Work From Home Editing and Proofreading Jobs
Content is everywhere. From books to magazines to essays and ads, the written word is used to convey a ton of information every day. And that’s not even including websites. Think about this:
As of January 2014, there were 180 million active websites, all of which are filled with content.
With so much content being written, it only makes sense that online proofreading and editing jobs have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years too.
If you’re ready to jump right in because you know you have what it takes, be sure to take the free General Proofreading Practice & Theory Workshop.
You’ll learn a lot about monetizing your proofreading skills, including the three important factors needed to find long-term success š
Editing vs. Proofreading
The terms Editing and proofreading are often used interchangeably, but they really are two distinct processes.
Editing looks at a document as a whole and checks for flow, clarity, and sentence structure. A good editor will be able to make recommendations on how to improve the overall readability of a document (while also checking for grammar and spelling mistakes).
Proofreading is the final step of reviewing a document and requires reading it word for word to make sure no spelling or grammar errors exist. A good proofreader has an insane eye for detail and can spot spelling errors, typos and any grammatical mistakes a mile away!
Who uses proofreaders and editors?
Writers, authors, students, professors, businesses, entrepreneurs, bloggers, court reporters — just about anyone who has ever written something meant to be read by others may turn to a proofreader and editor to polish their writing.
Note: If you specifically want to work within the publishing industry, you need to check out Proofreading Pro for insider’s guidance on how to break into this lucrative proofreading career path!
Why use a proofreader or editor?
If you’ve ever written anything, you know how difficult it is to separate yourself from it and really evaluate the content for what it’s worth. Plus, when you’re so closely attached to a project, you tend to overlook errors that are glaringly obvious to others. An editor can make suggestions to improve your document and a proofreader will make sure it is error-free.
Where can I find online proofreading and editing jobs?
With so much content around, there certainly are no shortages of opportunities to become a remote proofreader or editor. If you’re starting a proofreading career from scratch, start here. If you have experience, check out these 16 companies frequently hire remote workers to edit and proofread a variety of client documents:
1. Kibin
Kibin is an on-demand editing and proofreading service available 24/7. If you know what makes a piece of writing good and have what it takes to help all writers become their best, you will fit right in as a Kibin Editor.
2. ProofreadingServices.com
At ProofreadingServices.com you can choose to work full or part time (they have enough work to go around!). All of their editors and proofreaders must pass a 20-minute test to start the application process.
3. Domainite
Domainite frequently hires freelance editors to join their team. If you’re new to editing, this is a great opportunity to gain some (paid) experience. You’ll need to edit a sample piece of content to get started. If you do well, you may be invited to contract with Domainite and be well on your way to your new career as an editor!
4. Book In A Box
From time to time, Book In A Box will have remote Editor positions available. Keep in mind, this isn’t your typical editing job. As a Book In A Box Editor, you will interview and get to know authors and writers so you’ll be able to effectively take their thoughts and put them into words (without losing any meaning!). This nontraditional online editing job comes with some pretty nice benefits and a team that is super-supportive to boot.
5. Editor World
To register as an Editor at Editor World you must go through an application process which includes an editing test. If you become a member of the Editors Panel, you may be selected by clients to perform work based on your profile. It’s kind of like a marketplace of editors and proofreaders where clients get to choose who they work with.
6. Wordy
It will take you about an hour to sign up as an online Editor at Wordy. You will need to familiarize yourself with the Wordy style guide and take an online test. Wordy works on a crowdsourced platforms where editors have access to open jobs and claim them on a first-come-first-served basis. When you’re done with a job, you simply upload the document and return it to the client.
7. Gramlee
Gramlee is always looking for talented editors to join their team. Clients are promised 24-hour turnaround times for content that is 3,000 words or less. So there are projects available to edit any time day or night. As a Gramlee Editor, you’ll need to be able to edit documents for spelling and grammar errors as well as overall clarity, structure, brevity, and readability.
