Content: Self-editing Skills for Travel Bloggers

2. Self-editing skills for bloggers

3. • Why self-editing is necessary
• When to self edit
• How to self edit
• Resources and skills development

4. We all make mistakes

6. Have a purpose
Create something
meaningful

7. Quality over quantity

8. •Clarity: Clear purpose. Clear language.
•Consistency: Choose a style and stick to it.

9. Why self-editing is necessary
• Consistency + clarity = quality
• We all make mistakes
• Stand out from the crowd

10. • Why self-editing is necessary
• When to self edit
• How to self edit
• Resources and skills development

11. There is no excuse.

14. When to self edit
• Short answer: ALWAYS
• Writing is a skill – you’re never
done learning
• Your blog is your portfolio

15. • Why self-editing is necessary
• When to self edit
• How to self edit
• Resources and skills development

16. Step away
from the
laptop

17. Step away
from the
laptopRead through. Don’t touch.

18. Self-editing: a checklist
 Structure
 Length
 Clarity
 Grammar,
punctuation, spelling
 Formatting
 Language
 Fact-checking
 Typos
 Subheadings and title
 Proof read

19. FIRST READ: Structure, length, clarity
• Is it in the right order?
• Intro should grab the reader’s attention / clarify
what the piece is about
• Could it be shorter?
• Simplify

21. Self-editing: a checklist
 Structure
 Length
 Clarity
 Grammar, punctuation,
spelling
 Formatting
 Language
 Fact-checking
 Typos
 Subheadings and title
 Proof read

22. SECOND READ: Grammar,
punctuation, spelling, formatting
• Know your weaknesses
• Check trusted resources
• Format for the reader

23. SECOND READ: Language
• Repetition
• Avoid cliché
• Watch your exclamation marks!!!
• Tenses
• Be clear, consistent and concise
• Plain language

24. SECOND READ: Fact-checking
• Strive to be a reliable resource
• Build trust
• Do right by the reader

25. Self-editing: a checklist
 Structure
 Length
 Clarity
 Grammar, punctuation,
spelling
 Formatting
 Language
 Fact-checking
 Typos
 Subheadings and title
 Proof read

26. Typos, subheadings and title – then
PROOF
• Typos creep in during editing process
• Sub-heads should keep you reading
• Does the title still match the piece?

27. Self-editing: a checklist
 Structure
 Length
 Clarity
 Grammar,
punctuation, spelling
 Formatting
 Language
 Fact-checking
 Typos
 Subheadings and title
 Proof read

29. How to self edit
• Step away from the laptop
• Read. Don’t touch!
• Follow the checklist
• Be honest with yourself

31. Example – rough draft
They say you come to Aspen and Snowmass for the
Winter, but stay for the Summer – an old adage
that I think proves true time & time again!! While
the awesome region is famed for it’s world-class
Winter sports – celebrites like Rihanna and even
Michele Obama have graced the slopes here – the
warmer months hold more than enough
adventures to be had by land, water and air.

32. Example – edits
They say you come to Aspen and Snowmass for the
Winter, but stay for the Summer – an old adage
that I think proves true time & time again!! While
the awesome region is famed for it’s world-class
Winter sports – celebrites like Rihanna and even
Michele Obama have graced the slopes here – the
warmer months hold more than enough
adventures to be had by land, water and air.

33. Example – final version
They say you come to Aspen and Snowmass for the
winter, but stay for the summer – an old adage
that proves true time and time again. While the
region is famed for its world-class winter sports –
celebrities like Rihanna and even Michelle Obama
have graced the slopes here – the warmer months
hold more than enough adventures to be had by
land, water and air.

35. Resources and skills development
• Style guides (Guardian, Chicago Manual, Nat Geo, Economist etc.)
• Oxford Dictionaries (oxforddictionaries.com)
• Books (For Who the Bell Tolls, David Marsh; The Elements of Style,
Strunk & White; On Writing, Stephen King)
• Grammar Girl (quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl)
• Read travel writing
• Ask a mentor or peer for feedback
• Go on a course

36. • Why self-editing is necessary
• When to self edit
• How to self edit
• Resources and skills development

39. Self-editing: a checklist
 Structure
 Length
 Clarity
 Grammar,
punctuation, spelling
 Formatting
 Language
 Fact-checking
 Typos
 Subheadings and title
 Proof read