Typos – Should They Matter to You & Me?

I’ve been reading a couple of posts about whether typos in copy, text and on websites really matter.  Bob Bly posted this after talking to a gym owner about his leaflet for new members.  Maya Sunpongco of Design Insomnia posted this, too on her Maya & Marketability website.

And the overriding answer is, most definitely, yes, they matter.

I have to say the same thing.  Typos in text, in marketing materials, everyday correspondence and on websites really do matter.  I am a stickler for correct grammar and spelling as I think it shows that the person writing the article or the letter took pride in what they were doing, as well as knowing how to use their spell checker.

I have recently been looking into booking some trips through Australia and have dismissed, maybe a little too quickly, companies and trip providers that seem to have either not bothered to check their text, or have only given it a cursory glance.  My first reaction is, “You can’t be bothered to make sure your spelling is correct, are you going to be able to take care of me?”  (An overreaction, maybe?!) My second reaction is, “Can I be of assistance?”

One of the ways I support my clients as a VA is by providing spell checking, proof reading and general copy advice to my clients.  They could be putting together training manuals, contracts or just posting to their blog.  But each time they ask me to check through their written pieces, means that they are taking an active interest in how they are perceived by their readers. 

Taking the time to check what you have written, how it is written and how it reads matters.  You never know who may be reading your article, flyer or blog… 

About the Author:
Emma Crabtree is the owner and sole-operator of Red Box Virtual Office, a off-site business support service.  Red Box Virtual Office can enable you to free yourself from the day to day admin of your business so that you can focus on what you enjoy and what makes you money.  Find out more