Author: Jill Weaver

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Proofreading Matters

Example image of where proofreading would have added value

“Wakefield Kirkgate if you’re leaving the”

The what? The train? Surely a station can’t leave a train, can it?

I spotted this on a train display board earlier this week. Don’t worry, the whole message did get conveyed in a roundabout way; there was a screen before this one and three screens after it. But a couple of things came to mind:

1️⃣ Look at the missing full stop between ‘Kirkgate’ and ‘if’. Without it, the screen seems to be talking to the station itself, as though Wakefield Kirkgate is a person who might be leaving something (although arguably a comma would be needed in that case 🤣). Of course, reading between the lines (pardon the pun), you can get the gist. But if this message is taken at face value, we could ask if the station is planning its escape? 🤔

2️⃣ I suspect it’s down to the display’s character limits, but with no scroll or ellipsis to say “more to come”, it took more than a quick glance to get the full message. Five screens’ worth, to be precise. It reminded me of old-fashioned text messaging back in the late 90s (for those of us old enough to remember).

It was a funny little moment. And of course, I’m splitting hairs. But it’s also a good reminder of what proofreading is really for:

👉 It catches the tiny marks that tell your reader where one thought ends and the next begins;

👉 It makes sure your message makes sense at every break, whether that’s a screen, a page, a slide or a scroll;

👉 It protects your credibility, because tiny slips can change how your message is read and perceived;

👉 It saves your reader from having to guess.

Whether it’s a train screen, a website, an article or something else important, if the message matters, it’s worth a second pair of eyes. That’s where I come in. I help businesses say what they mean, neatly and correctly, with proofreading and copywriting.

If your words need a final check before they go out into the world, let me know. I promise to end your sentences properly. 😉

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From Nervous Newcomer to Networking Convert: My Autumn of Meeting New People

Trees reflecting in the water

A British autumn isn’t usually synonymous with new growth, but this one has got off to a flying start. My network has been growing beyond all expectations, which is great news for my copywriting and proofreading business.

Stepping into the room

Until a few months ago, I’d never felt comfortable walking into a room full of strangers. Then I decided to find out what I’d been missing, and I’m now in full networking mode.

I’ve found some wonderful events along the way, and I’d like to thank the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), CRS Editorial, 4N, Enterprise Nation and the NatWest Accelerator programme, to name just a few. And it doesn’t stop there. Over the next couple of weeks, I’m looking forward to events with Nicky Lloyd Greame, ScreenPop and SAM Networking and Marketing.

What I’ve learned so far

  • I’m enjoying it far more than I expected. I’m having a blast, which still surprises me.
  • People are generous. I’ve met some truly fabulous people who have shared their time and wisdom and opened doors I didn’t know existed.
  • Coffee chats are a bonus. My diary has never been fuller, and many of those chats have let me enjoy the last of the summer(ish) sun too.

My top tips for nervous networkers

If you’ve always been a bit apprehensive about this kind of event, as I was, here is what has worked for me:

  1. Wear something bright. People remember you after you introduce yourself.
  2. Follow up on LinkedIn promptly. Do it before you confuse who was who.
  3. Expect to meet the same people again. It really is a small world, and that’s how real relationships start to form.
  4. Bring plenty of business cards. Or work out how to use the QR share code on LinkedIn.

Impact

Meeting so many new people and business has widen my reach no end and I’m delighted to be helping more people to convey their ideas and messages neatly and correctly, through proofreading and copywriting. If you’d like some help too,  take a look at my services or get in touch. .

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Trick or Treat?

Someone asked the other day, “If this picture is true, what’s the need for proofreaders?” Good question, I asked. How long have you got?!

If you want the short answer:

– When we allow our brain to fill in the gaps, we stop reading what’s actually there and start reading what we expect to see.

– When it’s your own writing, you know what you meant to say, so your brain quietly corrects the text.

– The same trick that lets you read a scrambled paragraph with ease works against you when it comes to checking for accuracy.

Too many businesses fall foul of this every week. Whether it’s time pressure, trying to be a jack of all trades, or simply the shortcuts our minds take. Common errors creep in easily. and it’s not just letter order, it can also be:

– Spacing
– Grammar
– Punctuation

It’s a shortcut to brand damage and leaves clients wondering if you’ll be all over the small details. 

A good proofreader knows how to overcome each of these common errors. They’re reading your words with no memory of what you meant to say, which is exactly why they can catch what you can’t.

Perhaps you’ve got your own website, family business or own way of connecting with clients, and this post has got you thinking about whether you’re doing enough.

If you’d like to know more, I’d love to chat. We cover all sorts of copywriting and proofreading services. 

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Finding YOUR Voice

The more founders and small businesses I meet, the more I come to the conclusion that many seem to share a very specific nervousness; using their own words to explain their value. 

