"I don't need a proofreader, much less a native-speaking proofreader"—are you sure about that? Evidence to the contrary would indicate we all need proofreaders, especially when writing in a language other than our native language—no matter how short your copy is.
Free list of approved English signs Korean businesses can use to look professional
I post daily about awkward English signs in Korea. After doing this for 2 years, I've documented the most common mistakes I've found and shared the correct way to write these signs to help your business appear more professional.
How a freelance copywriter and proofreader gets answers to tricky English grammar questions
Getting answers to tricky English grammar questions can be quite a challenge, even for me! See what tools and tricks I use to get to the bottom of things when Grammarly and simple Google searches don't cut it.
From EFL teacher to English copywriter and proofreader, two years on—what’s the verdict?
Has it already been more than two years since I left a 25+ year teaching career after being forced out of my university teaching position? Spoiler alert—it has! Find out how I'm doing in my new career, whether I have any regrets, and what the future holds.
6 reasons why error-free copy is always better than text full of mistakes
Surely spelling and grammar only matter in academia, right? But is that really true? When was the last time writing something correctly worked out bad for you? How about a typo or a misspelled word? How often have those mistakes benefited you?
Eighteen months into my unplanned career change and things are going…
No one is immune from the curve balls life throws at us. All we can do is try to adapt and roll with the punches. Here's my 18-month update about how my unplanned career change is going, including a few personal updates.
Did the great midlife forced career change go according to plan? Nope!
When I decided to switch careers a year ago after a major life event, I believed in myself and had a rough plan. But things don't always go according to plan—but that isn't always such a bad thing.
Why are some hyphens longer than others? Wonder no more!
Are hyphens and dashes the same? If not, what's different? How do you even type them? Answers to these questions (and more) are revealed in this post. This post will explain the differences, help you understand when to use them, and most importantly, how to actually type them!
How successful was DC CopyPro, English copywriter & proofreader, in 2021?
It's been quite a first year for DC CopyPro, English copywriter and proofreader. In this post, on look back on how my website, Facebook page, and Instagram pages performed. There were more than a few surprises and unexpected stats in this year-end review!
Help me help you—what can DC CopyPro, English copywriter in Korea, do for you?
I know what I like to write about, but what do YOU want to read about? Don't be shy! Get in touch and request a topic (or several) or ask a question. What's the worst that can happen? I may not write about your topic. That's it. What have you got to lose?
5 ways to determine if the proofreader you’re considering is competent
How can you decide if a proofreader is competent enough to proofread your writing when you aren't aware of the mistakes you're making? You're not a native English speaker—how can you determine if an English proofreader is qualified? This post outlines some strategies you can use so you'll feel more confident hiring a proofreader.
Is holding non-native speakers to a higher standard than native speakers unfair?
When native speakers make an error, it's usually labelled a typo or a simple mistake. But non-native speakers are not extended the same courtesy. Instead, it is assumed they were ignorant of the rules. Regardless of the reason, too many errors in your writing is never good.
How poor copy destroys trust and costs you customers—[with examples]
Error-free copy alone isn't enough to be effective. Neither is engaging copy full of typos. You need engaging, error-free copy to establish trust, keep people reading, and have them follow your call to action. I use English and Korean examples to demonstrate this point.
Why do I need an English proofreader? I don’t make that many mistakes!
As an English copywriter, I always strive to deliver error-free copy to my clients. Despite working as an English proofreader, the occasional error sneaks through. This post examines why this happens and how we can minimize typos in our writing.
Certain your poor English won’t get your email flagged as spam? Guess again.
Getting people to open your emails is challenging. Once opened, the chances they'll click on your call to action (CTA) decrease with every red flag—from suspicious email addresses to poor grammar and punctuation.
Train hard, dream big—Could proofreading have avoided an Olympic incident?
It's kind of funny for an English copywriter and proofreader to be commenting on an error made in Korean, but that's precisely what I'm doing. This post attempts to demonstrate how English errors jump out at native English speakers using a Korean example.
Where did my fascination with funny signs come from?
It wasn't until I did some real thinking about where my fascination for funny signs came from. Even I didn't realize how far back my interest in these signs extended.
My workspace may not be fancy, but it just got some upgrades
Usually content to make do with what I have, sometimes spending a few bucks to get the right tools isn't such a bad thing. A detailed look at my new wireless keyboard and mouse, and a new web browser.
Is it any wonder so much awkward and unprofessional English abounds in Korea?
The number of errors, the awkwardness of the English, and the formatting used in this official government announcement on new COVID-19 regulations does little to motivate citizens to attempt to display properly written English in their place of business.
Curious about hiring a copywriter, copy editor, or proofreader? My process explained
Demystifying the process of what happens when you contact me about my English copywriting, copy editing, or proofreading services.