Why not write it yourself?

"I already write business letters in English and everybody seems to understand me!"


"I just use a dictionary on the Internet if I don't know the word in English."


"I speak excellent English so I don't need someone to write in English for me"


"As long as the message is correct, grammar isn't important"

These are just some of the comments we hear from native and non-native English speakers alike. It's true that many who speak English as a second or even third language speak it very well indeed, especially in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. And, of course, (most) native speakers have an excellent grasp of English. So why the need for a business English writing service?

The problem with writing in a foreign language
Does culture matter?
Using a dictionary and spell check
Do you have the writing skills?
Do mistakes matter?

The problem with writing in a foreign language

Speaking and writing are two different things. Being able to speak good English is no guarantee that you can write good English. A native English speaker can always recognise text written by a foreigner, even if there are few or no mistakes. It does not look authentic. There are no natural English phrases.

Whilst imperfect English may be seen as charming when spoken, when written it is simply viewed as unreliable and even silly. This can have disastrous consequences in business.

Does culture matter?

When we give writing courses people are often surprised at how much effect culture has on language and style. Even if your English is perfect, failure to understand your customer's culture can lead to misunderstandings and even offence.

Take Dutch and English as examples. Both are Germanic languages but both have very different styles. Dutch is a very direct language (the English may say 'rude') whilst the English language is very polite (the Dutch may say 'ambiguous and insincere'). If you write to an English person in a typical Dutch manner then you could upset them!  

Using dictionaries and spell checks

Dictionaries and spell checks are very handy. However, they need to be used with caution. Let's take the dictionary first. Have you noticed that, when you look up a word in your own language, you are often given a long list of alternatives in the other language? Let's give you an example:  

• The French verb monter. In English this can mean go up, come up, get in, get on, climb, rise, take up, or put up. So, which word do you use?

Now the spell-check. As the name implies, it will only check your spelling, not whether you have used the correct word. English is famous for having lots of words that sound the same but are spelt differently.

• E.g.; weather/whether, aloud/allowed, there/their/they're, right/rite/write, etc.

Confusing, isn't it? 

Do you have the writing skills?

Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills to write effectively or accurately, even if it's in their own language. Professional writing services use people who are trained to write. These people can create effective headlines, use persuasive language and, most importantly, get your message across in a business-like way.

Do mistakes matter?

A mistake during a conversation is easily overlooked, and nearly always forgiven by the listener. Mistakes on paper are not, nor are they forgotten. They are there in black and white for posterity.  Sometimes these errors won't make a difference but, more often than not, they will. 

Even small mistakes can make a big impact. Imagine an important letter with lots of mistakes: poor grammar, incorrect punctuation, bad spelling. All of these can lead to, at best, a poor image and, at worst, a lost contract, a failed interview or a badly negotiated business deal.  Do you really want to take that risk?