8. Scribendi
As a telecommuting Editor at Scribendi, you get to choose which projects you want to work on. Editors gain access to free training and are even offered incentive programs on top of regular pay! Scribendi is very supportive of their online editors and provides forums for them to interact and connect with one another.
9. English Trackers
English Trackers hires expert academic editors. An academic editor helps students, professors and other academia professionals put their research into words. This position requires a higher level of expertise than a typical editing role would. In fact, a typical English Trackers Editor has a PhD.
10. Sibia Proofreading
Have a background in science? Sibia may be a good fit for you. Science experts with strong writing or editing skills are encouraged to apply as are individuals with extensive editing and proofreading experience. To become a Sibia Proofreading Editor, a strong academic background is a must (those with a PhD are preferred!).
11. Polished Paper
Polished Paper offers editing services around the clock, 365 days a year. Editors need to register, submit a resume, and pass an editor’s test to get started. Pay rates vary based on the turnaround time and number of words to be edited. You need to be familiar with several different styles (APA, MLE, Chicago, etc.) to be successful at Polished Paper.
12. Hello Essay
In case you didn’t guess by the name, Hello Essay is an editing service for essays. Remember all those admissions essays you needed to write when applying for college? Hello Essay has an army of editors ready to edit these and other academic essays to perfection. At Hello Essay you can work when you want as much as you want (and get paid pretty well, too!).
13. ProofreadingPal
ProofreadingPal uses a two-proofreader model to make sure each and every document is carefully checked by not one but two of their professional editors. To be successful, you’ll need to be comfortable proofreading for errors as well as editing for sentence structure, clarity, and overall style. ProofreadingPal is always accepting applications and actively hires about eight months out of the year!
14. Publications Professionals
At Publications Professionals, there’s opportunity to work on projects involving a number of different subjects like banking, education, health care, medicine, and many more. Although there are both onsite and offsite positions, all candidates must first pass an onsite proofreading test at the Publications Professionals office located in Fairfax, Virginia.
15. Wordvice
Wordvice specializes in editing services for a variety of documents ranging from academic papers to business documents. Their services are offered 24/7, so there’s work available any time day or night. To become a Wordvice Proofreader, you should have a master’s degree, MS Word, and knowledge of style guides.
16. Cactus Communications
If you have a medical background, an editor position at Cactus Communications may be a good fit for you! This is a flexible opportunity to set your own schedule and earn anywhere from $1,200 to $4,000 a month depending on your availability and accepted workload.
Proofreading Ebooks
No matter your skills or background, if you have an eye for detail and a genuine interest in the written word, an online editing or proofreading job is a great (and lucrative!) work from home opportunity.
Want to get started on the right foot? Check out The Pocket Book of Proofreading
There’s even a Kindle edition so you can read it on your phone or tablet with the Kindle App. Plus, if you Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial, you can read this book (and thousands others) for free for 30 days.
Online Proofreading Training
If you’d like to launch your own lucrative freelance proofreading career, sign up for the free 45-minute workshop at Proofread Anywhere. You’ll learn three important factors that lead to success as a work-from-anywhere proofreader!
For anyone who wants to specifically work with entrepreneurs, writers, content creators, and within the publishing industry, I highly recommend checking out Proofreading Pro by Phon Baillie.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see the disclosure for more information.
Hello, I had experience in copyediting and proofreading from 1989 to 1995. I can’t get any job anywhere. I am interested in working online copyediting-proofreading. I have a hard time finding one online. Can you please let me know if anyone is hiring online proofreading?
I have reviewed my proofreading style books.
Thanks!
Terry Birch
Hi Terry,
Almost all of the companies listed in this article are accepting applications. Most of them are always interested in hearing from qualified editors/proofreaders (judging by your experience, that sounds like you!). I frequently see editor positions posted on Indeed, too. Just search for Editor (in the “what” box) and Remote (in the “where” box). That will pull up all the remote editing positions currently available.
