{"id":6328,"date":"2016-05-30T09:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-05-30T09:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist\/"},"modified":"2024-02-28T17:22:51","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T17:22:51","slug":"the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Blog Post Editing Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"introduction\">\n<h2>Introduction:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lRWNfn4tk3r2CvRTr91LZA.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lRWNfn4tk3r2CvRTr91LZA.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Whether you're editing your own blog posts or someone else's, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">editing checklist<\/a> will help you catch any errors and present your audience with a polished finished product.<\/p>\n<p>It's divided into 3 sections:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Copy editing<\/li>\n<li>On-page SEO<\/li>\n<li>Visual content editing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All of these elements are equally important for bloggers, as you want to make sure your readers\u00a0<em>and\u00a0<\/em>Google get a good experience from your piece.<\/p>\n<p>Let's get into it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"copy-editing\">\n<h2>Copy editing:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/st-process-production.s3.amazonaws.com\/a56f6882-f5dd-40d9-8ef9-8fe6d78039f6\/mdonRxRNDt0fiHpGyGRDfQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/st-process-production.s3.amazonaws.com\/a56f6882-f5dd-40d9-8ef9-8fe6d78039f6\/mdonRxRNDt0fiHpGyGRDfQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Let's get the most time intensive part out of the way first. This section focuses on getting your words perfect, readable and clear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wait-for-a-day-after-writing-before-editing\">\n<h2>Wait for a day after writing before editing<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>If you're self-editing, your mind will be clouded directly after writing it and you'll be blind to your mistakes.<\/p>\n<p>Wait a day, and read it aloud all the way through. That way, you'll be able to instantly spot mistakes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"split-the-article-into-sections\">\n<h2>Split the article into sections<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Is the article broken up into a clear structure? Traditionally, a blog post is structured like this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction<\/li>\n<li>Key point 1<\/li>\n<li>Key point 2<\/li>\n<li>Key point n<\/li>\n<li>...<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here's an infographic\u00a0to elaborate:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/hkasp77pixhbkPbyLOdKDw.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/hkasp77pixhbkPbyLOdKDw.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-for-spelling-and-grammar-errors\">\n<h2>Check for spelling and grammar errors<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Using <a href=\"https:\/\/app.process.st\/grammarly.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">Grammarly<\/a>, check the article through for flagged spelling and grammar issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/gs_SvcaIfIYrrSE9FYpLSQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/gs_SvcaIfIYrrSE9FYpLSQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-for-language-inconsistencies\">\n<h2>Check for language inconsistencies<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Now, check to make sure you're not using inconsistent language.<\/p>\n<p>For example, standardize 'ebook' \/ 'e-book' \/ 'eBook'.<\/p>\n<p>If you use a style guide, refer to that:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apstylebook.com\/online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AP style manual<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ox.ac.uk\/public-affairs\/style-guide?wssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Oxford style manual<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"factcheck-the-article\">\n<h2>Fact-check the article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Back up any unsupported sources, and research any claims to ensure they're fact, not opinion or inaccuracies.<\/p>\n<p>Using Google Doc's research pane for quickly sourcing claims or doing proper research on an incorrect one:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/uY6SNVOxlJK4KmwhjAxDBA.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/uY6SNVOxlJK4KmwhjAxDBA.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"remove-adverbs-and-filler-words\">\n<h2>Remove adverbs and filler words<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Filler words make your writing sound weak, but they're easy to find and remove.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Check <a href=\"https:\/\/smartblogger.com\/weak-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">here<\/a> for a list of 297 compiled by\u00a0Shane Arthur.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Be wary of using adverbs. Adverbs are almost always unnecessary, as demonstrated here:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>He smiled <em>happily<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Then ran <em>quickly<\/em><\/li>\n<li>I wondered <em>thoughtfully<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Happiness, quickness, and thoughtfulness are implicit in the verbs \u2014 there's no need for the adverbs (happily, quickly, thoughtfully).