It sounds like a dream job: Get paid to read books all day. For many professional proofreaders, that’s exactly what they do for a living. You can too. It just takes a little bit of leg work and some natural talent to get established.

Today, the publishing industry is a lot different than it was 10 years ago. It used to be, big-name authors and well-established writers were the only ones able to get book deals. But, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to e-books and online publishing platforms, like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, pretty much anyone with a desire to can write, publish, and sell an ebook. 

But, before a book goes to print — whether virtually or on paper — a number of steps should take place first. One of the most important of which is proofreading. 

What Is Proofreading? 

Proofreading is often the last step of the writing process. It is the phase where a book is read, word for word, with the sole purpose of spotting errors. The person doing the proofreading is called a proofreader. Their job is to find mistakes within the print. Common errors they’re looking for include: 

• Misspelled words 
• Missing punctuation
• Grammar issues
• Formatting mistakes

When a proofreader comes across any above mentioned errors, they note them using common proofreader marks. These mistakes are then corrected before the book is published. 

What Proofreading Is Not 

We know what proofreading is — reading text in search of errors involving spelling, punctuation, grammar, and format. 

Proofreading does not involve fact checking, rewriting for clarity, or identifying other readability issues. These content and flow problems are addressed during the editing process. 

Remember, proofreading is the final step in the writing process. The proofreader goes over text with a fine-tooth comb to identify typos, grammatical errors, and instances where formatting is not as it should be.

The proofreader is not tasked with rewriting chunks of text or addressing confusing passages. That is the editor’s job. 

Why Writers Pay Proofreaders 

It takes a lot of time, energy, and effort to write an ebook. And the last thing the writer wants is to send something to print that is riddled with errors. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can affect the overall sales of a book. And, at the end of the day, authors are in the book writing business to make money.

Books that are sold with common spelling mistakes or grammatical gaffes reflect poorly on the writer and can keep them from making sales both now and in the future. 

What It Takes To Be A Proofreader

If you have a knack for spotting errors and are an avid reader, you already have the makings of a professional proofreader. But to take your natural skills and turn them into a profitable job takes some work.

For starters, you’re going to need to learn the tools of the trade. This includes things like common proofreader marks, mistakes proofreaders must identify, and knowing where and how to find work. 

Get Paid to Read Books (And Other Proofreading Gigs) 

I’ve written about 16+ online editing and proofreading jobs you can do from home.This list contains a number of beginner-friendly options for those who want to try their hand at proofreading before going full time.

Keep in mind, not all jobs listed will pay you to read books. There are gigs for proofreading academic papers, marketing materials, and web content (to name a few). 

You also have the option of signing up for freelance marketplace sites, like Upwork. There, you’ll find proofreading gigs frequently posted by clients who need a fresh set of eyes on their content. Again, the types of jobs will vary from one posting to the next. Sometimes there will be offers to get paid to read books, but not always.

There is also an opportunity for you to find clients on your own. That is, you can approach ebook authors and writers with an offer to proofread their work before it gets published. You simply pitch your services to said writers and explain to them the benefit of using your proofreading services. 

It’s a lot to take in. I know. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed as a beginner, don’t fret just yet. There are a couple of great resources out there for aspiring proofreaders, like you, who want to get paid to read books all day. 

Learn to Proofread Professionally 

First up, there’s ProofreadAnywhere. The General Proofreading And Theory Course will prepare you to proofread professionally and help you find work. The free proofreading webinar is a great place to start. In just 45 minutes, you can figure out what it takes to be a professional proofreader and whether or not it’s something you can see yourself doing. 

Another option is Art of Proofreading. This course was developed by my friend, Phon. She gets paid to read romance novels. And after years of working with publishers, she’s sharing her insider’s knowledge with you. Sign up for her free introductory lessons to gain industry insight from a professional who’s been exactly where you are! 

Proofreading Ebooks for Beginners

If you’re not ready to jump all into a proofreading career, that’s okay too. When you’re curious about professional proofreading but aren’t ready to go all in, I highly recommend reading up on the subject. 

In fact, it’s highly recommended that you conduct research before making a career change. This helps ensure you make the right decision and can tackle your new career confidently. 

An affordable resource to start researching proofreading as a profession is the book, Copyediting & Proofreading for Dummies. This book can help you improve your skills, master publishing lingo, and prepare for a full-time or freelance proofreading career. The best part? You can get it on Amazon today for under $15.

All you need is the free Amazon Kindle Reading App (you can download it on your phone, tablet, or computer) and — voila — you now you have a valuable proofreading resource right at your fingertips. 

Get Paid To Read Books As A Professional Proofreader 

There you have it — how to finally turn your bibliophile ways into a career as a professional proofreader. Don’t expect to launch a profitable proofreading career overnight. Instead, take your time and do the research! 

Sign up for the FREE PROOFREADING WEBINAR over at ProofreadAnywhere. This is a great place to start as a beginner, as you can get a feel for the profession without spending a penny. 

You’ve got this! 

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.

The post Get Paid To Read Books From Home appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

To make more money as a proofreader, and to do it for the long term, you need to make yourself more marketable. And you can do that by learning one particular skill that’ll up your proofreading game. In this post, I draw from my professional experience as an editor to show you how.

A Look At Traditional Proofreading

Proofreading is a surface check for typos. Proofreaders will read text looking for errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting, and basic grammar. They do not go deep into the text, rewrite, reorganize, or make judgement calls on content. 

Proofreading is also considered the easiest form of editing, and it’s become a popular way for people to work from home. It’s generally low-stress in nature, flexible, requires a short training period, and doesn’t need a lot of equipment. All you need is your computer, an internet connection, and resources. 

The proofreading industry isn’t regulated by any governing agencies, and you don’t need a special certificate, degree, membership, or accreditation to work as a proofreader. However, you do need to be properly trained in specific mechanical know-how, editorial processes, and knowledge of industry best practices. Without proper training, you will lack the knowledge and experience that’ll allow you to work on various kinds of content.

And while many people love the idea of getting paid to read and spot errors, now proofreading has become a lot more than fixing mistakes in text. 

How Proofreading Is Changing

In my long career as an editor, I’ve proofread many different types of content including books, articles, reports, and blog posts to name some examples. 

I’ve also worked on over 1600 fiction and nonfiction books for traditional publishers like HarperCollins and Harlequin. I do freelance proofreading for some of these companies, and one thing that I can tell you without a doubt, is that 95% of the books I work on require more than the traditional surface-only proofreading skills. 

It’s very rare to work on a print book or ebook requiring just a straightforward, surface-only proofread. 

