Editorial Policy

Last Updated: February 24, 2024

Who Creates the Content on Om Proofreading?

All the articles on Om Proofreading are written by me, Lindsay Babcock. I’m a trained proofreader with experience working in the field.

I don’t hire ghostwriters or outsource the writing for my business. I write every word.

What Do I Cover?

In addition to writing about proofreading from many angles, I cover closely related topics such as editing, copyediting, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

I write in a conversational tone and like to sneak in smiley and winking face emojis from time to time. It’s hard to resist!

And I overemploy parentheses (like this 😉) in practically every piece of prose I publish. I like to use alliteration too.

What Are My Standards for Quality?

I strive to produce content that’s correct, consistent, comprehensive, clear, and concise. Those are known as the five c’s of copyediting, and I think they’re great metrics to aspire to.

I try to produce visually appealing content by including frequent headings and subheadings, various formatting techniques, and images.

Since I love spending time outside, I incorporate pictures from nature throughout my content to make information and explanations more engaging and aesthetically pleasing.

I value quality over quantity.

My Process for Content Ideation and Creation

Generating Ideas

I come up with content ideas by brainstorming and discovering the questions people ask in forums and on Google that relate to the topics I write about.

I produce articles I think will be relevant and helpful to my readers.

Creating Content

To create content, I make a mind map, generate ideas, and develop an outline.

Then, I flesh out the outline and do research to ensure I cover the subject adequately and accurately.

Editing Content

After writing, I edit and proofread my content using The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).

CMOS is an esteemed and extensive style guide. It’s the guide used in the book publishing industry and the one I learned to use in my proofreader training.

However, I deviate from CMOS in two ways.

  1. For numbers, I’ve adopted CMOS’s alternative rule (using numerals for all but single-digit numbers). But I stray from this rule by including numerals for all numbers in my blog post titles.
  2. I use the % sign instead of writing out the word percent because I think it’s easier on readers’ eyes.

Plagiarism and Copyright

I write original content, and I take plagiarism seriously. I do not plagiarize or infringe on the copyright of others, and I expect others to respect my copyright in the same manner.

When needed, I cite my sources and provide a link to the source.

Ethical Standards and Transparency

I’m dedicated to upholding ethical standards in the content published on Om Proofreading.

Sponsorships

None of the articles on Om Proofreading are sponsored.

Affiliate Links

Some of the links in my articles are affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, Om Proofreading may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).

Affiliate Disclaimer

Please see my affiliate disclaimer to learn more.

Independent Recommendations

My recommendations are independent, and my affiliations with businesses do not affect the trustworthiness of my content.

Unbiased Content

I am dedicated to providing unbiased information.

In my reviews and comparisons, I frequently include not only my opinions but also the opinions and ratings of others.

Criteria for Affiliates

I am only an affiliate for companies whose products or services I use, have used in the past, or have thoroughly researched and trust. I base my affiliations on the quality and relevance of the products or services they provide to my readers.

Updating and Correcting Content

The content on Om Proofreading is updated regularly. If you notice outdated information or any errors or inconsistencies, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I’ll fix any mistakes promptly.

Reader Feedback and Suggestions

I’m always open to feedback on how I can improve my content. I also welcome suggestions for topics to cover in future articles.

I’d love to hear from you if you have any feedback or recommendations!