The final check.
WHY IT MATTERS
Errors in names, figures and dates damage credibility disproportionately.
WHAT TO CHECK IN ORDER
Recipients Attachments mentioned and actually attached Names, spelled correctly Figures Dates and days Links, opened The request
WHY RECIPIENTS FIRST
Sending to the wrong person is the error with the worst consequences.
WHAT TO CHECK ABOUT DATES
That the day and date match.
WHY
Saying Tuesday the fifteenth when the fifteenth is a Wednesday causes confusion.
HOW TO CATCH ERRORS YOU CANNOT SEE
Read it aloud Read it later Read it in a different format Read backwards, for spelling
WHY DIFFERENT FORMAT
Familiarity conceals errors.
WHAT SPELLING CHECKERS MISS
Correctly spelled wrong words.
WHAT EXAMPLES LOOK LIKE
Their and there, form and from, manager and manger.
WHAT TO CHECK MANUALLY
Those, and anything auto-corrected.
WHAT TO DO WITH ANYTHING IMPORTANT
Have someone else read it.
WHY
You read what you intended to write.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT AN ERROR ALREADY SENT
Correct it promptly and plainly.
HOW
A short follow-up, without extensive apology.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Hope it was not noticed.
