We're always looking for talented writers and contributors to help us publish amazing content here on Processing Card.
The world of merchant accounts is rapidly evolving, and we need writers to make sure that we're getting the information out to our readers. It goes without saying that this information needs to still meet high editorial standards to make sure we're publishing quality content.
On that note, writing blog posts still isn't always a walk in the park. From overall voice and tone to ensuring readability, there are lots of factors that go into creating a memorable blog post that readers value.
Our team members have compiled a list of key editorial guidelines that writers need to know when it comes to the process of creating content for our blog. Let's get started!
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First thing's first: for any piece of content we publish, regardless of how many words it is, writers have to make sure that it adheres to our company values. Keeping the following values in mind ensures that your content remains in line with our brand.
Processing Card sets out with the mission of providing business owners with clear, concise, and honest information on merchant services and other financial details and software that they can apply to their company's operations.
We envision that today's small businesses will learn how to make educated decisions on the services and B2B software they opt for, to see clear results in the form of seamless transactions and excellent customer support.
We operate on objectivity, transparency, accuracy, and fairness in order to build a sense of trust with our readers.
Seasoned writers know how important grammar is when it comes to any style guide, and this one is no different. Keeping consistent with your grammar makes the editing process go a lot smoother while helping our team ensure that only quality content gets published.
While including all the grammatical guidelines under the sun will perhaps be too lengthy for this style guide, the best practices we'll list out below aim to tackle common mistakes that writers make when it comes to blog posts.
Subject-verb agreement is one of the most common pitfalls for writers and editors alike. Below are some key guidelines to keep in mind:
Parallelism is a similarity of grammatical form for similar elements of meaning within a sentence or among sentences. It makes form follow meaning.
If two or more ideas are parallel, they should be expressed in parallel grammatical form. Single words should be balanced with single words, phrases with phrases, clauses with clauses.
Another common mistake that some writers make and editors overlook is letting a run-on sentence pass by. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.
A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to connect independent clauses:
A comma is used to separate an introductory clause or phrase from the main clause. It may be omitted after short introductory phrases if no ambiguity would result.
Hyphens are joiners. They’re used to link two words to create a compound modifier (e.g. full-time job, well-known man, second-quarter earnings). However, words that you would compound before the noun they modify aren’t compounded when they come after the noun.
Processing Card's ideal target audience are high-risk merchants that are looking for the right account providers to ensure their retail transactions go as smoothly as possible.
Our style guidelines when it comes to the actual content are all about making each story accessible and engaging to readers.
As a general rule, the tone of your blog posts should be highly informational without sounding too static. There's definitely a place for your own unique writing voice to come through, so long as you aren't sounding too colloquial and sacrificing key points in the process!
We know that striking that balance can be challenging, but don't worry. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:
Formatting doesn't necessarily go under the realm of grammar, and it's a key component for making sure your work is readable to your audience.
Indeed, mastering the main points of blog post formatting ensures consistency in all your articles and makes you a formidable force to reckon with when it comes to blog writing!
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
We hope these editorial guidelines have been helpful. These are the same guidelines we use in each editing process, every single time.
The best writers and contributors are those who know how to edit their content, which is why style guides are so necessary. Going back to this list can help you meet the content objectives your piece needs to succeed.
Adhering to these editing standards also trims down the revision process, which is a win for everyone involved!
If you're passionate about fintech and are looking to beef up your writing profile, we want to hear from you. To start creating content that matters, reach out to our team at Processing Card today!
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