Think the world's biggest companies are much luckier than you are when it comes to writing great web content? After all, they probably have a team of in-house writers that spend 40+ hours each week making the company look great out on the web. If you're trying to balance your content writing duties along with everything else, you're probably cursing the fact that they have it so easy.
However, even the "big boys" screw up their content writing efforts from time to time!
Case in point... Have you seen the ads for Burger King's new fries, the "Satisfries"? Apparently, these fries have 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories than their traditional counterparts, but still taste good. Sounds like a scientific wonder, right?
I haven't tasted them. I haven't even seen them in person. All I can tell you about "Satisfries" is what I've seen on TV and read on the web. And, believe it or not, I read something very interesting - a grammatical error on the "Satisfries" official web page!
Look closely, and you'll see (in big white print), "30% less calories." Anyone who's taken 7th grade English knows that it should say "30% fewer calories." (In fairness to Burger King's writers, they got it correct in the smaller print up above.)
How does one of the "big boys" make a mistake like this?
Two words... No Proofreading.
Proofreading can make or break your content marketing efforts. Sure, you need to publish stuff that's interesting and informative AND promote each piece the right way. However, a silly spelling or grammar mistake can undo all of that hard work. That's because the mistake is saying, "Look at me! I'm a mistake! If my author couldn't even take the time to proofread me, where else is he cutting corners?! Are you SURE this author is an expert that you want to do business with?"
So, the next time you're in a hurry to publish a piece of content, do yourself a favor and proofread it carefully. And, if you're a little fuzzy on all of the grammar rules, hire someone to proofread your content for you. There's no shame in getting an expert to help you.
You may think you'll never make a mistake, but I'm sure that's what the head honchos at Burger King thought, too!
(image via bk.com)