Do you’ve got an eagle eye for catching spelling and grammatical errors? If that’s the case, perhaps changing into a web based proofreader is your calling.
As a result of proofreading requires a extremely detail-oriented character, proofreaders are in excessive demand, notably for on-line companies. And since you may proofread from anyplace, it’s a wonderful possibility for being profitable from dwelling. In lots of instances, on-line proofreaders may even set their very own hours and work at their very own tempo.
If changing into a web based proofreader sounds interesting, preserve studying for all the things you might want to learn about this do business from home career.
What’s the Distinction Between Proofreading and Enhancing?
Proofreaders and editors are sometimes regarded as interchangeable, however there are particular variations between the 2 roles. Proofreading primarily focuses on catching spelling errors, grammar and punctuation errors, and typos.
Then again, editors might undergo the knowledge and reorder and manage it for readability. They might change or strike out materials utterly. Editors examine and confirm sources and alter the tone of voice to raised match the viewers. Usually, editors and writers may fit collectively via a number of revisions.
Whereas editors additionally proofread, proofreaders aren’t essentially thought of editors. Each roles are skilled and expert, however proofreading doesn’t require as a lot in-depth examination of the fabric. Most editors should have a bachelor’s diploma and typically a graduate diploma in journalism or English. Discover this submit for distant modifying jobs.
How A lot Do Proofreaders Earn?
In keeping with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, proofreaders earn a wage of $51,100 on common for full-time work. The pay and quantity of labor fluctuate by the proofreader’s availability and workload. A busy proofreader who can keep a number of constant purchasers or who has coaching in a specialty space like bilingual or authorized proofreading will typically earn extra.
What {Qualifications} Do You Have to Develop into an On-line Proofreader?
Many proofreading and modifying jobs require a bachelor’s diploma or present enrollment in a four-year program. You must also know methods to use packages like Microsoft Workplace and Google Docs and be conversant in the important type guides, together with AP, APA, MLA, and Chicago Guide of Type.
If it’s been a while because you’ve been at school, a proofreading course can enhance your abilities and information and assist put together you for this profession.
Caitlin Pyle from Proofread Anyplace provides a free workshop for proofreaders that will help you resolve if it is a appropriate occupation on your character. In it, you’ll be taught:
- 5 indicators proofreading is the appropriate profession path for you
- The liberty, flexibility, and monetary rewards of proofreading
- Find out how to entice your proofreading purchasers
You should buy the on-line proofreading course right here in the event you’re prepared to enroll and get began. It takes roughly a month to finish and covers all the things from proofreading fundamentals to discovering on-line jobs and managing your workflow.
The place Can You Discover On-line Enhancing and Proofreading Jobs?
Whether or not you’re in search of on-line proofreading jobs, modifying jobs, part-time or full-time work, or only a facet hustle, there are a lot of choices so that you can discover.
1. Appen
Appen hires people for information assortment, translation, transcription, and proofreading initiatives. When you create your account, you’ll want to fill out your profile to unlock extra initiatives utterly. In keeping with their job itemizing on LinkedIn, you’ll have to have an excellent comprehension of the English language. They do ask about your training stage, but it surely’s unclear in the event you want a sure stage to finish proofreading initiatives.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for novices
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3.7 stars out of 5
2. CACTUS International
CACTUS International hires staff, contractors, interns, and freelancers from the US, the UK, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, and Canada. Positions embody writing, modifying, reviewing, translation, transcription, voice-over work, customer support, advertising and marketing, design, and extra. Since CACTUS International areas of focus are analysis and publication, the modifying positions require candidates to have a level.
- Schooling: Requires a university diploma
- Expertise: Depends upon the function
- Classification: Depends upon the classification
- Glassdoor Score: 3.8 stars out of 5
3. EditFast
EditFast is a proofreading service the place purchasers can submit their requests for proofreading, modifying, and writing gigs. To get began, you’ll create an account and confirm your e mail handle. Potential proofreaders should submit a resume and full a number of modifying exams. As soon as accepted, you’ll obtain notifications concerning potential initiatives. EditFast pays the proofreader 60% of the challenge value (they preserve 40%), so charges fluctuate by challenge.
- Schooling: A university diploma
- Expertise: Should have previous modifying expertise
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: No ranking
4. Categorical Writers
Categorical Writers hires copywriters, professional copywriters, social media copywriters, designers, and replica editors. Their editors are paid $15 per hour and should edit a minimal of three,000 phrases per hour. For his or her writing and modifying roles, you should be a local English speaker, have impeccable spelling and grammar, and perceive greatest website positioning practices.
