by Joyce Turner-Gionet | Oct 9, 2015 | Communications, Content, Latest
Typo: Abbreviation for typographical error. AKA fat-finger syndrome.
Typos are not necessarily the same as spelling errors.
In marketing and advertising, we often refer to a spelling error as a typo, but typos are not necessarily the same as spelling errors. The term “typo” originated with the mechanical process of typesetting. You may know how to spell a word correctly, but your finger hits the wrong key. Sometimes we transpose letters, and it’s a case of our brain moving faster than our fingers. Either way, when a typo or spelling error shows up in content, it’s not pretty.
Poor grammar can steal the thunder from that brilliant thought you were eager to share.
Too many typos or spelling errors in a piece can compromise your credibility. Poor grammar can steal the thunder from that brilliant thought you were eager to share. Punctuation rules the rhythm and flow of your piece, so keep it in mind.
What’s the difference between grammar and punctuation?
Once upon a time, writers and editors lost sleep over typos and spelling errors. Nowadays, we sleep easier because much of our content is online. When working with an online publishing platform (e.g., WordPress), corrections are simple: We edit the existing document and then hit the Publish button. Presto, the mistake disappears. One caveat: If the social media content you’ve published has been been picked up by another site before you’ve had a chance to correct the mistake, there’s not a lot you can do other than fixing the root file.
If your piece is going to a printer, go mad with proofing. If a typo makes it into a printed piece, you’ll be left cringing over it for the life of the piece.
Write the way you speak.
Write the way you speak. This piece of advice is particularly relevant for social media. Social media is about conversations and making connections, so a casual tone works well. Slang is acceptable only in certain contexts — use common sense here. We’re definitely more casual in much of our writing today, but …
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation remain important; they’re every bit as important as in formal business writing.
Before you hit Publish …
- Spellchecks are helpful, but … 8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Just Rely on SpellCheck.
- Proofread your content more than once.
- Have someone else proofread your content. Even the best writers benefit from a proofreader or editor. What’s up with that: Why it’s so hard to catch your own typos.
- Don’t guess! When you’re not sure, look it up.
- Walk away from your content and go back to it later. You return to it with a fresh eye and may see typos or other errors that you missed on your first go-round. Walking away also provides an opportunity to mull over additional ideas that could make your content richer.
- Don’t let grammar rule you! Grammar has rules, but they can be broken occasionally. Just make sure that if you are going to break the rules, you do so intelligently, with style, and for a purpose.
- Major newspapers (online and in print) often have errors in copy, and they have an entire staff of proofreaders. Errors happen! If you notice one, and it’s too late to fix it, relax. World peace probably isn’t at stake. I’ve included a few funny proofreading blunders, later in this post.
Imagine! Years ago, punctuation didn’t exist. The mysterious origins of punctuation.
While creating content, it’s helpful to have a few authoritative resources nearby. Here are a few of my favourites:
Reference Books (in print):
A Canadian Writer’s Reference
The Associated Press Style Book
These two are particularly fun to browse:
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Miss Nomer’s Guide to Painfully Incorrect English
Websites:
Oxford Dictionaries
Merriam-Webster
Thesaurus.com
Grammar Girl
Grammarphobia
Apps:
Using a good spelling, grammar, and punctuation app? Let me know and I’ll update this post.
A touch of serendipity …
While writing this post I received an email ‘funny’ about proofreading blunders. (I’d give credit where credit is due but no sources were provided.) A little proofreading would definitely have spoiled the giggles …
Sign in a public washroom: “Toilet out of order. Please use floor below.”
Sign in a department store: “Bargain basement upstairs.”
Sign in an office: “After tea break, staff should empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board.”
Outside a second-hand shop: “We exchange anything — bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?”
Notice in a farmer’s field: “The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges.”
In a Safari park: “ELEPHANTS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.”
In a Laundromat: “Automatic Washing Machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.”
In a newspaper: “Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers.”
Also in the news: “Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over.”
