Attention, Miami Herald: Use proper grammar. The newspaper received that lesson from an experienced South Florida teacher when it asked her to mark up a recent edition.
The same advice applies when an organization distributes a press release, publishes information on its website, updates a blog, or posts on Facebook: To look professional, follow the rules of grammar.
Elaine Kenzel, who wields a sharp green pen for her publishing clients, found 133 mistakes in just one issue of the Herald. Some involved starting a sentence with “but” or “and.” Others related to sentence construction.
Based on her analysis, here are some recommendations for professional public communications:
- Write simply. Complex sentences can confuse the reader.
- Be careful with commas. Writers tend to use too many.
- Be consistent. Apply the same style to sentences and lists.
- Read and re-read. Have two or three people proofread a press release or Web post before it is distributed.
Boardroom Communications checks and re-checks press releases and other communications before they are made public. We track changes to ensure that no vital information is lost or misstated. Like newspapers and other news organizations, we have editors. Their job is to double-check spellings, facts and, of course, grammar.
Publicizing your products, services and stories via media relations, social media, website or collateral materials can all be very effective branding tools — if everything is correct. Otherwise, a small typo or grammar error may quickly deflate your branding balloon and credibility.
