There Errors Are Your Errors

More often than not, the person on the other end appreciates the call. We’re all super busy these days. Few people can afford a proofreader or make the time to have another person check the files.

Fact is, once the piece is printed, it’s too late to fix it. So let me start you off with some simple “do-it-yourself” tips. Not just for you, but to share with your clients as well. The earlier any mistakes are caught, the better.

• Don’t rely on spell checkers. They can be very useful tools, but they are far from fool proof. Case in point: spell checkers would not have found anything wrong with this blog’s headline. (“There” should be “Their.”)

Spell checkers can’t catch misused words; those words that are spelled correctly, but used incorrectly. On the other hand, spell checkers might question your spelling and you might guess unsuccessfully if you don't know which word is appropriate.

• Don’t rely on grammar checkers. These programs work with a limited number of rules causing them to skip over certain kinds of errors or to lure you into making mistakes.

• Read slowly and read every single word. I know you've heard this one before, but all too often, we’re in a hurry and rush over the copy. Our brain, in an effort to be helpful, substitutes words and makes unconscious corrections.

• Read backwards. This technique is very helpful in catching spelling errors because content, punctuation and grammar won’t make any sense when you’re reading backwards. Your focus will be entirely on the spelling of each word. (Obviously, this method will not catch any grammatical inconsistencies or errors.)

• Ask a friend, a colleague or an independent person to help. This should be someone who is not as closely involved in the project as you are and, ideally, who has an eye for details...and may even value the English language. 😉