I recently blogged about the Grammar Police, those social
media friends who are compelled to correct tweets and Facebook statuses down to
the last comma. But now it's time to be serious about grammar, punctuation and
basic language skills. In writing, in business, in self-promotion it is very
important to work towards perfection.
Yes, perfection.
I just visited a website for a company that writes press
releases for various organizations and individuals and distributes the releases
to publications for use. Their website was riddled with errors. I debated about
sending the company an email to alert them (and ask if they'd like to hire a
proofreader) and in the end decided: no. Honestly, if I sent emails to every
website I visit that has errors, it would be an unpaid part-time job. So I have
to pick and choose.
Joe's car wash? Yes, I would email them. Joe is probably
just a decent, small business man that is trying to make a living by washing
cars. Although he may not be particularly tech savvy, he does understand the
importance of a web presence and probably hired his cousin to build a website
for him. Joe may appreciate the heads up and possibly be receptive to the idea
of a proof reader. I like Joe already.
But a PR firm? Aren't they advertising their exceptional
writing abilities? Not only would I not hire them, but I would suggest they
hire an editor. I can only imagine the email I would get in reply:
"Thanks for visiting our websigh. Are you interested on
any of our servics?" (No, really not, thanks.)
Which brings me to the point of this blog. I don't expect
everyone to be perfect. I'm certainly not. But, writers, or editors, or businesses
that are in the business of selling their writing want to be taken seriously.
Therefore, they should at least try to make their marketing material, or self-promotion,
error-free.
Use an editor or a proofreader if you have to. Graciously
accept and acknowledge those who find an error and let you know so that you can
fix it. Strive toward perfection.
Check out my (meant to be humorous) blog about the Grammar Police.
12 comments:
Good point, but if everything was correct we would only have spellchecked text messages to make us laugh.
Businesses of the world need KSG's services.
Spot on, sister. And Suzanne Shumaker is correct. Business and serious writers need your services. The proposal you wrote for me is getting a lot of attention from agents.
I agree wholeheartedly. Problem is, grammar changes depending on audience and messenger. "The Elements of Style" and "The Associated Press Stylebook" don't always agree. Some fancy-pants authors (cough-Joyce Maynard, Matt Bondurant, Cormac McCarthy, James Joyce) don't use quotation marks in dialog. Business and professional writing is slowly doing away with articles like "a," "an," and "the." Where do we draw the line?
True. Or Facebook. It is always a fun place to get a laugh.
Not me! I'm horrible at grammar, that's why I hang out with smart people and editors.
I enjoyed writing the book proposal. I'll enjoy it more if you sell your book with it.
Agreed, Rob. But I'm talking about using the word 'manor' instead of 'manner', Not capitalizing at the beginning of a sentence or three. A favorite sentence from the website above: 'We will show you how do to this.'
How does one 'do away' with 'a', 'an', and 'the'??? Clearly not a trend I am familiar with, or otherwise I have dismissed such businesses as illiterate!
Bad spelling/grammar in business signage drives me nuts, and not the hard stuff either - just stuff like the apostrophe of possession.
When you read post, you make comment and author will respond. ---Agree, Ciara, losing the articles sounds like a caveman wrote it.
Grammatical arete! Huah!
arete. Thanks. I needed a new Words with Friends word. :)
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