WARNING: I am about to climb up on my soapbox and discuss a topic that may concern some people and upset some other folks so if you don't want to hear my rant it may be better to switch to reading someone else's posting today. As I read a lot of blogs, I see many different styles and compositions. I am always looking for ways to improve my own writings.
When a person is online and searching for information or inspiration on a particular subject, they usually do not know anything about the writer of a blog offered on that subject. The computer spiders try to present the best page that references their subject in a complete and helpful manner.
Since they know nothing about the experience, knowledge, research or background of the random writer; much of their impression as to the validity and veracity of the post is based on the way it is written. The thoughts and ideas of the writer may be spot on but the reader will not get the point of a blog post if they have difficulty deciphering the text.
What am I talking about, you ask. Let's start with SPELLCHECKER. It's only about four inches above the line I am currently typing on the second row of icons, second from the right. It says: "ABC" with a check mark below it. It is there to be utilized by folks like me that CAN make a mistake.
After writing ones thoughts for a blog, it should be the FIRST level of review the writer takes. When you use the spellchecker function, it will underline the word in red to alert you to a PERCEIVED misspelling. It isn't always right and if you purposely misspell something for emphasis, you may want to overlook it. I do sooooooo like that feature.
Not only does this function tell you that a word may be misspelled but if you click your cursor on the red line, it will give you a drop down list of the most likely correct spellings of the word. If you click on the right spelling of the word, the program will automatically replace the wrong spelling with the correct word for you. Is that easy or what ?
Sure beats the heck out of correction fluid often called white out (I know, wrong spelling; didn't want to step on any copyrighted product name). The point is; if you are a knowledgeable person in your field, why can't you spell the words associated with your profession ? It demeans your credibility.
Now that the words are spelled correctly, it is knot time too putt up the Post yet. You see, even if the words are spelled correctly, they may be the wrong words. Every post should be reviewed and reread by the author before it is posted. Does it get across the point you want to make ?
I know that you know what you know and you know what you wrote but reread it as it is written to see if YOU can read it easily. If you can't read through it smoothly, the random Internet searcher can't either. As a result, your thought or information will not be shared with the reader.
Finally, I find some writers who have obviously followed these two steps and realized that corrections were in order. The problem is, when they went back to edit the errors, they deleted and added and rewrote passages while changing spellings. Unfortunately, they didn't go back and review and reread it afterward and guess what, . . . . Houston, we've got a problem.
The computer has amazing features and capabilities but it still comes back to those of us that write and share our thoughts, ideas and occasionally our opinions. If we cannot convey those to our readers, we have failed them. At the same time we have failed ourselves. WE are the experts !
Please folks, think about your own frustration when you are evaluating a post trying to decide whether to take it as good advice. If the writer misspells their product or profession name, do you trust them ?
If they have poor grammar and terrible sentence structure because they didn't review their post before publishing it, do they present an air of expertise and knowledge for you to follow ? I don't think so !
Before hitting that "PUBLISH" button, please do one more read through AFTER editing. Take this opportunity to use another great feature called "PREVIEW". That's just what it is, a chance for the writer to view the post before it is published. You can see the post just like the reader will see it.
OK, I'll climb down now. I apologize in advance if I have upset or offended anyone but hope you know that, . . . Yes, I am guilty too. I admit it because by acknowledging it, I can check myself and try to improve. Though I don't always get it perfect, I do try because when a searcher finds my blog,
First Impressions . . . DO . . . Make A Difference !
*****
Deanna Early is a Nationally Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. She is the residential loan originator for American National Bank and Trust. She provides home mortgages, construction loans and lot loans throughout Virginia. She does both purchase and refinance loans.
Her website is www.DeannaEarly.com
Please contact her for your financing needs at (540) 721-2349 or by email at "earlyd@amnb.com"
The views expressed in this post are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the views of American National Bank and Trust Company. Any scenarios presented are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to refer to or represent any actual clients or transactions.
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