Topys happen

One of the biggest adjustments for me personally when I began writing in a blogging, or conversational style was to quit stressing out over everything being perfect with spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.

The vast majority of my writing until about 2015 was in an academic setting. So everything had to be dress right dress; conform to the Chicago school, or the APS standards, or whatever they are. I’ve forgotten already.

At any rate, that was all I knew.

Academic writing taught me a lot of principles I use to this day, such as removing what’s known as “dead wood” i.e. words that are there just to be there; they don’t serve a useful purpose.

All the assignments I did getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Regent University had a very strict word count protocol; meaning if you went over the word limit, it would be counted against you. Obviously you needed to say something of substance in the dialogue, but they were very particular about that. And thank God they did, because you learn to use your words very judiciously. Maybe phrase something a different way; many times realize something doesn’t need to be said at all.

And of course spelling was a big factor. Spelling was a huge factor.

So when I began writing for blogs, podcasts and what not in 2015, that was all I knew. And it took a while for me to get used to a new style of writing; specifically to not worry if and when something is misspelled or if the grammar isn’t exactly perfect.

I’ve actually come to appreciate typos from certain people in the online space that I follow. I know they’re extremely busy people, and I’ve found I”m able to take in the gist of what they’re saying in spite of their mistakes.

It’s why some of the most successful people in this world will go out of their way to appear to be “unokay” in certain areas of their public personna. It makes them more relatable to the people whom they’re trying to win over.

For example, would you prefer to buy a car from a person with perfect hair, perfectly tailored suit, highly shined shoes? Or someone who’s hair is kind of out of place, their clothes look “lived in”, got a few scuffs on their shoes? Depends on the car I guess.

But having the “perfect” appearance can actually work against you in many ways.

For my money, I’d prefer to listen to someone who’s busy, has got a lot going on, and somehow manages to put out a weekly podcast on something they believe in and wants to use it to better people’s lives. You put things in context, and all of a sudden those little gaffes in spelling or speaking make sense. They’re even endearing in some ways.

And at the end of the day, you recall Newcomb’s Law, which is: No one really cares either way.

So go forth and do stuff, keep the big picture in mind. An honest mistake doesn’t discredit you; if anything it makes you more trustworthy.