I am going to throw up a little discussion in response to a comment I frequently receive. Don’t cringe Grammar Police (although you will be needed at a later date!), but the question starts with a ‘but’. ‘But…does it really matter?’ This is usually in response to the fact that I proofread for a living. What is concerning is not that I get asked this question relatively often, but the kind of people who tend to ask it. This question has slipped from the lips of many a skilled and talented person. The following is a very famous sentence many of you will recognise to demonstrate the need for good grammar in a simple way.
‘Shall we eat, Grandma?’ or ‘Shall we eat Grandma?’
I think it matters to Grandma very much which version you choose! To answer the question, it does matter a great deal, and I will tell you why.
The world today, particularly the world of work and education, is fast and demands instant results. In the business world there is a great deal of emphasis on delivering fast results to beat the competition. Get your brand and your content out into the world as soon as possible and spread your gospel to as many as possible! While energy and efficiency are wonderful traits to have in your business and educational life, should it really come at the expense of quality?
I will be honest. You could have the most ground breaking product for sale, a revolutionary idea the world must know or provide a service that is second to none. All of this can be lost if your promotional or educational content is poorly written and riddled with mistakes. It will make the shiniest jewel of an idea look shoddy. It may not even be a conscious decision on behalf of the buyer, reader or user, as is often the case. However, if you see a quality product, idea or service wrapped in poor grammar or colloquial language, it can severely damage your credibility. Unconsciously it can call into question your skills, your awareness of your product, idea or service in the wider scope of things and even question authenticity.
To all those who believe what they have to offer or sell far outweighs the packaging, proceed with caution. People make decisions in seconds, and those precious seconds are unfair, judgemental and often completely random. It can cost you the sale or the pitch, it’s as simple as that.
Most of us, sensibly, have our businesses performing and informing on multiple social media forums. Your business is being scrutinised by a world audience. First impressions are vital! Your written words advocate why people should use you and not your competitor. Why give them a reason to question your skills, your credibility? Have someone proofread your written work before you post and have it checked for errors and potentially damaging material. Do not believe for one second that it does not matter, as judgements are swift and harsh on t’interwebby!
‘Shall we eat, Grandma?’ or ‘Shall we eat Grandma?’
I think it matters to Grandma very much which version you choose! To answer the question, it does matter a great deal, and I will tell you why.
The world today, particularly the world of work and education, is fast and demands instant results. In the business world there is a great deal of emphasis on delivering fast results to beat the competition. Get your brand and your content out into the world as soon as possible and spread your gospel to as many as possible! While energy and efficiency are wonderful traits to have in your business and educational life, should it really come at the expense of quality?
I will be honest. You could have the most ground breaking product for sale, a revolutionary idea the world must know or provide a service that is second to none. All of this can be lost if your promotional or educational content is poorly written and riddled with mistakes. It will make the shiniest jewel of an idea look shoddy. It may not even be a conscious decision on behalf of the buyer, reader or user, as is often the case. However, if you see a quality product, idea or service wrapped in poor grammar or colloquial language, it can severely damage your credibility. Unconsciously it can call into question your skills, your awareness of your product, idea or service in the wider scope of things and even question authenticity.
To all those who believe what they have to offer or sell far outweighs the packaging, proceed with caution. People make decisions in seconds, and those precious seconds are unfair, judgemental and often completely random. It can cost you the sale or the pitch, it’s as simple as that.
Most of us, sensibly, have our businesses performing and informing on multiple social media forums. Your business is being scrutinised by a world audience. First impressions are vital! Your written words advocate why people should use you and not your competitor. Why give them a reason to question your skills, your credibility? Have someone proofread your written work before you post and have it checked for errors and potentially damaging material. Do not believe for one second that it does not matter, as judgements are swift and harsh on t’interwebby!