5 Surprising Ways Professional Editing Can Boost Your Content Marketing Success

Creative, brilliant copy has always been the lifeblood of traditional advertising and marketing strategies. Today, instead of pushing products and services, we also dance with customers and romance new prospects to the tune of smart, relevant, timely content. If done well, the paybacks range from enhanced thought leadership to brand loyalty and new-market expansion. But to some executives and marketers, it may still come as a surprise that one of the keys to content marketing success is top-flight editing and proofreading. Here are five reasons why:

1. You gain a reputation for perfection

If you want the quality and value of your content to grab attention and leave your readers wanting more, every word needs to count and every line must be letter perfect. Expert editing and proofreading can ensure an engaging voice that appeals to savvy readers without an overly scholarly, erudite style. That extra set of editor’s eyes will also keep you from the embarrassment of typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes. Your content will always be direct, concise, relevant, timely, and — above all — captivating.

2. Your content moves easily across multiple platforms

Effective content marketing requires consistency in your core message, tone, and brand. But the style of delivery has to vary across media channels. The best case studies tell stories of victory over adversity in ways that subtly champion your products or services. White papers lean toward educating and informing or clarifying issues and providing viable solutions. Social media and blog posts need a friendly, engaging voice with immediate appeal. Website copy should be seductively simple, while bylined articles need to follow specific editorial guidelines and appeal to the interests of the publication’s readers. Professional editors are adept at shape-shifting content. It’s one of the many things they do well.

3. Each message focuses on your readers’ imperatives

For many managers and executives, the concept of content marketing is a 180-degree departure from their daily perspective. Devoting so much time and energy to being the best at what they do, few have time to consider the pressing issues their customers or prospects might be facing. Content marketing specialists and editors begin with the mindset of the target audience. They are continually focused on the viewpoint of your company’s customers and prospects: What motivates them and what do they need?

4. You optimize for readers, not robots

Enhancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO), using the right keywords, is only the beginning. Working with the right editor can help you produce a steady, prolific flow of what Google loves the most: relevant, useful, contagious content. Online content must be fresh, because it grows gray hair almost overnight. With a content management team focused on SEO, you will also receive big ticks for an impressive number of back-links to your blog or website from other sites. In fact, off-page link building accounts for the majority of SEO clout.

5. You benefit from third-party objectivity

You know your business, but seasoned business editors understand content marketing inside and out. They know how to translate your knowledge into captivating, influential, polished prose that gets results. If your content begins to miss the mark or lapse into a sales pitch or self-promotion, they can blow the whistle and get you back on track.

No one ever said regular publication of quality content would be easy. You need masters of the English language who are sticklers for deadlines and adept at crafting captivating content across multiple platforms. You can start miles ahead with industry-specific, highly qualified writers who are able to meet every need — including editing and proofreading. Don’t waste another moment wondering how to get started, sign up today to find out how the team at Prose Media can help. Your competitors are out there winning market share, so jump in and make a big splash.