Times are changing. From my own marketing process, and from teaching on my blog, I can tell you that clients now want proofreaders who can do more. In my time working with publishers and self-published writers, and businesses and entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that people want someone who can do more if necessary. 

They want proofreaders who can also do light to moderate copyediting skills, also known as “basic” copyediting.

Why You Should Learn Light Copyediting

So why is it important for you to learn some copyediting skills? Well, it’s so you can recognize and address problematic issues that could negatively impact a brand’s message or an author’s unique voice.

It’s so you can go deeper into the text if you have to. Clients want you to really care about their content and to make sure everything is on brand, cohesive, and the best it can be. And they want to know that you can fix it so it is. 

Light copyediting is sometimes referred to in the publishing world as “high-end proofreading.” Some of you may have even heard proofreading and light copyediting together as “proof-editing.” I prefer to call it “high-level proofreading.” Whatever you call it, it’s clear that you need to learn it.

How To Make More Money As A Proofreader 

If you invest in learning light copyediting skills in addition to proofreading, you not only up your skill set, but you also make yourself more marketable, you stand out from the crowd of surface-only proofreaders (and there are a lot!), and my favourite: you can make more money.

Knowing copyediting skills can make you eligible for copyediting projects and other higher-level editing jobs depending on the qualifications. You can also command a higher rate. While trained proofreaders can make as high up as $30 – $35/hour, copyeditors who just work within a light to moderate scale can make as high as $40 – $60 an hour, or sometimes even higher. 

Recently, I worked on a project for a government agency that wanted a copyedit on a report. They didn’t want a heavy copyedit that would’ve involved rearranging and rewriting text. They wanted me to do a copyedit to make sure everything was cohesive, the grammar was correct, etc. 

Basically, what they wanted was a light copyedit. They asked for a copyeditor, although the majority of the tasks were proofreading. But because there were some light copyediting tasks involved, I was able to quote them my copyeditor’s rate. It was $60 an hour, plus a hefty rush fee since the client wanted it done ASAP.

Mind you, I have many years of experience behind me, so I can command this rate, but it’s a rate that is attainable with the right set of skills and knowledge. And if you have experience in a niche like medical, engineering, or software, then you can definitely go in at a high rate.

So that’s an example of how, with just some extra training and top-notch skills, you can wear two hats and switch them around if need be. If you want to learn more about gaining proofreading and copyediting skills, then I recommend you sign up for my FREE 45-minute workshop webinar. In it, I discuss all things proofreading, content, publishing, and light copyediting.

Click here to enroll in the free workshop.

Do More So You Can Be More

I often get emails from people asking me if there really is room for more proofreaders in the world. The answer is yes. 

Think about all the websites, blogs, books, reports, guides, scripts, and magazines in the world that are created. There are over a billion websites in the digital sphere! Because of the internet and smartphones, people have become voracious consumers of content, which in turn is increasing its creation. And people want quality content. Not messy, unprofessional content.

In regards to publishing, ebooks and self-published books have become very popular, and writers are starting to realize that the quality of their books matter if they want readers to become dedicated, raving fans. No one recommends a book that’s shoddy and full of errors. 

So there’s a need for proofreaders who can clean up, refine, and help their clients come across as authoritative professionals. Not only do clients deserve more, but you do, too.

You want to stand out from the crowd. There are a lot of proofreaders out there doing the same thing across many niches. How are you going to stand out? That’s why in my course, High-Level Proofreading Pro, I teach my students not only full-stack proofreading skills, but also light to moderate copyediting.

Conclusion

I always tell people that proofreading is like fine wine. It gets better with time. Whether you want to proofread as a full-time freelance career, add on to your services, or want to do it as a side hustle to bring in extra money every month, you want to be able to meet client expectations. 

You also want to stick around for the long term, and be able to take your abilities further than the average proofreader. Why not go beyond the basics, so you can do more and be more, right?

The post How To Make More Money As A Proofreader With This One Skill appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

I mean, think about it, would you really feel 100% confident buying something from a business whose website is riddled with easy-to-spot errors?

Probably not.

It sends a message of laziness, as if they can’t be bothered to double check their work before it’s sent to consumers, like you.

So, to prevent embarrassing mistakes from going to print or being published, lots of businesses, bloggers, and brands seek the help of professional proofreaders. This helps ensure that everything that’s being seen by the public is free of mistakes and leaves a professional impression long after it’s read.

And this is good news for you if you’ve always thought you have what it takes to use your grammar-guru ways to earn extra cash — from anywhere! Today, you can easily start a proofreading hustle or service business you can use to get paid to read all day every day.

What Exactly Does A Proofreader Do Anyway?

Good question.

Proofreaders concern themselves with spotting errors within text. This can include typos, spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and missing punctuation.

Proofreaders are usually the last ones to read content before it is published, whether in print or online.

Essentially, they go through copy (what you call written text) with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it is 100% error free.

What Doesn’t A Proofreader Do?

A lot of people interchange the terms editing and proofreading, even though they are two very different phases of the writing process.

When editing a text, you look at big-picture stuff. You look at the overall structure of the writing, note poor word choices, disorganized paragraphs, and suggest changes that improve the overall readability. Editors make sure the flow of writing makes sense and content is cohesive from start to finish.

Proofreaders do not concern themselves with these big-picture issues. Instead, they are handed a document AFTER an editor goes over everything. The proofreader is looking for any kind of syntax, grammar, or spelling issues that may be present. A proofreader will not make suggestions to improve the flow, structure, or readability of a text. Period.

Would I Make A Good Proofreader?

It depends. Do you read a lot? If you answered, yes, chances are you’d make a pretty good proofreader too.

Those of us who read a lot, tend to notice errors in writing a lot more easily than non-readers. Plus, heavy readers typically have a natural understanding of grammar and can better spot misspelled words.

If you find yourself reading everything from the back of your conditioner to flyers posted around town and notice seemingly small errors, you’ve got the makings of a professional proofreader.

Who Uses Proofreaders?

Anyone who writes should hire a proofreader. Notice how I use the word should? Well, that’s because not everyone who publishes content uses proofreaders, even though they should.

Take a look at some of these super embarrassing grammar and spelling mistakes that could’ve been avoided by hiring a proofreader:

Apostrophes are important, right?

I’ve never heard of Amercia before. How about you?

I’d like to meet the genious who let this go to print

Even though we text, email, and use social media to communicate less formally with one another, there are still plenty of reasons for proper spelling and complete sentences. And that’s why many people from business to brands hire proofreaders, including:

• Authors
• Copywriters
• Bloggers
• Marketers
• Students
• Web content creators
• Social Media Marketers
• Brands
• Small businesses
• Publishers

As a professional proofreader for hire, you can market your services to any number of these writers or pick a more specific niche — the choice is yours. For example, my friend Phon, made a living proofreading romance novels (cool, right?).

