Do you’ve gotten an eagle eye for catching spelling and grammatical errors? In that case, perhaps changing into a web based proofreader is your calling.
As a result of proofreading requires a extremely detail-oriented persona, proofreaders are in excessive demand, notably for on-line companies. And since you’ll be able to proofread from wherever, it’s a wonderful choice for getting cash from house. 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 every little thing you should find out about this work-from-home occupation.
What’s the Distinction Between Proofreading and Modifying?
Proofreaders and editors are sometimes considered interchangeable, however there are particular variations between the 2 roles. Proofreading primarily focuses on catching spelling errors, grammar and punctuation errors, and typos.
Alternatively, editors could undergo the knowledge and reorder and arrange it for readability. They could change or strike out materials utterly. Editors examine and confirm sources and alter the tone of voice to higher match the viewers. Usually editors and writers may match collectively by a number of revisions.
Whereas editors additionally proofread, proofreaders aren’t essentially thought-about 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 generally a graduate diploma in journalism or English. Discover this put up for distant enhancing jobs.
How A lot Do Proofreaders Earn?
In accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, proofreaders earn a wage of $48,770 on common for full-time work. The pay and quantity of labor differ by the proofreader’s availability and workload. A busy proofreader who can preserve a number of constant shoppers or who has coaching in a specialty space like bilingual or authorized proofreading will usually earn extra.
What {Qualifications} Do You Have to Turn out to be an On-line Proofreader?
Many proofreading and enhancing jobs require a bachelor’s diploma or present enrollment in a four-year program. You also needs to know find out how to use applications like Microsoft Workplace and Google Docs and have familiarity with the primary fashion 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 data and assist put together you for this profession.
Caitlin Pyle from Proofread Wherever affords a free workshop for proofreaders that will help you resolve if it is a appropriate occupation in your persona. In it, you’ll study:
- 5 indicators proofreading is the best profession path for you
- The liberty, flexibility, and monetary rewards of proofreading
- appeal to your proofreading shoppers
You should purchase the on-line proofreading course right here if you happen to’re prepared to enroll and get began. It takes roughly a month to finish and covers every little thing from proofreading fundamentals to discovering on-line jobs and managing your workflow.
The place Can You Discover On-line Modifying and Proofreading Jobs?
Whether or not you’re in search of on-line proofreading jobs, enhancing jobs, part-time or full-time work, or only a facet hustle there are numerous choices so that you can discover.
1. EditFast
EditFast is a proofreading service the place shoppers can submit their paperwork on-line for proofing and enhancing. Potential proofreaders should submit a resume and full a number of enhancing exams. As soon as authorized, you’ll obtain notifications concerning potential initiatives. EditFast pays the proofreader 40% of the challenge worth, so charges differ by challenge.
- Schooling: A school diploma
- Expertise: Will need to have previous enhancing expertise
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
2. 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 enhancing pattern. Pay is commensurate with expertise, initiatives, and data degree of the particular subject.
- Schooling: A sophisticated faculty diploma
- Expertise: Will need to have prior expertise
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
3. Gramlee
Gramlee is an enhancing and proofreading firm. They provide companies for writing initiatives corresponding 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 throughout the week (however can set their very own hours).
- Schooling: Unknown; could not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; could settle for rookies
- Classification: Unknown
4. Kibin
Kibin is a smaller firm that provides copyediting, proofreading, and grammar companies. They work with many college students and scholarly organizations to assist with essays, purposes, and dissertations. Kibin pays proofreaders per phrase and consists of bonuses for deadlines and buyer satisfaction. In accordance with a assessment on Glassdoor, proofreaders earn $4-$10 per doc.
- Schooling: Unknown; could not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; could settle for rookies
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
5. ProofreadingServices.com
Providing $19-$46 per hour and versatile hours, ProofreadingServices.com works with numerous shoppers across the globe. Contractors undergo a 20-minute testing course of after they apply to show their proofreading abilities and skills. With ProofreadingServices.com, you’ll be able to create your personal schedule and work full- or part-time hours.
- Schooling: Unknown; could not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; could settle for rookies
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
6. Scribendi
Scribendi is a proofreading and enhancing firm based mostly in Ontario, Canada. They provide each in-house and freelance alternatives. Freelancers should go a screening take a look at and full an software course of. The pay varies by challenge, however it’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: Will need to have a college diploma
- Expertise: A minimum of three years of expertise in enhancing, writing, or educating the English language
- Classification: 1099 and W2
8. ProofreadingPal
Proofreading Pal affords proofreading companies for resumes, essays, books, companies, and extra. In accordance with their web site, proofreaders can earn $500-$3,000 a month proofreading paperwork from house. To use, you’ll have to fill out their on-line software, in addition to submit a resume and canopy letter. If you happen to make it to the subsequent step within the hiring course of, you’ll be required to go their timed proofreading examination.
- Schooling: Have to be enrolled in faculty with a 3.5 GPA or
- Expertise: Have a graduate diploma with a minimal of 5 years of expertise
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
9. Scribbr
Scribbr hires editors in a wide range of languages to proofread and edit educational paperwork. They’re a Dutch firm that hires editors from everywhere in the globe. In accordance with their web site, editors course of, on common, 1,700 phrases per hour and earn round €20-€25 per hour. You will need to fill out an software and go their on-line language quiz to be thought-about.
- Schooling: Will need to have a bachelor’s diploma
- Expertise: Will need to have expertise in enhancing educational texts
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
10. Appen
Appen hires people for knowledge assortment, translation, transcription, and proofreading initiatives. When you create your account, remember to utterly fill out your profile to unlock extra initiatives. In accordance with their job itemizing on LinkedIn, you’ll have to have comprehension of the English language. They do ask about your training degree, however it’s unclear if you happen to want a sure degree to finish proofreading initiatives.
