Writing has changed over the years. Shorter sentences and paragraphs make content easier to consume. But this new writing style does not excuse bad grammar in blog posts, email newsletters, and other types of content marketing. These errors jump out at you from the content and distract from the topic. Grammar errors can reduce your credibility and drive away potential readers. The sad truth is that those grammar mistakes are in the content of some of the top content marketing authors.
- Does this trend mean we now accept the incorrect use of punctuation and capitalization in our writing?
- Do we simply overlook bad spelling and typos because brands need to produce content quickly?
- And do we ignore bad grammar in blog posts because this style is the new way of communicating?
Informal writing with a casual tone is appropriate for many of our content marketing products, like blogging and social media. However, we bend the grammar rules with this less formal writing style. But no matter how lenient the rules have become, some grammar mistakes are never acceptable and will make your content look sloppy. That is not an image a professional with an expert reputation wants to project. And although it is not definitive with respect to Google, why take the chance that poor grammar and typos may affect how search engines rank our content? One typo can make your writing look careless and reduce your authority in the eyes of your audience.
Why Good Grammar Matters
Grammar is the foundation for clear and effective communication in marketing. When your material follows basic grammar rules, people can quickly understand what you’re trying to say. That really helps to build confidence in your business and establish it as an authority that people can trust.
On the other hand, poor grammar with all the spelling, punctuation, and capitalization mistakes will make your content look careless and unprofessional. These flaws can detract from your writing, making it less compelling and even damaging your reputation.
Before you hit publish, take the time to edit your content and run it through a grammar-checking tool to pick up any mistakes you might have missed the first time round. Getting the grammar right lets your firm create messages that connect with readers, convinces them you’re reputable, and leaves them with a lasting impression that can pay off over the long term.
The major reason language is important in content marketing is that it influences how your readers perceive and trust your message. Paying attention to grammar can make a big difference in how your content engages and converts your audience. But the second your readers spot a grammatical error, their trust and interest in your material can immediately decline.
Good grammar is a must for any business that wants to build and maintain credibility in the marketplace. A well-written post shows professionalism and improves the authority of your business. When you publish content, it’s important to make sure it is clear and error-free so you can build trust and engagement with your customers. One grammatical mistake can entirely ruin your message.
Common Grammar Mistakes
Apostrophe Misuses
An apostrophe is used to show possession or contraction. Examples:
- Use an apostrophe after a noun to make it possessive. Read this author’s work on content marketing.
- Use an apostrophe to create a contraction. It’s highly possible that our content has gone viral.
- Never use an apostrophe to make a noun plural as in “I have two cat’s“.
Excessive Use of Commas or Semicolons
Commas and semicolons have a purpose in writing, but people have begun to overuse both in the wrong places.
It seems writers put commas in sentences where they would pause while speaking. Sometimes that may be correct, but often it is not. Check out the many grammar rules for using commas correctly in your writing.
Semicolons are often used in place of commas. If you simplify your writing, you may never need to use a semicolon, but there are cases when semicolons are useful for making your writing clearer and controlling the flow.
Capitalization Mistakes
People seem to be a bit “cap-happy” in their writing. Capitalizing words should not be a random act. There are rules that can help you understand when and when not to hit the shift key.
You should always capitalize the following:
- The first word in a sentence
- Titles of books, articles, blog posts and music
- Days, months and holidays
- Seasons are capitalized in titles but not in general writing, as in “this winter has been harsh.”
- Initials and acronyms
- The pronoun “I”
- Names of places, nationalities, languages and ethnic groups
- Trademarks and brand names
- Words used as proper names but not when used in general: “I saw Uncle Joe the other day. I have not heard from my uncle recently.”
- Titles preceding a name but not those that follow or are used as general words: President Brown of ABC Company; Joe Brown, president of ABC Company. The president called to discuss his budget today.
What about capitalization in bullet points? There are several views on the use of punctuation and capitalization for bullets. Here is my take on the rules:
- Start each bullet point with a capital letter for easier reading.
- Do not capitalize every word in the bullet unless they are proper names.
- Be consistent in your sentence structure and punctuation. Start all bullets with nouns or verbs and leave off the punctuation if the bullets are not complete sentences.
Where it really becomes confusing is in reference to departments, services, or expertise.
- Debra works in the Marketing Department
- Debra’s specialty is marketing
- Debra works in marketing.
- Do you know some marketing people who can help in this project?