What If I Don’t Have Professional Proofreading Experience?

That’s okay. Truth be told, most proofreaders get started with zero prior proofreading experience.

I mean, there aren’t really any colleges or universities that offer degrees in proofreading. Sure, an English degree or something in a similar field may sort of prepared you for proofreading professionally, it’s not the same thing as getting in there and proofreading in real life.

And really, the only way to gain experience is to start small and work your way up to bigger fish.

For example, there are a number of companies that hire proofreaders. Keep in mind, many of them pay low rates. But, if you really want to try your hand at proofreading before going all in, they’re great places to start. Think of those sites as paid proofreading internships.

The more you proofread, the better you’ll get. And the more experience you gain, the better your opportunities as a proofreader for hire. We’ve all got to start somewhere, right?

Proofreading Training

If you’re really set on the idea of proofreading professionally, I highly recommend obtaining some kind of training.

While it’s not necessary to have a formal education (I started proofreading on Upwork by accident!), having a blueprint to follow can make it super easy to become a paid proofreader quickly.

And the good news is, there are a couple of affordable online options that will prepare you to tackle the world of pro proofreading even when you’re a total newbie.

My personal fave? This free 45-minute workshop over at Proofread Anywhere.

This information-packed session will help you make sense of professional proofreading. It’s hosted by proofreading powerhouse Caitlyn Pyle who knows a thing or two about starting a proofreading hustle from scratch.

By the time it’s over, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you actually have what it takes to go pro.

So go ahead and sign up for the free workshop and get started. You won’t know if you’ve got the chops until you actually try!

Get Paid To Read (It’s Possible!)

If someone asked you, “How would you like to get paid to read?” You’d probably say, “Sign me up!”

And truth be told, you really can make a living as a proofreader. The demand for perfectly polished content and professional copy is made possible by proofreaders, like you.

Remember, you don’t need professional experience or formal education to get started.

But you do need to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to start from scratch and build a career.

Think you have what it takes to go pro? Did you find any errors in this post? Let me know in the comments below!

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Learn more about my use of them by reading this disclosure statement.

The post How To Become A Proofreader (So You Can Finally Get Paid To Read All Day) appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

Freelancing is becoming SUPER common — so common that 1 in 3 Americans now has a side hustle of some kind. People are looking to get out of the typical 9-to-5 grind and be their own bosses — and who can blame them?

Most of us aren’t too passionate about what we do for a living anyway. We drag ourselves to work each day to do a job we don’t like, to work for people we don’t care for, to put in countless hours for zero potential growth. And then drive back home on a commute… we don’t like.

I know I was tired of working my butt off for someone else and not reaping any of the rewards. And I’m sure we all have stories about horrible bosses, nasty coworkers, long commutes, and zero potential for growth. Instead of putting up with all that, entrepreneurs are deciding to take their lives and futures into their own hands.

That’s exactly what I did!

My freelance proofreading career began after I got fired.

Yep, fired. As in, unceremoniously shown the door at my full-time job after working my tail off there.

But getting fired ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me.

Without being fired, I never would’ve even thought of starting my own company. But I was forced to. So I took up freelance proofreading to earn income.

I did that for three years, and I did pretty well for myself: I earned more than $40k a year two years in a row. People kept asking me to teach them how I did it. While I had the knowledge to create a how-to of some kind… I had ZERO confidence. Who would listen to me? And who would actually pay money to learn from me? Because of that self-doubt, my first blog, Proofread Anywhere, almost never existed.

But my husband, Ben, encouraged me to put myself out there. So I started out with an eBook. And now, three years later, my business has grown to two online proofreading courses and several eBooks and workshops.

Teaching others about proofreading is what I LOVE to do. It’s been the most rewarding and life-changing experience of my life.

And today I’d like to share with you exactly why you should consider starting your own freelance proofreading business, just like I did. Who knows — it might lead you to places you never thought possible!

Proofreading is a growing freelance side hustle… and even a career

You might be wondering if proofreaders are even in demand right now.

The short answer: absolutely! A vast majority of the content we consume consists of words. Think about the online content you view — most of it is written, or at least has some written component to it. And we all know there’s no end to the amount of new content being added to the internet on a daily basis.

Just think of all the possibilities! Bloggers, authors, website creators, business owners, copywriters — the list is endless. Every one of those content creators needs a proofreader.

The rise of online businesses has created a major demand for fresh, quality content on a regular basis. That means businesses are churning out articles and eBooks left and right, and when you write that much copy, you definitely need a second set of eyes to make sure it’s as error-free as possible.

Error-free content equals a positive reputation; content riddled with errors equals a not-so-positive reputation. Which do you think a business wants?

One of THE largest and fastest growing niches is online courses. Entrepreneurs are taking their businesses to the next level by launching specialized courses in their fields of expertise. And guess what? Those courses need to be free of grammatical errors and spelling typos. Even *I* hire proofreaders to proofread my courses — and I’m a professional proofreader! It goes to show that everyone needs a second set of eyes.

Proofreading basics

So what exactly does a proofreader do?

A proofreader’s main job is to spot grammatical, formatting, punctuation, and spelling errors before the content is published. You are using your eagle eyes to spot errors the content creator and/or editors might have missed.

It’s very easy for writers to skip over errors they’ve made because they’ve looked at the content so many times that they see what they want to see, not necessarily what is actually there on the page (or screen). A fresh pair of eagle eyes can spot those errors easily and help polish the content so that the author’s true vision is there in the final version.

What a proofreader does NOT do is rewrite sentences, move paragraphs, or give opinions on high-level elements like the plot or main idea. Those items are considered editing and copyediting, and you definitely don’t want to do those as a proofreader.

Why? Number one, editing and copyediting demand a higher rate, so you would essentially be doing more work for less money. And second, you might not yet have developed the more advanced skills you need for copyediting. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew with a client — that’s a fast way to get a bad reputation. And believe me, it’s a small world out there.

But once you master the art of proofreading, I highly recommend branching out into copyediting and editing. Like I always say: mo’ skills = mo’ money!

Common proofreading tools

In order to be a successful proofreader, you must use the tools clients expect you to have. Besides your natural skill of finding errors, the two basic and most common tools for general proofreaders are a style guide (like The Chicago Manual of Style) and a dictionary (I recommend Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). If you’re working for an author or publisher, you might also need their specific guides. (Don’t worry: if it’s required, they’ll provide it to you with the project.)

You should also have a way to proofread documents quickly and easily. Some of the more common options are Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and a PDF annotation tool like Adobe or iAnnotate. Some clients might even prefer pen and paper, but that option is getting less and less popular and is usually more of a hassle than it’s worth.

