Enjoy today’s Guest Blog from Andrew Lisa:
Grammar: How Important Is it in an Email Marketing Campaign?
When it comes to any business writing – whether it’s a business plan, a marketing letter, a direct newsletter or a resume – grammar, spelling and punctuation are as important as content. Your prose doesn’t have to be elegant and your writing doesn’t have to be overly eloquent, but when it comes to the mechanics of writing – especially in an email marketing campaign – there is exactly zero room for error.
When it comes to email marketing campaigns, there is no room for grammatical errors.
There’s No Excuse
The reason bad writing is so unattractive is that it’s completely preventable. A simple ad on Craigslist with the promise of a nominal fee can bring a professional, experienced proofreader to bat for you. You don’t even need to hire a writer to do your email marketing for you, but just to read over your work and put a second set of trained eyes on a document that can have literally no mistakes. Also, spellcheck is not enough! It’s a good start, but it lets many see/sea-type errors slip through.
Email Has Reach
When it comes to resumes or business plans, good, clear, concise writing is key. But for email marketing, it’s an absolute necessity. Bad grammar on a resume will stop at the hiring manager’s trashcan. With a business plan, your shoddy punctuation ends with the potential client’s shredder. Emails get forwarded, replied to and posted to social media. Like a virus, they can spread to millions in almost no time. With email marketing, your sloppy writing is enshrined forever before the eyes of countless people.
If you’re not a great writer – or even if you are – put a second pair of eyes on every document you write.
Writing is the formal, permanent means of communication on which all business transactions are formed. When two people reach an oral agreement, it is not official until they “put it in writing.” The ability to communicate your ideas and articulate your thoughts in the written word is paramount to business success. You don’t have to be a great writer, but you do have to be thorough, meticulous and consistent. If you’re not a great writer, be honest with yourself about your own shortcomings and hire – or at least get – outside help. Your writing is – quite literally – your word. There is no room for error.
Andrew Lisa is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. He writes about small business strategy and covers topics such as what to look for when you’re looking for an article writer.
