Errors: What you shouldn’t let slip through the net

First impressions count. It’s something which is drilled into us from the very beginning of our lives. From dressing presentably to writing presentably; what we put out into the world is important as it shapes others’ opinions of ourselves.

This is why when I see a tweet or message which – when following a previous post sharing information – apologises for content errors; I feel the content shared is immediately undermined. As is the individual sharing it to an extent. 

You wouldn’t attend a business meeting with your clothes on backwards, then re-visit the meeting to apologise for such an oversight. So why put out something which is less than perfect?

I’m not saying for one second that accidents don’t happen. Because such errors are, by definition, accidental. What I am proposing is that when sharing content of any kind, a series of proof checks are done. Whether it’s an email, press release, newsletter, article or blog post; proof checking is a critical stage.

Here’s my list of basic checks which you should run with everything you share:

• Run a spell check: The tool was created for this purpose – there’s no excuse not to use it.
• Name check: Double check every individual and company’s name mentioned in your work. Is there a corporate rule book which explains whether capital letters should be used within the company name? Is an individual’s name spelt unusually?
• Word count: Have you been asked to keep your contribution to a strict word count? If so, stick to it. The limit is there for a reason and your recipient will be grateful to you for having listened. 
• Consistency is key: Whatever practice you begin with, ensure you stick to it throughout. If you add full stops to the end of bullet points, keep doing it. Capitalised a particular word mid-sentence – ensure this is kept the same in every subsequent use.
• Grammar: It’s tricky to get your head around. Using a style guide has helped me no end. The Guardian has a good one – it’s easy to use and totally free on the paper’s website.
• Credit where credit’s due: If you’ve used someone else’s figures, reference them. Also, make sure to add quotation marks where necessary!
• The once over: Once you’ve checked all of the above, read the piece through again. Look for spacing errors, paragraph consistency and anything which may have slipped past you so far. When you’re totally happy, get a colleague to check your work if appropriate. Often just having a second pair of eyes on work highlights errors which you might have missed.

Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted. Make sure your work creates the impression you deserve and aspire to. Every time.