You might notice I didn’t list any online grammar checkers or a generic spell check tool. That’s because while they can both be super helpful, they should not be depended on to be 100% accurate. How many times have you typed something in Word and the spell check tells you something is incorrect but you know for a fact that it’s okay? This is where relying on your skills and knowledge trumps any automated grammar tool out there. If you think running spell check in Word is sufficient, becoming a proofreader might not be the gig for you.

What it takes to be a great proofreader

All excellent (emphasis on excellent!) proofreaders have the same core qualities. No matter what corner of the world you live in or what type of content you proofread, you must have the following skills:

• A natural ability to spot errors and know how/why to fix them. This is THE most important skill to have. If you don’t have a natural passion for pointing out errors, proofreading is probably not right for you. If you’re known to your friends and family as the “Grammar Police,” then you should definitely consider proofreading as a career.

• A great attention to detail. Another must for a proofreader! This skill can make or break you. If you’re more of a “big picture” type of person, a freelance business that demands a critical eye for the smaller things might not be the best way to go.

• Enjoy reading. This might seem like a given, but it must be said. If you don’t like to read, you are not going to enjoy proofreading. The two sort of go hand in hand

• Always willing to learn more. No matter how good you think you are, there is always, ALWAYS room for improvement. Even the masters need to hone their skills or learn new ones on a regular basis. Becoming stagnant or settling for okay are the worst enemies for freelancers.

• Unafraid of doing research. I guarantee that every single project you work on will present a new challenge. You’ll come across a word you’ve never heard of before, or maybe the topic of the content is something super different from what you normally work on. Google, your professional network, and the library are your friends.

• Maintain a stellar online reputation. With so much networking happening online, it’s VERY important that you present yourself in a professional manner at all times. That includes your (error-free) website, how you interact on your social media profiles, and any reviews of your work.
• A positive attitude. People want to work with kind, professional, positive people.  If you are a pain in the butt to work with, you’re going to have a really hard time finding — and keeping — clients. This kind of goes along with the previous point. Word travels fast, and if you’ve been rude and unprofessional with a client, it’s likely others will hear quickly, and your chances of getting quality jobs drops drastically.

Time to test your proofreading prowess!

All right, Eagle Eyes! Let’s see how you do with some of the most common errors found while proofreading. This will give you a good idea whether or not proofreading could be the gig for you. Good luck!

1) Do you know why _____ desks are so dirty

A. their  B. they’re

2) Which sentence is correct?

A. I like to eat chocolate but my friend likes to eat peanut butter.

B. I like to eat chocolate, but my friend likes to eat peanut butter.

3) We always loved visiting our _____ house.

A. grandparents’  B. grandparents

4) I like to watch at least _____ new movies every month.

A. three B. 3

5) Which sentence is correct?

A. My son is taking a three-week vacation in July.

B. My son is taking a three week-vacation in July.

Answers:

1. A (their: shows ownership; they’re: contraction of “they are”)
2. B (use a comma to separate two independent clauses)
3. A (use an apostrophe to show ownership)
4. A (generally, spell out numbers zero through one hundred)
5. A (hyphenate compound adjectives before the noun they modify)
   

How did you do? If you got four or five right, you’ve got the makings of a great proofreader! If you didn’t do so hot, don’t worry too much — that just means there’s room for improvement, right?

How YOU can get started as a freelance proofreader

If you’re looking for a low-risk way to find out more about becoming a freelance proofreader, check out my FREE 45-minute workshop. I show you how to elevate your skills, use one of the most popular proofreading tools out there, and even give you a sneak peek into how to find clients.

Then if you like what you see and hear, you can go on to sign up for my General Proofreading course and receive a special rate just for attending the workshop.

See you there!

This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about them, check out the disclosure statement. 

The post Have A Knack For Spotting Errors? Here’s Why You Should Start A Freelance Proofreading Business appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

In that time, I’ve had people ask me over and over “How do I become a freelance proofreader? How do I start? What if I make a mistake? What if I don’t know what to do?”

They love reading, working with words (some have even proofread before) but are scared to freelance. They don’t know if they can make it on their own.

What I have to say to anyone who feels the same way is I understand because I was in the same situation once.

I knew I could proofread, but I didn’t know if I could leave behind job security, a steady income, and a daily (if mindless) routine.

I also wasn’t sure if I could even handle being my own boss and all the responsibility that went with it.

All I knew was I couldn’t handle a corporate job anymore. I also wanted to be able to look back at my life and say that I pursued my dreams, I tried my best, and I lived freely.

So what I did was make a plan to escape the grind and to build up my confidence.

I busted my butt trying to land remote proofreading jobs, and I took them regardless of the size or pay. Just having someone say “yes” to me was a huge motivator to keep pushing forward. I felt better about my skills and my ability to take care of myself. I was also learning how to think and act like a self-employed person.

For a year I proofread as a side hustle on top of my full-time corporate job until I had an emergency fund in the bank and I felt 100% sure that I could make it out there. If things got tough, I knew how to keep pushing forward.

Because that’s all you can do when you’re a freelancer—if things slow down or you get rejected, you learn that you have to keep marketing yourself, keep looking for work.

Like any venture you take on in life, your results are dependent on the work you put in. Because it will pay off if you work hard and don’t give up.

Be creative, try new things, don’t be scared to get rejected or even to be accepted. Whatever project is thrown your way, there are resources galore that you can reference.

That’s also why I wrote my ebook The Ultimate Guide to Freelance Proofreading. I wrote it to answer questions about being a proofreader, and to give you advice, tips, guidelines, and resources to get you started. I even have a style guide and practice test.

A big hurdle a new freelancer has is landing that first gig. I’ve put together some tips to help you start off.

Getting Out Of The Newbie Circle

An obstacle that new proofreaders hit is being told you don’t have enough experience for a job, but then how can you get work if you don’t have any experience? This is one of the most frustrating parts of starting a freelance career. But hang in there, because once you land your first job things will get easier.

Here are some tips to get out of the newbie circle:

Volunteer Your Proofreading Services

I started out volunteering as a proofreader for a publishing house, and it didn’t take long for me to land my first paid gig after that. Volunteering is an excellent way to build up your experience but also to warm up your skills and prepare you for paid gigs. You learn how to communicate with clients, how to manage deadlines, and what process and system works best for you.

An added bonus is being able to ask volunteer clients for testimonials (and maybe they’ll turn into paying clients, too!).

Places you can volunteer:

• Non-profit organizations
• Clubs and associations
• Small local businesses
• Entrepreneurs

Apply For Entry-Level Jobs

The truth is that you’re new to proofreading and are starting from scratch. When doing your job search look at simpler proofreading jobs that require only a couple years of experience. Those skills will be easier for you to align with.