<\/p>\n<p>A good app to catch these is the <a href=\"https:\/\/app.process.st\/hemingwayapp.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">Hemingway Editor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/srAEjVsoS1nSuYstKQlPHw.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/srAEjVsoS1nSuYstKQlPHw.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"convert-from-the-passive-voice-to-the-active-voice\">\n<h2>Convert from the passive voice to the active voice<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>The passive voice is unclear, and sounds weak. Here's an example of passive vs. active:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Passive:<\/strong> The football game was won by the Patriots<\/li>\n<li><strong>Active:<\/strong> The Patriots won the football game<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By converting the sentence from passive to active, it's shorter, sounds confident and clear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"remove-cliches\">\n<h2>Remove cliches<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Cliches \u2014 like 'crystal clear' \u2014 are hallmarks of bad style. Instead of using the first term that comes to mind, be creative or cut words out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here's <a href=\"http:\/\/www.be-a-better-writer.com\/cliches.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a list of 681 cliches<\/a> so you can familiarize yourself with them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Readers tune their brains out when they read cliches because they're 'pre-digested' phrases that have lost meaning over time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/j-apYS8bZmRvOuu5zL1Fow.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/j-apYS8bZmRvOuu5zL1Fow.jpg\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"replace-weak-verbs-and-adjectives\">\n<h2>Replace weak verbs and adjectives<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Similar to cutting adverbs. Instead of using 3 weak words, use 1 strong one to give your writing more impact and clarity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Think up a plan \u2014&gt; Devise a plan<\/li>\n<li>Go and see the world \u2014&gt; Travel the world<\/li>\n<li>Not very good \u2014&gt; Atrocious<\/li>\n<li>A bit of a pain \u2014&gt; Excruciating<\/li>\n<li>Quite interesting actually \u2014&gt; Fascinating<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-punctuation-is-consistent\">\n<h2>Check punctuation is consistent<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Commas are a <a href=\"http:\/\/mentalfloss.com\/article\/33637\/best-shots-fired-oxford-comma-wars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">hotly debated issue<\/a> in the academic world. For bloggers, it's just a matter of consistency. Whether you choose to use Oxford commas or not, make sure you're being clear and consistent.<\/p>\n<p>To use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammarly.com\/blog\/what-is-the-oxford-comma-and-why-do-people-care-so-much-about-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Grammarly\u2019s example<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\u201cI love my parents, Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty\u201d (no Oxford comma)<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty\u201d (Oxford comma)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-the-article-reads-like-a-human-wrote-it\">\n<h2>Check the article reads like a human wrote it<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Another element of bad style is that bloated, faux-academic tone you get from junior writers. If you wouldn't say it in a casual conversation, then edit it so it sounds like a real person said it, not a machine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For the definitive guide on this topic, check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Writing-Well-Classic-Guide-Nonfiction\/dp\/0060891548\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">On Writing Well<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"onpage-seo\">\n<h2>On-page SEO:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nQjF3_lnuIAPCB5k7gdNNA.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nQjF3_lnuIAPCB5k7gdNNA.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Okay, that's not what Plato said. Regardless, it's still important.<\/p>\n<p>Once you've written an awesome article, you want to make sure people can find it. You do that by signaling to Google that your article is about a certain topic.<\/p>\n<p>Here's exactly how to do that, with help from <a href=\"http:\/\/backlinko.com\/on-page-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Backlinko's infographic on the topic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vEdnj8wexBvs22wgZ8RCfQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vEdnj8wexBvs22wgZ8RCfQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-the-keyword-is-early-in-the-title\">\n<h2>Check the keyword is early in the title<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Your article's title \u2014 the H1 \u2014 is the most important on-page element to optimize. If you're writing a guide to making the best pizza, then you're going to want to indicate that in the title.