Have you considered freelancing? I know it’s not for everyone, but on sites like Upwork, I see so many editing jobs listed every single day. It may be worth a shot to see if freelancing is something you could get used to.
Good luck!
Ashlee
I am available for hire, time restraint not a problem.
I applied for some of editing proofreading on the list of 12. I have not heard back from them for a couple of weeks. I even went online search for any others. There is no success with any of them. My experience goes back to the 1990s. I guess it’s impossible to get back into it. They all seem to a pro or a rocket scientist. Why do I have to have more than 30 years experience to get into one? Are thee any that offer entry level? I don’t find any from my extensive search.
Thanks!
Terry Birch
Hi Terry. You might be surprised and end up hearing back from one or more of these companies down the road. I applied for a writing position that did not respond to my inquiry until nearly six months later. Many times, these companies hire in rounds and take on bulk hires a few times a year. In the meantime, have you considered transcript editing? You don’t actually have to transcribe anything, but rather, make sure the typist used proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Babbletype is a reputable and steady source of transcript editing work.
I know Lionbridge is hiring editors for a temporary project right now that you sound qualified for.
I’m also aware of SmartBrief now hiring freelance editors to work between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
If I think of anything else or come across new ones, I will be sure to let you know! Have you ever considered writing work?
Ashlee
Hi Ashlee,
Thank you for taking the time to write this great article. What would you recommend someone in my shoes to do who doesn’t have a college degree or any professional experience editing/proofreading whatsoever, but would love to learn how to make money doing this part-time as a freelancer, and only remotely (online), if possible? Is there some kind of test/certification I can take online, paid or free, which–alone–would allow me to qualify for such opportunities (besides other typical applicant-screening protocols such as background checks, phone/webcam interviews, etc., none of which I mind doing)?
Thank you!
Stephen
Hi Stephen. Sorry for the delay in response, but I wanted to conduct a little research before giving you my final answer š So, after several days of digging around here and there and asking around to some current editors and proofreaders I know, I didn’t find out much. Disappointing, I know.
What I did find is that here, in the United States, there isn’t a whole lot of information and resources available for would-be proofreaders and editors. In Canada and Australia, for example, there are associations that you can join and tests to take to become a certified proofreader or editor. In the states, there seems there was such an organization at one point, but has since disbanded.
I did find some courses to teach the art of editing and proofreading. Honestly, many of them seemed ‘shady’ for lack of a better term. Scribendi, which just happens to be one of the companies on this list, has classes available to take. They seem okay. There is a deal going on for them right now via Groupon, if you’re interested.
I started a freelance writing career from scratch. I had absolutely zero experience as a freelance writer and used sheer determination to launch a successful career. I suspect you could do the same as a proofreader, too. My advice? Check out the freelance sites, like Upwork, to get started. That’s how I started gaining experience and building up a portfolio of work. After gaining experience, it was much easier to find steady streams of work. Granted, in the beginning, you will likely have to work for much lower than you would like, but the jobs you get during this time will help catapult you to a successful freelance editing/proofreading career.
Most everything I learned along the way on my journey to freelancing success was read in an ebook. I suggest reading as many as you can find and applying what you’ve read in them to help you launch a successful career. This book is a great place to start: The Pocket Book of Proofreading: A guide to freelance proofreading & copy-editing
I hope this helps (sorry for the length, brevity isn’t my strong suit!). If you have any questions, please let me know, I’ be happy to help.
Ashlee
That does help, thank you very much!
You’re welcome! Best of luck to you in your search. Keep me updated — I’d love to know how everything goes š
Ashlee
Hello Ashlee,
I was wondering who you have on your team that proofs your copy? Can you put me in touch with that person?
Thanks,
Carol
My experience in proofreading was in the 1990s. I am trying to get back into it by doing it online. I am studying and training with paidtoproofread.com. If anyone is looking for a future professional proofreader, let me know. I am wiling to proofread anything.