Yes, they know their product. They know their customers. In fact, they know more about their own business than anyone else. But to write about it makes many feel uncomfortable, like nothing sounds quite right. Too formal, too casual, too much like everyone else in their industry, not clearly explaining a USP. If that’s you, you’re not alone.

I’ve spent this summer meeting with a lot of new and small business in Yorkshire and this problem comes up time and time again. Yes, they’ve got a visual brand, but haven’t yet worked out what the voice behind the brand sounds like and how they can best articulate that clearly.

That’s where I come in (or one of the places anyway). And the bit I actually enjoy most. Sitting down with someone who’s built something real and helping them find the version of their voice that sounds like them on their best day. Not a template, not what a bigger competitor sounds like, but authentically them.

Yorkshire has no shortage of people building genuinely good businesses who are being let down by copy that doesn’t sound like anyone in particular. If that’s you, or someone you know, we’d love to help fix it.

Want to know more, then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

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The Parallels Between English to English Paraphrasing and Translation Between Tongues

When we talk about language, especially translating, it’s easy to picture someone simply lifting a sentence from one language and plonking it neatly into another. And sure, at the most basic level, that’s part of it. But the real story is much bigger. We’re always translating, even when we stay within the same language. Every time we take an idea, mix in the right intent, tone, emotion, and format, and then deliver it to someone else, we’re doing a kind of translation. Whether you’re a translator or just someone trying to communicate clearly, you’re basically a weaver, picking out threads with care.

And those threads matter. Anyone who’s ever tried to translate between languages knows that swapping words instead of meaning is a fast track to chaos. The same goes for everyday communication. We have a broad spectrum of words to choose from, but picking the right one can be the difference between your message landing beautifully… or falling flat.

That’s why nuance, word choice, and structure matter just as much as the core message. Two sentences can technically mean the same thing but feel completely different. If communication is a tapestry, then context is the loom holding everything together. Who’s writing? Who’s reading? When will they read it? What’s the purpose? Without that loom, weaving something coherent, let alone beautiful, is nearly impossible.

Translation is creation. Every act of translation produces something new. Not a copy. Not a substitute. A fresh piece of work that honours the original while standing confidently on its own. Every bit of writing carries stories, identity, and human connection. Whether it crosses borders or stays within one language almost doesn’t matter.

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English Abroad

With the holiday season in full flight, we’ve been having a bit of fun looking at how English pops up in popular getaway spots. Let’s be honest: across much of Europe, English has become the unofficial “let’s meet in the middle” language. Whether you’re flicking through hotel info booklets, grabbing a tourist leaflet, or trying to decipher a menu, English is often the glue holding two non‑native speakers together.

And now that translation apps are everywhere, it’s easier than ever for people to whip up English content on the spot. Sometimes the results hit the nail on the head… and other times, well, they’re memorable for entirely different reasons. Word choice, word order, and context can leave the writer feeling metaphorically burned.

We’ve been shining a light on the good, the bad, and the gloriously baffling examples of holiday translations as part of our mission to champion quality language. One that genuinely made me laugh was: “Please leave your values at the front desk.” I’m fairly sure they meant valuables, but the message that came across was something else entirely. At another spot, a sign read: “In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel staff.” So close… yet not quite the reassuring guidance you’d hope for in an emergency.

Little gems like these are a valuable alert—pun absolutely intended—that correct word choice can take you from practicing to polished.

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What’s In a Word?

Quite a lot actually. Let’s take a look at why:

  • Correctly chosen words make communication look clear and effortless;
  • Cleverly chosen words (think puns, plays on words, idioms) even better;
  • Incorrectly chosen words can be disastrous.

Here at The Content Channel, that third option is simply not an option!

There are 6000 or so (rough estimate!) fairly common words that I personally rank amongst the most mischievous words of the English language; those with the same spelling or pronunciation but with different meanings (homonyms, homophones or homographs as they are otherwise known). If not careful, they could quickly find themselves in the aforementioned option three. Their, there, hear, here, to, too, two; the list goes on! My favourite I heard recently was “You’re wet clothes”. The intention was of course “your wet clothes”, referring to someone’s  possessions, but no doubt the original inference could have left someone feeling like soggy trousers!

Correct choice of words and grammar can make or break clear communication. Correct choice of words and grammar can make or break brand reputation. Clever choice of words can be even better. I thought long and hard about my own branding. I like to think I live and breathe the very name sake of the Content Channel. Content, because creating material is a large part of what I do, but I’m also amongst the fortunate few who can say I’m genuinely very happy in my work too. The fact that it more or less works in French and English is a nod to where it all began too; my love of French! Channel, aside from its multiple methods of communication, is also a nod to connecting across the water. These days of course, our reach is much wider than that. But remembering where it all began…well, that helps me channel my inner contentment. All puns intended!