 Join An Editing Agency

An editing agency matches writers with freelance proofreaders/editors, and typically serve the business and academic communities. They hire proofreaders to work on business or academic content. If you have a strong high-level background in medical/science you can find work proofreading articles and manuscripts through an academic editing agency.

A big bonus here is that when you are accepted by an agency you don’t need to market yourself to find work, they send it to you, and will also act as mediators if any disagreements arise with the author. Some agencies will even offer feedback on your work if you’re new. Some editing agencies are:

• Dragonfly Editorial 
• Editage
• Proof-Reading-Service.com

Publishing Services

Publishing services are very popular with indie writers. After the author has completed their manuscript they join a publishing service to proofread their book, publish, and distribute for them. Some self publishing companies are:

• Lulu
• Bookbaby
• Book In A Box

Join Job Bid Sites

Job bid sites like Fiverr, Upwork and Damongo are popular for finding one-off freelance proofreading gigs, but I always caution people to use these sites carefully. Many opportunities are posted on these sites every day and there’s a lot of competition. Keep in mind that the time you spend applying and proposing for jobs, you could be marketing yourself directly to potential customers, with no competition. People have found success and regular clients on these sites, so using them is your choice.

Become a Freelance Proofreader

In my book I also address more freelance proofreading issues and guide you in the steps you need to take to get started. However you decide to proceed with proofreading, keep in mind your dreams of being your own boss and enjoying a life of flexibility. You’ll be able to spend more time with friends and family, carve out some “me time” when you need it, bring in extra money to live more comfortably, or even pick up and go whenever, wherever you want. Just remember to work hard and keep going ’cause it’ll be worth it.

The post What You Need To Know To Become A Freelance Proofreader appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

When people hear what I do for a living they usually get taken aback because it’s not every day you meet someone who reads romance novels and gets paid for it. Usually the surprise is followed by questions from both men and women like “How did you get into that?” or “How can I do that, too?” How I got here required me to be the heroine in my own story.

Damsel in Distress

I used to be an in-house proofreader for a global publisher where I worked on various fiction novels, mostly romance. It was what you’d imagine a romance publishing house to be like: pink cubicles, a never-ending stream of treats, and Valentine’s Day was the biggest holiday. I loved my company, boss, coworkers, and my work, but after a while I started to feel stifled and stagnant. I wanted to be free, and to me that meant setting my own schedule, choosing my work location, and being able to spend time pursuing my goals and interests.

When I received my post-graduate certificate in book and magazine publishing, I had dreams of being a remote worker, but ended up going for a secure office job instead. Six days of the week were defined by my job. I had 11-hour days that included a one-and-a-half hour commute each way. By the time I got home I was exhausted, and only had a couple hours to relax and spend time with my husband before I had to go to bed and do it all over again. I didn’t like living for the weekends, and most of Sundays were a write-off since I was basically the poster child for the Sunday night blues.

My unhappiness grew and grew and it started to affect my attitude at work. I so badly wanted out of the cubicle that I started to write down my ideal day on Post-it notes. Whenever I felt down I cheered myself up by writing what I could’ve been doing instead. I wrote down simple things like what I’d do from the moment I woke up (no alarm going off, grab a latte, take my dog for a long walk) to the end of the day (work on novel, watch a movie).

In hindsight, I realize that back then I was doing a form of visualization. By writing those Post-it notes, I was actually putting into motion the next course of my life. I remember one day reading my Post-it life and thinking I can’t spend the rest of my days planning and yearning for a life that never happens. I had become like some of the women in the stories I read, who dreamed of a way out.

How I Rescued Myself

I went online and started to pick up freelance proofreading and writing jobs that were flexible. I did these side hustles in the evenings after work and on the weekends. Before I quit my job I needed to see what was available for me out there. I had a mortgage to pay, and my husband was starting a new business so it was important there was no change in my finances.

I also wanted to see where my skills would take me in the remote-working world. I applied to everything that utilized my skills, even if just a portion of them, and I looked outside of the publishing industry. There weren’t as many telecommuting jobs back then as there are now, so my choices were limited and competition was fierce.

I worked my full-time office job and juggled side hustles for about a year until I felt confident that I could make a successful go of freelancing. I had just secured a freelance managing editor position for a lifestyle website and was picking up more writing jobs. My decision was also bolstered by a former coworker who had left the company to work from home, and she raved about how wonderful it was.

After discussing everything with my husband, who was fully supportive, I knew it was time to break free. I had goals I wanted to accomplish like learn marketing, help my husband with his business, grow my writing career, and take my editorial skills beyond proofreading.

I had a great relationship with my boss, who I suspect knew I was unhappy. I was also a valued employee and had been trusted with training new proofreaders, and I was hoping, based on my performance and solid relationships, that I’d be offered freelance work.

When I told my boss I was leaving she was sad to see me go, but was very understanding. And like I had hoped, I was offered freelance proofreading work. I can honestly say that one of my biggest fears was not having romance books in my life—you can’t imagine how much I grew to love them—and it was a relief to not only get the extra source of income, but to also have that joy in my life.

A Happy Ending, And What My Days Are Like Now

I’m now a freelance proofreader and editor who works on all kinds of content for various clients, but one of my consistent streams of income is proofreading romance fiction. I’m grateful that every day I get to read love stories; I really get drawn into the story lines and characters and have even shed some tears.

I think I’ve worked in every romance subgenre imaginable such as Western, Thriller, Supernatural, Religious, Fantasy, and Historical, to name a few. And, yes, many of my days are happily spent reading stories featuring sheikhs, firemen, Navy SEALS, and billionaires.

Every time I receive a new book I feel a little anticipation. Will it be a Regency romance with brooding rakes and fiery duchesses? Or a sweet Western with a sexy rancher falling for a single mom? Or maybe it’s something totally hot and steamy, even a little on the naughty side? Currently I’m working on a unique feminist romance set in the early 1900s in Eastern Europe, and I’m loving it.

My ideal day has always been about being flexible, which was why I so badly wanted to freelance. I’ve been able to accommodate my job around my life. I can travel when I want (all I need to work is my laptop), act as tour guide for visiting friends and family, go to appointments, run errands, volunteer, and drop off and pick my son up from school.

I don’t have a set routine; every day is different. While my son’s at school I’ll tidy up a bit and do a few hours of work. I also make sure to put in time toward other activities like exercising, meditating, and developing my tech skills. Recently I started a website, Art of Proofreading, to teach people how to proofread all kinds of content. Usually I stay at home and work in my sweats, but I’ll also go to my local library or coffee shops to change things up. Occasionally I’ll treat myself and watch a movie, nap, or bake instead of work. While it’s important to me to work hard, I also value having the ability to enjoy my life.

