Does Spelling Really Matter?
As texting and tweeting become more prevalent, is it really important to spell everything correctly in business communications? You bet it is — and I’m not alone in feeling this way. Here’s a snippet from a discussion I was involved in on Alignable on that very topic:
There’s nothing that leaves me more distraught than flawed communications reports from leaders in business. I don’t believe there is a more certain way to lose respect than by allowing a document by your hand, to leave your office, that might just as well have been printed in crayon by a four-year-old. Sadly, I see them every day! Business owners, managers and salespeople all must communicate. They must also show respect for their readers. Poor writing, spelling and bad grammar imply just the opposite — LOUDLY!
Need more convincing? Here’s some from an Entrepreneur article:
In the world of business, it’s important to check for grammar and spelling errors for three reasons:
1. It limits the chances that your message will be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
2. It reflects your credibility, intelligence and reliability.
3. It indicates that you care about how you do business.
What is your first impression when you view a company’s website and discover it is filled with typographical, spelling or grammatical errors? You are likely to dismiss that site and move on to the next, which can be disastrous for the company’s long-term survival.
“But I use spell check,” you say. That’s a good first step, but it won’t catch mistakes such as using there instead of their, read instead of red, etc. To make sure you’re not inadvertently turning off potential clients with poor spelling, you need a second step: careful proofreading, by either a professional or someone you trust to spot your errors.
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