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Make Your Own Pizza<\/strong>: From Dough to Delicious in Six Simple Steps<\/li>\n<li>The Complete <strong>Landscape Gardening Guide<\/strong> for Busy People<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To make sure your article's title\u00a0<em>is\u00a0<\/em>an H1, inspect the element by right clicking it in Chrome and choosing 'Inspect Element'.<\/p>\n<p>See when I hover over the title, it says 'h1' in the tooltip floating just above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nZ7mI9k4MG5GNoj535REWg.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nZ7mI9k4MG5GNoj535REWg.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"change-the-slug-to-be-only-your-target-keyword\">\n<h2>Change the slug to be only your target keyword<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Instead of having a URL that looks like this...<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/2016\/05\/content-marketing\/the-ultimate-editing-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">www.process.st\/2016\/05\/content-marketing\/the-ultimate-editing-checklist\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Try one like this...<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">www.process.st\/templates\/the-ultimate-blog-post-editing-checklist-3\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not only is it easier for humans, Google understands much better what the article is about because you cut the clutter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"include-images-videos-infographic-embeds\">\n<h2>Include images, videos, infographic, embeds<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>To increase the time a user spends on your page, use interesting multimedia to hook them and keep them sticking around.<\/p>\n<p>Use at least 2 of the below items:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"multi-select-content form-field-content\">\n<ul class=\"items\">\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Images<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">2<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Infographics<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">3<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Videos<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">4<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Slideshows<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">5<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Checklists<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"check-your-subheading-structure-is-seofriendly\">\n<h2>Check your subheading structure is SEO-friendly<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pz-EMTwdKkrd9W9VxYJC5Q.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pz-EMTwdKkrd9W9VxYJC5Q.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>As explained in the image above, you can never use an H2 without an H1, never an H3 without an H2 first, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Think of it as indented bullet points, if it helps.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Title (<em>h1<\/em>)\n<ul>\n<li>Intro (<em>h2<\/em>)\n<ul>\n<li>CTA (<em>h3<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Key point 1<\/li>\n<li>Key point 2<\/li>\n<li>Key point 3\n<ul>\n<li>Elaboration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Key point 4<\/li>\n<li>Key point 5\n<ul>\n<li>CTA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"use-your-exact-target-keyword-23-times-in-the-body\">\n<h2>Use your exact target keyword 2-3 times in the body<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>To make sure you (again) signal to Google the purpose of your blog post, include your keyword:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"multi-select-content form-field-content\">\n<ul class=\"items\">\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">In the first 150 words<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">2<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Mid-way through<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"item\">\n<div class=\"step-number-container\">\n<div class=\"step-number\">3<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step-checkbox-container\">\n<div class=\"step-checkbox\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-name-static\">Near the end<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"include-24-outbound-links-for-every-1000-words\">\n<h2>Include 2-4 outbound links for every 1,000 words<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Show Google your page is backed up by quality, authoritative sources by linking out to other sites.<\/p>\n<p>A\u00a0guideline from Brian Dean recommends you use 2-4 outbound links in every 1,000 words you write.<\/p>\n<p>This should be easy if you're writing a well-sourced article!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"add-plenty-of-internal-links\">\n<h2>Add plenty of internal links<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Page Authority flows through links, so if you get a backlink to a page with 20 internal links, these pages also get passed authority.<\/p>\n<p>See Wikipedia,\u00a0the masters of internal (or 'deep') links, for a masterclass:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kMHDa8vIGd4vy_mNUC9J0w.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/kMHDa8vIGd4vy_mNUC9J0w.