Question for the Nostr brains trust:
With my new business (impactsociety.co) our first products are digital downloads (tools and templates for managers in PDF format etc). Most of our sales have been in the US (we're based in Australia).
We recently had feedback from a US customer that they found the AUS/UK spelling in our content a bit off-putting (e.g. organisation vs orginization).
This guy comes across as intelligent, thoughtful and overall complimentary of our work. So I was a bit surprised at the feedback. Personally I don't have any issues with US English spelling when I come across it.
Is this a thing that companies outside the US have to think about? It wouldn't be that hard to create regionalised versions of our content and website etc. But equally I'd prefer not to waste time on it if it's an isolated issue.
#buildinpublic #AUStriches
Replies (15)
Tell him to get farkt.
It’s called English, not United Statesian. Their derivative version is not only inferior, it’s incorrect.
I agree, of course 😂
But it's not a hill I'm willing to die on if it means missing out on sales.
Yes, it's definitely offputting
Using nonstandard spelling--especially UK spelling in the US--comes off as pretentious. Not a good air if I'm trying to convince the board of something.
I can't tell if your whole thing is a scam now lol slick website but why the fuck are you asking Nostr this if you have 4k clients (oops that's 5k in a different spot on your webste), consulting experience....
This is basic people skills 101...reduce all barriers to getting your point across. The fact that you need to ask this question is disconcerting.
And nice to see that you don't have a nostr link on your website, but do have twitter, youtube link. Reveals just how much you value freedom.
it's American English...and it's better.
Right, definitely never prioritize the customer experience when selling a service. That would be disastrous.
Is that like African American?
Thanks for the input on the regional spelling stuff. It's not something I'd really thought about before. I'm not personally put off by US English, even though it's not what I use personally.
I think we say "4,000+" and "almost 5,000" which isn't contradictory, but we should tidy that up, and it's a good prompt to do a check for consistency; I appreciate the pickup. This is our number of newsletter subscribers, not customers.
Asking questions is just one of the ways I learn the things I need to. I put the question out here because my Nostr connections are in a broad range of locations (not the only place I asked the question though).
Would it be possible to offer both versions?
Or are the templates able to be altered easily by customers?
I would find US spelling in templates that I’m purchasing in Australia mildly annoying if I was unable to alter them, so I can understand that they may feel the same.
Having said that, all English speaking countries are expected to alter their spelling to fit the US but it is rarely reciprocated when they are selling to those same English speaking nations unless it is completely republished in the country of purchase. 🤷🏻♀️
As someone who's amused by the different ways common words are spelled in different English-speaking nations, I don't think this is a big deal. It's only a certain type of person who's going to be "off-put" by the spelling, and probably not worth worrying about.
No that's made-up ethnic group. You're probably thinking (if you're thinking...are you?) of African American Vernacular English, which is a steaming pile of shit.
You obviously lack the mental capacity to put yourself into the place of their intended customer base. You didn't even look at the website lol 🤦🏻♂️
Your instinct to begin with a personal insult about someone you know nothing about tells me everything I need to know about you. You're probably one of the troglodytes you gets legit pissed about the English spelling of the word "colour". 🤣 Kick rocks bitch. You blocked so don't waste your time trying to do a pathetic one-up. 🤡
US English used abroad doesn't carry an air of pretentiousness. British English used in the US by non-Brits, does. Heavily. It's a fact of life.
If you have a gentle London accent you're extremely attractive here. It's wierd.
Never said asking questions was wrong. Asking the plebs here makes no sense and is a waste of time and brainpower. This is *no*t your customer base.
Of course you didn't address my Nostr accusations lol milksop
No, I’m thinking of arbitrary qualifiers prefixed to actual words.
Americans speak English - not their own special brand, it is no less intelligible to other English speakers than Scots or Irish or Australians or any other native speakers and doesn’t warrant it’s own classification because some puritans decided to make cosmetic changes to it 200 years ago.
I’ve just re-read my response. You clearly state that you can alter the templates/offer both. I should have read your note thoroughly before responding. Sorry! 🙏
Note to self: Stop Nostr’ing late at night half asleep!!
