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_ by Jens Petersen

Here are some more common errors I encounter when editing text. Writers could save themselves money if they carefully reviewed their own manuscripts or articles before submitting them for editing. There are many useful sites on the Internet that list common grammar and usage problems (like my list below). Create your own list and use it to check your manuscript. The “Find & Replace” function in Word is great for finding individual words in a document.

Now you have a checklist to go through, like a pilot preparing to take off—only in your case, you're preparing to send your manuscript off to the editor.

1. passed past

“passed” is the past tense of the verb “to pass”. For example,

“He passed the library.”  “She passed the test.”

“past” is a preposition (and also an adjective, noun, adverb) but NOT a verb. It locates something in time, and sometimes in space. For example,

“It is half past two.”  “My house is just past the library.”

Write “The train passed the village.” NOT “The train past the village.”


2. sew sow

“sew” refers to working with a needle and thread or a sewing machine. For example,

“I sewed a button on my coat.”

“sow” means to scatter or plant seeds. For example, the following well-known sayings,

“You reap what you sow.”  “He wanted to sow his wild oats.”

When “sow” is rhymed with “cow”, it means an adult female hog.


3. affect effect

a] “affect” is a verb that means to have an influence on. For example,

“The drug affects his ability to concentrate.”

b] “effect” is a noun that means a result or influence. For example,

“The drug had no effect on him.”

“effect” can ALSO be a verb that means to achieve or bring about. For example,

“Her organization wanted to effect major changes in society.”


4. Here are some other small errors I find all the time in manuscripts and articles.

NOT “I had a couple beers.” BUT “I had a couple of beers.”

NOT “There were every day sales.” BUT “There were everyday sales.”
(“everyday” is an adjective describing a noun, whereas “every day” is an adverb describing a verb, for example, “She went to school every day.”

NOT “The book has a short forward.” BUT “The book has a short foreword.”
(I get this one a lot—“forward” is the opposite of “backward”.)

NOT “She found the cereal in the third isle.” BUT “She found the cereal in the third aisle.”
(A small island is an “isle”.)
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Jens Petersen is an editor with a wide range of clients. He primarily edits books. For more information, check his LinkedIn profile at
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jens-petersen/21/58a/791
He can be reached at PetersenEditing@yahoo.ca




ADD ON PRODUCTS CREATE MASSIVE INCOME

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by Kathleen D. Mailer

Today I'm going to tell you how easy it is to become known as an expert in your industry. Here's a tool you can implement without much effort to boost your sales!


THE AUDIO PRODUCT


Start by adopting a simple “SERVANT ATTITUDE”.

It is imperative that you broaden your perspective. Ask yourself: How can I serve MY clients/ customers better, faster, and more easily?

There's a lot to that question, my friend! It is also one of the THE BEST QUESTIONS to ask yourself every week!

One answer is to create an Audio Product to sell

Here are some ideas of WHAT you can do on Audio:

1. A keynote: A 30-45 minute talk that provides your clients with tons of information that they will need to make changes in their lives. They can soak up your wisdom while driving to the office or perhaps cleaning up.

2. If you've written a book, put your book on audio. I know it is hard to believe, but MANY people don't like to read—actually, they don't mind reading, but “too much” is sometimes just “too much”. It is easier for them to multi-task and listen to your book on audio.

3. Interview someone: Yes, gather together business owners, professionals, or exciting individuals who have a message/testimony/help for your perfect client. Create an audio and make it part of a program. (Perhaps charge $9, $29, or $99 per month, depending on how valuable the information is!) Think about this: If you get 10 clients paying you $99/month, that is almost $1000 per month for you to interview someone and mail out the copy! Do the math for 100 clients!

4. Recite poetry, special prayers, devotions. Create an audio workshop.

There are so many things you can do with the audio CD/mp3. Take some time TODAY to evaluate what you have to offer. Charge for the CD.


How To Create an Audio Product In FIVE Easy Steps:

1. Purchase or download a program that can record and burn CDs.

2. Record yourself reading your keynote or tape your speech while giving it live.

3. Burn the mp3 file to a CD (please make sure that the files are compatible with all CD players).

4. Create a cover design and CD label. REMEMBER: It is important that you package it correctly! Make sure that you have a professional design your cover/CD label and other promotional materials. After all, the quality and professionalism of this material will be the impression people will get of your business.

5. Price it accordingly. If it is an audio book, don't forget the Library of Canada rules.

You are good to go. In almost no time at all, you can produce something with very little investment and make a LOT of money!


The “Create Your Own Audio Book” Package

This Package consists of a DVD case insert, designed to match the front and back covers of your printed book, an Audio Book bar code created for the back, and a matching CD label. Aurora Publishing will do it all and send a proof to you. You may print the components yourself, if you have a high-quality printer, or have them printed at a place such as Staples or Business Depot.

The Package also includes an Instructional Guide, not only giving information on the printing and assembling of the Audio Book, but also giving instructions on recording the CD using the Program, Cakewalk PYRO.

$797.00

Are you producing your book through Aurora Publishing? If so, we offer this Package at the discounted price of $397.00.

This article was taken from the Spring 2011 issue of Today's Businesswoman magazine and used with permission.
http://www.todaysbusinesswomanmagazine.com/subscribe.html

 


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