TIPS ON SPELLING

15 years ago

Wow Barlowgirl - I bet you just love reading sms messages!

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Mark Coverdale

15 years ago

Thanks for the english lesson.

Now how will this make me money?

Just joking. Your doing a good job.

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Sean Kelly

15 years ago

Next lesson:

How to use the word "choice" correctly.

No, I do not have two choices, I have A choice where I can choose between two options.
This is basic English yet I see this mistake everywhere online.

Sean

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Michael Oksa

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Sean Kelly

Next lesson:

How to use the word "choice" correctly.

No, I do not have two choices, I have A choice where I can choose between two options.
This is basic English yet I see this mistake everywhere online.

Sean

There are always exceptions.

If a decision has more than one variable, then you would have choices.

A pair of socks that is green or red, and striped or plaid.

Green and striped.
Green and plaid.
Red and striped.
Red and plaid.

So, in this case, do you have two choices? Four? More (not wearing any socks)?

Or, is it still one choice because you are only choosing one pair?

Choosing to be confused,
Michael

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nick1123

15 years ago

Another fun one: there, they're, and their.

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crazyfish22

15 years ago

"definately"
"per say"
"comissions" (I actually don't care how this one is spelled; I just want lots of it!)

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RedSynergy

15 years ago

I here you Barlowgirl. Its such a nitemare that no one knows how to right these days, coz its laziness mainly.

Seriously I am SO WITH YOU on this - I have an English degree and ever since the advent of "texting" (translation: English language slaughterhouse 101) a little piece of my soul dies. I've tried to make exceptions for those that do not speak English as a first language.....but I find the worst offenders are actually those poor people who thought reading was beneath them at school. For the love of God people - PICK UP A BOOK AND START READING.

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Thamisgith

15 years ago

Bad spelling and grammar will lose you sales.

Everybody makes mistakes, whether spelling or typos, but we all have limits below which we find it hard to accept that the author is a professional business person.

I was on a website the other day where the author wanted to know if i was "loosing" money with my internet business efforts. That is always enough to get me to click away immediately and he loosed (loost?) a sale.

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RedSynergy

15 years ago

Um actually Tina, I'm trying to rank for loose weight! Yes it's a spelling error, but the moronic masses are searching for it

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AnneE 15 years ago

Originally Posted by RedSynergy

Um actually Tina, I'm trying to rank for loose weight! Yes it's a spelling error, but the moronic masses are searching for it

Loose Weight -- ha ha.... that sounds like when you are so fat that something jiggles when you run! Sounds like you'd have desperate buyers for sure!
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Frank Donovan

15 years ago

Hi Barlowgirl.

Welcome to the forum.

Just a word of advice. Setting yourself up as a grammar cop on a public forum (that isn't specifically about correct grammar) is a short cut to madness.

Posts, tweets, text messages - these are, essentially, informal jottings and as long as the meaning is clear, deserve some leeway.

It would be a different matter if you were selling writing or other professional services.

But now that you've started it...I just need to correct you on the following:

Originally Posted by Barlowgirl

IT'S is always short for IT IS.

e.g. It's raining.
It's clear that...

ITS is used to show possession, and it is an exception to the rule, as one would expect it to have an apostrophe, but it never does. It is always followed by the noun to which it refers.

"It's" can also be short for "it has" (e.g. it's been a hard day's night).

"Its" is not an exception to the rule - no possesive pronoun (theirs, hers, ours, yours) uses an apostrophe.

Minefield, isn't it?

Frank

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John Taylor

15 years ago

Patiently waiting for someone to mention Mrs Wombat...

John

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Paul Myers 15 years ago

John,

Patiently waiting for someone to mention Mrs Wombat...

[chuckle]

Wombat Alert Status: Green. No action is required.

This post isn't snarking on anyone in particular, and is educational. Useful, even. "Grammar copping" is usually said in reference to correcting a specific person's writing, rather than generic instruction.

For those who may not "get" John's reference, Mrs Wombat was the ultimate grammar cop. You can read her story in The Wombat Report. It's free. No need to do anything but download the PDF, read, and laugh.

Paul
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Roger Mayne

15 years ago

I've also seen people using than and then wrong, and lose and loose. They seem quite common mistakes.

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Thomas

15 years ago

Here's my tip:

The following are NOT incorrect spellings: Favour, flavour, colour, centre, metre, manoeuvre, defence, offence, etc.

The next Yank who tells me otherwise will get a fat lip...

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Thomas

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Thomas

The next Yank who tells me otherwise will get a fat lip...

