Why Proofreading is So Important

[KristineS]

I promise that I won't turn this into a rant, but I saw another example of poor proofreading today and every time I see something like this it just drives me nuts. I was looking at a site for someone's embroidery business, a site of which they seemed very proud, and there were grammar mistakes and poor word usage and spelling issues everywhere.

Of course, you can recommend that people proofread their own site, and that they have others proofread the site as well before it goes live, but a lot of people either don't recognize the mistakes they're making or don't think those mistakes are important.

Proofreading is very important. Having mistakes in your copy makes you look careless and also gives the impression you're not very smart. Odd word usage can also distract those who are reading from your message. If they see "their" when it should be "there" even if they don't consciously register the mistake, part of their mind will be occupied with what's off about what they've read instead of being occupied with absorbing your message.

Everyone makes a typo once in a while, but for something as important as advertising copy or a web site, proofreading over and over again, by multiple readers, is a must.

[Dan Furman]

Yea, I see this a lot. It happens when people write their own copy. You can't have typos on your website. I mean, ok, you can have one or two buried way down there somewhere... even I sometimes have written "do" when I mean "to" (for example), and the spellcheck doesn't grab it, and it's VERY hard to notice that as you will likely read "do" as "to" if "to" was supposed to go there.

But, of course, I'm of the opinion that most people shouldn't be writing their sales or web copy themselves anyway. 99% of self-written copy is not good sales copy, even if it's correct.

[vangogh]

I always forgive the occasional type since they are almost inevitable. My own site has been proofread by myself, several friends, and several people who have proofed copy for a living and there are still errors.

But I agree completely that you should proof your copy as much as possible. When I see any copy with more than the occasional typo I do lose trust in whoever wrote it. It will lead to less sales and leads.

I'm also with Dan on hiring professional copywriters in general. Most of the time when I see people asking why they're site generates no business the answer is that the design and copy are both very bad. Most people think they have the skills to do both, but most of those people are wrong.

[cbscreative]

I'm glad you mentioned that last part about multiple readers. I believe this is an absolute must. You may have one idea in your mind writing something, and having others proof it can be quite enlightening when someone else interprets it in a way you never thought about.

I agree with Dan that most people should not write their own copy. They might believe they are saving money, but in reality they are losing opportunities. Of course if everyone really understood that, there wouldn't be enough good copywritiers to meet the demand. Hmmm, maybe it's best the way things are.

[KristineS]

I would agree that having a professional write copy is the best way, but I'm also realistic enough to know that's not always going to happen. Regardless of who writes you copy, it should always be proofread. Professionals are not immune to mistakes either.

I have committed the do/to sin or on/of or something like it, several times myself. I'm a victim of my typing speed I guess. At least that's the story to which I'm sticking.

[Business Attorney]

This thread brings back to mind my moot court team in law school. There were six of us on the team. We were all madly writing to meet our deadline for submitting our briefs but we still allowed time at the end of the process for one of our team members to do what we called the "Rosenbaum Read-Through." Now, any time that I think of reviewing the final work product on any project, the term "Rosenbaum Read-Through" immediately comes back to mind.

[Marcomguy]

There is a law out there that says no matter how many eyeballs scrutinize a document before it goes out, at least one typo will get through.

Trust me. This law exists. In fact, there was a Wikipedia entry about it, but the title of the article had a typo and now no one can find it.

[vangogh]

In fact, there was a Wikipedia entry about it, but the title of the article had a typo and now no one can find it.

Funny. True though that typos will inevitably get through.

[Steve B]

Think of the typo that gets through like the mis-stitch that is purposely put into hand woven fabrics by religious crafters because only God is perfect. I forget the details of this group that puts in a mis-stitch on purpose, but I saw it on TV once. I think they were making rugs or lace or something tedious like that.

[KarenB]

Great topic, Kristine!

While proofreading forms a large part of what I do, I was pleasantly surprised by an email from an aspiring VA who pointed out that I had a typo on my website.

As I am currently looking for qualified transcriptionists to handle some of my overflow, just the fact that this person noticed this made me want to hire her on the spot!

It's always easier to spot someone else's typos than it is to notice one's own. There is a degree of objectivity when you are reviewing someone else's written word which is very difficult to attain when you are reviewing your own words. Your brain still thinks the same way and whatever you overlooked before is usually overlooked again in the same way simply because you wrote it.

I agree that proofreading is very important and can be a deal breaker. I always have someone else proof my own articles and blog posts for that very reason.

Karen