Before you send any business communication, stop and read it. Even if it is only a one sentence reply , you can eliminate some errors and save wasted time by proofreading what you wrote.
John H. Reh of About.com offers this advice.“Don’t rely on spell checking software. That only catches gross errors. It doesn’t catch real words in the wrong place…. Similarly, grammar checking software may help you avoid using there when you meant their, but it can’t read your mind. “Tell him I can come” will be accepted by every grammar checker, but they won’t know you really meant to say “tell him I can’t come”. You can save time, and money, by taking the time to make your emails and other business communications clear the first time.
Reh offers three simple rules to follow:
- Don’t make the reader guess your meaning.
- Use enough words to make your point, but don’t get wordy.
- Read your message before sending it to be sure it’s right
