (but no cigar)?to publication quality but I will still ask a professional proof reader to work through my work?in order for the final version of the manuscript to be absolutely 100% ready to go to print.

But the client wanted that first rough draft to be the one that went to print, they were in a hurry to see their idea and book become a reality and, despite my protestations to the contrary, that is exactly what happened.

The result? A great story that has had many five?star reviews. But more than one reviewer has added a comment or two to the effect of ‘…a shame the manuscript wasn’t proofread as there are a few silly mistakes in it’.

I couldn’t have agreed more.

So, if you are considering either writing and publishing your own book or life story, else are looking to ask me to work with you on same, here is why getting your work proofread by someone else (which will be part of the whole process) can elevate the writing, and why either you, as the original writer, or me as your ‘ghost’ is not necessarily the best person to handle this task.

Firstly, familiarity breeds blindness

When you’ve spent hours, days, or even weeks immersed in a project, you become overly familiar with your own words. Your brain knows what you intended to write, and it begins to fill in gaps automatically. You’ll skip over a missing word because you know what should be there. You’ll overlook a repeated phrase because it feels familiar.

Essentially, your brain goes on autopilot.

This cognitive bias, sometimes called “writer's blindness,” prevents you from seeing the work objectively. A proof-reader, on the other hand, brings fresh eyes and a clear mind. They won’t make assumptions about what you meant to write and will be much more likely to catch those tiny but critical errors.

Secondly, emotional investment can cloud judgment.

Another reason it’s hard for writers to proof their own work is the emotional investment made. Whether you’re proud of your witty metaphors, attached to your descriptive passages, or just eager to finish, it can be difficult to view your own words dispassionately. You might gloss over sentences that don’t quite work because they’re meaningful to you. Or perhaps you're unwilling to cut a beloved phrase, even if it doesn't fit with the rest of the text.

A professional proof-reader has no such attachment. They are focused solely on making your (or my) work concise, clearer, and more professional. Their objectivity allows them to spot things you might have missed or avoided addressing.

Thirdly, mistakes and typos can tarnish your image.

Imagine spending hours writing a detailed report or an insightful blog post, only to hit “publish” or “send” and realize later that it’s riddled with typos. A single typo can make an otherwise polished piece look careless and unprofessional. More significant mistakes, like grammar errors or confusing sentence structures, can distract from the message you’re trying to convey.

Even the most experienced writers are prone to errors-the Guardian isn't nicknamed the Grauniad for nothing.?The issue isn’t a lack of skill—it’s that proofreading requires a different skill set from writing. Proofreading is about fine-tuning, honing in on details, and ensuring clarity. While you as the writer may be focused on the bigger picture, a proof-reader will catch the minutiae, ensuring that your work represents you in the best possible light.

Fourthly, the professional standard is higher.

In a professional setting, whether you're submitting a proposal, sending out marketing materials, or publishing an article, the stakes are high. Your, or my, readers, clients, or colleagues expect the writing to be flawless.

Even small mistakes can erode credibility and diminish the impact of the work.

Hiring a proof-reader adds that layer of polish and professionalism that shows you care about the quality of your output. It’s the difference between a good piece of work and an excellent one.

Fifthly, proof-readers spot more than just typos.

It’s easy to think of proofreading as just a way to catch spelling errors, but a good proof-reader will do much more than that. They’ll look for inconsistencies in style, ensure that your writing adheres to grammar rules, and even suggest ways to improve clarity and flow. In essence, proofreading is about refining your work to ensure it’s as strong as it can be.

Sometimes, writers get too close to their own ideas and assume that what’s clear to them will be clear to everyone else. A proof-reader, coming from the perspective of an average reader, will be able to flag any points that are confusing or unclear.

Finally, proofreading is an investment in your work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth hiring a proof-reader, consider this: proofreading is an investment in the success of your work. Whether it’s a blog post you hope will attract new customers, a CV that could land you your dream job, or a novel you’re preparing to publish, having error-free, clear, and professional content gives you the best chance of achieving your goals.

In today’s world, where so much communication is done through written words, the way you present yourself in writing matters. If your work is full of errors, readers may assume you're careless or unprofessional. But when your writing is polished and error-free, it sends the message that you value precision and quality.

Conclusion?

Trust the process.

If you’re thinking about trusting in an online service like Grammarly to do the work for you, please think again. It’s not an app I would ever recommend for a variety of reasons. Drop me a line if you’d like to know why.

There’s a reason professional writers (including myself), journalists, and authors work with proof-readers. They understand that proof-reading isn’t just an afterthought, it’s an essential part of the writing process. While it may be tempting to skip this step or handle it yourself, the truth is that a fresh set of eyes can make all the difference.

By entrusting your work to a proof-reader, you’re ensuring that it’s the best possible version before it reaches its audience. So next time you finish a project, take the extra step and have it proofread.

You’ll be glad you did.