When I was a pup text editor, I learned a simple fact-checking technique that remains one of my favorites today.

It doesn't seem to matter, but if you don't use this technique and fail to catch some type of error, you can set yourself up for extra work later.

This is one of my favorites Latest Mailing Database because it proves that reviewing your copy and content for accuracy goes beyond checking correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Check day/date mismatch

I tell you, it's simple.

When you announce and/or discuss a live event, webinar, or live Q&A as you might write a week and date.

Here's how it works

Let's say you invite your email subscribers to a webinar that will have been held on Wednesday, December 29, 2016. You edited and proofread content. It looks great...except this year Wednesday is December 28th.

If you send your content in the announcement with "Wednesday 29th December 2016", you can leave interested attendees of the webinar wondering if the webinar is on Wednesday 28th December or Thursday 29th December.

Since "Wednesday December 29, 2016" does not exist, your content is unclear without this type of fact-checking and may lead to inquiries from your audience.

If your copy and content are accurate, there is no confusion. Readers won't have trouble understanding your message, and you won't have to clarify it later.

You will avoid notifying your audience again with the correct information.

tools needed

Keep a calendar handy whenever you edit and proofread.

I like to use a paper calendar, I have one on my desk where I can easily see the days of the week and the dates for each month.

The key is to stop reading your content and check the calendar every time you mention a day of the week when you arrive.

Also, when you stop to validate the day/date, make sure you don't skip the text around it. Proofread the rest of the sentence carefully.