PRs need to learn manners
Obviously using the right language always matters, but as Peter comments here, ‘why write two words when you can write one’.
Grammar is important, but if a journalist were to reject a news release because of one little error, I would think that more him foolish then the person who wrote it in the first place!
I have made this mistake and been pulled up on it before. Ok, it makes more sense but like the commenters on Commons Sense PR say, being ‘grammatically challenged doesn’t mean you can’t communicate’.
Working in PR is about so much more then perfect punctuation and grammar. All that makes you is a good writer, not a good PR professional; there is such a huge difference!
I think what the PR world actually needs is to work on its manners. PR is about communicating and working with others and yes, your professional writing style may dazzle a client or even an employee, but without the social skills, personality and manners to match, it’s immaterial.
Like it or not, those who interact with in the world of PR and journalism need to be fond of you and respect you above all else, or they won’t want to work with you, regardless of spelling. Just because your grammar is perfect doesn’t mean the perfect career will follow. There’s a lot more to PR than spelling. I just wish more people realised it!
Mistakes are made, we are all human after all!
Filed under: public relations
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The guideline I was taught in a magazine editing workshop was to find three positive things to say about an article before suggesting/demanding any changes.
That’s probably the best advice I’ve ever seen about providing feedback.
In fact, it doesn’t hurt to apply that rule even when you don’t have any criticism to offer.
Yes, but…
In the car industry you’re mainly judged on the cars you make.
In the public relations consultancy business, you’re largely judged on the words you write (and the ideas you present).
Your clients may not be able to write, but they expect you to be.
I’m with you Richard. Jo understands the benefits of having a skilled copy editor on her side.
Yes, the occasional error is not the end of the world, but copy that is riddled with mistakes undermines the credibility of the work, person who wrote it and the company or brand on whose behalf it was written.
I’m all for crisp, quality writing, but I’m with Sherrlynne when it comes to manners. Let’s not forget we’re in the relationship business!
Thanks Leo, but that was Jo’s post, not mine. In business, good manners are expected. So is proficient writing, no matter what business you’re in. It’s called being professional. It’s not an either/or.
May I profer an observation about spelling?… The word is “THAN”… not “THEN” … [in paragraph 4]… “Working in PR is about so much more ‘then’ perfect punctuation ….SHOULD BE… “Working in PR is about so much more THAN perfect punctuation”… But yes, manners are important too.
letterhead, you are of course correct. The then/than thing turns up time and time again here in the Isle of Man, I don’t know why. Like I said above, Jo enjoys the benefits of having a good copy editor. On this occasion I’ve let her down.
In some sectors, you’re dealing with a lot of people for whom English is not their first language, so to penalise bad grammar is not the best idea. Even with editing copy from other writers, I’d rather see ideas and research than polished writing than vice versa. I’d like all of those things, but a well-crafted but empty release or feature is of no use to me.
Also, many of the mistakes you see are not down to grammar usage per se but simply writing at speed. I posted a comment to a blog the other day and managed to use “your” where I should have used “you’re”. I read it back, after I hit the post button and couldn’t work out why I did it. It’s why typos get into magazines: you’re dealing with so many words on a daily basis some of them wind up being the wrong ones.
However, if a release contains a lot of mistakes, you will take any numbers or figures with a bigger pinch of salt.
Chris, thanks for your perspective on this. Just to let everyone know, starting next week, Strive Notes will have a new contributor who will focus on grammar and words. More info to follow.
What distinguishes the best PR consultants from the average ones is the ability to combine all of the elements you’re debating above - charm/manners, creative ideas AND great writing (including good grammar). I don’t think there’s a good reason not to expect all three from a good PR consultant (and a whole host of other things too, such as news awareness!).
However, it is a struggle to find people who really do combine all three. I’m constantly amazed at the number of (particularly 20-something) people who may be great on the phone but cannot then send the killer email to secure the story. Accuracy is one thing but I also come across many people in PR who still haven’t got to grips with compelling copy.
…and you’ll all be checking this post for accuracy now, as well as commenting on how long-winded it is!
Well said Carole. You are right on the money.