(Thanks to Yellowknife Girl for proofreading this post before I hit Publish. Any errors after the fact are not her fault.)
by Miriam Hara | Oct 6, 2015 | Content, Interactive, Latest, Social Media
When someone comments on content in your Social Media post, your response to that comment is as important as the original content you posted. Tread carefully! Your Social Media responses are content too!
Sharing expertise, providing information and responding are at the core of Social Media.
Sharing expertise, providing information and responding are at the core of Social Media. Good social media initiatives create value. Great content = Great Value. So what makes for great content? Useful, thoughtful and thought-provoking ideas that resonate with your core group. Great Content = introductions to people. Introductions lead to engagement and the start of beautiful business ‘friendships’.
… the essence of Social Media is not about selling, it’s about sharing.
Social Media is the gifting of expertise or information with no expectation of a return. Yes, Social Media helps you develop and cultivate brand awareness, so there’s a big return on that, it’s true. But the essence of Social Media is not about selling, it’s about sharing. It’s about giving back, or if you will, paying it forward. So give back!
When a reader responds to your Social Media post, that reader is engaged. Conversation is now flowing two ways. Congratulations. Your Social Media effort was successful. But you can’t stop there. You must give those responses the respect they deserve. Remember, you’ve started a friendship and friendships must be nourished and nurtured. So respond!
Ignore Social Media responses at your peril!
Ignore Social Media responses at your peril! Content is King, but royalty can still get into trouble. Remember what happened when the British Royal Family was slow to respond after Lady Di’s tragic death. Public opinion turned against them and for a long time! People want responses, emotion, authenticity; they wanted to feel the love. When your brand takes the time to respond to comments on a post it shows a little business love and a lot of respect. So respond.
Great content without follow up?
Great content without follow up? Save your money and don’t even bother starting the process! Posting or tweeting and then not responding to questions, messages, thoughts, the sharing of ideas. What’s the point?
Building Identity Loyalty Through Social Media
Social Media takes effort, even after you’ve created content. You need to spread the word, create buzz and add to buzz. You need to search out like-minded people and see what they write about and introduce yourself. You need to respond to them too. Everything on social media is a conversation, including Social Media responses.
… people are often as interested in responses to content as they are in the content.
It’s also important to remember that people are often as interested in responses to content as they are in the content. They like to see how brands respond. So when you do respond, remember that it’s your brand speaking. Answer thoughtfully, honestly and respectfully.
A community isn’t built on one-way interaction.
Social media is about being part of a community. A community isn’t built on one-way interaction.
- Be prompt with your responses, answer in a timely manner.
- Not every comment will require a response, but be discerning. Read closely to see if it does.
- Not everyone might agree with your Social Media Posts. That’s okay. Social Media is a conversation. Agree to disagree. But like mom taught you … be nice about it!
- Feel free to ignore obnoxious commentary and truly obnoxious commentary can be deleted. It’s about respect — and it runs both ways — if someone is being truly disrespectful, with nothing valuable to say, then there’s simply no room for a real conversation.
- Responses can also be an opportunity for learning? Is there something to be learned from the comment? A point of view, idea or suggestion that you’ve never thought about?
Bottom Line.
Bottom Line: Social Media responses are content too. Put thought into each response.
Had a unique experience with comments or your response to a comment on a Social Media Post? Share it with us!
For a quick review or a primer on creating content, download our free e-book: Content Creation Understood. In it, we share a little content expertise and some suggestions, including a few do’s and don’ts, for content creation.
by Miriam Hara | Sep 11, 2015 | Communications, Content, Latest, Social Media
News is when you have something original to say. Noise is when you don’t.
Be relevant in 140 characters or less!
The 140 characters or less is simply a reminder to be relevant and stay focused when creating content. Visualize yourself writing a standard Twitter tweet, which limits us to 140 characters or less: say as much as you need, then say no more.
Don’t get too attached to words. Even for content writers, it’s not always easy to be ruthless and cut out words, but it’s necessary. You’re fighting to be heard. So be ruthless. If it isn’t necessary, boot it out of the sentence!