Thanks!
Terry Birch
Oh, hi! I see an error in the article above! Can you spot it? Well, I can. I have 20+ years of editing experience, I’m a real estate investor now and am looking to use my editing and proofreading skills because 1) I love the work; and 2) it’s fun! I’d be glad to send more about my experience and background. I’ve won tons of publishing awards that are on a shelf now – literally – and I’d like to put my skill to work.
PS – Let me know if you spot the error! Hint: Business writing with errors almost always involves apostrophes. You’d be surprised at how common this is (that’s a hint!).
Have researched if need to use an apostrophe with #’s & have found that both ways are accepted but most of the opinions said not to use an apostrophe with these types of numbers. Also noticed that in the last line the word willing was spelled wrong
Hi, Paula: I didn’t mean there’s an error in the reply above mine, but the article that starts at the top of the page. Take a look through it and see if you can find an editing error.
You’re right, rarely do professional publications use apostrophes with numbers, like 1990’s vs. 1990s. I wouldn’t fault anyone writing a comment for having a spelled a word wrong, since we usually do such things quickly.
Thanks for replying!
Hi ashlee and other co friends iam from India and I had physiotherapy degree as well as mba in human resources and marketing, but due to small kid can’t move out please friends help me to find work from home option.
The quote in the first paragraph is missing the closing quotation mark. š
Nope! That’s not the error I found, but one that I missed! Great job.
In the second paragraph of the editing vs. proofreading section, there is an extra space after the word ‘on’.
Hi Ashlee-
My name is Ashley…interested in changing up my professional life and using the editing/proofing skills I naturally have. I have a college degree in writing and a lot of experience both freelance editing and all the training from college but I’m not sure which avenue would be best. Is there a way I can send you my resume and see what happens? I’m debating starting my own thing too, however I’m not sure where or how to start.
There is an apostrophe missing in Editors Panel (should be Editor’s Panel) in the paragraph following number 5.
ProofreadingPal is usually hiring 8 months out of the year, and we are always accepting applications.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the information! I’m going to add ProofreadingPal to this list.
Best wishes,
Ashlee Anderson
I would really like to get into this. I use to do editing and proofreading documents and forms as well as create form for BellSouth / AT&T before it was put online. I would love to do that again, but working from home would be great.
Hey Ashlee,
Thanks a lot for posting that list. I have proofreading and experience so I was looking forward to some websites to find online work. I have tried on Upwork, and have found many jobs but I am stil waiting for their response. So in meanwhile I wanted to look out for more websites, and I am going to search some from your list. I hope it works. Thanks!
Hi Jainy,
Thanks for stopping by! There’s some great companies on this list for proofreaders (and editors, too!). Give Upwork some time, in the beginning it can feel like you’re submitting proposal after proposal without any gigs — and then, all of a sudden, you’ve got tons of accepted proposals! If you need any help, please let me know.
Best wishes,
Ashlee
Hi Ashlee,
Thank you so much to publish this post. I heard about freelancing from one of my relative and registered myself in upworl, fiverr and freelancer. I am a banker and want to make some extra income in my free time. I am an avid reader for which I found this job interesting. I started posting and bidding jobs with a very low amount as I am new in this field. I have enclosed cover letter wherever they have asked. It’s almost now 3 weeks I have posted 50 jobs and haven’t got a single reply. Can you please tell me why am I facing this problem? Is this because I am new in this field or is the normal Turn Around Time they generally go for? Please give me some advise to get some job as I want to start it from scratch.
Regards
Ananya
Hi Ananya,
Thanks for stopping by! Some clients leave gigs posted for 30+ days before they start responding to proposals. When it comes to freelancing sites, like Upwork, I’ve found that getting the first gig is not always easy. The key is to stick with it! You may want to try changing up your proposal, if you haven’t already, to see if that makes any difference in the responses you receive from clients. Otherwise, I’d give it another couple of weeks. Also, make sure your profiles are complete and you have relevant work samples as well as taken some tests to demonstrate your skills — it can go a long way in helping you get that first gig!