Finally, a bulleted list of services:
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Finance
- Accounting
- Mergers and acquisitions
Do not mistake bulleted lists for website navigation, where all words are capitalized. Most website navigation is generated from page titles, and capitalizing each word is correct.
Common Spelling Mistakes
- It’s vs. its: “It’s” is a contraction for “it is.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun. Example: It’s confusing to read a sentence with poor grammar because it keeps the reader from understanding its meaning. When unsure which to use, say “it is” instead. If the sentence makes sense, the contraction is correct.
- You’re vs. your: “You’re” is a contraction for you are. “Your” is a possessive pronoun. You’re not correct if you write “your not correct.” You better go back and proofread your content.
- Affect vs. effect: “Affect” is a verb. “Effect” is usually a noun. Your behavior affects those around you. The effect of your behavior is that you annoy people.
- There, their, and they’re: “There” indicates a place. Let’s go there tonight. “Their” is possessive for more than one person. Their behavior did not make sense to me. “They’re” is a contraction of the words they are. They’re having a lot of fun.
- Then vs. than: Use “than” when making a comparison. She is taller than her mom. Use “then” in all other cases. Spend all your money, then you will have none.
Me, Myself and I
The grammatical use of these three words is confusing to many.
- “Send your report to myself” makes me want to scream. Send your report to me.
- You wouldn’t say, “Send your report to I,” so never say, “Send your report to Joe and I.” When in doubt, take the other person’s name out of the sentence and see if it still sounds correct.
- “Myself” is a pronoun used when the person speaking is also the object of the action. “I thought to myself, grammar is a complicated subject.”
One Final Hot Button
If you use WordPress, check with your web designer for how to best use the formatting that is set up in your theme. Most themes have styled bullets, headings, and font types, weights, and sizes that guarantee a consistent look.
Do not randomly change the font family, size, or color throughout your website, as it disrupts your brand. So although the issue is not grammar and typos, a blog post that has a different font than the rest of your site, or different fonts scattered throughout the post itself, is a distraction that affects your brand.
Create Great Content
Great content is the backbone of content marketing. Businesses rely on well-written content to connect with their audience, promote their services, and build a reputable brand. But even the most creative marketing strategies can fail to deliver results if grammar mistakes slip into your blog posts, articles, or web pages. Common grammar mistakes not only distract readers but can also damage your brand’s credibility and professionalism. To stand out in a crowded market, you need to make sure that every piece of content you publish is free from errors and communicates your message clearly.
Engaging content is key to capturing and holding your audience’s attention, and grammar plays a role in this process. Using proper grammar helps your message come across clearly, so readers can connect with your brand. To create content that truly resonates, focus on avoiding common grammar mistakes and use a conversational tone that feels natural to your audience. While using slang or informal language can make your content feel more relatable, especially on social media, be sure to use it thoughtfully and in the right context. By balancing proper grammar with a friendly, approachable style, businesses can create content that is mistake-free and encourages readers to engage, share, and return for more.
Best Practices for Content Creation
To produce high-quality, error-free content, businesses should follow best practices for content marketing. Always proofread your work and use reliable grammar checking tools to catch grammar mistakes before publishing. Know the grammar rules that apply to your content, whether you’re writing blog posts, social media updates, or website copy.
Consider your audience and the platform. Formal language may be best for a blog, while concise language works well on social media. By following these best practices, you can create content that is clear, professional, and relevant to your audience. For extra peace of mind, use professional editing services to keep your content polished and error-free. This commitment to quality will help your brand stand out, build trust, and achieve greater success in your content marketing efforts.
Social Media and Content Marketing
Social media is a key tool for content marketing, allowing businesses to reach and engage with a wide audience quickly. But the fast-paced nature of social media means that grammar mistakes can easily slip through and become highly visible. Poor grammar in social media posts can make your brand appear unprofessional and undermine your credibility with followers.
To avoid such issues, make sure that every post is well-written and error-free. Take the time to proofread your content and use grammar-checking tools to catch mistakes before you hit publish. By maintaining high standards for grammar on social media, businesses can strengthen their marketing efforts, build trust with their audience, and present a polished, professional image across all platforms.
How to Get Help
English grammar is complex. If you struggle with writing error-free content, there are some simple grammar checkers available that can proofread and help you output quality content. Grammarly and Quillbot are useful for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues.
Both offer Chrome extensions so you can have the grammar checker active when you are writing your content. AI agents like ChatGPT can also help you proofread your writing for the same types of errors. In addition, there are plenty of blogs on grammar, spelling, and capitalization that can help answer your questions.
