by Jan O’Daniel

Are you innocent or guilty of making these deadly (or at least detrimental) copy mistakes?

Let’s find out.

1. Do you favor big words over small? If you say “utilize” instead of “use,” you’re guilty.
2. Have you created your own language by turning a noun into a verb? Really now, if you say “bulletize,” give yourself another guilty.
3. Do you craft sentences that rival Charles Dickens’? Guilty. Learn to self-edit by deleting unnecessary words, condensing phrases and chopping sentences into two or more thoughts.
4. Are you driven by your organization’s lexicon, throwing buzzwords and acronyms into every paragraph? Guilty again. Save the jargon for emails to your boss. Instead, talk to your customers, first about what matters most to them, and second in a way that makes sense to them, not you.

Although common, these mistakes are no less deadly — especially if you’re trying to create a meaningful connection with your audience. Use my 4-point checklist when writing or reviewing copy.

Copyright 2008 Jan O’Daniel.  All rights reserved.

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