Recently, I came across an article that asked whether spelling and grammar matter in press releases. The author makes the argument that “it doesn’t really matter how it’s written, it’s about what’s in them.”

She goes on to say that most of your press release will end up on the cutting room floor if the reporter turns it into a story. Now, she wisely points out that spelling and grammar make you look professional and carry some importance, but she concludes that misspelled words or misplaced prepositions aren’t all that important in the end. It’s more about the story.

In one sense, the author is right—the story is what matters most. A mistake here or there won’t kill you, but spelling and grammar do matter in your press releases.

Here’s why:

Spelling and grammar mistakes make you look unprofessional.

If you were a reporter and you received a press release that was riddled with typos and various errors, you’d have a hard time taking the story seriously. Sending a press release with spelling and grammar mistakes will cause you to look unprofessional. Period.

Sloppy grammar and spelling can change the meaning of your sentences.

If you’re not careful, your mistakes could cause your message to get lost or misconstrued. For example, you might release something that says the CEO of your company will make a “personal” announcement on Monday, but what you really meant to say was that he would be making a “personnel” announcement. Two totally different things. Don’t let a typo change the meaning of your story.

You can post your press releases online yourself.

These days, you don’t have to rely solely on reporters to pick up your story. You can publish your press releases online through your website, press release directories, your blog, email, etc. If your press release contains spelling and grammar errors, everyone will see them and you’ll look foolish.

Mickie Kennedy is the CEO and founder of eReleases and blogs at PR Fuel, where a version of this article originally appeared.

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