20 Ways to Make Money From Home Proofreading

Do you’ve gotten an eagle eye for catching spelling and grammatical errors? In that case, possibly turning into an internet 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 anyplace, it’s a wonderful possibility for creating wealth from residence. In lots of instances, on-line proofreaders may even set their very own hours and work at their very own tempo.

If turning into an internet proofreader sounds interesting, maintain studying for every little thing you should find out about this earn a living from home occupation.

What’s the Distinction Between Proofreading and Modifying?

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 data and reorder and set up 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. Usually, editors and writers may match 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 put up for distant modifying jobs.

How A lot Do Proofreaders Earn?

In line 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 shoppers or who has coaching in a specialty space like bilingual or authorized proofreading will usually earn extra.

What {Qualifications} Do You Have to Change into 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 use applications like Microsoft Workplace and Google Docs and be conversant in the essential type guides, together with AP, APA, MLA, and Chicago Guide of Model.

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 determine if it is a appropriate occupation in your character. In it, you’ll study:

• 5 indicators proofreading is the suitable profession path for you
• The liberty, flexibility, and monetary rewards of proofreading
• Easy methods to appeal to your proofreading shoppers

You should purchase 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 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, modifying jobs, part-time or full-time work, or only a facet hustle, there are lots 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 line with their job itemizing on LinkedIn, you’ll have to have a great comprehension of the English language. They do ask about your schooling stage, nevertheless it’s unclear when you want a sure stage to finish proofreading initiatives.

• Training: Unknown; might not require a level
• Expertise: Unknown; might settle for freshmen
• Classification: Unbiased 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, design, and extra. Since CACTUS World areas of focus are analysis and publication, the modifying positions require candidates to have a level.

• Training: Requires a school diploma
• Expertise: Relies on the position
• Classification: Relies on the classification
• Glassdoor Ranking: 3.8 stars out of 5

3. EditFast

EditFast is a proofreading service the place shoppers can submit their requests for proofreading, modifying, and writing gigs. To get began, you’ll create an account and confirm your e mail deal with. Potential proofreaders should submit a resume and full a number of modifying checks. As soon as accepted, you’ll obtain notifications concerning potential initiatives. EditFast pays the proofreader 60% of the undertaking value (they maintain 40%), so charges fluctuate by undertaking. 

• Training: A university diploma
• Expertise: Will need to have previous modifying expertise
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: No ranking

4. Specific Writers

Specific Writers hires copywriters, knowledgeable 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 modifying roles, you should be a local English speaker, have impeccable spelling and grammar, and perceive greatest search engine optimisation practices.

• Training: Unknown: might not require a school diploma
• Expertise: Unknown for editors; they rent three ranges of writers
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: 3.4 stars out of 5

5. Focus Ahead

Focus Ahead provides transcription, translation, advertising analysis, coding, and proofreading companies to shoppers. For his or her part-time proofreading positions, you should have superior to intermediate information of Microsoft Phrase and Excel, wonderful communication abilities, and a working pc and high-speed web connection.

• Training: An affiliate’s diploma is most well-liked
• Expertise: Expertise is perhaps thought of in lieu of a level
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: 3.3 stars out of 5

6. Gramlee

Gramlee is an modifying and proofreading firm. They provide companies for writing initiatives akin to dissertations, essays, novels, white papers, and extra. Editors and proofreaders should full an utility that features a background verify 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).

• Training: Unknown; might not require a level
• Expertise: Unknown; might settle for freshmen
• Classification: Unknown
• Glassdoor Ranking: 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, purposes, and dissertations. Kibin pays proofreaders per phrase and contains bonuses for deadlines and buyer satisfaction. In line with a overview on Glassdoor, proofreaders earn $4-$10 per doc.

• Training: Unknown; might not require a level
• Expertise: Unknown; might settle for freshmen
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: 4.3 stars out of 5

8. ProofreadingPal

Proofreading Pal provides proofreading companies for resumes, essays, books, companies, and extra. In line with their web site, proofreaders can earn $500-$3,000 a month proofreading paperwork from residence. To use, you’ll have to fill out their on-line utility, 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 move their timed proofreading examination.