Happily,
Ashlee
Hi,
I am Anitha from Bangalore, India. I have experience in proof reading and style editing in both books and journals. Can you suggest any jobs to do online?
Help!!
I just got accepted at Domainite, but don’t know what to tell them my “rates” are! What even are rates? And how do I know what I’m worth?
I have no previous experience and no college degree. I am very flexible, and willing to be paid less than I’d like, if it means regular work and a fuller resume.
Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated!
Hi Alexis! That’s great — congrats š
Now, as far as Domainite, I was under the impression they paid editors $0.25 for every 100 words edited. I know it sounds low, but editing should not take that long. I’ve heard that the assignments are relatively easy. And, if you’re quick enough, you can really start cranking through articles and earn a decent hourly rate.
Keep in mind, Domainite is very much entry-level work. It’s a good way to gain experience (and confidence!) so you can move on to more lucrative assignments.
In my experience, a 500-word article should take 4-5 minutes to edit. If you’re paid $0.25 for each 100 words (so, $1.00 for each 500-word article) you would expect to make between $12-$15/hour if you’re spending 4-5 minutes editing each one.
If you feel confident that you’d be able to get through articles quickly and are comfortable earning $12-$15, I would definitely go with their standard $0.25/100 words edited.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions — you can always reach me directly: ashlee@workfromhomehappiness.com
Happily,
Ashlee
Hi! Just as a bit of background before I get into the main subject, I’m 16 and starting college with my major in Psychology and a minor in English/Creative Writing (dual-enrollment; I’m exclusively taking college classes that will fulfill my needs for both my high school diploma and Associates degree). I have a job at a local fast-food place, but I’m trying to help my parents pay for my tuition. Would taking on one of these online jobs as a side job be a good idea? I know this is more of an advice comment, but do you think it would be do more good or harm?
Hi, I got accepted as an editor at Domainite a few weeks back. I had to mention that I am from India to plan my working schedule according to U.S. timings. Since then haven’t heard from them. Does Domainite only accept people from the U.S. ? In fact, do the companies listed by you in the above article accept applicants outside their country?
Hi Supriya,
Thanks for stopping by! Since I’m located in the U.S., I keep up with companies that hire residents in the States. Some companies do hire internationally. However, I cannot say with certainty which companies do and which companies don’t. Often, international hiring fluctuates depending on their need and current laws and regulations.
If a company does not outright say they accept international candidates, I would suggest emailing them to ask before applying. This will save you a lot of time, energy, effort and frustration š
Best of luck!
Happily,
Ashlee
Thanks a lot for the prompt reply Ashlee! I have learnt my lesson and will keep your suggestion in mind.
Can anyone help with general instructions for the Domainite test? I just tried to sign up as an editor on Domainite, but when the “test” came up, it wasn’t at all clear what was expected or what kind of editing was required. The copy provided looked like it was meant to be website content and from first glance the grammar, punctuation, usage seemed to be correct. It seems like editing here could be anything from tightening it up to be a bit more concise and use active voice, to restructuring and rewording for marketing punch, to even HTML tags and formatting with bulleted items, headings, and insets. Any guidance? Thanks!
Thank you so much for this super-helpful list. Your site has helped me a ton over the past few months in my transition from a desk job to a work-at-home career in writing and editing. I have worked on and off for Cactus for the last couple years and love it. For the most part, there is a high volume of work. One challenge is that your pay rate is based on your quality scores, and it can be challenging to meet the company’s very high expectations if you don’t have previous experience. It took me a few months to achieve high scores consistently. Overall, I recommend it–but note that you do need a master’s degree or higher. Thanks again for this helpful article!
