Over the last few months I’ve spent many hours surfing the web and reading blogs. I am intrigued with the variety out there (notice the correct spelling and meaning). But read below to see the problems I’ve noticed with about 75 percent of the blogs on the Internet.
Know you’re A-B-C’s and where to place them
I’ve read many blogs, some written by published authors and writers, that contain numerous spelling and punctuation errors. Run-on sentences, commas misplaced and simple homonym misspellings can ruin an important message. After years of writing do they not know or understand the difference between their (a possessive pronoun), there (a location) and they’re (a contraction combining ‘they are’).
I don’t know how many times I’ve felt the need to whip out a red pen and start correcting all the errors.
You can spell check for normal spelling errors but you have to re-read your writing and blog to make sure it makes sense. This takes all but two to five minutes depending on how long your blog is.
Commas are used to separate a series of items being listed, in letters’ salutations and closings, dates and to correct run-on sentences.
What’s Up With That Background?
Yes, those little pink bunnies are cute. But they distract from the meaning of your blog unless you’re actually selling pink bunnies. If I read your blog and then shut my eyes, I can see pink bunnies in my mind. Kind of scary if you think about it.
No, please don’t use wallpaper that’s busy. Just today I visited a blog for the first time about country kitchen cooking and frugal tips. I didn’t even wait for the page to finish downloading. I immediately clicked the back button. The hustle-and-bustle of a monitor screen filled with a festive holiday wreath was leaping out at me.
Endless Ramblings
In my opinion blogs are supposed to be short little informational paragraphs with updates, news and important information not a play-by-play of the author’s entire week.
Blogs are made for quick glances, bulleted key points and links for more information.
While many people blog as a way to stay in touch or for fun remember some people actually use these as a professional business tool.
Anyone can sign up for free blogs at www.blogspot.com, www.homesteadblogger.com just to name a few. But before you click that submit button, take the moment and read your words again.
March 10th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I know I’m guilty of the punctuation. Sometimes my hands are faster than my brain and I just go. Very smart advice escpecially for those who use the blog sites for business. I agree, take the extra minute and proofread.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Guilty as charged. I do the same thing Lanna. I actually thought about making some spelling errors in my comment and response but that would be too sarcastic.
I agree though completely. Spell check and use the spell checker that’s why it’s there.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Totally agree! I think excessive spelling and grammar errors (not to mention punctuation errors) definitely say “lack of credibility” in any article.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Great article BUT first line “Know you’re A-B-C’s and where to place them” should be your!! Humble pie on the menu I fear.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
#4- you are the only one who caught my mistake- congrats!!!!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I had to read the article anad comments first before I found the mistake. I had a feeling there would be amistake somewhere and I missed it.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I couldn’t agree more! Incorrect spelling and grammer drives me crazy when I am reading something and it is hard to take something serious when the writer does not take the time to check the work they submit.
March 17th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I don’t really write blogs, but if I did I would sure check my articles and stories. I wouldn’t want someone else writing a blog about how my blog is horrible.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Thank you for sharing this blog. It is so true that as writers we should be careful not only with our grammar, but proof reading as well! Great blog.
Cindy Hernandez
http://cindyzcreations.blogspot.com
March 27th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Everyone should be more conscious to what they are writing. It was a great topic to write about in a blog. It’s almost like a punch to the face, if your a blogger. LOL!!!!!!
June 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Nice piece.