But I Proofed It THREE TIMES!

These days it seems like everyone has some kind of side-hustle going on. My friend Suzi’s a great example, having recently started a home-based jewelry business to supplement her full-time job.

As a solopreneur, she’s constantly challenged between hiring someone or doing it herself. And since business is just starting to build, she’ll typically do it herself.

However, proofing one’s own work can be problematic. Realistically, if you make a mistake while creating something, you’ll probably overlook it during the review process.

Yesterday, she learned this awful truth when I called the phone number on her new business card. The nice lady who answered verified I’d called the proper number, but there was no Suzi there.

Yup, you guessed it. Though Suzi had reviewed her card three times before authorizing their printing, she never saw that two digits had been reversed.

Suzi’s discovered the truth of studies showing if you get the first and last character right when spelling a word, the stuff in the middle will been seen by the eye as correct…even if it isn’t.

Well, as my dad says, “It costs you to learn.”

How much does it cost? The Small Business Administration reports 400,000+ new startups in the US annually. Just for discussion, let’s assume they each spend $45 for business cards.

If half print those cards without adequate proofing, companies that can ill-afford unnecessary expenses may needlessly spend an additional $9 million reprinting those cards.

And that’s not even discussing costs associated with mistakes on brochures, presentation materials, coffee mugs, or trade show booths.

Because the harsh reality is that you (not the printer or designer) are responsible for proofing your own work, and will pay the penalty if you don’t get it right the first time.

Besides, printers love the extra work.

Regardless of whether your business is just starting or is more mature, you can improve your professionalism and lower your costs by having an extra set of eyes review all your marketing materials before calling them “finished!”

Having a co-worker, friend, or spouse look everything over will help you spot typographical errors. Furthermore, you’ll have a chance to make your argument stronger, while potentially identifying factual errors.

And wouldn’t you rather learn about any mistakes from a friend?

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.

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Marketing solutions are perfect at www.askmrmarketing.com .