The proliferation of internet content, particularly with Social Media — whether visual (graphics), video or written — is overwhelming. I’ll say what many of us in the business say in our heads: everyone’s a writer or a wannabe writer. Students, business owners, executives, CEOs, celebrities, the guy next door, everyone’s writing. But what makes for good content, what speaks to good content, is relevancy.
10 ways to be relevant and remain relevant:
- Decide what you want to write about. Make a list of the hot topics and categories that surround your business or interest. Develop word clouds to help you decide on topics to write about. Word Clouds and the Value of Simple Visualization. Wordle is a good website to help you get started.
- Decide a) how you want people to perceive you and b) how you want people to perceive what you write about. It’s easy to forget about ‘perception’ in our hurry to ‘get writing’; but who you are and what you write about are important. The internet has a memory.
- Decide on the angle you’ll take in creating content. There are different angles to every subject. Being relevant doesn’t necessarily mean being trendy or current; certain topics are evergreen, meaning they’re always relevant.
- Define your target market and the niches within that market. Demographics are not the only definition of a target market.
- Nail down what you want to say and say it thoughtfully, with conviction. Rewording other people’s thoughts doesn’t add value. However, reflecting on other people’s thoughts can lead you to develop new ideas or new points of view that offer relevance to your readers. Being relevant also requires being aware of what’s going on out there, so stay informed.
- Decide how to say what you want to say and which vehicle you will use to say it. Which vehicle parks you closer to the place(s) your target market hangs out.
- Have others review your content for brevity, clarity and to make sure you’re actually saying what you wanted to say. If even one person doesn’t understand something you’ve written, look at it again, critically, and make the necessary change.
- Content needs to be actionable: promote action, ask for feedback, work hard to get your audience to connect with you by giving them reasons to connect.
- Check spelling and grammar and have someone else check it too. A good editor is every content writer’s best friend.
- Many of us sleep on things to see how we feel about them in the morning. Content’s no different. Allow time to step back from what you’ve written for a while and reread it with a critical eye before you hit the ‘publish’ button. Having said that, the beauty of the internet is we can update content easily, quickly and regularly.
Be Relevant Stay Relevant: Download our latest FREE eBook
For more tips on how to be relevant and stay relevant, download our free eBook: Content Creation Understood. 21 short, snappy insights (we call them biz-isms) that will help you look at content from a number of different angles.
by Miriam Hara | Aug 28, 2015 | Advertising, Agency, Business Success, Communications, Content, Interactive, Latest, Management, Marketing, Social Media
In life, we need a plan. To create rich content, we need a plan.
There’s a lot of buzz around content and content creation. For those new to content and content creation, it can get confusing. What is content? In a nutshell: content = information. Rich content = great information.
I’ll give you an example of what’s meant by content (information). As an ad agency, there is:
- The content (information) our clients hire us to create using a variety of vehicles: billboard ads, print campaigns, outdoor advertising, videos (including YouTube videos), TV spots, radio spots, advertorials, brochures, packaging, websites, Social Media, etc. … you get the idea.
- Then, there’s the content (information) we create for the agency: our internal marketing and advertising. This could be news and views delivered via our website, blogs, tweets, Facebook posts, pins on Pinterest, Instagram, posts on LinkedIn and on business-to-business sites, etc.
Rich Content – What’s its job?
Content’s job is to add value and provide insight. To do this, it must be engaging. To be engaging, it must be informative and interesting (i.e. ‘rich’). To be effective, it must be targeted. This is important. 3H’s content reach is wide-ranging and eclectic. We speak to our clients, to large corporations, small businesses, executives and non-executives, the business-to-business market, people in the creative field and students (particularly those in the arts and communication). A content piece may not (and likely, will not) resonate with all of these people, all of the time. So at 3H, we vary the content regularly, to make sure there’s something for everyone. And we’re strategic with our content. We put it in places where the people we want to see it, will see it.
Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How?
A helpful way to plan for engaging content creation is to think the way a news editor or journalist thinks when developing a piece. Answer the four “W” questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And answer the ‘H’ question: How?
Who?
Define your target market(s) — the people you want to speak to, the ones you want to engage with your content.
What?
What do we want to say to our audience? This will also help establish a tone for your content and a voice for your organization. Your business is unique; tone and voice help get that across.