What I’ve Learned

I’ve learned how important it is to set goals and to have an image of your future life and self. How do you want to live? How do you see yourself changing? I inadvertently learned this in my little cubicle when I was writing my ideal days down on Post-its. Little did I know that I was showing my subconscious, which influences your actions and feelings, what I truly desired. The subconscious doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s imagined, so I’ve started a habit of writing down what I want to achieve. It’s a trick that’s helped me overcome obstacles and go for what I want. I even ask students in my free proofreading ecourse to do this because it can position you in the right direction toward your goals.

I also discovered that I had the potential to do more with my skills. By being self-employed, I pushed myself to explore other opportunities that I wouldn’t have before. I wasn’t limited by my job title, which tends to happen when you work for a company. I approached my job search creatively and found positions that weren’t in my field, but required some of the skills I had. As a result, I’ve ventured into new industries and now do higher level editing.

I’ve also learned the power of a network, and how reaching out opens up new opportunities. If you’re serious about working remotely, let your network know you’re available for freelance work. I recently reached out to mine to update them on my new online business, what I’ve been up to, and to remind them that I’m still a freelance editor who welcomes new opportunities.

People are always willing to help. Networking is a different way to approach a job search than clicking “Apply” on a website and submitting your resume. Also, maintain good professional relationships (even if you’re unhappy) and never, ever burn your bridges. You never know when you’ll have to use them.

Do You Want To Proofread Romance Novels, Too?

Romance fiction is a billion-dollar-a-year industry and one of Amazon’s best-selling ebook genres. If you’re interested in proofreading romance books I recommend you learn how to proofread properly. Working on books is more than just correcting spelling and fixing commas, and requires some knowledge of copyediting skills.

Many people think you need a degree or certificate to work as a proofreader, but the truth is you don’t. You do need to have an eye for detail because proofreading is the last step of the publishing process, and you have to be able to catch all the mistakes. If you want to learn more and see if you have what it takes, I suggest you try my free online course, Intro to Proofreading. It’s designed to give you a strong understanding of proofreading and teach you practical skills.

The post How I Went from Cubicle to Reading Romances from Home for A Living appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

If you’re a fellow bibliophile, you might be interested to know that you too can make some money on the side. How? Why, a booklover’s side hustle, of course.

Some of the best ways to make money are doing things you love. That’s why, if you can, turning a hobby or interest into a revenue stream is a favorable way to earn. Because, really, when you’re doing something you love, it never feels like you’re actually working.

Book Seller

Every time I’m in my local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other second-hand store, I always take a stroll down the book aisles. Sure, I like to browse  the titles looking for something for myself, but I’m also scouting for books to resell.

And it’s really easy to find valuable books for cheap that you know will sell for a profit. How? A free and simple app called BookScouter.

All you do is scan a book’s ISBN barcode and, voila, the BookScouter app will let you know how much it’s worth if you sell it on popular sites like Chegg, Abe’s Books, or Barnes & Noble.

When I lived by a university, I would alway go to a nearby Goodwill scouting for used textbooks — and it paid off. It wasn’t uncommon to find a textbook or two that ended up selling for $100 or more.

But you don’t have to live near a college to make money selling used books. Many titles from self-help to sci-fi can be worth something. That’s why it’s so important to use BookScouter. It will let you know what sites are willing to pay you for a particular title. Then you just have to go to the site, fill in the product details, and ship the book in — and, nine times out of ten, they’ll cover the cost of shipping. Within two weeks, you’ll usually receive payment through Paypal or check. That’s it. If you’re gonna be at the second-hand stores anyway, you might as well do a little scouting on the side!

Book Reviewer

After you read a book, you know you have an opinion — something that ranges from can’t put it down page turner to ho-hum predictable. But what you think to be the next bestseller may not be so great  to me, and vice versa. That’s why book reviews are so important — they give potential readers an insider’s glimpse of the goings on from chapter to chapter.

If you have previous experience critiquing books, Kirkus has freelance book reviewer positions available. These are project-based gigs. After you’re assigned a book, you have two weeks to submit your 350-word review. You can also find copywriter positions here that would be a perfect side hustle for the booklover. Most tasks involve writing promotional content for new books. However, some assignments may include writing book descriptions and back cover content.

Other places to look for gigs as a book reviewer:

Online Book Club – As “an internet community for book lovers,” you’ll get a chance to connect with new authors while also earning a few bucks and free books! Some reviews pay ($5-$60) but most assignments are only paid via free books. But if you’re a booklover, this may be payment enough

BookLook – Do you have a blog? Are there 30+ people following it? If so, you can apply to become a book reviewer at BookLook. As a reviewer, you’ll receive each book you review for free. This is a great way to build experience as a reviewer!

Any Subject Books – There are a variety of books available for review here. Payments vary depending on the length of the book. You don’t have to review a minimum number of books which makes this a great side hustle for the busy booklover.

eBook Author

If you read a lot of books, I bet you have the skills to write a book, too. It’s true. In fact, avid readers are some of the best writers. And with the soaring popularity of ebooks, it’s never been easier to pen your own fiction or nonfiction work and make some pretty good money while doing it.

In fact, you can easily write your very first ebook in just 30 days. Of course, if you’re particularly strapped for time, you can always take 45, 60, 90 days or more. But it’s not a stretch to think you could set aside some spare time every day to devote to writing an ebook.

What’s great about writing an eBook is you can use platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing to get your book up for sale quickly. And with a reach of million of worldwide readers, this can be an easy way to passive income success — after all, you write the book once and collect sales over and over again!

Other Side Hustles to Consider

Those who love to read are generally pretty fond of language and words. And this is great news for the would-be side hustler — after all, there are plenty of word-related ways to earn extra money from home.

Scoping

I bet this is a side hustle you’ve never heard of before. But really, it can be a great income generator for word nerds out there. But what is scoping, you ask? In a nutshell, scoping is editing transcripts for court reporters. You see, court reporters use steno writers to take down what is being said. Software is then used to turn their work into readable transcripts. But computers aren’t perfect (at least not yet). They miss subtle nuances, punctuation, wording, etc. — and that’s where a scopist comes into play.

If you’re a lover of language, you’ll equally love this side hustle. And the best part? The pay is great and the training is affordable. This side hustle can easily go from extra income generator to full-time wages. To explore scoping a little more, check out this free course over at Internet Scoping School.

