Just kidding! (How’s that for passive aggressive?)
So I get an email from a Virtual Assistant who informs me that she has been in the administrative field for 10 years (and your point is? I’ve got 15 more years than that on you, sweetie) and that our last ezine issue was “fraught with spelling and grammatical errors.”
Mind you, this helpful person didn’t bother to point out a single misspelling or grammatical error so it could be reviewed or corrected on our online version. This tends to make me think the person wants to gloat rather than be helpful.
Sorry, sister, but I never do anything “fraught” with spelling and grammatical errors. Typos maybe. Which is what happens when I have to throw an article together 10 minutes before publication because people are too intimidated by writing and putting themselves out there. So there’s just no time to send anything to my proofreader when that’s the case.
I actually think I should be praised to kingdom come on my ability to pull articles out of my ass at the very last second and singlehandedly keep our ezine going until we can draw more of our newer members out of their shells and have them start leveraging our article marketing opportunities.
But spelling and grammatical errors, no. I very often write colloquially on purpose, in the vein of “write how you speak.” Or I will bend rules to fit online readability. The difference between me and someone who is illiterate is that I know the rules and choose to bend them of my free and fully knowledgeable will. The uneducated ignoramus doesn’t know any better. So the grammar Nazis can have a picnic if that’s how they choose to spend their time. It really doesn’t concern me.
And spelling… I can outspell most people on my worst day… with a hangover… on two Excedrin PM.
Typos happen to everyone. It’s really nothing to get all pedantic about. You do your best and make corrections when you find them or they are brought to your attention.
Avoiding typos is important from the perspective that your words are your dress in print. It’s like seeing the most well-dressed man or woman with a stain on their shirt (or for the grammar Nazis, his or her shirt). It’s noticeable. But it’s hardly the end of the world–if every other evidence indicates that this is a person of knowledge, competence, intellect and creativity, no typos once in awhile are going to detract from that.
Now what does matter is when a person uses words incorrectly and consistently misspells words (not typos, but actually misspelling). That is indicative of a lack of literacy and poor command. So if I ever use a word incorrectly, that’s when you can send me your self-congratulatory, unconstructive messages. Mmmkay? Otherwise, how about being helpful instead and kindly letting me or my staff know when you spot typos so we can get them fixed up? 
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to...
5 Comments
Amen! Typos happen, but it’s best to either be a forgiving reader or helpful by letting the author know the exact typos. I see the typos, but it doesn’t change the meaning of the content. I’m just grateful that there are articles for me to read to increase my knowledge. Danielle, thank you for all your articles “fraught with spelling and grammatical errors.” I appreciate every one of them. Unfortunately, I have more of a thirst for knowledge than desire to be bothered by a few typos; however, I may need to make adjustments and email the typos to you so you can spend more time fixing them than publishing great articles! Keep up the great work!
Joy, I would absolutely love and adore you for that! Thanks for the moral support, too
Danielle,
I’m just getting around to reading your ‘Bite Me’ column. Whoa, I understand where you are coming from as I read the article and laugh out loud. You are so correct about the person who is aware of what they (or rather what he or she) are writing versus the person who has absolutely no idea of a speaking or writing voice.
I’m working with a client on this very topic and I’ve had to diplomatically read him the riot act about some important documents which he wrote and sent out without any proofreading OR review. He didn’t talk to me for a day after the chewing out but then he sent me three documents to review.
Keep up the great work!
J
People who take the time to point out typos are the online equivalent of the toastmasters in the audience who come to a conference to learn, and approach the speaker afterword with a tally of how many “ums” they used! You have to bless them and move on. It’s a true sign that you’re putting yourself out there when you draw the comments from people who arent
Sherri-I couldn’t agree with you more! I attended a webinar today where the speaker was Scott Stratten. He commented how you know you’re out there when you start getting replies that aren’t constructive. Looks like Danielle has reached that point! Oh, and Danielle, I decided I just don’t have the time to send you those specific “typos.” I’m too busy reading your articles! LOL (in response to your comment on my comment above.)