How Spelling Errors Are Costing Your Business
You only get one opportunity to make an outstanding and professional first impression, so it needs to count, otherwise it could end up costing your business well, more business! Let’s explore how spelling errors can have disastrous consequences on marketing and communications and more importantly – how to avoid it.
Speling is imprtant
See what we did there? Spelling is important for three primary reasons:
1. It greatly reduces the chances that your message will be misunderstood or misinterpreted
2. It reflects your credibility, intelligence and reliability
3. It indicates how you choose to conduct business and shows attention to detail
What is your first impression when you view an advertisement, a catalogue, a flyer, product packaging or a company’s website and discover it is filled with spelling or grammatical errors? Even just one? You notice it and it is likely to leave a lasting negative impression on you as a user, a consumer, a client or a business partner.
It only takes one small error to reflect negatively upon the entire company, which can be disastrous in both the short and long term.
According to research reported by Tony Haile of Chartbeat, you have only 15 seconds to capture a consumer’s attention. This means you must remember to keep the message short, simple and accurate. Do not be afraid to seek professional help for any copywriting, editing or proofreading. Spelling and grammatical errors will cost much more than some outside help.
Here are four easy tips to follow when writing business correspondence
According to a BBC News study, spelling mistakes can cost millions in lost sales; the analysis shows that a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half. William Dutton, director of the Oxford Internet Institute at Oxford University, says that in some informal parts of the Internet, such as Facebook, there is greater tolerance towards spelling and grammar. “However, there are other aspects, such as a home page or commercial offering that are not among friends and which raise concerns over trust and credibility,” said Professor Dutton.
Even though a spell checker is a valuable tool, it does not always catch nuances between homophones (words that sound alike, but are spelled differently and have two different meanings), therefore not distinguishing correct grammar and context. It may also automatically adjust the spelling of a new or unusual word, especially names, for example, to a word it more easily recognises, further affecting the accuracy and validity of the content.
Slow down and take your time
We all live in a fast-paced world where we try to do too much in a short amount of time. It’s nobody’s fault, but never send anything without proofreading it first. Better yet, seek a second or third pair of eyes that you trust to do a proofread also.
Avoid multitasking
Switching between activities, or multitasking, may cause you to produce more errors due to the effort it takes to refocus on the task at hand. Try accomplishing the writing first, then feel free to come back for the proofreading with a refreshed approach to the task.
Get a second (or third) pair of eyes
Build a small network of trusted friends or colleagues who maintain high standards and attention to detail. Before sending an important document, advertisement copy or website text, seek one or two of them to review it and give you feedback. This may take a little extra time, but it is definitely worth it in the long run.
Double check facts, names and industry terminology – never assume
It is extremely important to spell someone’s name correctly because a name is a huge part of one’s identity. Spelling a person’s name, title or other relevant information incorrectly can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect, makes you appear unprofessional and also reflects negatively on them. It also represents a lack of attention to detail for such important content, negatively affecting the relationship between the two parties.
