The truth is poor proofreading hurts the self published author and the industry itself. You see, every ounce of confidence lost in one self published author reflects poorly on all independent publishers.



Professionalism inspires confidence. Whether you are writing a short ebook or a full length guide for your industry, your well edited words will work powerfully for you.

In the same way, a book lacking professionalism through misspelled words, bad grammar, etc. will drain confidence. Start with this short checklist to translate your professionalism to more profits. Write your ticket to success through a well edited book.

1. Failure to start well. Create a sizzling start. Hook your readers through emotion. Slant your book or introduction with a question or an amazing statistic. Share the top benefits of your book early. Target the 'You' in every reader.

2. Failure to shorten your introduction. Entice your reader with the main benefit (main central thought) early to keep them reading. Write the rest of your piece to support your main central thought. Sprinkle the rest of the benefits throughout your copy in descending priority.

3. Failure to slash passive structures. Passive sentences slow and dull your writing. Get rid of the passive voice sentences. Give your sentences a clear subject and a verb to avoid the passive voice. "The writer found fame and fortune through marketing her books online." instead of "The writer's books were instrumental in leading her to fame and fortune." Avoid connecting verbs like 'was', 'is', 'had', and 'seemed'. Replace passive voice verbs with active verbs.

4. Failure to shorten your sentences. Slash your sentences to under 15-17 words. Don't bog your readers with complex sentences. Remember multiple phrases slow your reader's comprehension. Make it easy. Get to the point fast.

5. Failure to write compelling copy. Write for the 8-10 grade level. Reward your readers with benefits for them. Clear, easy to understand copy makes your reader want to read your piece to the end. Fill your writing with what's in it for them. They'll come back for more and tell all their friends.

6. Failure to be specific. Avoid generalities. Engage your reader's emotion with specifics. Let them experience color, size and shape. Instead of, "Complete your degree online fast to increase your income." Say, "Complete your master degree online fast so you can upgrade your lifestyle, get vacations, health insurance and other corporate benefits." Specific benefits create a stronger pull than the general benefit of increased income.

7. Failure to slash adverbs. Go through and cut words like openly, suddenly, very that tell the reader instead of show the reader. Circle all the (ly) and very words. Pull out your thesaurus and replace them with power words that show emotion or describe.

Are you ready to translate your professionalism to profits? Correct the above mistakes and watch your sales soar from the minute you publish. It's time to represent you and your industry well with a successful top selling book.

Remember to develop a sizzling start, shorten your introduction, slash the passive voice, shorten sentences, write compelling copy, avoid generalities and slash the adverbs. Implement these seven tips to begin proofreading for more profits! Now go; write a successful book and make us all proud!