09.22.05
Loosing Customers and Losing Sales
The number of people who write free-reprint articles, to promote
their online business, is increasing with each passing month. I
should know — I have built my own business around free-reprint
articles.
As the manager of several article distribution groups, I have
seen an average of 291 articles per month go through my biggest
group. Hundreds of publishers, webmasters and writers subscribe
to article distribution lists such as this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-Reprint-Articles
Of course, the goal of the group is for writers to get their
articles to publishers and webmasters who might reprint the
work. When publishers and webmasters decide to publish a
specific article, the writer hopes that the article will
generate volumes of traffic and sales for their own website.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
As I review each article for distribution to the groups, I see
one misspelling time after time that really leaps from the page.
Hey, it is not my reputation on the line, so why should it
matter?
A writer’s reputation can be made or broken by his or her use
of the written word. So many people look up to writers as people
who have a gift to share ideas with the masses.
The reason we are able to share ideas with others is not because
we are special. The truth is that we are able to share ideas
because we are not afraid to try to do so, and we are not afraid
to work at it.
Being afraid to try and messing up the process are two different
things.
MISSPELLINGS, BAD GRAMMAR AND BAD FORMATTING COUNTS
It pains me when I see articles coming through to the groups
where there are problems with spelling, grammar or formatting.
For some reason, we publishers tend to expect the writer to
put forth the time and effort in advance to make sure that the
article is ready for copy-and-paste publication.
In the old days, I used to edit articles for publication in my
own ezines. Soon, my workload became too much and I had to begin
to cut down on my time expenditures. At first, I simply stopped
formatting articles for publication. Eventually, I even stopped
proofreading articles for publication. When I reached this
point, I had made a decision that if an article was not
copy-and-paste ready, then I would not publish it in my
own ezines.
It should come as no surprise to writers that spelling, grammar
and formatting could be as important to the publication decision
process, as the message communicated in the article.
But, in watching the articles come through to the groups, I have
to wonder what is in the mind of some writers.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Writers take the time and effort to write the articles to
promote their own businesses.
But, if there are misspellings, bad grammar or no formatting, the
chances of the article getting published is greatly diminished.
I am not willing to venture how many more people might publish
an article if everything was in good shape, but I can guarantee
you that some people may opt against publishing an article due
to these kinds of problems. Writers, who do not invest sufficient
effort in the creation of their articles, make the process of
elimination much easier for the publishers who seek to reprint
the content.
MY PET PEEVE — LOSING OR LOOSING?
· Losing - To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of;
mislay. To be unable to keep control or allegiance of: *is
losing supporters by changing his mind.*
· Loosing - To cast loose; detach: *hikers loosing their packs
at camp.*
Far too often, I see writers talk about *losing* customers. Yet,
when they spell the word, they spell it *loosing*.
If you would note, the act of *losing* customers has to do with
not being able to hold on to them. *Losing* reflects doing it
without intent.
On the other hand, the act of *loosing* customers means to set
them free — voluntarily.
I am not sure that anyone actually *looses* their customers,
unless they are closing their businesses. Most businesses simply
*lose* their customers, quite by accident and definately against
their will.
IN CONCLUSION
I hope my title now makes sense to you — *Loosing* Customers
and *Losing* Sales.
Take the time to get your spelling, grammar and formatting
right. If you write articles and choose not to take the time
to get your article right, then I could probably assume that
you are — with intent — *loosing* customers.
Hey, it is your choice.
Bill Platt owns http://thePhantomWriters.com. Do you need
free content for your website or ezine? Our archives deliver
more than 525 free-reprint articles available for your use.
http://content.thePhantomWriters.com.