Mistakes and Misspellings = Authenticity

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Lem Usita

January 22, 2011

I was recently listening to a presentation. It had to do with marketing and grammar of all things, but what they were saying is that mistakes and misspellings demonstrates authenticity. It’s almost as if the PR companies come across as too polished that they don’t necessarily come across as real. I thought that that was very interesting.

We work all of our school careers learning how to spell correctly and punctuate, but then all of a sudden, mistakes and misspellings are now a good thing.

Using touch screens and texting while we drive can make for mistakes and misspellings. I think it’s possible to still be real and authentic and write well.

What do you think? When you see a mistake or misspelling, do you ignore it or does it bother you?

8 responses to “Mistakes and Misspellings = Authenticity”

amanda

January 22, 2011

In my job, I correspond with a lot of different groups of people, mostly via email. With all those I communicate with, teachers are – by far – the WORST at spelling, grammar, and sometimes even reading! (Such as asking me a question that was already answered in my last email.) It makes me crazy that these are the people that are supposed to be teaching students these things…

I can be forgiving of typos, and missed punctuation and all of that when it comes to things like emails, internal memos, or personal replies. But when a company sends out a document en mass (brochure, menu, website content, etc.) with errors, they lose all credibility with me.

Reply
Julie Wenzel

January 24, 2011

This entire post (and concept for that matter) makes me feel….RELIEVED. 🙂 I am so flipping neurotic and anal about spelling, punctation…typos. I comb over stuff over, and over, and over and….it’s still not always right. I then find myself editing my blog post for at least a day or two AFTER I post it. Can you say, MONK??? I realized that seeking for grammatical perfection would be seeking the approval of some face out in cyberspace that I don’t even know….

Thanks again…your thought-provoking posts spur me on.

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1. Lem Usita
  
  January 24, 2011
  
  I try and write well, but I don’t even really edit when I write. I try not to spend much time on it. I just write what I’m thinking or heard. Do you save drafts? Every time I get an idea, I write down the title and save the draft. I always have a bank of drafts to work with. Anyway, don’t feel bad about being MONK. You’re writing and your ideas are impacting – even when you’re not on.
  Thanks again for the comment and for reading.
  
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indiespk

January 25, 2011

I tend to agree with Amanda: “I can be forgiving of typos, and missed punctuation… But when a company sends out a document en mass (brochure, menu, website content, etc.) with errors, they lose all credibility with me.”

I think that mistakes demonstrates our imperfection as human beings. We forget to say or do things or we fail to speak or see errors. It demonstrates our imperfection, but to accept imperfection without encouraging pursuit of perfection seems to be of consequential error, suggesting that perhaps it is okay to settle for “just okay” when we are capable of creating and producing “phenomenal.”

Phenomenal anything is just as authentic as just okay anything – both demonstrate different sides our humanity which is why I also agree with you when you say, “I think it’s possible to still be real and authentic and [write] well.”

Ultimately, I believe this has more to do with our being created in God’s image and having fallen from grace. I am sure you can see where I would go with that. To do something well or not so well seems to indicate a reflection of God or of ourselves, regardless of whether one believes in [a] God or not.

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Julie Wenzel

January 27, 2011

I’ve tried that idea of having a bank of drafts…mostly just thoughts & a title…but, my “Monk-like qualities” kick in & I feel this constant urge to finish them??? I know it’s crazy & neurotic. This would be me…………… 🙂 I feel like I have just ripped the can off of what has been bottled up inside for 20 years, give or take 5. So – I am probably taking this whole thing too seriously. I am definitely trying to organize my “creative juices”. (Isn’t that wacko!) I often ponder if I could just dump the can out? Anyway…not enough Tully’s this morning, need more coffee. Again, thanks for the reminder that I don’t have to be perfect – to be ok. 🙂

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1. Lem Usita
  
  January 27, 2011
  
  Very very interesting imagery. I just wrote another post about amputating a part of yourself – not really related to these comments but an article that I happened to read this am.
  I don’t think it’s crazy or neurotic. I tend to think developmentally about stuff. Process is process.
  Jesus has taken care of perfect. We just have to obey and love.
  Still I love the imagery and your process. I mean, it’s great for us to see and journey with you but it has to be somewhat cathartic for you to write all of this stuff out. Dump the can. Organize the “creative juices.” You’re doing more than most.
  I had some coffee from Puerto Rico this am. Got it from a friend. About to make some Kona though.
  
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fuckitimgoingdeep

February 25, 2011

It depends on your target audience. If your ad is aimed specifically at the uneducated texting generation that seems to actually be proud of their illiteracy, perhaps intentionally writing like them might be effective. But if your ad is aimed at the rest of the population, misspelling and poor grammar make you lose all credibility. In fact I want to meet whatever idiot manager came up with that one and throw him off a bridge. The last thing I believe in is encouraging illiteracy and ignorance.

It’s funny to me how many examples of poor grammar mar this comments section, where thanks to the topic, one would think that people would be especially aware of their spelling and grammar.

Reply
1. Lem Usita
  
  February 25, 2011
  
  Well said. I’d probably lean more on the “write well” side, but I definitely use “lol” speak as well. Maybe I should rant on editing. I definitely don’t edit these posts. Thanks for the comment. I can’t wait to check out your blog.
  
  Reply