Do you’ve 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, significantly for on-line companies. And since you’ll be able to proofread from wherever, it’s a superb choice for earning money from house. In lots of circumstances, 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, maintain studying for the whole lot that you must find out about this earn a living from home career.
What’s the Distinction Between Proofreading and Enhancing?
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 might undergo the knowledge and reorder and arrange it for readability. They could change or strike out materials utterly. Editors verify and confirm sources and alter the tone of voice to higher match the viewers. Typically, editors and writers may go collectively by 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 will need to have a bachelor’s diploma and generally a graduate diploma in journalism or English. Discover this put up for distant modifying jobs.
How A lot Do Proofreaders Earn?
In accordance 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 differ 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 usually earn extra.
What {Qualifications} Do You Have to Grow to be an On-line Proofreader?
Many proofreading and modifying jobs require a bachelor’s diploma or present enrollment in a four-year program. You also needs to know learn how to use packages like Microsoft Workplace and Google Docs and be acquainted with 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 expertise 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 this can be a appropriate occupation in your character. In it, you’ll study:
- 5 indicators proofreading is the appropriate profession path for you
- The liberty, flexibility, and monetary rewards of proofreading
- The best way to entice your proofreading purchasers
You should buy the on-line proofreading course right here when you’re prepared to enroll and get began. It takes roughly a month to finish and covers the whole lot 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 searching for on-line proofreading jobs, modifying jobs, part-time or full-time work, or only a facet hustle, there are numerous choices so that you can discover.
1. Appen
Appen hires people for knowledge assortment, translation, transcription, and proofreading initiatives. When you create your account, be sure you fill out your profile to unlock extra initiatives utterly. In accordance with their job itemizing on LinkedIn, you’ll have to have an excellent comprehension of the English language. They do ask about your training degree, however it’s unclear when you want a sure degree to finish proofreading initiatives.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for learners
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: 3.7 stars out of 5
2. CACTUS World
CACTUS World hires staff, contractors, interns, and freelancers from the US, the UK, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, and Canada. Positions embrace writing, modifying, reviewing, translation, transcription, voice-over work, customer support, advertising and marketing, design, and extra. Since CACTUS World 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 Ranking: 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 tackle. Potential proofreaders should submit a resume and full a number of modifying exams. As soon as accredited, you’ll obtain notifications relating to potential initiatives. EditFast pays the proofreader 60% of the challenge worth (they maintain 40%), so charges differ by challenge.
- Schooling: A university diploma
- Expertise: Should have previous modifying expertise
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: No score
4. Specific Writers
Specific 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 have to 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 Ranking: 3.4 stars out of 5
5. Focus Ahead
Focus Ahead affords transcription, translation, advertising and marketing analysis, coding, and proofreading companies to purchasers. For his or her part-time proofreading positions, you have to have superior to intermediate data of Microsoft Phrase and Excel, wonderful communication expertise, and a working laptop and high-speed web connection.
- Schooling: An affiliate’s diploma is most well-liked
- Expertise: Expertise is perhaps thought of in lieu of a level
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: 3.3 stars out of 5
6. Gramlee
Gramlee is an modifying and proofreading firm. They provide companies for writing initiatives comparable to dissertations, essays, novels, white papers, and extra. Editors and proofreaders should full an software that features a background verify 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; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for learners
- Classification: Unknown
- Glassdoor Ranking: No score
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, purposes, and dissertations. Kibin pays proofreaders per phrase and consists of bonuses for deadlines and buyer satisfaction. In accordance with a evaluation on Glassdoor, proofreaders earn $4-$10 per doc.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for learners
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: 4.3 stars out of 5
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. Should 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 Ranking: 3.1 stars out of 5
9. ProofreadingServices.com
Providing $19-$46 per hour and versatile hours, ProofreadingServices.com works with numerous purchasers across the globe. Contractors undergo a 20-minute testing course of once they apply to show their proofreading expertise and talents. With ProofreadingServices.com, you’ll be able to create your personal schedule and work full- or part-time hours.
- Schooling: Unknown; might not require a level
- Expertise: Unknown; might settle for learners
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: No score
10. Scribe Media
Scribe Media affords skilled publishing companies to individuals who wish to write and publish a e-book. They usually 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 Ranking: 2.9 stars out of 5
11. Scribbr
Scribbr hires editors in quite a lot of languages to proofread and edit tutorial paperwork. They’re a Dutch firm that hires editors from all around 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 have 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 tutorial texts
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: 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 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: Should have a college diploma
- Expertise: At the least three years of expertise in modifying, writing, or educating the English language
- Classification: 1099 and W2
- Glassdoor Ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5
13. Examine.com
Examine.com hires people for lesson and curriculum improvement, writing, researching, modifying, 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 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 Ranking: 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 data degree of the precise matter.
- Schooling: A sophisticated faculty diploma
- Expertise: Should have prior expertise
- Classification: Impartial contractor
- Glassdoor Ranking: 3.1 stars out of 5
Job Boards and Freelance Marketplaces
As you’ll be able to see, most of the well-liked modifying and proofreading firms require a university diploma and expertise. So, how do you get expertise if nobody will rent you? You possibly can strive submitting a spec task to show your expertise and experience to a possible consumer. You may also strive 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 here 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 differ by the task 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, and so they hand-screen all firms 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; right now, 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 maintain 20% of the full worth.
17. Kelly Companies
Kelly Companies is a staffing company that gives a variety of short-term and temp-to-hire jobs. Their digital jobs embrace proofreading and modifying companies for quite a lot of industries and companies. Listings will differ based mostly on expertise, 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 short-term, contract, short-term to everlasting, and everlasting roles. Since Randstad covers all forms of positions, you’ll have to seek for key phrases: proofreader, proofreading, modifying, copy editor, and editor. Positions, in addition to necessities, will differ enormously from consumer to consumer. To assist velocity up your search, you’ll be able to join emails for the forms of positions you’re looking for.
19. Robert Half
Robert Half is a US-based staffing company that hires everlasting, contract, and short-term employees 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. Typically, the title of the job is in a special space, like writing, content material coordination, challenge help, or advertising and marketing, however it 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 positioning, you’re paired along with your ultimate jobs. You may also search by purchasers 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 hard and fast worth.
The best way to Begin a Freelance Proofreader Enterprise
Beginning your personal proofreading enterprise provides you the choice to work the hours of your selecting, set your personal charges, and work fully from house. You don’t want a university diploma when you begin your personal enterprise. You possibly can develop along with your purchasers and even supply extra companies based mostly in your expertise 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 (EFA) is knowledgeable group providing job listings, sources, training, and connections to different proofreaders within the business.
Able to Begin Your Proofreading Enterprise?
Listed here are some widespread steps you’ll have to take to begin your personal proofreading enterprise.
- Get the correct proofreading coaching when you want it.
- Write your marketing strategy — You possibly can seize our free marketing strategy template right here.
- Decide your proofreading area of interest (tutorial, 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 counsel making a listing of 100 individuals and corporations you’d wish to work with, then pitch 2-5 individuals a day till you’re absolutely booked up.
- Maintain observe of your earnings and bills and pay your quarterly self-employment taxes.
Is Turning into a Proofreader Proper For You?
Should 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 possible be working as a freelancer, you’ll even have the bonus of having the ability to work a versatile schedule, which is sweet information when you’re making an attempt to stability caretaking duties with earning money. Should you’re uncertain if a proofreading profession is the appropriate choice for you, be sure you try Proofread Wherever’s free workshop.
Initially printed August 7, 2017. Content material up to date August 2024.
