The filler text you're referring to is more formally known as "passive voice." And yes, it's extremely frustrating. I agree with you that a passive voice author is low quality, however, if you don't disclose that in your "requirements," then the responsibility is also partially on you. When I submit the requirements for eBooks, I put "PASSIVE VOICE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!"....in all CAPS, bold, underlined, etc. hahaha. From my experience, this simple note has a lot of impact because it shows that you're "experienced" and you are holding them to a higher standard. Therefore, they'll put more effort into the quality of your ebooks right from the start. I'm not saying that the end result will be 100% active voice, but I think you'll notice an improvement. Here are some examples of Active vs. Passive voice.... Sue changed the flat tire. (active) The flat tire was changed by Sue. (passive) We are going to watch a movie tonight. (active) A movie is going to be watched by us tonight. (passive) I ran the obstacle course in record time. (active) The obstacle course was run by me in record time. (passive) The crew paved the entire stretch of highway. (active) The entire stretch of highway was paved by the crew. (passive) In all of the above examples, you can see that passive voice is more "wordy," which is why authors will sway towards it, unless you TELL THEM not to. Anyway, cool videos man, I recently subscribed and I'll be commenting on other videos as well haha. Cheers.
Excellent advice. I never used "passive/active voice" in my instructions, but in the past I said no "filler words" to complete word count and to double check their work etc. In my experience it fell on deaf ears! I eventually left it out. Will give it a shot again.
Hi Patrice, this is a complicated task - but I'm prepping for it! I'm going to give different options for landing page services and autoresponders. Perhaps it'll be done by 1/2 of april
I'll be teaching it soon. I have nearly 6 k subs now. It makes my life so much easier, trust me. I think it's great you actually want to learn about it, very few people pay attention to it. But if you have a look at authors like Steve Scott...what do you think they do? Email list is a #1 asset:)
Hi David, Honestly yes. I took a chance on SPR. It's worth the money ... and yes it keeps going up in price. You can check out my review on it here:www.freedomboundbusiness.com/self-publishing-revolution-review/ I would get it before March (it's $100 off til then). LMK what u think!
Yes I do. Well, before EWS had an editor I did. Because my recent book was technical the editor didn't really help. And the quality of writing just lacked. Anyways, going to try out other routes for tech. services. I had to correct this one because it's already published and a proofreader will take too long. Lesson learned - pay more for quality.
+Freedom Bound Business When is an ebook project considered to be "technical" as opposed to "normal"? Isn't a very great deal of non-fiction actually technical? I ask because I have seen that some writing companies have both options.
Their quality is much better. You'll find very few mistakes with the delivered product. Nothing that Grammarly (free) and MS word checker couldn't handle in a few min.
What if one fails to get reviews "in time" via one's email list after a new book is published? Won't the book lose it's ranking quickly (because of few or no reviews), or is it ok for email list reviews to come in over a longer time period (weeks, months), thus "saving" the book's ranking?
![Self Publishing Blueprint Review [Watch This Before You Buy Emeka's Course!] 💯 - See What's Inside!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ksPIur3fA94/mqdefault.jpg)
The filler text you're referring to is more formally known as "passive voice." And yes, it's extremely frustrating. I agree with you that a passive voice author is low quality, however, if you don't disclose that in your "requirements," then the responsibility is also partially on you. When I submit the requirements for eBooks, I put "PASSIVE VOICE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!"....in all CAPS, bold, underlined, etc. hahaha. From my experience, this simple note has a lot of impact because it shows that you're "experienced" and you are holding them to a higher standard. Therefore, they'll put more effort into the quality of your ebooks right from the start. I'm not saying that the end result will be 100% active voice, but I think you'll notice an improvement.
Here are some examples of Active vs. Passive voice....
Sue changed the flat tire. (active)
The flat tire was changed by Sue. (passive)
We are going to watch a movie tonight. (active)
A movie is going to be watched by us tonight. (passive)
I ran the obstacle course in record time. (active)
The obstacle course was run by me in record time. (passive)
The crew paved the entire stretch of highway. (active)
The entire stretch of highway was paved by the crew. (passive)
In all of the above examples, you can see that passive voice is more "wordy," which is why authors will sway towards it, unless you TELL THEM not to.
Anyway, cool videos man, I recently subscribed and I'll be commenting on other videos as well haha. Cheers.
Excellent advice.
I never used "passive/active voice" in my instructions, but in the past I said no "filler words" to complete word count and to double check their work etc.
In my experience it fell on deaf ears! I eventually left it out. Will give it a shot again.
John can you do a video review on email list. Thank you!
Hi Patrice, this is a complicated task - but I'm prepping for it!
I'm going to give different options for landing page services and autoresponders. Perhaps it'll be done by 1/2 of april
I'll be teaching it soon. I have nearly 6 k subs now. It makes my life so much easier, trust me. I think it's great you actually want to learn about it, very few people pay attention to it. But if you have a look at authors like Steve Scott...what do you think they do? Email list is a #1 asset:)
Learning how to outsource and hire good freelancers is a task in itself:)
Love this video. Just wondering how many books you have now?
Hey!
Thanks.
50 - not all individual books. Some are bundles and some are duds (it happens)
dang $5K!? Thats wussup man! I just published my first 3 this month. Wish me luck! I hope I'm doing everything right
Hey Fran, Thanks for the support!
It takes some time, but you'll get this down.
For sure. Like you, I graduated with a degree that pays fairly well but Kindle publishing sounds more fun and lucrative
Nice! I think there are more of us haha
hey HTown, mind if i ask for an updat eon how you're doing? :)
Nice video, keep it up! How many books do you have?
50 - not all individual books. Some are bundles and some are duds (it happens)
In your opinion Self publishing revolution is better than kmm?
Hi David,
Honestly yes. I took a chance on SPR. It's worth the money ... and yes it keeps going up in price.
You can check out my review on it here:www.freedomboundbusiness.com/self-publishing-revolution-review/
I would get it before March (it's $100 off til then). LMK what u think!
Do you outsource your editing? I just edited a poorly written ghostwriter book and it takes too damn long
Yes I do. Well, before EWS had an editor I did. Because my recent book was technical the editor didn't really help. And the quality of writing just lacked. Anyways, going to try out other routes for tech. services. I had to correct this one because it's already published and a proofreader will take too long.
Lesson learned - pay more for quality.
+Freedom Bound Business
When is an ebook project considered to be "technical" as opposed to "normal"? Isn't a very great deal of non-fiction actually technical? I ask because I have seen that some writing companies have both options.
how is epic write as far as the quality is concerned?
Their quality is much better. You'll find very few mistakes with the delivered product. Nothing that Grammarly (free) and MS word checker couldn't handle in a few min.
Additionally, their writers appear to be native writers (as advertised). In my recent book they went above and beyond.
Do you do review swaps?
This is a grey area of Kindle - I'm staying away and focusing on list building.
Great move John!
What if one fails to get reviews "in time" via one's email list after a new book is published? Won't the book lose it's ranking quickly (because of few or no reviews), or is it ok for email list reviews to come in over a longer time period (weeks, months), thus "saving" the book's ranking?