Zoetica Media

  • Home
  • Services
  • Speaking
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

When a Typo Is the Difference Between Life and Death?

January 16, 2009 by Kami Huyse

Share this:
Twitter0
Facebook0
Google+0
LinkedIn0

 

Blick Featherweight

Confession:

I am a terrible typist."

 

Those that trade IMs with me know this fact.

When I was in high school I had the opportunity to take a typing class. You know, a real typing class on one of those old fashioned typewriters.

I declined.

For some reason I thought I would end up being a secretary if I learned how to type and I DIDN'T want to be a secretary at any cost.

I could have never foreseen the computer revolution or the fact that I would spend every day of my life typing.

In my second year of college I joined the student newspaper where I taught myself how to type (albeit badly) and to use a computer, design software and even PINE, which was the precursor to texting. I spent the next 10 years of my career carefully editing my own writing and eventually even became the editor of a BtoB magazine and numerous newsletters.

I can't tell you how excited when I started authoring a blog to read that minor typos would not be held against you, that they made you real to your readership, etc.

When a typo really counts

However, today I read an article in the local paper that made me think once again about the importance of carefully reviewing your work to avoid unintended consequences.

In this case, a young man is still in the hospital with a police bullet in his liver because of a typo.

Seriously.

The police officer ran his license plate with ONE number typed incorrectly and the car came back as stolen. A series of events led to the young man being shot by a policeman in his own yard.

I suspect that no one will ever be able to tell this guy that typos don't matter.

And even though they might not always be this life threatening, typos and usage errors can often change the meaning of communication completely.

What do you think? Are you worried about how you come across and what you communicate in social media forums like blogs and Twitter?

Credits: The lovely Typewriter was photographed by César Astudillo

Filed Under: SocIal Media Tactics Tagged With: Social Media

About Kami Huyse

Kami Watson Huyse, CEO of Zoetica, is passionate about great communication. Working in Public Relations since 1994, and blogging since 2005, she has seen trends come and go, but one thing has stayed the same – people are looking for ways to authentically connect. She loves to connect with readers, so leave a comment or follow @kamichat on Twitter and connect there.

Subscribe to get the newsletter and premiums

Enter your email to subscribe:

  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Zoetica

Zoetica Swish SmallWelcome to Zoetica! We are an experienced team of communicators led by Kami Huyse who are dedicated to teaching you how to bring your communication to life with sound strategy, community building and solid success measures. Check out our blog, Zoetica Talks, browse our Resources, and check out our Sevices.We can't wait to get to know you better.

Recent Posts

  • Which Social Media Platforms to Use for Business in 2023
  • Creative Professionals, Get Ready for the Artificial Intelligence Takeover
  • The 5 Social Media Trends That Will Shape the Industry in 2023
  • The 5-Part Visibility Plan That Will Help Promote and Grow Your Business
  • Are You Ready for AI in Creative Work?

Zoetica in the News

5 Tools to Measure (and Manage) Reputation in Complex Environment PR News Byline

2014 trends for public relations, marketing and social media | Business | Kentucky.com (mobile mention) 

Digital PR & Social Media Guidebook – Contributing Author

How Communicators Can Get Started with PR Measurement, PR News Mention

Proving PR’s Value in the Age of ROI—How to Tie Results to Corporate Objectives | Bulldog Reporter (Speaker)

A Gnawing Crisis in PR: Measuring The ROI on Social Media Channels, PR News Byline

Named as one of AGBeat's top 50 industry influencers in 2014

Will Houston B2B companies answer the social media call? - Houston Business Journal

Social Media Measurement Twitter Chat: Evaluating Impact of Social Media on Foundation Outcomes (with tweets) · RWJF (Moderator)

Top 100 Social Media Power Influencers in Houston 2013

Named as one of 30 PR Experts You Should Follow on Twitter by e-releases

BusinessWire Congrats for Making the Top 100 Women on Twitter

Posts by Topic

Zoetica Talks

 

#SMBHOU

Influencer Outreach

Best Ranked

Measurement

Book Shelf

Nonprofit and CSR

Community

Online Ethics

CoolTools

Social Media Tactics

Crisis

Guidelines

How To

Social Networks

Humor

Speaking

Trends

Strategy

Latest Tweets

Tweets by @kamichat
© Zoetica, LLC | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 - Zoetica Media · designed/developed by Petersen Media Group