Comments on: PRs need to learn manners

By: sherrilynne

sherrilynne — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:36:03 +0000

Well said Carole. You are right on the money.

By: Carole Scott

Carole Scott — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:59:26 +0000

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!

By: sherrilynne

sherrilynne — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:04:03 +0000

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.

By: Chris Edwards

Chris Edwards — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:30:32 +0000

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.

By: sherrilynne

sherrilynne — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:13:20 +0000

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.

By: letterhead

letterhead — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:52:10 +0000

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.

By: Sherrilynne Starkie

Sherrilynne Starkie — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:26:20 +0000

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.

By: Leo Bottary

Leo Bottary — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:57:37 +0000

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!

By: sherrilynne

sherrilynne — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:37:20 +0000

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.

By: Richard Bailey

Richard Bailey — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:02:19 +0000

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.

By: Eric Eggertson

Eric Eggertson — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:12:36 +0000

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.