C'mon... I dare ya!

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

C'mon... I dare ya!

Typical. It's always the little guys who come in looking for a fight.

At times like this, you gotta ask yourself one question. "Do I feel Lucky?"

Paul

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Thomas

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

At times like this, you gotta ask yourself one question. "Do I feel Lucky?"

I do, as long as you don't have .44 Magnum with a range of over 3,000 miles.

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

Thomas,

Er... I do, so long as you don't have .44 Magnum with a range of over 3,000 miles.

[sigh]

Here I thought I was being clever, and you'd notice the arguably incorrect use of "improper"* capitalization in a thread on grammar and spelling, and actually get one of my jokes.

[/sigh]

But, now that you mention it...

Paul

* Very precise choice of wording.

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Thomas

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Here I thought I was being clever, and you'd notice the arguably incorrect use of "improper"* capitalization in a thread on grammar and spelling, and actually get one of my jokes.

I'm glad you said "arguably": My sister had a cat called "Lucky" many years ago.

I never felt him.

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

Tina,

She thought I was losing it when I was sitting at my keyboard and saying "oh god, I am a wombat" the other day.

[splorf]

You would owe me a new keyboard, ma'am, except that you've provided me with a small success with which to start the day. It's spreading offline.

Go, and teach the masses!

And thanks for the plug.

Thomas,

I never felt him.

Lemme guess... You just kilt him.

Paul

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

By the way, Thomas...

The "arguable" part was due to a situation only slightly different. A proper name was involved. But not that of a cat.

In the US, we have a breakfast cereal (mostly sugar) called, "Lucky Charms." The advertising gimmick was a cartoon spokesperson who was a leprechaun. His name was... Lucky.

Paul

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

Ken,

When I see even the simplest of spelling "mistakes" in a WSO or sales page, it makes me wonder if... "if they didn't take the time to even perform a simple spell check, or research the proper grammer terms...then how well thought out or researched is the entire ebook or product"

Illogical. Confusing spelling ability, especially minor mistakes which could be the result of any number of factors, with intelligence is a major flaw in reasoning.

If you want a clue that actually does indicate whether the person is going to present useful ideas, look at the syntax. The organization of ideas. Not the spelling.

Paul

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Ken Strong

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Ken,Illogical. Confusing spelling ability, especially minor mistakes which could be the result of any number of factors, with intelligence is a major flaw in reasoning.

If you want a clue that actually does indicate whether the person is going to present useful ideas, look at the syntax. The organization of ideas. Not the spelling.

Paul

It is illogical, but at least for me spelling and grammar errors in a sales letter usually jump out at me, acting as a "speed bump" and distracting me from the flow of the letter -- not a good thing from the seller's point of view.

But that's just me -- maybe I'm a wombat, too.

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knmrwarrior 15 years ago

Great thread. It amazes me how prevalent bad spelling and grammar is on the Internet. This forum provides a healthy contribution to the problem.

It's sad but so many of the errors are due to the dumbing down of society. People don't read anymore. As a result most errors are phonetic (e.g. your/you're). They (mis)spell what they hear without any comprehension.
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Thomas

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Jagged

Good grammar does effect sales.

It affects them too.

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

By the way, Thomas...

The "arguable" part was due to a situation only slightly different. A proper name was involved. But not that of a cat.

In the US, we have a breakfast cereal (mostly sugar) called, "Lucky Charms." The advertising gimmick was a cartoon spokesperson who was a leprechaun. His name was... Lucky.

Ah yes.

Him.

A mascot for an odious box of child-poison that, thankfully, isn't available on this side of the pond. (I hear eating a bag of sugar-laced pig fat would be healthier.)

Even Leprechauns in Ireland, though no better than vermin themselves, have disowned him.

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Evita 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Tina,[splorf]

Thomas,Lemme guess... You just kilt him.

Paul

No, but he should of. ;-)

Evita
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Jagged

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Traffic-Bug

Hi OK but we are more money minded here and we learn about internet marketing here, so it is easy to understand the mistakes somebody makes

Is it so easy to understand?
Having good grammar goes a long way in presenting a solid sales page. When I see even the simplest of spelling "mistakes" in a WSO or sales page, it makes me wonder if... "if they didn't take the time to even perform a simple spell check, or research the proper grammer terms...then how well thought out or researched is the entire ebook or product". Myself...I tend to shy away...