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"optimize-visual-content\">\n<h2>Optimize visual content:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vYqNwCjljin_Vsxb4BhOMQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vYqNwCjljin_Vsxb4BhOMQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Visuals are partly for SEO, and partly to make the reading experience more enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p>In this time of limited attention, images drag the reader into the content. Great visuals show the reader instant value and make them more likely to stay on the page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"replace-stock-images-with-tasteful-graphics\">\n<h2>Replace stock images with tasteful graphics<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Get rid of this garbage:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vsgoNAYEEVUk_OfvZNBIjQ.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/vsgoNAYEEVUk_OfvZNBIjQ.jpg\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/app.process.st\/process.st\" rel=\"nofollow\">Process Street<\/a>, we make sure all of our graphics are even custom-made, edited for quality or screenshots.<\/p>\n<p>As Kathryn Aragon <a href=\"http:\/\/kathrynaragon.com\/images-on-your-blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">says<\/a>, images should <em>not<\/em> be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inserted willy-nilly, just to have an image.<\/li>\n<li>Trite or overused stock photos.<\/li>\n<li>Thought of only as share-bait.<\/li>\n<li>Boring or irrelevant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"make-sure-media-is-fullwidth\">\n<h2>Make sure media is full-width<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>For a better overall design aesthetic, keep your media full-width. Compare these examples:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ngYeFkdONwykOTRCpdtLCQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/ngYeFkdONwykOTRCpdtLCQ.png\" \/> <\/a><figcaption>Oh dear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nAFTPIZNalbDO8M91tNA7g.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/nAFTPIZNalbDO8M91tNA7g.png\" \/> <\/a><figcaption>Much better!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>To edit for this, either find higher resolution versions of the same images\u00a0or replace low-res images with high-res ones.<\/p>\n<p>The good thing about screenshots is that you have total control over their size so can always find a way to make them full-width.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"optimize-image-titles-and-alt-text\">\n<h2>Optimize image titles and alt text<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>To optimize for Google Images search volume, make sure you're titling and alt-tagging your images properly. Do this by saving the files with descriptive, keyword-optimized titles, and by editing alt text in HTML view:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mjDUolwvJyl0pE0C7xJNxA.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mjDUolwvJyl0pE0C7xJNxA.png\" \/> <\/a><figcaption>A well optimized image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"keep-graphics-consistent-with-house-style\">\n<h2>Keep graphics consistent with house style<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<p>Tap into your brand assets \u2014 logos, branded images, image templates \u2014 to create consistent images in keeping with your blog's style.<\/p>\n<p>Below are examples of what we do at Process Street. Note the consistent font, color pallette, and icon style:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lvjCXZ0k739eq4PVd-1CiQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/lvjCXZ0k739eq4PVd-1CiQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/itBNvx3EVbShP2oNH4NBCQ.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/itBNvx3EVbShP2oNH4NBCQ.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/s68lcQIHopuWEduCQ-5Fpg.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/s68lcQIHopuWEduCQ-5Fpg.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-content\">\n<figure><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/m9cobXHgQ1GQsVMXGf9E4w.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/templates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/m9cobXHgQ1GQsVMXGf9E4w.png\" \/> <\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"sources--further-reading\">\n<h2>Sources &amp; further reading:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"text-content\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lotemdesign.com\/how-to-structure-the-perfect-blog-post\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lotem Design's guide to blog post structure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.problogger.net\/archives\/2014\/04\/18\/9-crucial-tips-for-self-editing-your-blog-posts-that-every-blogger-can-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">9 self-editing tips from ProBlogger<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartblogger.com\/weak-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">297 filler words to cut from your writing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dailypost.wordpress.com\/2012\/07\/12\/verbs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">A guide to verbs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.be-a-better-writer.com\/cliches.