Why is accuracy in written communication crucial for businesses?
Having had a career in education for 34 years, I was used to everything I wrote being scrutinised, questioned, and corrected...
…the Headteacher checking every report I wrote for every child every June!
…the Year 6 children loving to correct any mistakes that I made in the exemplars I created for them!
And I could always picture parents picking up on mistakes in my Headteacher weekly newsletters!
Over the years, I developed my knowledge and understanding of anything to do with grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I actually got a kick out of writing a perfect piece!
So, imagine my surprise when I realised the business world doesn’t have the same high standards of perfection with their written communication.
I get it. If your expertise is accountancy, why would you know the difference between a subordinating clause and a co-ordinating clause?
And yet, how many of us have scoured the internet to find a company to landscape our garden, or build an extension, and then made a decision based on HOW they communicated on their website? I know I have.
I don’t think it matters if a company has a five-star rating. If they haven’t taken the time and effort to make sure their content is accurate, it leads me to question their professionalism. In fact, if a company hasn’t paid attention to the small details (including grammar, punctuation, and spelling), it also impacts how I perceive their reliability and trustworthiness.
How do I know they’ll take time and effort with me as a customer?
Will they treat me with the same lack of attention?
It makes me doubt what they’re saying.
It causes me to lose confidence in what they’ll deliver.
For me, accuracy in grammar, punctuation, and spelling is crucial for businesses…it can be ‘make or break’.
Want to know why?
Professionalism: accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling contribute to the overall professionalism of any type of written communication – even if it’s a business card! Errors can devalue the professional image of the company.
Credibility: businesses must maintain their credibility, and well-written communication is a pivotal part of this. Accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling show the business’ attention to detail, and their commitment to high quality. It can positively impact how the business is seen by clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Brand image: grammar, punctuation, and spelling contribute to the consistency of a brand’s image. Consistent and accurate written communication proves the brand’s commitment to excellence, and this influences customers’ trust in the company.
Marketing and advertising: mistakes are distracting…they overshadow the intended message. Imagine writing a job advert with spelling mistakes. Would someone, who is looking to start a career with a professional company, want to apply?
Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling in a marketing and advertising campaign is essential – errors will potentially affect the success of the campaign.
Legal and contractual implications: lack of precision and errors in contracts, agreements, and legal documents, can potentially lead to disputes, misinterpretations, and even legal issues.
Clarity and understanding: misplaced commas or misspelt words lead to confusion. It can change the intended meaning of the message. This leads to misunderstandings among clients and customers.
Global communication: this is something often forgotten, and yet the business world is becoming increasingly globalised. Clear and accurate written communication helps to bridge language barriers. For example, the English language is full of idioms (a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning different from the meanings of each word on its own).
We use them regularly, and most of the time, we don’t even realise. But, when we’re writing for a global audience, we should be consistently checking for unnecessary idioms because they can be easily misunderstood
Imagine how these idioms might be misinterpreted:
It is pretty obvious that accuracy in grammar, punctuation, and spelling is not just a case of being correct; it’s a strategic element of effective communication for a business, and it has a direct impact on the business’ success and reputation.
It matters.
Is it time that your business engages with a proofreader and copyeditor?
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