The Weltchek Weekly

The Reserve Bank of Australia recently copped to printing 46 million new dollar bills with a typo. (The word responsibility, printed on the face of the bill, is missing its last i.)

Typos are one of many things you’re checking for when you proof your content. Here are some others:

Accurate information and word choice: If something tells you a word might not be right, consult the dictionary. (Merriam-webster.com is a great resource.) In general, if you have more than one option, choose the simplest, most natural-sounding word.

Adherence to established style: Most businesses follow AP Style. Be consistent throughout.

Appearance: Give your text air to breathe. (White space is good!) Make sure your document, email, PowerPoint—whatever—looks as good as it sounds.

Consistent use of language and terms: If you refer to something or someone one way, stick with it throughout your piece.

Correct capitalization: Capitalize only what’s required—proper names and nouns as well as titles when they precede someone’s name.

Error-Free Punctuation and Spelling: Don’t overuse dashes. Go light on exclamation points. Know when to insert a comma.

Grammar: Know basic grammar rules, even if only by intuition.

Meanwhile, back in Australia, a bank official defended the institution’s quality assurance process, while also acknowledging that “errors can occur.”

Yes, but who wants them published 46 million times?