Every strong piece of communication has one thing in common: it’s been edited – often many times. Editing is the unsung hero of great storytelling, marketing, and brand building. It’s where ideas turn into clarity, which turns into impact.
Here’s a guide to the best editing methods,
plus how you can apply them.
1. Start With the Big Picture (Structural Editing)
Before diving into commas and typos, zoom out. Ask yourself:
- Does this piece meet its purpose? (Inform, persuade, inspire?)
- Is the structure clear and logical?
- Does each section build toward the main message?
How to apply it:
Print out your draft or read it aloud. This helps you see flow issues that get hidden on-screen. If something feels out of place, it probably is.
2. Trim the Excess (Line Editing)
Once the structure works, it’s time to tighten. Line editing is about clarity, tone, and rhythm at the sentence level.
Tips we swear by:
- Cut redundancies: “free gift” is just “gift.”
- Replace jargon with plain language.
- Vary sentence length to keep your reader awake.
How to apply it:
Read your piece like your audience would. Would someone outside your field understand every sentence? If not, simplify.
3. Sweat the Small Stuff (Copyediting)
This is where grammar, punctuation, and style rules take centre stage. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential.
What to look for:
- Typos, misspellings, and missing words
- Consistency (are you using “e-mail” or “email”?)
- Formatting (headings, bullets, capitalization)
How to apply it:
Create a simple style guide – even just a one-pager – to keep your brand voice consistent. Ours includes preferred spellings, tone notes, and grammar quirks.
4. Save Proofreading for Last
Proofreading is your final sweep, the last chance to catch small errors before your audience does. This isn’t the time for rewrites – just polish.
Pro move: Change the format before proofreading. If you wrote it in Google Docs, export it to PDF. A fresh look helps you spot what your brain skipped before.
5. Build in Breathing Room
The best editing trick? Time. Even a 24-hour break can make your writing feel new again. Editing right after drafting often blinds you to what’s missing.
How to apply it:
If deadlines are tight, step away for even 30 minutes. Go for a walk, make tea, or look out at the Yukon sky – your brain will reset, and your words will thank you.
6. Edit With Empathy
Finally, never forget: editing is for the reader, not the writer. Every cut or change should serve clarity, connection, and impact. The goal isn’t to sound smarter – it’s to make sure your audience feels understood
THE TAKEAWAY
Editing is less about perfection and more about intention. Whether you’re drafting a blog post, writing a funding proposal, or fine-tuning a social media caption, the best editing approaches move from big picture to small details – always keeping your audience in focus.
Sun Dog Communications 
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