By: Vanessa Merit Nornberg

And may cost you the sale...

Shared: From your friends #*@TechAutoCareers.com®* the online resource for the *Automotive Sales Fraternity™*

Spellcheck and grammar check can be a lifesaver for some people, but now that auto-correct is running the world, you may still be sending out correspondence that is riddled with errors. As Jeffrey Gitomer said, "Your grammar is a reflection of your image. Good or bad, you have made an impression. And like all impressions, you are in total control." If you make any of these grammar mistakes, you are likely giving your customers the wrong impression.

Lose vs. Loose. "I don't want to lose this deal, but if I don't cut this sales rep loose, I may." Writing loose with a double "o" (as in, I'm playing fast and loose with the rules) is a quick way to lose business. Lose, as in, to not win, is spelled with one "o".

Knowledge vs. Knowlege. "I assure you my company has the knowledge necessary to handle this contract better than any of our competitors." Knowledge spelled correctly has a "d" in it--just like confidence. Forget the "d" and your customer may feel their confidence in your company wane.

Your and You're. "I hope you're ready to give our new software a try. I think it will help you to expedite your deliveries and really make a difference in your customer satisfaction ratings." You're is the contraction for you are--not the possessive. Mix them up and it shows your customer that you're sloppy.

There, They're, and Their. There is used in conjunction with the verb to be. They're means they are. Their shows belonging or possession. Keep them straight or your customers may think they're about to spend their money with someone who is not all there.

Accept and Except. "I would love to accept this contract with your company, except the payment terms you propose will not work for us." A deal, a partnership, or anything else you want to say yes to needs to be accepted with an "a" or it means the opposite.

A lot vs alot. "I think we have a lot of options that could make this product a game changer for your business." Misspelling something with such a positive connotation is a quick way to strike a negative chord with customers. A lot is always two words when you want to indicate quantity. If you've got a lot riding on the sale, get it right.

Capital vs capitol. "If we can secure the capital for this new product line, we believe we can increase the company's sales fivefold by proposing these products to government agencies operating in the state's capitol." If it concerns money, capital has an "a" in it--just like payday.

Grammar may seem trivial, but customers judge the quality of your company by the quality of the image you put forth. Careful proofreading signals to your potential clients that you will be just as careful with their business, should they trust it to you.

About I.C. Collins

I.C. Collins is grateful that he can pursue something that is both interesting and has value on several levels. For over three decades in the Automotive Sales Industry a bottom-line guy Collins doesn't shy away from telling the truth in ways that cut through the noise to deliver streetwise and corporate knowledge from someone who's been there and done that, many times over.

He aims to create “a long-lasting major brand that for generations is a company that is business-critical to the leading brands in the world. We are focused every day on creating something that’s valuable and has permanence.”

P. S. Urgent if you’re looking to optimize your interpersonal skills for success get your copy of " How to Succeed in the Automotive Sales Industry " today @TechAutoCareers.com. Then settle in for a satisfying read that will surely enhance your interpersonal skills for success this year, it is not just a book we are a service.

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