• Training: 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
• Glassdoor Ranking: 3.1 stars out of 5

9. 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 once 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.

• Training: Unknown; might not require a level
• Expertise: Unknown; might settle for freshmen
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: No ranking

10. Scribe Media

Scribe Media provides skilled publishing companies to individuals who need to write and publish a e book. They usually have positions for copywriters ($250 per undertaking), line editors ($0.04 per phrase), and canopy designers ($2,200 per undertaking).

• Training: Unknown: might not require a school diploma
• Expertise: Will need to have expertise modifying manuscripts
• Classification: Unbiased contractor
• Glassdoor Ranking: 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 line 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 utility and move their on-line language quiz to be thought of.

• Training: Will need to have a bachelor’s diploma
• Expertise: Will need to have expertise in modifying educational texts
• Classification: Unbiased 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 move a screening check and full an utility course of. The pay varies by undertaking, nevertheless it’s aggressive, and every undertaking’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.

• Training: Will need to have a college diploma
• Expertise: No less than 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. Research.com

Research.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. Research.com hires people from the US and the Philippines.

• Training: No point out of needing a level
• Expertise: Prior expertise is required
• Classification: Unbiased 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 information stage of the particular subject.

• Training: A sophisticated faculty diploma
• Expertise: Will need to have prior expertise
• Classification: Unbiased 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 corporations require a school diploma and expertise. So, how do you get expertise if nobody will rent you? You may strive submitting a spec task to show your abilities and experience to a possible shopper. You can even 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 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 task and the corporate. Some proofreading jobs require excessive ability ranges, whereas different positions are extra basic 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 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 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; 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 hitch, and no matter you determine to cost in your proofreading companies, they’ll maintain 20% of the whole value.

17. Kelly Providers

Kelly Providers 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 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 permits you to seek for distant short-term, contract, short-term to everlasting, and everlasting roles. Since Randstad covers all sorts of positions, you’ll have to seek for key phrases: proofreader, proofreading, modifying, copy editor, and editor. Positions, in addition to necessities, will fluctuate significantly from shopper to shopper. To assist velocity up your search, you’ll be able to join emails for the sorts of positions you’re trying to find.

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 various areas, so that you’ll need to search a number of completely 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 unique space, like writing, content material coordination, undertaking help, or advertising, nevertheless it contains proofreading as a part of its position.

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 together with your best jobs. You can even search via shoppers and reply to invites straight. Charges fluctuate by undertaking and shopper, and the charges are disclosed upfront. Some initiatives are hourly, and others supply a set value.

Easy methods 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 completely from residence. You don’t want a school diploma when you begin your personal enterprise. You may develop together with your shoppers and even supply extra companies based mostly in your abilities and expertise.

Whereas maintaining with deadlines and build up your shopper base are challenges, there are many sources that will help you get began together with your freelance proofreading enterprise. The Editorial Freelancers Affiliation (EFA) is knowledgeable group providing job listings, sources, schooling, and connections to different proofreaders within the business.

Able to Begin Your Proofreading Enterprise?

Listed below are some frequent steps you’ll have to take to start out your personal proofreading enterprise.

1. Get the correct proofreading coaching when you want it.
2. Write your marketing strategy — You may seize our free marketing strategy template right here.
3. Decide your proofreading area of interest (educational, authorized, medical, authors, bloggers, copy editor, and so forth.)
4. Construct your web site and arrange your social media profiles.
5. Arrange your communication channels, workflow processes, and the way you’ll settle for funds.
6. Beginning pitching shoppers, 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.
7. Preserve observe of your earnings and bills and pay your quarterly self-employment taxes.

Is Turning into a Proofreader Proper For You?

If you happen to 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 doubtless be working as a freelancer, you’ll even have the bonus of having the ability to work a versatile schedule, which is nice information when you’re attempting to stability caretaking duties with creating wealth. If you happen to’re uncertain if a proofreading profession is the suitable possibility for you, you’ll want to try Proofread Anyplace’s free workshop.

Initially printed August 7, 2017. Content material up to date August 2024.