You don’t always need a full rewrite.
(Although hey, sometimes a good delete-and-restart is weirdly satisfying.)
Most of the time you just need a few small content edits to take your content from “fine, I guess” to “hey, this actually sounds like me!”
That’s what we’re doing here today. I’m sharing the go-to edits I use for my own content (and for clients who want their copy to sparkle without sounding like a robot or a bro marketer). These are quick, human-first tweaks that are wildly effective—no burnout required.
Ready to level up your content? Let’s do it.
1. Upgrade your verbs (because “make” and “do” are snooze-fests)
Verbs are where the action is. If yours are vague, your content will be too.
We’ve all defaulted to:
- “We do branding.”
- “I make websites.”
- “She offers coaching.”
Okay… but that tells me what, not why I should care.
Let’s turn the volume up:
- ✨ “Your values, on the page.”
- ✨ “Websites that feel like a warm welcome.”
- ✨ “Coaching that cuts through the noise.”
See the shift? These aren’t just verbs—they’re little windows into your vibe. They make the reader feel something.
🛠 Quick fix
Find one sentence in your content that starts with “I help,” “I offer,” or “I do.” Now rewrite it like you’re putting it on a sticker, a T-shirt, or a giant sandwich board at a farmers market. Say less. Mean more.
2. Cut the fluff (especially the sneaky stuff like “just”)
Let’s talk about “just.”
This little word shows up in emails, posts, DMs—everywhere. And it sounds nice, right? Harmless. Casual. Soft.
But here’s the thing: “Just” is often how we shrink ourselves.
- “I just wanted to follow up…”
- “Just wondering if you saw this…”
- “I’m just checking in…”
No. You’re not just doing anything. You’re communicating. You’re asking. And you’re leading.
Let’s reframe:
- “Giving this a little nudge.”
- “Let’s keep this moving—let me know what you need.”
- “Looping back in case this slipped by.”
- “Still thinking it over, or ready to roll?”
- “Where did we land on this?”
Still human. Still warm. But now you’re taking up your space like you mean it.
🛠 Quick fix
Use your “find” function to search for “just,” “really,” and “very” in your draft. Cut them or rework. Feel instantly more confident.
3. Front-load the value (don’t bury the good stuff)
Most people skim. (Including you. Including me. It’s fine.)
So if the gold in your sentence is hiding at the very end? It’s probably not getting seen.
Example:
- “One of the best ways to grow your list is by consistently showing up and sharing value.”
Now try this:
- “Want to grow your list? Show up. Share value. Repeat.”
Snappier. Truthier. Easier to take action on.
🛠 Quick fix
Move the punchy part to the beginning of your sentence. It makes all the difference.
4. Use short sentences to punch up your rhythm
Long sentences? They’re not bad. But they can get heavy real fast. And if every line feels like a paragraph, your readers will start checking their coffee for answers.
Read this:
- “We help overwhelmed solopreneurs build a content strategy that aligns with their values, connects with the right audience, and drives meaningful engagement across platforms.”
Now try this:
- “You’re juggling all the things (and probably dropping a few—same). I help you do less. But smarter. With a content plan that feels like you, makes sense to your brain, and actually gets done.”
It’s not just clearer—it’s more relatable. That’s the rhythm your readers are craving.
🛠 Quick fix
Read your copy out loud. If you run out of air mid-sentence, your readers probably will too.
5. Choose active voice (because your business isn’t passive—neither is your writing)
Passive voice can make your content feel soft and vague. (Also: snoozy.)
Original:
- “The blog post was written by our team.”
Now try:
- “Our team wrote the post.”
- “We wrote it. You’ll love it.”
Or if you’re feeling spicy:
- “Written by humans. Reviewed by coffee.”
🛠 Quick fix
If your sentence has “was,” “were,” or “by,” flip it. Make your subject the one doing the doing.
⚡Here’s a flashback: I was such a grammar nerd in middle school that I memorized all the main passive voice verbs: am, is, are, were, be, being been, taste, feel, smell, sound, look, appear, become, seem, grow, remain, stay….) Wow, what a tromp down memory lane! ⚡
6. Add a curiosity gap (just enough mystery to make ‘em lean in)
This is a fancy way of saying: tease it, don’t tell it.
Your reader doesn’t need the whole story in the headline or first sentence. They just need to know it’s worth reading.
- “This post has 7 editing tips for better writing.”
Now try:
- “These tiny tweaks might be the best writing upgrade you’ll make this month.”
- “Small edits, big difference. (Your content’s about to glow up.)”
You’re not teasing for the sake of clickbait. You’re opening a door—and inviting the reader to walk through it.
🛠 Quick fix
Rework one headline or intro to hint at the benefit instead of laying it all out. Curiosity earns scrolls.
7. Make your CTA sound like you (and give it a clickable button version)
You’ve done all this work to sound like you—don’t let your CTA turn into a robot at the finish line.
Set the stage:
- “Hate rewriting the same awkward email for the fifth time? These templates will change your life (or at least your Tuesday).”
Then give it a button CTA that matches your voice:
- Yessss, I’m in
- Send me the magic
- Let’s gooo
- Give me the glow-up
- Take me to the templates
- I’m ready to sound like me
Because if the CTA is the party invite, your button should make people want to RSVP.
🛠 Quick fix
Say your button text out loud. If it sounds like something you’d say in real life (with a tiny smile)? Keep it.
✨ Real Talk Before You Go
These tweaks aren’t about sounding like someone else. They’re about making your voice sharper, bolder, and clearer—without adding hours to your to-do list.
Because when your content sounds like you? That’s when people lean in. That’s when they connect. And that’s when it works.
You don’t need to write more. You just need to write like you—with a few strategic edits that help your words shine.
TL;DR (but I know you read the whole thing anyway)
7 Small Content Edits That Pack a Punch
- Power verbs
- Fluff slashing (goodbye, “just”)
- Front-loaded value
- Rhythm resets
- Active voice
- Curiosity teases
- CTAs with heart (and buttons that pop)
Ready to take your words from solid to stunning?
You’ve done the writing. You’ve made the small content edits. Now let’s make your content look as good as it sounds.
That’s exactly what the Content Glow-Up Guide is for.
- ✨ Easy formatting wins
- ✨ Layout tweaks that boost readability
- ✨ Design-minded edits that make your content pop off the screen (without turning you into a designer)
👉 Yes, give my content a glow-up
Because when your words are clear and beautifully laid out? People actually want to read them.
