The single most important thing you can do...

[Jamie D. Grant]

The single most important thing you can do... Essay #2

Cut and Paste all correspondence into a Word doc first.

No kidding.

I receive a ton of e-mails from people looking for advice and, to be honest, the spelling is brutal. Now don't get me wrong- on forums and whatnot, we all cut grammar corners. It's acceptable. But on e-mails, we need to up our game.

Think of it like this. Almost all your gigs will be have an e-mail involved somewhere in the booking process. That's a 100% fact. Whether it's someone looking for a quote, or asking your availability, you'll be sending an e-mail at some point. And even one spelling error can make the difference between you and the next guy. The same goes with punctuation.

This also leads me to websites. Get someone to proofread it. Trust me. I'm a professional writer and even I get people to proof all my work. All of it. None of us are perfect, but we need to use the resources of those around us to come across as if we are...

All my best,

Jamie D. Grant
www.cardsinabottle.com

 

[Elite Prestidigitation]

Sure thing buddy....but "even one spelling error can make the difference between you and the next guy".... I find it hard to believe....unless they are looking for a proofreader or English professor ......

 

[CaseyRudd]

Sure thing buddy....but "even one spelling error can make the difference between you and the next guy".... I find it hard to believe....unless they are looking for a proofreader or English professor ......

Well to be a professional you can't have room for error. If you messed up an effect in front of an audience who payed for your entertainment, do you think they will hire you again? Probably not, unless they know you VERY well.

Being punctually and grammatically correct in every sentence you say must be right. If they see a mess up on a mis-spelled word or an unorganized sentence they lose their sense of credibility in you.

I feel the same way when reading some posts on these forums, to be honest. When I see a mis-spelled word or an unorganized phrase I kind of lose control in my own mind. I just can't take the person seriously as much as I would if they wrote it correctly. Call me a Grammar Nazi, but it's just the way I see it.

Jamie is spot on. If you're running a professional business and want people to take you seriously, make sure everything you say makes sense, is spelled right, and is punctuated correctly.

-Casey

 

[Jamie D. Grant]

Sure thing buddy....but "even one spelling error can make the difference between you and the next guy".... I find it hard to believe....unless they are looking for a proofreader or English professor ......

Lol, I almost scanned four cheques from University gigs I just did (one was for a librarian society- who were super rowdy, lol!) but it's no problem for me. I'm only offering advice- it's no skin off my nose whether you believe it or not. I do, however, appreciate you commenting. Commenting leads to discussion which leads to education. So thanks! I wish you the best.

~jamie

 

[Luis Vega]

Lol, I almost scanned four cheques from University gigs I just did (one was for a librarian society- who were super rowdy, lol!) but it's no problem for me. I'm only offering advice- it's no skin off my nose whether you believe it or not. I do, however, appreciate you commenting. Commenting leads to discussion which leads to education. So thanks! I wish you the best.

~jamie

Please...don´t be drag by this guy...he is like that, only looking for trouble...

BTW...great advice!!...I speak spanish and english is my second language, so I try to keep improving in my writing and to give well spelled posts...

 

[Lyle Borders]

Sure thing buddy....but "even one spelling error can make the difference between you and the next guy".... I find it hard to believe....unless they are looking for a proofreader or English professor ......

I am the hiring manager at a department store. When I see an application where the person applying has not taken the time to either not check spelling or not use the shift key, their application ends up in the trash. These are applications for cashiers, not for a "proofreader or English professor." Errors tells me that the applicant either does not care or his/her education level is not up to par with the kind of people I want in front of my customers. I am not the only one, either. The former hiring managers in my store were the same way. Any professional I have ever talked to knows this simple fact. When correct spelling these days is as simple as pushing a button, or at the very least taking a couple of minutes to review a document, it is expected in all professional communication.

Elite Prestidigitation - You have very clearly not actually achieved any real elite status in life, else you would understand this VERY clear fact. Another thing that doesn't go over well either is a bad, condescending attitude, but that is for another day. Anyone who is anyone cannot argue Mr. Grant's point, because a simple ride through the world of any professional, no matter the field, will show this.

 

[jok3r]

Please...don´t be drag by this guy...he is like that, only looking for trouble...

BTW...great advice!!...I speak spanish and english is my second language, so I try to keep improving in my writing and to give well spelled posts...

Yes what he said, that guy is just looking to argue with someone.
Good advice

 

[Jamie D. Grant]

Just checking in, while I'm on the road, and thought I'd toss out this question as something to think about:

When sending e-mails to a client in response to a quote question, how do yo start? Dear Sir/Madame? Hi? Their name, followed by a comma?

 

[Robert//Livingston]

If I'm familiar with the person I'll start with

Hey Jamie,

Body.

If not then I go with...

Mr. Grant,

Body

Sincerely,
Robert Livingston

 

[Sir FansAlot]

I am the hiring manager at a department store. When I see an application where the person applying has not taken the time to either not check spelling or not use the shift key, their application ends up in the trash.

Whoah... Can I get a job there? Not taken the time to not check spelling = taken time to check spelling... LOL

 

[Sir FansAlot]

Just checking in, while I'm on the road, and thought I'd toss out this question as something to think about:

When sending e-mails to a client in response to a quote question, how do yo start? Dear Sir/Madame? Hi? Their name, followed by a comma?

Generally, it will all depend on your prior experience. Ex. You do not want to phrase "you" by writing "yo." Dear Sir/Madame sounds like a 15th century bust. Dear KING of my expected future etc... I would personally, like said, start based on prior relations. If you had met the client before then you should know how to reply. If not, I would approach it as a job interview. Everyone interviews differently and in that sense there is no definitive answer.

Personally, if I were to apply for a magician position, I would not try to be some sort of English professor. More so, just try to be yourself.

 

[Jamie D. Grant]

I've experimented a lot over the years and, even though it's hard to gauge, I go with:

Hi "Event Planner's Name"!

Dear "Event Planner's Name", ~ too serious.
Hi "Event Planner's Name", ~not fun.
Howdy "Event Planner's Name" ~ only works for Mac King.
Whasssup?!! ~ tempting...