Imagine you’ve written your post, published it three weeks ago, only to discover this week something in your post is incorrect.
A quotation wasn’t attributed correctly, you have a misspelling, or you have information that adds more context to your post.
Whatever it is, you now have new information to add to your post.
What do you do? How do you update the post?
If it’s a grammar or spelling issue, many people update the post without calling attention to the corrections.
But if the updates change the context of the post, or add important information, you want to be transparent and inform your readers of the change.
In the past, I’ve used strikethrough text to indicate old information and added corrected information after it.
I wasn’t sure if that’s considered the best way to update posts.
So I checked with someone I respect, reporter Peg McNichol, who works for The Holland Sentinel. McNichol reports, writes, edits, shoots and edits digital images and videos for the Sentinel.
Peg, what method do you recommend for updating an already published post, I asked. Do you replace or use strikethrough text?
She replied,
I replace text and add an Editor’s Note at the top of the piece to alert readers to the change. Strike through is OK. Be consistent.
I thanked her and replied that I’ve been inconsistent in the past.
Is the top of the piece better than bottom of piece?
I asked.
The top is more transparent,
McNichol replied.
Adding a comment about what the corrections policy is and how readers can contact you about errors is a good idea.
Good advice. Thank you, Peg.
I’ve added text in my sidebar about my corrections policy, advising readers to contact me by email to tell me about post corrections.
How do you handle updates that change the context of your post? Do you add an Editor’s Note? Something else? Share your thoughts in the comments.