When?
When will we reach our audience? Plan to reach out regularly, in the same places, so that not only do they expect you, they search you out. Appear sporadically and you’ll lose your audience. Be flexible and adaptable: if you notice your audience gravitating to new places (and with the pace of technology, this happens regularly) — be there for them.
Take advantage of established media events, things such as Earth Day, Labour Day, Heart Month, Diabetes Month, Valentine’s Day, etc. If your business is geared toward any of these things, piggy back your content on the media excitement.
Every business experiences an ebb and flow. Make the most of slower times to come up with new ideas for content.
Create events, unique ones that belong only to you. Then wrap content around these events. Content is about engaging your audience. Give them a reason to get excited, to celebrate and to connect with you.
Where?
Where will we reach our audience? Where do they hang out? If you’re not sure, do a little research.
Why?
Why do we want to create rich content? Sounds pretty basic, I know, but it’s important. Why do you?
As you plan moves along, the “why” should stick around. You’ve implemented a plan, but don’t set it and forget it. Review. Regularly. How is your content being received? This leads to important answers to questions, such as: “Why is this type of content working well for us, but this other type isn’t?” The success of your content is measurable. For example, you can measure the progress of your Social Media efforts with metrics (The 5 Easy Steps to Measure Your Social Media Campaign). You can measure response to your website Five Keys to Success for Measuring Your Website.
You can measure it by the comments and feedback you’re getting. If you’re never getting any feedback, start asking why?
A good plan has legs
A good plan has legs, it evolves; it can take you to new places with new insights so that your content consistently delivers value. Gives your audience a reason to keep coming back.
A good plan needs a good team
Content creation should not be the sole job of the content creator(s). I’ve said this before: Everyone in a company can and should have input. It makes for a much richer, collaborative and enjoyable experience and ultimately, content will benefit, in quality and quantity.
HOW?
How will you do it? It’s all about fiber …
- Meaty and rich content.
- Make it regular.
Add value! Provide Insight!
If you don’t feel comfortable or confident enough to create your own content, hire a content creator. It really is that important!
STICK TO THE PLAN!
(If it’s a good plan.) If the plan’s not working, find out why and fix it. Then … STICK TO THE PLAN!
Want to delve deeper into Content Creation? Download our free eBook: Content Creation Understood. 21 short snappy insights (we call them biz-isms) that will help you wrap your head around creating great content.
by Joyce Turner-Gionet | Aug 24, 2015 | Business Success, Content, Interactive, Latest, Social Media
Chat slang is no longer just about the kids; it’s not even about the rest of us ‘getting down with the kids.’ It hasn’t been for quite a while!
Hard to believe, but texting has been around for 23 years
The first text message was sent in 1992 by a 22-year-old test engineer from his PC to the Vodaphone network in the US. Chat slang — the ubiquitous LOLs, TTYLs and JKs — now wraps its saucy paws around many of the 350 billion global text (SMS) messages we send monthly. According to the stats, more than 15% of those messages are in a business context.
When it comes to chat slang, we make it up as we go
Almost every text we send has the potential in it somewhere for abbreviation and/or acronym. My mum (in her eighties) has taken to chat slang like the proverbial duck to water. She signs her texts (even Christmas and birthday cards) YFM (Your Favourite Mother; not that I have another mother, LOL). She wanted a picture of my daughter, a nurse, in her hospital scrubs and sent her a text that said: “Can u take a selfie?” (aka a photograph of self).
My daughters rarely answer their phone, but they respond to text and pepper their responses with emojis. My old high school pal regularly texts just one word to me: “Chat?” She doesn’t mean shall we pick up the phone and have a conversation. She means is it a good time to have an extended catch-up session, via text? If I say: “sorry, not now,” she’ll reply: kk 2moro TTYL. A successful chartered accountant who runs her own company, she’s one smart cookie, but texting brings out her impish, casual side.
Whether — as many continue to despair — we’re killing the English language with chat slang, is a moot point. WCYD?
