How do you use editing tools to write better copy?

You should choose the tool that works the best for you. Most people I know use Grammarly but that doesn't mean it's the best tool. Try a few and see which one you like best

In my line of work, which involves crafting creative content for social media campaigns, and writing blogs, ensuring error-free copy is a top priority. I use multiple tools to make sure my copy is grammatically correct, and that the spelling, punctuation, readability, tone, and style are on point. A few tools that I use on a daily basis for my writing work are Grammarly, Hemmingway, and Quillbot for rephrasing my content to a more defined tone. I never rely on just one tool as it can limit my creativity and in my field creativity has no limits.

Whenever you use editing tools you shouldn't take their advice for granted. Instead, you should see what the tool proposes, and after that come up with your own decision. Most editing tools use an AI algorithm for giving suggestions. That AI algorithm was trained on a specific dataset of examples. It doesn't necessarily mean that the suggestions it's giving will resonate better with your audience.

Research new tools before using them. AI detection tools in particular are very problematic because many of them generate false positives: they often flag human-written content as AI-generated instead of human, or vice versa.

This is important most of all - editing tools are still tools, they are machine outputted text that you should not rely on on blind faith. Take the time to get a pair of eyes or two to go through the text and use human judgment and contextual awareness to properly parse the meaning in a way that machines simply will never be able to.

If you're relying solely on editing tools to make your copy better, you are doing something wrong. They should be used as a complement to your existing process. They are usually quite good at fixing grammar errors, but not much more. The know less about your audience so they shouldn't have a say in the style of your writing or what words you should use, just use them for what they are which is grammar correction

Tools are algorithms designed by humans. They have 0 creativity. Once using them to check your work, always do a sanity check. Break those grammar rules if it makes it easier to read. Be a rebel. As long as the end result sounds like you and is clear, who cares if it's not grammatically perfect?

You need to play around with the settings, so you better understand how the tool works. Any tool that tries to encompass all audiences and industries without configuration on the users' side is bound to fail. Configuration is what allows the tool to better suit your needs.

Your writing isn't supposed to have mistakes. It's the internet, once you publish something, it's going to stay there. So while the editing tools will teach you how to write better copy, they will also make sure that what you put out there has a good grammar and is free of typos

I like playing around with different hooks and intros to see which one sounds better. I don't always agree with what ChatGPT suggests, but sometimes I do.

Copy needs to sound good too. The rhythm and flow of the words must be right. The best texts have music in them. The only way to judge this is by reading your copy out loud or having it read to you by someone else. The next best thing to a human being reading your copy is a Text-to-Speech tool like NaturalReader. I use this tool almost daily.

When you are writing, just write. Do your edits separately, and in multiple rounds. You may start with a comprehensive or developmental edit, looking at sentence structures and flow. Don't simply rely on an AI tool to do this for you without reviewing the copy yourself. Go back through the piece again with a detailed checklist that includes reviewing the style, consistency, and points the copy needs to cover to satisfy the client's purpose for this copy. It's easy to miss simple mistakes if you've been staring at the same piece for hours, so set the piece aside for a bit. Then come back and do a final proofread, just in case you missed something before. A great way to do this is to read the entire piece out loud.