| These days, spare rooms and basements, with a | | | | people to write for them at a price that only can |
| computer or two, are home to burgeoning millionaires | | | | purchase a cup of coffee in a third world country, |
| around the world. Internet marketing and promotion | | | | where English is a second (or third) language. |
| has established itself solidly in our minds and wallets. | | | | Believe me, it matters. There's a subliminal message |
| Every business has a website or it is not considered | | | | when you just slough off correct grammar and |
| viable and established, regardless of how long they | | | | punctuation. It's a message that says, "My material |
| have been in business. Small businesses appear larger | | | | isn't worthy of being correct and my reader isn't |
| than life and ebooks have become the lifeblood of | | | | worthy of me bothering to put out my best work." |
| promotion for all sorts of businesses. | | | | Egads! And what does that say about you? |
| In the past-in the world of paper-grammar, | | | | You might also consider the person who DOES know |
| punctuation and spelling were important. People paid | | | | that your grammar, spelling and punctuation are |
| attention; businesses had specialists to call... | | | | inferior. When I see that in a business email, |
| Today, there is a whole new philosophy afoot. A | | | | promotion or website, I wonder if the company or |
| philosophy of mediocrity that says, "It doesn't | | | | individual will pay attention to the job they are |
| matter; no one will notice anyway." I believe it is | | | | supposed to being doing for me. Will their work be as |
| simply a philosophy of laziness. People don't know | | | | inferior because they think I won't notice? |
| how to make corrections, so instead of hiring an | | | | How many times have you taken your car to a |
| editor, they create this idea that it doesn't matter or | | | | mechanic only to find out that they didn't fix the |
| that the reader can relate better because it shows | | | | problem, but charged you "an arm and a leg" to |
| that the business owner is as dumb as their | | | | change parts that didn't need changing? Or maybe |
| customer. That's downright insulting! | | | | changed extra parts because they figured you |
| In fact, that philosophy makes me want to scream! | | | | wouldn't know the difference anyway? |
| How does correct grammar, punctuation and spelling | | | | Oh yes, it matters! |
| get perpetuated if the standard is that it doesn't | | | | Just because not everyone is good at the mechanics |
| matter? Where do you go to learn something that | | | | of writing, doesn't mean that you have to offer |
| doesn't matter? Why would you even bother? | | | | them poorly written material. What sort of impression |
| Not only that, if everyone just continues to negate | | | | do you want to make in the world? |
| the necessity of proper grammar and punctuation, | | | | Ok, sure, you can make money off of mediocrity, |
| the standards will continue to go down hill like so | | | | but then you're no better than the cheating auto |
| many other things in this country. Consider this: The | | | | mechanic or the fraudulent "snake oil" salesman. What |
| philosophy of "No one will notice." or "It doesn't really | | | | sort of legacy do you want to create for yourself? |
| matter." is exactly the attitude and philosophy that | | | | One that continues to promote mediocrity and dumb |
| blew up the shuttle. Hmmm... something to think | | | | people down? Or one that uplifts people and |
| about. If they KNEW the O-ring really mattered, | | | | educates them? |
| would those who knew about the problem have | | | | Whatever happened to striving to be the best you |
| stopped the launch? | | | | can be? |
| Some millionaires and soon-to-be millionaires are | | | | Successful people surround themselves with others |
| pumping out free ebooks like Ben & Jerry's puts | | | | who are strong where they are weak. It's ok that |
| out new flavors. They want a casual tone, a | | | | you are not a great speller yourself, or that you |
| conversational style. What they don't realize is that if | | | | flunked English in school. There are people called |
| you write the way you actually speak, your book will | | | | "Editors" who are passionate about making sure |
| be confusing, difficult to follow and so repetitive that | | | | those things are correct! Find yourself a good editor |
| the point will never get across to the reader. | | | | and pay for their services. If you are serious about |
| In actuality, it is highly possible to have a casual, | | | | what you are promoting and want to make a great |
| conversational TONE and still have everything | | | | impression, do what is necessary to demonstrate |
| CORRECT! Apparently, this is a source of confusion | | | | that in all aspects of your business. It will let people |
| for many people. | | | | know you care about the product you put out, and |
| They also want to cut corners, get it done and out | | | | will go far to enhance your credibility. |
| the door, quickly and cheaply, often using other | | | | |