We've all made mistakes in business. Our hope is that none are so blatant that they impact other's view of our ability to perform.

Unfortunately, this week I made a stupid mistake - a careless mistake.

Each month I write an e-newsletter that is sent to about 300 customers, prospects and subscribers. I use Mail Chimp to layout it out and send it to my list. I was in a hurry - isn't that when we make most of our mistakes - and was focusing more on the layout than I was the content.

Here is the ironic part - the main article was about how important Content has become.

So I hit the "send" button and then checked my email to view the copy. I had tested the mailing several times before actually sending it to my list, but it wasn't until I sent the copy to everyone that I realized a mistake:

In an article about my BLOG, I called it a BLOB.

I groaned audibly when I saw my error.

As a writer, my only product is the words that I write. What would people think? Should I just hope that people don't notice?

I couldn't do that.

So as quickly as I could, I sent a follow-up email to my list with the following message:

My BLOB was ranked Best in 2006? My BLOB?

Content may be king, but having a great editor is priceless.

I admitted the mistake and used a little humor. The result? The highest open rate of any of my newsletters thus far. Perhaps some received the newsletter and put it in a pile to read later or delete but because of the follow up email, people were curious enough to open the newsletter. I also received a large number of email comments from readers who appreciated the humor and commented on the article. And one potential prospect became a real prospect which may turn into a project!

We are all going to make mistakes. We are human. But it's how we address the mistake that sets us apart. We can cover them up, ignore them or even blame someone else (like we used to when we were kids) or we can face them with a little humor.

Have you ever made a mistake in business? How did you handle it? What were the results?

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Professional Writer, Human
AllWrite Ink