Things to do Before you Click Publish
When I fist started to write articles I was always in such a hurry to get them published. As soon as I clicked publish there would always be something I forgot to do. So I made myself a checklist and it helped a lot. It has now become a natural routine for me with every post I create. I am sharing my checklist in hopes it will help you too.
OK, so you just finished writing an article and you're ready to click publish. Not So Fast! There are still several things you need to check first.
- Check for grammar and spelling errors. If you need help with this add Grammarly to your browser, it's a great tool. https://app.grammarly.com
- Check to make sure your sentences are not too long. More than 20 words are too long.
- Check to make sure your paragraphs are not too big. Keep them under 150 words.
- Check to make sure you article has at least 500 words. The more the better.
- Check your images, do they have a title, description, alt text and have they been optimized? For help with this here is the link to my tutorial. https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/how-to-ma...
- Check all your links. Make sure that are going to the correct page.
- Check external links to make sure they open in a new window, you don't want people to leave your site. To do this click on link options, check the box "Open link in new window" then click update.
- Check to make sure you have chosen the proper categorie.
- Check to make sure you added at least 2 Tags.
- Check to make sure you added a Featured Image.
After you have done all that click "Save Draft" then click "View Draft". Read the entire article to yourself, if all looks good you are now ready to click PUBLISH! Congratulations on a job well done.
Happy writing,
Recent Comments
81
Great checklist, well put together. Definitely do some of these but it was good that you included everything pretty comprehensively.
I'll probably write these down ;).
Thanks!
Hi Cathy
Thank you for this. There are a couple of things on your list that I think I am falling short on. Its a little late tonight but tomorrow Im going back through my site to check some of these.
I constantly feel Im missing something so this helps.
Thanks again!
Hi Cathy, Great list!
I have a list also, mine includes to make sure the comments are 'on' at the bottom and I post it on Google+.
Lists are the best :)
Cathy, this is so helpful! I'm also in a big hurry to click publish and your list will help slow me down so I don't miss anything. Thanks for posting.
Sue
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I'm still getting my images "SEO ready" as you say. There's one thing on your list I haven't done: added tags to my post!!! EEEEKK!!!
I'll have to look through the WA search engine on how to do that...it seems never-ending at times. I appreciate the helpful tips, Cathy!
I agree, everytime you think you got it done something else pops up that you need to do. Did you find any info on adding tags yet? Let me know and I can help you with that too.
Oh, I figured it out. Thanks, Cathy.