Great info – very detailed and enjoyable to read! Thanks š
I have experience in copyediting and proofreading. I am also having experience in project handling in typesetting industry. I am looking for an online job.
There is an error in the section of your home page entitled “Where can I find online proofreading and editing jobs?”
The last sentence should read: If you have experience, check out these 16 companies WHICH frequently hire remote workers to edit and proofread a variety of client documents.
Perhaps you may want to make a correction.
Greetings,
Currently, I teach American Literature at a rural high school in Georgia. I am an extreme introvert, so being in the classroom environment drains my energy, and I am thinking about leaving the profession. Proofreading and editing have always appealed to me, and since I live hours away from a big city, a brick and mortar editing office is not an option. I have six years of teaching experience, a Bachelor of Arts in English degree, and a Ed. S. in Curriculum and Instruction. Over the years, I have developed a love for proofing and editing and know that I could adapt to working online. Based on your experience with the industry, do you believe that it would be possible to make a living from working online? Would you recommend working for multiple companies to maintain a steady income? What is the job outlook for growth in the online editing industry? Thank you for posting the list of potential websites.
Sincerely,
Clair
Very superb info can be found on site .
A very informative article and excellent list of resources. Thank you for putting it together!
In (5), it should be “choose whom they work with.”
Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive post and list. It has been invaluable and very much appreciated.
I am just starting out working from home and finding reputable jobs has been a mind field to navigate.
Madam/Sir,
Thanks for the opportunity to work as freelance editor.
I teach English upto the graduation level and am well acquainted with grammar, punctuation, sentences and paragraph formations and also editing.
I hope to be given an opportunity to work for you.
Thank you,
Titus
It is amazing to me that so many of you have made mistakes of your own in leaving your comments, while asking about a proofreading career for yourself!
I want to be online english proofreader
This article spreads great help. Excellent work dear Ashlee.
Hi Ashlee, I have been reading your posts for about a year now but this is the first time I have built the courage to comment. Your blog is one of the few that inspired me to find work online and dedicate myself to building a freelance career.
Thank you for this wonderful list of jobs you keep updating regularly! Yours is one the go-to sites for me to find more jobs.
Great pages. Very informative.
Proofreadanywhere.com is a great resource for people wanting to learn about proofreading.
Hi, Ashlee,
Just wanted to thank you and let you know that I read this post 3 1/2 years ago, picked Wordy.com out of your list, and applied; I’ve been making about 2/3 of my freelance living working for them ever since. Thank you for a very timely and helpful post. Circling back now as I need to increase my income and want to diversify so I’m not 100% dependent on one online service. I didn’t realize how many other resources you offered! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Hi Annginette,
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your story š I wish you continued success!
Happily,
Ashlee
Cactus is always looking for freelance specialist editors to edit academic papers in the field of engineering, computer science, genetics and so on. Plus, they respond rather quickly and depending on your skills, you can get chosen to do either standard or premium editing. The rates for standard editing is 14 USD per 1000 words.
Thank you for this article. I am beginning the process of applying to different editorial companies. However, I’m having difficulty understanding how to make sure I pass proofreading/editorial exams before I am hired. I tried Proofreading Pals, but unfortunately, I didn’t pass and was unable to retake it. Would you happen to know any resources I can look into to prep me for taking pre-screening exams?
Thanks!
Felicia Johnson
Hi Felicia,
Thanks for stopping by! It’s a good idea to be familiar with the different styles of proofreading before trying to take the exams. Each company will have different styles they will want you to follow. For example, The Chicago Manual of Style is a big one š
The Dummies people have a cheatsheet you can look at: http://www.dummies.com/careers/career-planning/changing-careers/copyediting-and-proofreading-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/
There’s also a free workshop you can sign up for that discusses some of the tools needed to be a successful proofreader. You can learn more about the 45-minute workshop here.
I hope that gives you enough to get started š Let me know if you have any questions!