That’s what chat slang is: casual speak. And it is impish. Admit it! As grown ups, the impish aspect can be fun. The abbreviation of words and phrases and the use of acronyms saves time (some grammar sticklers maintain it’s a product of laziness); but necessity, as usual, is the mother of invention. Where’s the space to have a formal or in-depth conversation on a screen like that of the current iPhone, which measures 138 cm x 67 cm? This dictates pithiness in what we say. Whether — as many continue to despair — we’re killing the English language with chat slang, is a moot point. WCYD (What Can You Do)?
LOL originally meant laughing out loud, a text response to a joke. Nowadays, it’s more like the shoulder shrug in a face-to-face conversation, a sort of non sequitur. It should follow something funny. It often doesn’t. JK (Just kidding); 2 (to, or too); 4 (for); OMG (Oh my gosh or oh my god); c u soon (see you soon), are old hat. We’ve progressed. NetLingo’s list of chat acronyms and text shorthand is mind boggling.
Is chat slang good for business?
What about in a business context? Is chat slang the new business casual? I saw a professional newsletter recently that ended with: BYOD (bring your own device) to the convention. Bet a lot of those business folks had to read it twice, thinking: Is that a D or a B on the end? Should chat slang be used in formal business writing? Well, then it would no longer be formal writing. What about a business email or text?
You’re late for a meeting with a client, so you text: gtbl8. C u in 20 (going to be late, see you in twenty minutes). Is that acceptable business etiquette? Much depends on the nature of the relationship you have with your client. Mostly, it’s a common sense approach, but if you’re wondering, there are a slew of websites out there with advice on business texting etiquette (see below).
What about emojis?
We all love emojis (aka emoticons), the colourful icons that we reach for in both personal and business contexts: Want to say ‘I love you,’ then the googly eye icon, a red heart and a female sheep icon work well, whether you’re a mushy 8-year-old or a mushy 80-year-old. The sheer number of icons available for phones, tablets and computers is exploding. Obviously, someone’s seeing a need. What about in business? Seems we’re using them here too …
Emojis speak volumes in email and text. You’re angry about something: insert a mad face. Sad: insert a sad face. Embarrassed: insert the face with the bright red cheeks. Kidding about something and want your boss to know that you’re kidding (we all know from experience how easily texts and emails can be misinterpreted), insert a plain old happy face, or maybe two, for emphasis. Pleased with the job your client has done, you add a happy face in your thank you. Emojis often change the entire mood of an email.
Is proper grammar in hiding?
So where is chat slang taking us? Is proper grammar in hiding? Should we despair? Since when is OMG the appropriate response to a hangnail and the onset of a hurricane? When did my favourite mother start talking about selfies?
The experts seem to think that chat slang is simply a reflection of the more casual way we live today. Maybe we can start to worry when the president of the multinational we work for sends us a text before our presentation: DFTBA! (don’t forget to be awesome!) We should really worry when the government rejects the business expenses we reported on our tax return with an lmbo (laughing my butt off) or lshic (laughing so hard I’m crying).
Slang has always been proper grammar’s edgy cousin
Slang has always been proper grammar’s edgy cousin. Like jargon or colloquialism, slang hangs around language, a thorn in formality’s side. I can’t imagine reading an entire book or article where the content is exclusively acronyms and abbreviations. Is that even possible? (Argument enough for why we really don’t need to worry too much about where chat slang is going!) To be maddeningly esoteric: Chat slang is what it is. We no longer speak the language the way Shakespeare spoke it (the bard was a huge fan of slang). Language evolves, it changes with the times. Slang, jargon and colloquialism are always along for the ride. So, 4 now …
“2 b or not 2 b”: the future of chat slang is TBD.
What’s your opinion on chat slang? Should we use it or lose it? Does it belong in a business context? LMK (Let Me Know).
Read more …
7 Rules of Texting Etiquette Every Professional Needs to Know
Best Text Messaging Apps of 2015
Other side of the coin reading:
‘Crystal’ software: No chat slang or emojis here! A Gmail plug-in that gathers data on your personality then helps you compose formal emails in your own tone of voice: Can personality data change the way we communicate with each other?
