How to Edit a Blog Post Yourself in 13 Easy Steps

Composing a blog entry is one thing; editing it is a whole different battle. As great as hitting “publish” might feel in its own right, here’s a hard truth: Your first draft is never your greatest draft.

As every successful blogger and content marketer knows, what gives a piece its real power is not so much in composition as in revising, cutting, and refining it until it gleams.

Are you wondering how to edit a blog post yourself instead of hiring a professional editor? You are not alone. Most bloggers, small business owners, and creatives struggle with blog post editing because there is so much to consider, and they fear over-editing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to edit your blog posts, common mistakes to avoid, and an easy step-by-step process for blog post editing that ensures your content is clear, professional, and SEO-ready.

Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran blogger, mastering blog post editing skills enables you to produce better-structured posts with greater on-the-spot effects for readers.

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Why Blog Post Editing is Necessary

Photo source: Freepik

Before proceeding to the steps, let’s discuss why you should edit in the first place.

These are some reasons why editing is not optional:

Professionalism: Polished writing demonstrates expertise and creates credibility.
Readability: Editing enables you to simplify complex ideas for a smoother flow.
SEO Optimization: You can identify missed opportunities for keyword inclusion, heading optimization, and improved meta descriptions.
Engagement: Sieving out the chaff keeps readers engrossed throughout their read.
Conversions: A well-edited piece leads individuals organically to your call-to-action.

In summary, editing is what turns a rough draft into a readable blog.

Photo Source: Freepik

Here is a step-by-step method you can apply when confidently editing blog posts.

Step Away Before Editing

The first rule for editors: do not edit directly after you’ve written. Give your brain a break so you can read it with a fresh perspective. Even a 2–3 hour delay (or better yet, a night’s sleep) makes all the difference.

Read for Structure First

Before you jump into grammar or spelling, try out the simple structure:

Does the introduction hook its reader?
Are subheadings logically organized?
Does one sentence flow naturally into another?
Does it conclude everything nicely with a precise CTA?

Editing the structure first helps you avoid spending a lot of time repairing sentences that may later be eliminated.

Verify Clarity & Brevity

Make every sentence count. If it is a repeat or ambiguous sentence, eliminate it. Here is a quick test: if a reader does not understand your sentence on a first read, rewrite it.

For instance:

Wrong: “As a general rule, if you’d like to make your content better, you’d better edit it.”

Correct: “To improve your content, edit it.”

Refine Your Headings & Subheadings

Your subheadings are SEO goldmines. They enable Google to understand what you are communicating and direct your reader’s attention.

Include keywords organically where appropriate.
Most keywords should be specific, not general.
Separate longer passages of text with distinctive subheadings.

Edit for Readability

Excellent blog posts are written at a 7-8 grade reading level (conversational). Write at this level so everyone can read and understand it.

Use shorter sentences.
Shorten long paragraphs into 2–3 lines.
Use bullet points and numbered lists. This feature will help with scannability.

Tools like the Hemingway App can help identify sentences that are difficult to read.

Check Grammar & Spelling

A single typo may damage credibility. Utilize software such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid, but use it in conjunction with a manual read-over at least once.

Optimize for SEO

As blog post editing is not only about grammar, check your post for:

Appropriate keyword placement (title, introduction, headings, conclusion).
Meta description (attention-gaining, contains focus keyword).
Alternative descriptions (Alt text) for images.
Internal links to related articles.
External sources for credible information.

Sieve out the Fluff

Trim filler words such as “very,” “really,” “just,” and “basically.” These have little weight. Instead, aim for sharp, direct writing.

Read Aloud

Photo source: Freepik

When in doubt, read what you wrote for your blog aloud. If you stutter over a sentence, it probably needs a rewrite. It helps you identify awkward sentence phrasing and long-winding sentence constructions.

Add Formatting for Skimmability

Most people skim before they read. Use:

Bold for emphasis
Bullet points for readability
Short paragraphs (about 2–4 sentences)
Pull quotes for key insights

Check Links

Ensure all links are active, relevant, and add value. Incorporate internal links and external links to high-value sources.

Test Your Call-to-Action (CTA)

Ask yourself: Does my CTA come across as natural or forced? All blogs should direct readers towards the next step—registration, download, contacting you, or reading another piece.

Do a Final Proofread

Now, you are not rewriting but scanning for tiny errors, consistency, and formatting problems.

Final Thoughts

Photo Source: Freepik

Editing may not be the coolest part of writing, but it is a very effective blogging skill you can acquire. Through these steps, you’ll not only create better blog posts, but you’ll also create posts that attract readers, rank high, and convert.

Here at SARMLife, we understand the frustration that comes with consistently writing, editing, and posting. As a result, our SEO service for writing includes a FREE blog posting edit for each post we write for you.

We don’t just write, but edit, optimize, and structure your piece so it can perform at its best. If you are serious about writing high-quality, SEO-friendly content, SARMLife can help you.

FAQs for How to Edit a Blog Post

1. How do I edit an already posted post?

Head over to your blog’s backend, go to posts, select the desired post, click edit, make any necessary corrections, and republish. However, if editing affects your original URL, ensure to redirect.

2. How long does it take to edit a blog post?

Between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the extent of the edit. Extended posts may take a bit longer if you’re checking for SEO and formatting.

3. Can a published article be edited?

Yes! In fact, updating and republishing older content is a common practice in SEO. It tells Google that your blog is fresh and relevant today.

4. How to edit a blog post in WordPress?

From your dashboard, go to Posts → All Posts → Choose the post → Select “Edit.” After making your edits, click “Publish.”

Do you want to elevate your blogging game?

Allow SARMLife to handle your blog post editing and SEO writing, so you can focus on managing your company. Start using our SEO writing service right now, and with each article we produce, get FREE blog post editing.

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How to Edit a Blog Post Yourself in 13 Easy Steps

Why Blog Post Editing is Necessary