Happily,
Ashlee
Hi Ashlee,
I have a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Communication Media concentration and a minor in Journalism. I have written, paid and unpaid, for local newspapers. I had an internship for copyediting at a local newspaper as well. I have a great attention to detail. I absolutely love proofreading and editing and have helped many people write and proofread their assignments throughout the years. I prefer the proofreading and editing, more so the editing, over writing. I am looking for an opportunity with decent pay and work that is always available. I would like to be able to work at odd hours when I cannot sleep at night, which is often, and just have some extra time. Which opportunity would you recommend for me based on this information? I’m just looking for some direction! Thank you!
Just a comment on ProofreadingServices.com. I took their test almost a month ago and I’m sure I did well. I like sites that actually test your skills, because I’ve seen too many “editors” at various freelance sites whose profiles are full of typos or just very badly written! However, all I have received so far was this email in response:
“Thank you for taking ProofreadingServices.com’s preliminary proofreading test. If you passed, I will contact you to let you know. Unfortunately, Iām not able to contact everyone or release your score. Speaking as transparently as possible, I can only hire about one out of every 300 applicants. With this in mind, my team and I wrote a guide to help proofreaders find work-from-home proofreading jobs. If you’re interested in that, here’s the link: https://gumroad.com/l/proofreading”
I’m not sure if he’s being kind in sharing the guide (for whatever price you choose to pay), or if he’s just making money in another way. I couldn’t tell from the original test how one would even stand out amongst 300 people. So I’m not sure if this is a viable option, but at least the test didn’t take long.
I was also given a link to this very cool–or should I say terrific? brilliant? excellent?–infographic: 128 Words to Use Instead of “Very”. Fun!
https://www.proofreadingservices.com/pages/very?ref=Careers
Kim, wow, thought I was the only one noticing all the grammar, etc. mistakes in the comments; very elucidating.
Jessica, forget the word “I” and learn to start a sentence with “you.”
Wow. For $500 a month worth of income you have to have FIVE years’ worth of experience? People with graduate degrees earned “too long ago” are going to STARVE.
@Clair:
I’m not Ashlee (great article and blog, by the way!), but since I’m a freelance editor who’s been in business since 1999, I’d like to share some hopefully helpful thoughts for you and others who might read this.
“Do you believe that it would be possible to make a living from working online?”
That depends on your living expenses, your expectations, and the amount of energy you are willing to invest. But yes, it is definitely possible. However, the market has become quite crowded in recent years, so you need to find a way to stand out. Start by signing up with some of the above-mentioned companies. Take as much jobs as possible (even if they are not that well-paid in the beginning), so you can build a reputation and get in touch with customers. Make sure you always deliver quality work. If you feel you cannot do that for the payment offered, decline. And always try to expand your knowledge and improve your skills.
“Would you recommend working for multiple companies to maintain a steady income?”
If you can’t find a single company that provides you with a constant flow of jobs and pays reasonably well, I’d say this is the only way to get started (apart from going completely solo). There are a lot of companies in the industry that do neither, so you probably want to sign up with multiple ones and see what works for you. In addition, you should also get a website where you can introduce your services and list some credentials. Maybe do some social media marketing. Sooner or later, clients will come to you directly.
“What is the job outlook for growth in the online editing industry?”
As an editor alone? Limited, I’d say. Yes, you will probably be able to make a decent living eventually, but there is only so much work you can do in a single day, and raising your prices will be tolerated by the market only to a certain degree. That’s why some editors start their own business by writing guidebooks or holding online seminars, so they can reach more clients with the same amount of work.
Thanks to the changes taking place because of technology now we can work from anywhere and still meet our goals in life.
Just a comment for those reading this article looking for any freelance proofreading jobs. Proof Master is a newly established editing company currently looking for editors to join the team. Proof Master offers academic services to students but also has a number of business clients currently utilising their service.
