Step away from the writing and no one gets hurt!

It’s tempting to do your own writing, especially if you’re a small business owner without a large budget to spare on such “frills.” But more evidence of why this really isn’t the best way to go for your business surfaced last night. My husband had been working with a vendor through his office. This is someone he’s known for years now, who is quite good at what he does – and a nice guy to boot. He has a business offshoot that he’s trying to entice my husband and his partners to discuss, and left a several page info sheet for them to review.

That’s when things fell apart.

Aside from being unclear and poorly organized, it was full of grammatical and spelling errors. I took a pass through it and made lots of fixes, but it was still like applying a band aid to a machete cut.

The reality is that this document – meant to entice and attract – will drive potential clients away. I had no clearer understanding of the service he was going to provide than before I read it, and I – shame on me -- made a judgment about his credibility as a vendor. But is the shame really on me? Or on him?

Should your viability as a resource in any given area of expertise really be based on how well-written your document is? Maybe not – but it’s a piece of marketing, a piece that’s supposed to convey your competence, and piece that’s an extension of YOU. If it’s bad – poorly organized or sloppily written – what does that say about you? For some great examples, check this out http://www.theprcoach.com/bad-news-releases-25-press-release-turkeys/.

Both in the short and long term, a small outlay to create professional, interesting, well-crafted marketing or informational literature will pay tenfold in business (that’s an off-the-cuff number – but research IS out there).

First impressions make lasting memories. Do yourself – and your business – a favor. Hire someone who will make that impression what you want it to be.

As for this fellow, I attached a business card and offered my help. We’ll see!