I write a ton of blog posts a day. Typically about 3 or so here, 5 or so at the Search Engine Roundtable and 4 or so at Search Engine Land per day. So about 10 - 20 blog posts per work day.
One of my tricks for getting so many blog posts done per day is not proof reading them. For this site and the Search Engine Roundtable, I don't even bother running grammar check with Microsoft Word on the posts. With most my Search Engine Land posts, I run them through Word - but I don't really proof them by giving them a once over before posting.
I type and click "submit" at the bottom of the blog software. I rarely ever skim or read over my blog posts before submitting and I rarely ever read them once they are posted.
I am sure I mess up on spelling and grammar all the time but I rarely ever get complaints. So, I am not asking, should I spend the time proofing the blog posts or spend my time finding more news and content to write about and less time proofing?
Feel free to comment anonymously - no need to be mean, just be honest. Asking for "constructive criticism," please.
Comments
I'm pretty sensitive to such things and you're not somebody who messes up much.
Posted by: Todd Mintz | April 8, 2008 3:39 PM
I'd have to say - yes, at least for posts that are meant for a larger audience (personal blog aside).
I think that while correct spelling does not necessarily makes a post better, grammar errors and such definitely make it worse.
At the end of the day, I think that quality wins over quantity. Besides, when you go over the post, you can sometimes finds things you'd like to add or adjust, so the final product winds up to be better polished. Just my $0.02c
Posted by: Boris | April 8, 2008 4:42 PM
This blog post is so timely....
Posted by: Tamar Weinberg | April 8, 2008 6:21 PM
No... Real men don't prof read anything. Proof reading is for sissies. (Same with asking for directions)
Posted by: Hawaii SEO | April 8, 2008 8:33 PM
Heh.
"So, I am not asking, should I spend the time proofing the blog posts or spend my time finding more news and content to write about and less time proofing?"
Should that read... "So, I am NOW asking..."? :P
Posted by: Burgo | April 8, 2008 10:28 PM
Hey Cartoon, I do both and still find mistakes. I am going back to school, to learn how to WrIte.
You posts are cool.
Posted by: Diordna | April 8, 2008 10:38 PM
Do you actually know what you writing about when you churn them out like factory widgets?
Posted by: Igor The Troll | April 8, 2008 10:39 PM
I dont understand your question Igor.
Posted by: Barry Schwartz | April 9, 2008 5:43 AM
Proof reading everything. If you have poor grammar use a spell checker. It is wise to re-read your drafts, because people will think you are unprofessional.
Posted by: No Name | April 9, 2008 8:52 AM
No Name (in comment #9), you didn't even proofread your own comment! Pssh!
Posted by: Tamar Weinberg | April 9, 2008 10:59 AM
Actually, if you want to be really anal and like a newspaper or magazine, you would have someone else proof everything before it goes out. A writer never spots all their own errors.
Blogs are usually less formal. You built up a huge readership, Barry/Tamar. I think the only real risk to sensitive readers are the live blog conference posts, but everyone is warned that they're put up in a hurry and not polished.
Posted by: Kim Krause Berg (cre8pc) | April 9, 2008 11:23 AM