by Janet Attard
Even if you are a whiz at spelling and grammar, it is very easy to miss mistakes in your own work. Have several people other than yourself proofread your work before you send it to clients or bring it to a printer. Don't rely on computer spell checkers to spot all errors, either. A computer can't tell the difference between stationery and stationary. One printing company learned this the hard way when they sent out a catalog that included one page extolling the virtues of their line of letterhead stationary. Readers who spotted the error couldn't help wondering whether the company was targeting cave dwellers or graffiti artists.
Other easy-to-miss errors are your and you're, peak, peek and pique, they're, their, and there and its and it's.
When the printer does the typesetting, proofread the typeset copy carefully before giving the go-ahead to print the job. If possible have the printer fax a copy of the typeset work to your office so you can ask several people to proofread it before approving the copy for printing. If you spot any typos after you've told the printer to run the job, you'll have to pay all reprinting costs if you want the errors fixed.
How to Avoid Business Writing Mistakes
