Editing Checklist

The checklist below is a general guideline for editors to follow when proofreading copy. While your specific campaigns may call for more or less requirements, you should typically follow the steps below when editing. 

✅ Read the Style Guide for the Campaign

✅ Article Title

• Properly capitalized 
• Exactly matches the campaign keyword (unless the writer is advised to create a title)

✅ Copy meets the word count

✅ If the assignment calls for links - Make sure it includes the proper link(s) (If directed by the style guide)

• The link(s) work
• The anchor text(s) exactly matched the optional field 
•  Link(s) are not in the first paragraph
•  Link(s) are naturally inserted in the content

✅ Content

• Follows the directions of the Style Guide (Editors should be very familiar with the Style Guide directions)
• Does not mention competitors (including photo attribution)
• Includes an introduction, subheadings, and a conclusion
• All elements are separated by one space
• Paragraphs are formatted with Paragraph text
• Subheadings are formatted with heading hierarchy starting with Heading 2
• All extra line breaks are removed (Including at the end of the content)

✅ Images

• Images are licensed for reuse (don’t check for Connections Content)
• Images include proper attribution and links
• Image quality is high
• There is at least one image (anywhere in the article, if applicable)
• Apps/webpage screenshots are used when applicable
• Images are between 300-600 pixels wide
• Images are not centered or wrapped in text

✅ HELPFUL TOOL: Cut article body and paste into Word and Grammarly

• Incorporate any necessary changes to content in the CMS

✅ Request an edit if correcting changes would take more than 10 minutes

✅ Advise the writer of any major errors you corrected in the comment box before editor approving

Quality Push

✅ Quality push when appropriate (for client specific work and when deadlines allow it)

✅ Subheadings

• Subheadings are in logical order.
• Give the most interesting elements at the beginning and the end (10 best ways to store personal information, #1 shouldn’t be buy a phone with more memory).
• Subheadings are parallel elements. Subheadings are all questions or statements or names of apps, etc.
• Subheadings answer the question or address the statement/topic in the headline (If the title includes “Steps to,” “Reasons for,” etc. make sure the subheadings are the proper elements (steps, reasons, etc.).
• There are a good number of subheadings (3 or more/500 words – although more is better).

✅ Sections & Formatting

• Sections should be 4 or less paragraphs. Three is ideal. (When four or more are used, it is usually a sign of fluffy content.)
• Content utilizes bullet points when it adds to the clarity of the content.

✅ Show versus Tell

• Content should provide the most interesting element of the idea. (If the idea is about highest grossing apps, include numbers that show revenue.)
• Content should include relevant facts, tips, examples and stories.

✅ Fluff

• It should be obvious that the writer performed additional research (outside of the given resources).
• Content should not include fluff and/or filler text.
• Sections and paragraphs that don’t add any substance to the article should be removed.

✅ Unique Ideas

• Content should not include obvious elements and common knowledge.