Reread Your Copy Before You Publish!

When I give presentations, I like to engage with my audience by sharing some funny, bizarre, or at least thought-provoking printed signs, like the following:

• In a tavern: Ladies Are Requested not to Have Children in the Bar
• At a fast-food establishment: Parking for Drive-Thru Service Only
• On a hotel’s website: There is a French Widow in Every Bedroom, Affording Delightful Views

This kind of mistake is not limited to signage, of course. We see this in newspapers (print and web) all the time. The Washington Post devotes a full section each week to readers’ comments on strange verbiage used in the publication. Interesting headline choices from other publications include:

• “Man Found Dead in Cemetery”
• “Sterilization Solves Problems for Pets, Owners”
• “Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons”
• (and my personal favorite) “Porn Star Sues in Rear-End Collision”

Editorial mistakes happen all the time, and we expect them to be more common as newspaper staffs are constantly cut for budgetary reasons. Artificial intelligence like spell checks are insufficient, as the words themselves don’t necessarily represent misspellings. However, they may well be misspelled considering the copy’s intent.

This is a problem for everyone publishing social media posts, business signage, or any marketing materials. Considering the “rush to publication” in our digital world, the risk of embarrassing errors increases. Tools like AI check only for certain types of errors. Additional sets of eyes to review the text (short or long) can prevent these types of mistakes, and the resulting need for reprinting, retractions, and admissions of error.

At Revisions Communications & Editorial Services, we’re happy to proofread virtually any copy! Let us ensure you say what you mean, and contact us today.