Good grammar does effect sales. Taking the time to make a presentable sales page or WSO could be the difference between a sale & someone clicking off your page.
For instance....Two ebooks, both on "how to increase your twitter following". One is clean, no grammar mistakes, presented well....the other is riddled with spelling errors, hastily thrown together, both selling for 17.00....which one would you buy?

So...for the "more money minded", it pays to check your grammar.

JMO,

Ken

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John Taylor

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Jagged

"if they didn't take the time to even perform a simple spell check, or research the proper grammer terms...

So...for the "more money minded", it pays to check your grammar.

Anyone for irony?

John

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MichaelHiles

15 years ago

Particularly because this is a form of publishing business, I immediately classify marketers who present misspelling and grammatical errors as "hack amateurs".

If you don't take the time to proof your work, I am not interested in you.

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Jasim 15 years ago

In a public forum I think a lot of people write the way they would if they were texting and do it fast and sometimes get ahead of themselves. I would hope everyone would check their spelling and grammar before submitting money earning articles
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crazyfish22

15 years ago

Wombats are kinda cute. (basementclothing.ca/wombat.jpg)

Personally speaking, I can perhaps overlook a couple of misspellings on a sales page. But seeing major misspellings in articles by the same person on what's supposed to be an authority site weakens that author's credibility -- for me, at least (e.g., loosing weight vs. losing weight, as others have pointed out).

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wealthwarrior

15 years ago

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Good Lcuk!

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Barlowgirl 15 years ago

Dear Warriors,

Many thanks to you all for your varied and interesting comments.
Thank you to Frank Donovan for correcting my own thoughtless grammatical mistake!
I can't believe what a flood of comment has been unleashed by this post on spelling.
I do think that we need to be professional in our marketing though, and correct spelling is one very important aspect of it.
Now how can I market this, as a newbie?
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gb4biz

15 years ago

Dear Barlow girl, I won't try and impress you with my grammar as it is one of my week points. Whoops, I meant weak points. However, I realize this and do try and cover my ASSets with spell check and grammar in Word, etc.

I am amazed meself sometimes at how often ( wow, do yuo think it could be a Independant minded keyboard messing me up?) spelling errors are made in otherwise well written sales copy. Where is that proof reader at?

You have a very valid point and one that could lend itself to a good e-book or video lesson series for all of us who really are grammar weak. Put it together and I'll be one of your customers. Have a noce one and Welcome!

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Sean Hoffman

15 years ago

ya guiz lrn hoew 2 spel

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Paul Myers

15 years ago

Ken,

It is illogical, but at least for me spelling and grammar errors in a sales letter usually jump out at me, acting as a "speed bump" and distracting me from the flow of the letter -- not a good thing from the seller's point of view.

Absolutely true. And logical. That's a sign that you're literate, not that you're a wombat.

This is why it's a good idea to minimize the mistakes. Not because misspellings mean you're "stupid" or "have nothing useful to say."

Anyway, in general response (meaning: not directed at you, Ken.)

If you have a copy of Seth Godin's book, "Tribes," go to page 121. On that page you will find the sentence, "The art is the diffcult part." Just exactly like that.

Boy, that Godin's a moron, huh? Must be, if you listen to some of the Grammar Nazis. (Those are people who go beyond even Mrs Wombat.)

Let's face it, folks. Our school system has, for decades, used a model for teaching spelling that doesn't work well for a lot of people. That has little if any correlation with their intelligence or skill. Pretending it does is an absurd self-glorification. Nothing else.

Now, if their thinking is sloppy, go for it. But over a few spelling errors? Or, worse, just plain typos?

Get a freaking life.

Paul

PS: to knmrwarrior - Easy to say if English is your first language. How's your Hindi hangin'?

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Steven Fullman

15 years ago

Spelling is not a problem. Neither is grammar.

No...my stumbling block is writing.

(Or at least writing "stuff worth reading")

That's why I hang on every Myersism. And ExRat Roger's wise words. And JT's. And Mike O's...et al.

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Neil Morgan 15 years ago

Ah, somebody 2 or 3 posts above beat me to it!

I've noticed there's a whole generation of kids (including my own) who seem to think it's "would of" instead of "would have".

And I can't help myself punctuating SMS messages perfectly - I think it's a form of OCD that software developers suffer from!

Cheers,

Neil
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- Paul Myers 15 years ago
  
  Neil,
  
  I've noticed there's a whole generation of kids (including my own) who seem to think it's "would of" instead of "would have".
  
  That's because of the contraction - would've. Sounds like "would of."
  
  That's sloppy teaching.
  
  Paul
  
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