- Schooling: Unknown: might not require a university diploma
- Expertise: Unknown for editors; they rent three ranges of writers
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3.4 stars out of 5
5. Focus Ahead
Focus Ahead provides transcription, translation, advertising and marketing analysis, coding, and proofreading companies to purchasers. For his or her part-time proofreading positions, you should have superior to intermediate information of Microsoft Phrase and Excel, glorious communication abilities, and a working laptop and high-speed web connection.
- Schooling: An affiliate’s diploma is most well-liked
- Expertise: Expertise could be thought of in lieu of a level
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3.3 stars out of 5
6. Gramlee
Gramlee is an modifying and proofreading firm. They provide companies for writing initiatives equivalent to dissertations, essays, novels, white papers, and extra. Editors and proofreaders should full an software that features a background examine and an evaluation. Proofreaders are anticipated to show paperwork round inside 24 hours in the course of the week (however can set their very own hours).
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for novices
- Classification: Unknown
- Glassdoor Score: No ranking
7. Kibin
Kibin is a smaller firm that gives copyediting, proofreading, and grammar companies. They work with many college students and scholarly organizations to assist with essays, functions, and dissertations. Kibin pays proofreaders per phrase and consists of bonuses for deadlines and buyer satisfaction. In keeping with a overview on Glassdoor, proofreaders earn $4-$10 per doc.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for novices
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 4.3 stars out of 5
8. ProofreadingPal
Proofreading Pal provides proofreading companies for resumes, essays, books, companies, and extra. In keeping with their web site, proofreaders can earn $500-$3,000 a month proofreading paperwork from dwelling. To use, you’ll have to fill out their on-line software, in addition to submit a resume and canopy letter. In case you make it to the subsequent step within the hiring course of, you’ll be required to cross their timed proofreading examination.
- Schooling: Should be enrolled in faculty with a 3.5 GPA or
- Expertise: Have a graduate diploma with a minimal of 5 years of expertise
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3.1 stars out of 5
9. ProofreadingServices.com
Providing $19-$46 per hour and versatile hours, ProofreadingServices.com works with varied purchasers across the globe. Contractors undergo a 20-minute testing course of once they apply to show their proofreading abilities and skills. With ProofreadingServices.com, you may create your individual schedule and work full- or part-time hours.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for novices
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: No ranking
10. Scribe Media
Scribe Media provides skilled publishing companies to individuals who wish to write and publish a e-book. They typically have positions for copywriters ($250 per challenge), line editors ($0.04 per phrase), and canopy designers ($2,200 per challenge).
- Schooling: Unknown: might not require a university diploma
- Expertise: Should have expertise modifying manuscripts
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 2.9 stars out of 5
11. Scribbr
Scribbr hires editors in quite a lot of languages to proofread and edit educational paperwork. They’re a Dutch firm that hires editors from all around the globe. In keeping with their web site, editors course of, on common, 1,700 phrases per hour and earn round €20-€25 per hour. You need to fill out an software and cross their on-line language quiz to be thought of.
- Schooling: Should have a bachelor’s diploma
- Expertise: Should have expertise in modifying educational texts
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 4.3 stars out of 5
12. Scribendi
Scribendi is a proofreading and modifying firm based mostly in Ontario, Canada. They provide each in-house and freelance alternatives. Freelancers should cross a screening check and full an software course of. The pay varies by challenge, but it surely’s aggressive, and every challenge’s priced out upfront. They don’t rent freelancers from California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Washington DC, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
- Schooling: Should have a college diploma
- Expertise: At the least three years of expertise in modifying, writing, or instructing the English language
- Classification: 1099 and W2
- Glassdoor Score: 3.5 stars out of 5
13. Research.com
Research.com hires people for lesson and curriculum growth, writing, researching, modifying, proofreading, and tutoring. For these positions, you may select your schedule, and also you’ll receives a commission twice a month through PayPal. Research.com hires people from the US and the Philippines.
- Schooling: No point out of needing a level
- Expertise: Prior expertise is required
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3 stars out of 5
14. Wordvice
Wordvice operates worldwide, servicing universities, medical establishments, and laboratories. They rent freelance editors, content material writers, translators, and on-line English Tutors. To get employed, you’ll have to submit a resume and full an modifying pattern. Pay is commensurate with expertise, initiatives, and information stage of the precise subject.
- Schooling: A complicated faculty diploma
- Expertise: Should have prior expertise
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Score: 3.1 stars out of 5
Job Boards and Freelance Marketplaces
As you may see, most of the fashionable modifying and proofreading corporations require a university diploma and expertise. So, how do you get expertise if nobody will rent you? You’ll be able to attempt submitting a spec project to show your abilities and experience to a possible shopper. You may as well attempt pitching and making use of for one-off gigs on freelance marketplaces and job boards that don’t have as inflexible necessities for proofreaders. Listed below are platforms and websites to discover.
15. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a telecommuting job board that hosts quite a lot of modifying and proofreading positions. The character, availability, and necessities for every place will fluctuate by the project and the corporate. Some proofreading jobs require excessive ability ranges, whereas different positions are extra normal and require much less expertise. With FlexJobs, it’s straightforward to view quite a lot of positions to evaluate what you’re greatest certified for, they usually hand-screen all corporations so you may relaxation assured each itemizing is legit.
16. Fiverr
Fiverr is a contract market the place freelancers can submit their companies, and enterprise house owners can store round to discover a freelancer to finish their initiatives. Initially, Fiverr labored on the premise that every service was solely $5; at present, they’ve expanded how a lot freelancers can cost for his or her companies ($5-$10,000). With Fiverr, it’s free to hitch, and no matter you resolve to cost on your proofreading companies, they’ll preserve 20% of the overall value.
17. Kelly Providers
Kelly Providers is a staffing company that gives a variety of non permanent and temp-to-hire jobs. Their digital jobs embody proofreading and modifying companies for quite a lot of industries and companies. Listings will fluctuate based mostly on abilities, expertise, and the character of the place. Proofreaders can discover digital work within the US and past.
18. Randstad
Randstad is a US-based staffing company that lets you seek for distant non permanent, contract, non permanent to everlasting, and everlasting roles. Since Randstad covers all kinds of positions, you’ll have to seek for key phrases: proofreader, proofreading, modifying, copy editor, and editor. Positions, in addition to necessities, will fluctuate enormously from shopper to shopper. To assist pace up your search, you may join emails for the kinds of positions you’re trying to find.
19. Robert Half
Robert Half is a US-based staffing company that hires everlasting, contract, and non permanent staff for in-person and distant roles. Like Randstad, Robert Half hires in many alternative areas, so that you’ll wish to search a couple of completely different variations of your key phrase. You must also discover all jobs that come up in your search outcomes. Usually, the title of the job is in a unique space, like writing, content material coordination, challenge help, or advertising and marketing, but it surely consists of proofreading as a part of its function.
20. Upwork
Upwork is a contract market that gives quite a lot of initiatives, together with proofreading and modifying. When you full your profile on the location, you’re paired along with your preferrred jobs. You may as well search via purchasers and reply to invites instantly. Charges fluctuate by challenge and shopper, and the charges are disclosed upfront. Some initiatives are hourly, and others supply a hard and fast value.
Find out how to Begin a Freelance Proofreader Enterprise
Beginning your individual proofreading enterprise provides you the choice to work the hours of your selecting, set your individual charges, and work solely from dwelling. You don’t want a university diploma in the event you begin your individual enterprise. You’ll be able to develop along with your purchasers and even supply further companies based mostly in your abilities and expertise.
Whereas maintaining with deadlines and increase your shopper base are challenges, there are many assets that will help you get began along with your freelance proofreading enterprise. The Editorial Freelancers Affiliation (EFA) is an expert group providing job listings, assets, training, and connections to different proofreaders within the trade.
Able to Begin Your Proofreading Enterprise?
Listed below are some frequent steps you’ll have to take to begin your individual proofreading enterprise.
- Get the right proofreading coaching in the event you want it.
- Write your marketing strategy — You’ll be able to seize our free marketing strategy template right here.
- Decide your proofreading area of interest (educational, authorized, medical, authors, bloggers, copy editor, and so forth.)
- Construct your web site and arrange your social media profiles.
- Arrange your communication channels, workflow processes, and the way you’ll settle for funds.
- Beginning pitching purchasers, I recommend making a listing of 100 individuals and firms you’d prefer to work with, then pitch 2-5 individuals a day till you’re totally booked up.
- Preserve monitor of your revenue and bills and pay your quarterly self-employment taxes.
Is Changing into a Proofreader Proper For You?
In case you take pleasure in studying and writing and also you’re a stickler for proper utilization of the English language, proofreading could be a nice facet hustle or a full-time profession. Because you’ll probably be working as a freelancer, you’ll even have the bonus of with the ability to work a versatile schedule, which is sweet information in the event you’re attempting to stability caretaking duties with being profitable. In case you’re uncertain if a proofreading profession is the appropriate possibility for you, you’ll want to try Proofread Anyplace’s free workshop.
Initially revealed August 7, 2017. Content material up to date August 2024.