do these word mistakes stop your sales

Does it bug you when someone uses the wrong word or punctuation in their sales letter?

For example, are you irritated when the word ‘your’ is used instead of ‘you’re’?

I’ve frequently said that writing as you speak is more important than using correct grammar in a sales letter. But correct spelling – and using words in the right context – is also important.

When I’m reading something… whether it’s a sales letter, advert, web page, article, book (yes, I’ve spotted these mistakes in books!) I find myself automatically correcting these foibles. I can’t help myself – it bugs me.

Do These Mistakes Undermine Your Credibility?

What concerns me more – especially in a sales letter – is I think these mistakes can undermine the credibility of the writer in the reader’s eyes. And we have a big enough job persuading someone to read our sales message and, hopefully, buy our products or services without creating additional barriers for ourselves.

My problem is, occasionally, I’ll miss these mistakes in my own writing. A classic is when I miss the ‘r’ off the word ‘your’! It’s a good reason for getting someone else to proofread your work, a fresh pair of eyes may pick up mistakes you’ve missed.

So, what other words and punctuation mistakes am I talking about?

Sometimes people confuse words such as lose and loose, or later and latter, or there, their and they’re!

Why have I brought this up today?

Because I found a great lens on squidoo, called Grumpy Grammar, in which a Vet explains, tongue-in-cheek, his take on correct grammar (and word) usage. It is well written and reminds us, in an amusing way, of some of the rules that are often broken.

As far as writing a sales letter is concerned, the only point Chris makes that I do not agree with is not starting a sentence with ‘Or’, ‘And’ or ‘But’. And that’s purely because we often start a sentence with one of those words when we are speaking and so it is a natural way to write sales copy.

So – Do You Make These Mistakes In Your Sales Letters?

Take a look at Grumpy Grammar then come back to share; does it annoy you? Have you discovered something useful to know or are your letters all OK?

~ Carol Bentley

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Written by Carol Bentley

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