After that he stopped calling me and I never got the job.

Therefore, if you see any typo errors in classified postings via the Internet, you have two options. Avoid that posting or flag it-some online classifieds have that option. Basically, I flag it so no one will apply for that individual or company.

Happy Easter all. Time for me to go through some more job posts.

I’d have to say that while I have not corrected errors of any potential employers I did rewrite a job post once that an employer wrote that was mostly a rant about all the bad writers she had hired in the past and she wanted a fair quote since she had already paid these writers for their crappy writing.

I figured, who would want to work for her now with that insulting attitude so I puffed up her job post and sent it to her telling her right out that I didn’t intend to be a smarta$$ but here was a writing sample for her. She hired me and I had repeat business from her when she needed help in topics that we had in common. It was probably more in the timing as she had just posted and I responded quickly with a rewrite, a skill she was looking for.

Sometimes there are snarky employers looking for snarky writers as well, so I’ve done off the wall cover letters here and there and it has paid off as well.

That said, I would never however say, your work is crap. I’d rather say, I’d love to be a part of your team.

I sincerely just wanted to help. Some editors don’t have the time to review their websites and its contents. If errors such as not capitalizing the word “English” fail to be noticed, there is no harm in bringing this to the attention of someone responsible for the business.

If you intend to insult and degrade the site and its writer(s), then you have no excuse for that type of behavior. Act with professional tact and empathy.

I also share the opinion that I wouldn’t want to work for/with someone who was trying to deliberately add mistakes as a secret test. I’m pretty forgiving about such things because I once worked with a guy who was virtually unintelligible – he mispronounced everything over 2 syllables, had no idea what order the words went in, and stuttered. I literally fell out of my chair laughing when I got a project that I would be working with his crew on (he was actually a supervisor) and received my first email from him. He wrote EXACTLY like he talked, complete with stuttering. I couldn’t believe he actually took the time to type, “Um, um, um, Let’s meet today…”, but he did.

Also, I know a lot of young people who were absolutely ruined for spelling by “Hooked on Phonics”. They can read, but spell? Not so much…

Anyway, unless the ad said, “This ad is indicative of the high standards we expect from our writers.” and was full of errors, I wouldn’t say anything, and even then I would be polite.

My $2c worth

I guess we’re hypersensitive to glaring errors because of our line of work. And I understand that some people don’t like being corrected. But, I am surprised at how often I see typos and misuses of punctuation, etc. in ads, menus, web sites, and newspaper articles.

I hope there are no typos in my comment…

But in defence of people who have done it, I’ve seen “experienced” writers advice newbies (on writing forums) to trawl web sites in their niche to find out if the content is up to date/writing up to par, and to offer their services if the site is not up to scratch (in their opinion).

This is supposed to demonstrate the wrter’s expertise, and demonstrate to the owner why she needs professional writing/editing help.

I’ve been a writer long enough to know to skip over useless bits of advice.

But what about new writers who haven’t yet established reliable ways to find work/are desperate for work/may be straight out of college and have no clue about marketing do’s and don’ts? Some of them listen to these “experienced” writers, especially when someone gives strong anecdotal evidence about how this approach worked for them.

Deb, I’d like to suggest a post dealing with some of the bad advice new writers/bloggers get from “experienced” writers, which either shows them in a bad light, or even loses them business.

The owner was (is) a hard working businessman who knowa lots of people, talks deals, and works the sales floor. He has helped this small-town business survive even through the toughest times.

But he is a horrific speller. My mom had to correct a lot of his correspondence every day so it still sounded professional. He knew it, and he had hand-picked mom to be his ad person. He must have believed she could help him with professional communication as well as advertising. Smart move!

This brings up an interesting trend — the demise of the proper use of English, and what it means to us as writers. While I cringe when I see a typo-riddled ad, I have to remind myself to smile because what it really means is — employers will start needing us more and more.

And might we one day see an advertisement like this – “Plz submit ur application 2 HR via e-mail.”?

As Gerry is a troll who likes to say things to stir up the bad feelings, my suggestion is that we just ignore him. His issues most likely have nothing to do with us, though he does seem to feed on bad vibes.

In the mean time, let’s hope he’s dealing with his anger issues accordingly.

What is your problem? Your comment to Deb are totally inappropriate.

So is your “retard” comment. There are some people who are mentally challenged through no fault of their own. Yes, there are people that are just plain stupid. But to confuse these people with the politically incorrect term retard shows you may want to rethink some of your writing.

Re the PLR crack: If a person is smart, they don’t use PLR products they have bought “right out of the box.” Instead, they change it a bit so they aren’t posting duplicate content on the Web. The “crap” the ad is referring to may not the fault of the initial writer, but the marketer who bought the materials.

@ Gerry Actrick: I found your use of the term “retard” in your post to be offensive. If you are a writer, then I think you could have chosen a different way to express yourself.

I also take exception to your statement that Deb has sold out in any way. It sounds like you don’t know very much about her if that is your opinion.

I have one client right now dealing with an overbearing selfish mother that constantly hangs up on her chronically ill daughter because the daughter doesn’t answer her mom’s 100 detailed questions about her painful condition in the “right way.”

Another woman is practically running from her job because the ten people she supervises do nothing but complain and grouch. Doesnt’ matter if there is too much work, not enough work, something they don’t understand, the supervisor needs a day off. Whatever – they are in her face and they are rude nearly every day. This woman’s depression is recurring in no small part because of this and she needs to get out of the toxic environment.

Come on – Rudeness reveals a problem within 8yourself*, not the other person (or employer or whoever). T

here are much more sophisticated ways to regain leverage or advantage in a business situation. Rudeness is absolutely uncalled for.

@ Gerry – I’m confused by your statements. It seems that Deb is mirroring what most people have posted here – that correcting is not generally done out of respect (or at least not until a relationship is established, or if done with utmost respect and kid gloves). I don’t see her beating up on writer’s here.

You (general) don’t have to get yourself hooked into something just because it irritates you. Let it go and move on.

@ Mary Witzl – As a counselor, I have similar frustrating but heartening “job security.” Though I would wish the world to improve, there are always going to be people who have depression, bad childhoods, crazy lives, poor choices, etc. I’ll never run out of business. Likewise with the proofreading!