Scoring

From helping elementary-aged children learn to read to critiquing high school students’ essays, there are quite a few ways to side hustle as a scorer. Again, as a lover of the written word, you’ll likely find it enjoyable to spend your spare time helping students improve their reading and writing skills. Some companies to check out include:

ACT – Remember the ACT? You can get paid to read and score student-written ACT essays. To be considered, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree and previous teaching experience. U.S. residency is also a must!

Brainfuse – As a Brainfuse Paper Reviewer, you’ll help students writing college-level papers. This can include reviewing essays and providing feedback to live one-on-one tutoring sessions done over a virtual whiteboard (no webcam or mic needed). To be considered, you’ll need to supply proof of a bachelor’s degree in any field.

ETS – ETS has both location-based and subject-specific scoring positions available. It’s best to check their job opportunities page to see current open positions.

Gradiate – You’ll earn $25/hour as a Gradiate Genius. This is mostly grading work and providing feedback that students can use to improve.

Literably – This is part transcription, part evaluating. You’ll listen to elementary students read out loud and note whenever they’ve made a mistake like omitting words or mispronunciations.

Measurement Inc. – You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any field to work from home as a reader/evaluator at Measurement Inc. There are a number of different projects available, each with different pay rates.

Pearson – Pearson is one of the largest education companies around, and they often have a number of online evaluator positions available. Check out their scoring at home program to see what kind of projects they’re hiring for throughout the year!

WriteScore – WriteScore offers hand-scored essay services in the education industry. They will train essay scorers, but you’ll need at least a two-year degree to be considered.

Blogging

Review-based blogs can be a fun way to monetize your personal thoughts. And if you have a particular niche you absolutely love, you could solely focus on that. For example, if you love romance novels, set up a blog devoted to discussing and sharing some of your favorite reads. Or if science-fiction is more your thing, give readers your thoughts on the latest and greatest to familiar favs.

A book review blog could be monetized with affiliate marketing. For example, you could recommend titles for purchase via Amazon and earn a percentage of each sale through the Amazon Associates program. Remember, blogging as a side business is a lot of work but, when done right, can lead to full-time income for part-time work.

Proofreading and Editing

Do you spot spelling mistakes while reading everything from cereal boxes to billboards? Do you know what it takes to make good writing great? Well, then, you’d make a great editor or proofreader. And, honestly, that’s not surprising. Most diehard readers are often inherently great editors — it just goes with the territory.

Fortunately for you, there are plenty of ways to make money as a proofreader or editor. You could start your own proofreading side hustle, take a free introduction course to proofreading, or contract with one of 16+ companies as a virtual proofreader.

Booklovers’ Side Hustles

Reading is a great way to pass the time but it can also lead to extra money in the bank each month. With these booklovers’ side hustles, you can take your love of the written word one step further by turning it into a side hustle.

If you have a great idea for a side hustle but have no idea how to get it off the ground, head on over to The Side Hustle Starter Kit. Brette will show you how she launched her own side hustle in 30 days, quit her 9 to 5, and was profitable from the very beginning. If you’re ready to follow your passion and get serious about side hustlin’ this is the course for you!

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This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure statement to learn more!

The post Side Hustles for Booklovers: 30+ Money-Making Ideas for Bibliophiles appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

But if you’ve never actually worked as a proofreader before, it can be difficult to know how and where to get started. And you probably have a lot of questions like, “Do I need a degree or formal training?”

To help you decide whether or not proofreading is right for you (and if you have what it takes to be successful!) read on. This proofreading jobs online guide is meant to help complete beginners jump start their proofreading career the right way.

If you’re ready to jump right in and start learning the ropes of proofreading from the pros, be sure to check out  a free 45-minute workshop that’ll show you how to put your proofreading skills to work — including what it takes to be successful!

Looking for specific proofreading jobs online? You need to check out Proofreading Pro. In this e-course, Phon shows you how to work specifically with entrepreneurs, writers, and content creators as a proofreader. She also shows you the steps she took to break into the competitive publishing industry (and how you can too!).

What Exactly is Proofreading?

Many people confuse the terms proofreading and editing. I always like to think of editing as more “big picture” stuff. When editing, you look to make sure content has good flow, conveys the right meaning, and generally reads well. Editing is usually a much more involved process than proofreading.

Proofreading is more narrowly focused than editing. When proofreading you want to go over a piece of content with a fine-tooth comb. The main purpose of proofreading is to make sure there are no spelling, grammatical or typographical errors.

When proofreading, you probably won’t make suggestions to change the overall flow or structure of content — your main goal is making sure it is error-free.

Wait. Isn’t that what spell-checker is for?

Too many people rely on spell-checkers and grammar-checkers built into word processing programs like Word. And while these are definitely helpful to give a final once over, they should not be relied on. Why? They’re far from perfect.

Check out the screenshot of some sentences I typed up in Word:

Can you spot the errors? Microsoft Word couldn’t. That’s why you shouldn’t trust it entirely to proofread for you. And that’s also why people turn to proofreaders to give their writing a thorough and final review to avoid embarrassing mistakes like the ones above.

Do I need an English degree to apply for proofreading jobs online?

The short answer? No. Just because you have a degree in English doesn’t necessarily mean you’d make an amazing proofreader just as not having an English degree doesn’t automatically make you a terrible proofreader. What you do need to have is the willingness to learn.

If you don’t have experience as a proofreader, there will definitely be a learning curve. You’ll need to develop your skills and eventually market yourself as a proofreader in order to grow your career. To do this well, you’ll have to constantly be learning, evolving, and growing.

I think I’ve got what it takes. What else should I have?

Generally speaking, proofreaders are detail-oriented people.  If you routinely spot errors when reading blog posts, articles, pamphlets, magazines, ads or just about any copy — you’re definitely a detail-oriented person! To be successful as a proofreader, you should also have a strong command of English including grammar, spelling, and syntax.

Depending on the job, you may have to know proofreaders’ marks. These traditional signs and symbols are used when proofreading a document to indicate what kinds of changes should be made.  Other clients may ask that you track changes in Word so they can see the edits you suggest.

Narrow the playing field

After you’ve read up on what it takes to be a proofreader and brushed up on your skills, you’re probably ready to start applying to all the proofreading jobs online you can find. And while it may sound like a good strategy to go after anything and everything, the truth is, it can actually backfire.

As a freelance writer, I always recommend that new writers find their niche. Why? It’s much easier to find work when you’re targeting a certain “tribe.” This theory holds true for freelance proofreaders too.

While I primarily make a living as a freelance writer, I take on quite a few proofreading gigs for select clients. What’s my niche? Case briefs, memorandums, and other legal documents like demand letters and lease agreements. Because I focus my work on a select group of clients, I can more easily market my services to them because I know exactly who my clients are — lawyers, law offices, and corporate legal departments.