As they are now approaching the busier time of the academic year, Proof Master are looking to recruit some quality, reliable editors that they can work with on a regular, long-term basis.
If you are interested, please contact them at info@proofmaster.co.uk for further details.
Scribbr is hiring native English freelance editors to proofread and edit academic texts on a part time or full time basis! Our mission is to help students graduate and become better academic writers. We were founded in 2012 and have recently been named one of the fastest growing companies in Europe by the Financial Times and the 5th fastest growing startup in the Netherlands by Deloitte in 2017, so we can guarantee room for growth and continuous employment based on your prefered availability. For more information and to apply to join our team of 400+ freelance editors, please visit our website https://www.scribbr.com/jobs/freelance-native-english-editor/ š
Ultius hires freelance writers pretty frequently, https://ults.co/writerapply). They have writing and editing work.
I want to do proof-reading, editing etc job. Plprovide me with details
Great Article, I have been searching for these kind of jobs from quite a long time but haven’t got something. After reading your article at least got some ideas and places to go and search a job for my self as well.
I have got some websites and facebook pages as well for this purpose.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or
if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Useful information i have new ideas after reading this post keep more update
Babbletype is listed as a scam on Glassdoor.
https://www.glassdoor.ca/Reviews/Employee-Review-Babbletype-RVW15214240.htm
Useful information for students and people who are trying to earn some extra income.
Hello, I ecently resigned my position in healthcare after 22 years. I am looking into working from home as a proofreader/editor. I am new to the field and need help getting my foot in the door. Do companies always require a degree? What can i expect in the first year? I see the list of companies above. Do they have open entry level positions? I need to get working and would love to work from home.
I find it quite ironic that a website advertising proofreading has typos within its content.
I would be happy to help cleanup your content.
My fees are quite reasonable.
Regards,
Joe DeLucia
mrjoedelucia@sbcglobal.net
Hi Joe,
I don’t advertise proofreading jobs but rather share real jobs leads for those interested in proofreading jobs from home (clearly, I’m not one of them). Good luck in your proofreading endeavors!
Happily,
Ashlee
Oxbridge Proofreading is hiring native English PhD qualified editors.
Oxbridge Proofreading specialise in doctoral level textual proofreading and editing: helping PhD candidates to present their research with greater clarity; assisting Professional Academics to correct the English in their journal articles and conference papers for publication.
If you are interested in finding out more, please visit our website https://oxbridgeproofreading.co.uk/ and send us your details using the Contact Us form.
I don’t see the list of companies hiring anymore – has it been taken down?
My name is David, I’ve been looking for work from home jobs and would love to be a proofreader, I’ve always had a love of writing, and the like. I’ve been writing ever since I was in the third grade and I have recently published my first book. I’m looking to publish a second book soon, and am trying to break out of the same job I’ve had for almost a decade. I’ve been doing fast food for almost a decade and am so tired of it. Any help you can give will be most appreciated.
I have a Ph. D. I English, all types of experience: www,manuscriptsplus.com, and I am seeking to register as an editor/proofreader.
Hello, my name is Ibrahim I have always wanted to be a proofreader this is because I have much flair for writing. I write poems, tributes and a social commentator on global issues on social media. Please, kindly assist me to secure this job online so that I can keep improving my skills and as well earn money.Thank you, as I look forward to hearing from you.
I started work as a proofreader and i will try these places to get more work. Your blog is blessing for me in starting. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog.
I didn’t hear about these platforms to get editing and proofreading job before visit your blog. I am always trying to find a job through an Upwork which I found a platform with secure transactions.
I don’t see a list of websites. Did they somehow get taken off of the post?
Hi Emily,
Thank you for letting me know! I can see it from my side (within the website) but didn’t know that readers couldn’t see it from the outside. I fixed the glitch and now you should be able to see it. Thank you for taking the time to let me know so I could fix it.
Happily,
Ashlee
Hi Ashlee – would this advice and information apply to someone who lives in South Africa?