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">681\u00a0cliches to avoid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AP_Stylebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">AP Stylebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ox.ac.uk\/public-affairs\/style-guide?wssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Oxford Stylebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grammarly.com\/blog\/what-is-the-oxford-comma-and-why-do-people-care-so-much-about-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">What is the Oxford Comma?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Writing-Well-Classic-Guide-Nonfiction\/dp\/0060891548\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">On Writing Well<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/backlinko.com\/on-page-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Backlinko's Guide to On-Page SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.shoutmeloud.com\/wikipedia-seo-strategies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wikpedia's SEO strategy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/blog\/tabid\/6307\/bid\/33886\/13-Hilarious-Examples-of-Truly-Awful-Stock-Photography.aspx#sm.0000bfjjr21aasejuz5bslghsdpr6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">13\u00a0terrible stock photos to laugh at<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/checklists-for-bloggers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Using\u00a0checklists as a blogger<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/soundcloud.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Use Soundcloud to embed audio in your blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalinformationworld.com\/2015\/03\/infographic-the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-visually-appealing-content.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Create visually appealing content<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.easy.com\/images\/pdfs\/easygroup_brand_manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Easy's brand manual<\/a>\u00a0[PDF]<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/app.process.st\/docs.google.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">Google Docs<\/a> \u2014 great for sourcing quickly<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.process.st\/ninja-workflow-for-capturing-annotating-and-uploading-screenshots-in-seconds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">How to quickly capture and annotate screenshots<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction: Whether you're editing your own blog posts or someone else's, this editing checklist will help you catch any errors and present your audience with a polished finished product. It's divided into 3 sections: Copy editing On-page SEO Visual content editing All of these elements are equally important for bloggers, as you want to make [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"cover_icon_emoji":"","cover_icon_url":"","tasks_count":"27","template_description":"Use this editing checklist to perfect the copy, SEO and images in your next blog post.","template_id":"vGKeNMgKvuFcRukVenhIlg","task_0":"Introduction:","task_slug_0":"introduction","task_1":"Copy editing:","task_slug_1":"copy-editing","task_2":"Wait for a day after writing before editing","task_slug_2":"wait-for-a-day-after-writing-before-editing","task_3":"Split the article into sections","task_slug_3":"split-the-article-into-sections","task_4":"Check for spelling and grammar errors","task_slug_4":"check-for-spelling-and-grammar-errors","task_5":"Check for language inconsistencies","task_slug_5":"check-for-language-inconsistencies","task_6":"Fact-check the article","task_slug_6":"factcheck-the-article","task_7":"Remove adverbs and filler words","task_slug_7":"remove-adverbs-and-filler-words","task_8":"Convert from the passive voice to the active voice","task_slug_8":"convert-from-the-passive-voice-to-the-active-voice","task_9":"Remove cliches","task_slug_9":"remove-cliches","task_10":"Replace weak verbs and adjectives","task_slug_10":"replace-weak-verbs-and-adjectives","task_11":"Check punctuation is consistent","task_slug_11":"check-punctuation-is-consistent","task_12":"Check the article reads like a human wrote it","task_slug_12":"check-the-article-reads-like-a-human-wrote-it","task_13":"On-page SEO:","task_slug_13":"onpage-seo","task_14":"Check the keyword is early in the title","task_slug_14":"check-the-keyword-is-early-in-the-title","task_15":"Change the slug to be only your target keyword","task_slug_15":"change-the-slug-to-be-only-your-target-keyword","task_16":"Include images, videos, infographic, embeds","task_slug_16":"include-images-videos-infographic-embeds","task_17":"Check your subheading structure is SEO-friendly","task_slug_17":"check-your-subheading-structure-is-seofriendly","task_18":"Use your exact target keyword 2-3 times in the body","task_slug_18":"use-your-exact-target-keyword-23-times-in-the-body","task_19":"Include 2-4 outbound links for every 1,000 words","task_slug_19":"include-24-outbound-links-for-every-1000-words","task_20":"Add plenty of internal links","task_slug_20":"add-plenty-of-internal-links","task_21":"Optimize visual content:","task_slug_21":"optimize-visual-content","task_22":"Replace stock images with tasteful graphics","task_slug_22":"replace-stock-images-with-tasteful-graphics","task_23":"Make sure media is full-width","task_slug_23":"make-sure-media-is-fullwidth","task_24":"Optimize image titles and alt text","task_slug_24":"optimize-image-titles-and-alt-text","task_25":"Keep graphics consistent with house style","task_slug_25":"keep-graphics-consistent-with-house-style","task_26":"Sources &amp; 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