Aside from making it easier to find proofreading jobs online, picking a niche allows you to easily position yourself as an expert. And once you reach expert status, you can charge much more for your services than if you generalized as a proofreader. I can’t stress enough how picking a niche can help you stay focused and catapult you to proofreading success early on.

I highly recommend checking out the e-course, Proofreading Pro. Phon shows you how to target a specific niche — entrepreneurs, publishers, content creators — as a new proofreader (and how she broke into the industry!).

Which niche should I choose?

I’ve got a good friend who has a marketing background. She does a lot of proofreading for ecommerce sites. Mostly she checks to make sure that product descriptions and user guides are error-free before they go live on the client’s website. After all, a turtleneck sweater and a turtle neck sweater are two very different things

If a niche isn’t jumping out at you right away, here’s some ideas for inspiration:

• E-books
• White papers
• Transcripts
• Academic papers
• Resumes
• Marketing materials
• Contracts
• Press releases

This of course is just a small sample of potential niches. To start, pick a subject you’re comfortable with. You might find that you eventually fall into a certain niche that you didn’t intend to target in the first place! Remember, you can always expand into different niches later. But when first starting out, try to stick with one and grow from there.

Where can I find proofreading jobs online?

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably ready to learn where exactly all the proofreading jobs online are. The truth is, they’re everywhere. Seriously. Just about every website and blog can benefit from the eyes of a proofreader. I can attest to this as a freelance writer myself.

Our minds have a funny way of tricking us into thinking that what we’ve just written reads as we intend it to be read. When you’re so close to something you’ve written, you tend to overlook mistakes that are glaringly obvious to a fresh set of eyes.

That’s why when I write an e-book,white paper or other large piece of content for a client, I always hire a proofreader to give a final look. I factor in the cost of hiring a proofreader into my fees as a writer. The cost is well worth the result — an error-free final product that looks perfectly polished to the client.

Upwork

Upwork is now the largest freelance marketplace. If you’re wanting to try your hand at freelance proofreading, this is a great platform to start. How does Upwork work?

• Clients post their proofreading gigs
• Freelancers, like you, submit proposals
• The client reads through proposals and selects the freelancer(s) they’d like to work with

It’s free to submit proposals, but Upwork does take a 10% cut of any payments you receive — so keep this in mind! The best way to find proofreading jobs online on Upwork is to completely fill out your profile and submit proposals that stand out.

Some best practices to keep in mind when submitting proposals include:

• Tell the client what you can do for them first and foremost
• Talk about your skills and expertise second
• Close with a call to action (contact me, hire me, etc.)

If you want to target proofreading jobs on Upwork, it’s also a good idea to take the U.S. English Proofreading Skills Test (Chicago). Upwork provides this for free, and you can display your results directly on your profile. Taking the test and placing your score on your profile gives you more credibility as a professional proofreader.

Often, clients on Upwork will ask you what tests you’ve taken on the site that relate well to the job. Taking this test will make you stand out as the skilled proofreader they need.

Before you take the test, you’ll see that it tells you the test’s contents in the box to the right. This particular test is based on The Chicago Manual of Style. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with this guide before taking the test. This popular guide is really quite comprehensive and covers everything from formatting book titles to handling punctuation in a bulleted list. You can reference it while taking the test, but you’ll also want to feel relatively comfortable with it prior to starting.

If you don’t do so well, don’t panic! You can “hide” the test results from your public profile. And, after studying up, can retake it again after 30 days.

Job Boards

From time to time, I come across proofreading jobs posted on niche job boards like ProBlogger. It’s a good idea to check ProBlogger at least a couple of times a week. Often, jobs are filled quickly because of the number of applicants each listing receives!

You can also browse Indeed for proofreading jobs online.

what	where
job title, keywords or company	city, state or zip jobs by

Try searching for “proofreader” in the “what” box above and put “remote” in the “where” box. This will usually return a number of remote proofreading jobs online. When applying to job listings, remember to tailor your resume to each listing! And always do your due diligence before applying to a job and disclosing personal information — if something looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Proofreading and Editing Companies

There are several online companies that regularly contract with proofreaders and editors. You may have to go through a number of online tests before you’re invited to contract with them. Keep in mind, these companies usually offer varying workloads — so it’s not a good idea to count on them as a steady paycheck each month.

Some of the popular companies offering proofreading jobs online include:

• Kibin
• ProofreadingServices.com
• Domainite
• Sibia Proofreading
• Polished Paper
• Hello Essay

Save yourself time, energy, effort, and frustration — make sure to read up on each of the company’s qualifications for proofreaders before applying.

Go Solo

If you’re interested in proofreading jobs online but don’t think freelance marketplaces or proofreading sites are the right fit for you, consider launching your own freelance proofreading business.

Starting any freelance service business takes work. But if you keep at it and market yourself effectively, you can find success. As with any freelance service offering, it’s a good idea to launch your own website or blog. This acts as your online business card and makes it much easier to market yourself to clients. Plus, it serves as a good place for clients to easily get in touch with you, view your work, and learn about your services.

When you choose to launch your own proofreading business, you’ll be completely in charge. This means you get to work as much or little as you’d like, choose which projects you work on, and set your own rates.

Resources and Courses to Guide Your Proofreading Career Path

Head on over to Proofread Anywhere where you can learn what it takes to be a successful proofreader for court reporters. Keep in mind, this profession isn’t for everyone. But they do offer a free 7-day intro course that is specifically designed for newbies who want to start making money with their proofreading skills! It’s definitely worth checking out before diving in.

And don’t forget to sign up for the free General Proofreading webinar to learn what a successful proofreader does, how to elevate your skills to become a GREAT proofreader, and how to use one of the most popular proofreading tools out there. The information presented in the webinar is super important in helping you launch your own unstoppable career as a freelance proofreader.

For niche-specific guidance, i.e., how to work with entrepreneurs, publishers, and content creators, visit Proofreading Pro where Phon dishes out real world advice on breaking into the proofreading industry as a newbie.

Just for Fun

I think proofreading is a lot like freelance writing — you either got it or you don’t — your education and experience are second to how good you actually are at your craft.

Want to see if you’ve got it? See how many errors you can spot below:

Since the late 1980’s, John Smith has been one of the biggest popstars on are earth. His latest album brings his biggest hits altogether for the first time in more then thirty years. To go along with the albums release, John Smith announced a number of concert dates which will start early next month in Mineapolis. Many of his fan’s are all ready camped out to make sure their the first ones to get tickets of all there friend’s.

How many errors did you see? Let’s discuss your findings in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure statement for more information. 

The post Proofreading Jobs Online: Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

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

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 which shows you how to start a freelance proofreading business without any experience.

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.

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