- Schooling: Unknown; could not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; could settle for rookies
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
11. Scribe Media
Scribe Media affords skilled publishing companies to individuals who wish to write and publish a ebook. They typically have positions for copywriters ($250 per challenge), line editors ($0.04 per phrase), and canopy designers ($2,200 per challenge).
- Schooling: Unknown: could not require a university diploma
- Expertise: Will need to have expertise enhancing manuscripts
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
12. Specific Writers
Specific Writers hires copywriters, skilled copywriters, social media copywriters, designers, and duplicate 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 enhancing roles, you should be a local English speaker, have impeccable spelling and grammar, and perceive greatest search engine optimization practices.
- Schooling: Unknown: could not require a university diploma
- Expertise: Unknown for editors; they rent three ranges of writers
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
13. Focus Ahead
Focus Ahead affords transcription, translation, advertising analysis, coding, and proofreading companies to shoppers. For his or her part-time proofreading positions, you have to have superior to intermediate data of Microsoft Phrase and Excel, wonderful 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-about in lieu of a level
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
14. Examine.com
Examine.com hires people for lesson and curriculum improvement, writing, researching, enhancing, proofreading, and tutoring. For these positions, you’ll be able to select your schedule, and also you’ll receives a commission twice a month by way of PayPal. Examine.com rent people from the US and the Philippines.
- Schooling: No point out of needing a level
- Expertise: Prior expertise is required
- Classification: Unbiased contractor
Job Boards and Freelance Marketplaces
As you’ll be able to see, lots of the standard enhancing 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 strive submitting a spec task to show your abilities and experience to a possible consumer. You may as well strive pitching and making use of for one-off gigs on freelance marketplaces and job boards that don’t have as inflexible of necessities for proofreaders. Listed below are platforms and websites to discover.
15. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a telecommuting job board that hosts a wide range of enhancing and proofreading positions. The character, availability, and necessities for every place will differ by the task and the corporate. Some proofreading jobs require excessive talent ranges, whereas different positions are extra common and require much less expertise. With FlexJobs, it’s simple to view a wide range of positions to evaluate what you’re greatest certified for, they usually hand-screen all corporations so you’ll be able to relaxation assured each itemizing is legit.
16. Fiverr
Fiverr is a contract market the place freelancers can put up their companies, and enterprise homeowners can store round to discover a freelancer to finish their initiatives. Initially, Fiverr labored on the premise that every service was solely $5; as we speak, they’ve expanded how a lot freelancers can cost for his or her companies ($5-$10,000). With Fiverr, it’s free to affix, and no matter you resolve to cost in your proofreading companies, they’ll preserve 20% of the overall worth.
17. Kelly Companies
Kelly Companies is a staffing company that provides a variety of non permanent and temp-to-hire jobs. Their digital jobs embrace proofreading and enhancing companies for a wide range of industries and companies. Listings will differ 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 means that you can seek for distant non permanent, contract, non permanent to everlasting, and everlasting roles. Since Randstad covers all varieties of positions, you’ll have to seek for key phrases: proofreader, proofreading, enhancing, copy editor, and editor. Positions, in addition to necessities, will differ significantly from consumer to consumer. To assist velocity up your search, you’ll be able to join emails for the varieties of positions you’re looking for.
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 totally different variations of your key phrase. You also needs to discover all jobs that come up in your search outcomes. Usually the title of the job is in a distinct space like writing, content material coordination, challenge help, or advertising, however it consists of proofreading as a part of its function.
20. Upwork
Upwork is a contract market that provides a wide range of initiatives, together with proofreading and enhancing. When you full your profile on the positioning, you’re paired along with your supreme jobs. You may as well search by shoppers and reply to invites instantly. Charges differ by challenge and consumer, and the charges are disclosed upfront. Some initiatives are hourly, and others supply a set worth.
21. Guru
Guru is a contract platform the place you’ll be able to create an account to showcase your freelance proofreading companies, or you’ll be able to bid on present initiatives. The initiatives you’ll discover on the positioning differ and embrace every little thing from enhancing weblog posts to proofreading speeches and enhancing screenplays and e-books. Guru has totally different membership ranges for freelancers, which embrace a free membership plan with a 9% job price charge and a max of 10 bids per thirty days. For all of the totally different plans and advantages of utilizing Guru, go right here.
Begin a Freelance Proofreader Enterprise
Beginning your personal proofreading enterprise offers you the choice to work the hours of your selecting, set your personal charges, and work solely from house. You don’t want a university diploma if you happen to begin your personal enterprise. You’ll be able to develop along with your shoppers and even supply further companies based mostly in your abilities and expertise.
Whereas maintaining with deadlines and build up your consumer base are challenges, there are many sources that will help you get began along with your freelance proofreading enterprise. The Editorial Freelancers Affiliation is knowledgeable group providing job listings, sources, 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 personal proofreading enterprise.
- Get the right proofreading coaching if you happen to 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 shoppers, I counsel making a listing of 100 folks and corporations you’d wish to work with, then pitch 2-5 folks a day till you’re absolutely booked up.
- Preserve observe of your earnings and bills and pay your quarterly self-employment taxes.
Is Changing into a Proofreader Proper For You?
If you happen to get pleasure from studying and writing and also you’re a stickler for proper utilization of the English language, proofreading is a good work-from-home job. Because you’ll possible be working as a freelancer, you’ll even have the bonus of with the ability to work a versatile schedule, which is nice information if you happen to’re attempting to stability caretaking duties with getting cash. If you happen to’re uncertain if a proofreading profession is the best choice for you, remember to try Proofread Wherever’s free workshop.
Initially printed August 7, 2017. Content material up to date August 2023.