Mistakes Happen
Mistakes happen. We are not immune. It can be very embarrassing. In the last tip sheet, I ran a very interesting tip on Cobs Bread. At the end of the tip, I offered an article I had written, called “Why Marketing Fails In Retail and How To Turn It Around”. I had posted it on my blog before I left for a one-month vacation.
I found out when I returned from holidays at the end of May through comments on my website that my article was loaded with typos and grammatical errors. This was shocking to me because I believe very strongly in professionalism. The article I wrote was proofed by an exceptional proofreader and editor with whom I have worked for four years. My error was sending the original copy to my online marketing rock star to post on my site. If I wasn’t dyslexic, the unproofed article might have been somewhat passable, but since I am dyslexic, I’m sure it looked more like a dog’s breakfast.
Once we get over the embarrassment of our situation, whether it be within the context of our business world or in our personal lives, I believe it’s important to correct the situation as soon as possible. For me, correcting the situation means making it better as quickly as possible and then owning up to the error.
The proofed article was posted as soon as I found out, and now you are getting this email. Remember, we all make mistakes and most people will understand, especially when we are honest about how and why it happened and we inform our clientele about it as soon as we can.
Read the proofed article “Why Marketing Fails In Retail and How To Turn It Around.”
Thanks for this article Jen… as i too am one who doesn’t like stuff to go out without being proofed 2 or 3 times over and…
I always recommend/tell my clients when i pass final work on to them that they HAVE to proof all work every time and even have, what i call “another set of eyes” have that last look – just to be sure! Because if we alone have been the only one who has been proofing, we’re bound to miss something – i’ve seen it happen over and over…
Hi Carol,
I think as a design expert who has to deal with copy and graphics, you are very wise to hold your clients accountable for the final proof.
I am still very fond of the work you did for me designing my book covers a number of years ago now. I hope your illustration side of the business is going well.
Jen