The Daily Freelancer: When Writers Have Typos (and How to Better Proofread)
I was doing some research the other day on how to up my Upwork profile game. Online profiles and websites are the representation of you, and there’s a lot of knowledge out there on how best to maximize what you’ve got on there. I last looked at my profile a few months ago, and have gotten some new tips and tricks since then: what kind of voice to use, how to add testimonials, how to stalk, I mean, research other freelancers’ profiles to get some hints, and more. With being able to find work being so important at this time, I went on my profile to give it a refresh —
— and found a typo.
Not down the page. Not one of those typos that could be read as correct if you read it a certain way. No. My typo was a missing word in the second sentence.
::sigh::
A typo in a web developer’s profile is one thing, but in a writer’s…? It got me thinking about how we as writers are judged on a harsher scale than others. When I was hiring people for a writing-centric job, I’ll admit that I put cover letters that were poorly written, or even had one or two typos, in the “no” pile. It’s a double-edged sword of having to not only prove our expertise with our words, but having our words also function as part of the job interview.
Since I’ve been going overboard on proofreading today, here are some quick tips on how to get rid of those last-minute typos:
Read it out loud
When you’re done with your copy, read it out loud. You’ll not only catch your typos, but you’ll be able to hear how the copy sounds — its tone, cadence, and more. Remember that we don’t just read, we pronounce silently.
Adjust the window size
If you want to make sure you’re catching everything you can, adjust your window size. This shifts your text, and jostles your brain away from seeing the same thing at the same place on the page.
Check that you didn’t jump
I tend to do this a lot. I’ll draft an email or a pitch, start to write a new sentence or paragraph, then jump down to something else, with the intention of coming back to the half-written sentence later…and then I never do. If you think you’re done, give it one more look for unfinished thoughts.
Turn off the music
Some writers can write with music, or TV, or podcasts in the background. I personally can’t because lyrics or words mess with my ability to write. Even if it doesn’t bother you, when you’re proofreading, just turn the media off. You never know.
Just slow down
As writers, we often need to produce content quickly, which leads to us proofing it quickly. Even if you need to get something out fast, force yourself to slow down. A typo could cost you a contract.
There’s such a thing as too much
In Gmail, there’s a setting you can turn on to give a five or ten second delay to your email message. Just today I spent multiple passes proofing an email, and then, after I had sent it, I called it back in the delay time just to do one more check. No. If you’ve done your due diligence proofing it, just trust and send. (And walk away and get a snack.)
Ultimately, I’m not saying that typos are unforgivable. I have hired someone who did have a typo (and I ragged on them afterwards!), and we’re all human, after all. But as a writer, do you best to be as inhuman as possible!
Hi! I’m Jessica, and I can write your content. Head to my Writer for Hire page, and work with me today!