Slips in correspondence reflect intellegence, says study
Recently, I came across a study done by GMX, a free email service, that states more than half of adults in the U.S. judge other people’s intelligence based on email content and format. Of the 1002 people surveyed, more than 50 percent said they base their opinion of someone’s intelligence on their writing style, tone and the language used in the email. The results of the survey also suggest age and authority were two other characteristics most often judged via a person’s email.
Interesting, no? Think about it for minute – can’t we almost say this about any written communication?
As we engage in online chats, social media ‘status posts’ and blog entries aren’t these same characteristics of intelligence, authority, age, etc. also apparent in what we choose to post for public consumption, how often, and in what format? I believe so.
As a public relations consultant, I dread the occasional spelling or grammar mistake in a blog or status post. It’s not that I have to be perfect all of the time, but how can I expect someone to trust my writing abilities if I can’t express a consistently high level of knowledge and mastery in an online post?
It’s also important to me that this same kind of integrity trickle down into all areas of online activity. Both companies and individuals would both benefit by thinking twice and, at a minimum, using spell check before posting or emailing anything written.
Fortunately, there are some quick ways to police your online posts and emails:
- Two words: spell check. I often cut and paste my blog posts in Word or a blank email just before posting to double-check for errors. Also, Google Chrome has an instant spell check feature for when you’re posting comments online. It’s so, so simple and yet you all know someone who refuses to use it regularly.
- For bigger items, like memos to the boss, important emails, white papers, etc. Check out Gramlee, an online editing service. I like this one because its fees are based on word count and they don’t charge any long term usage fees.
- Last but not least are two hold-over suggestions from my J-school days: #1 read it out loud. This works, try it. And #2: read it backwards. This is especially helpful if you are without spell check software.
