How To Become A Proofreader: Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Do you want to learn how to become a proofreader and earn money with your word skills?

Proofreading is more than just sitting behind a screen and eliminating errors before submitting or publishing it.

It is a flexible career that can make you smile to the bank if you put in the work.

And it’s not just about the money. You can earn some good money working from the comfort of your house.

Also, you get to set your working hours, pay rates, and get to choose your clients.

This is the kind of freedom you get when you build your career as a proofreader.

So, how do you start earning money from this proofreading thing?

How do you move from catching mistakes in your essays to making actual money from them?

You are just about to find out. Keep reading to learn how to become a proofreader.

But before we go any further, do you know exactly what proofreading is? Let’s start by finding out.

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What is proofreading, and what kind of errors do proofreaders look for?

Proofreading is the last step before any book, text, or paper is published or used for its intended purpose.

It involves reading through a written document and catching simple mistakes and errors that include:

Typos
Double words
Punctuation
Grammar mistakes
Spelling
Formatting mistakes

Before you receive work as a proofreader, it should have passed through the eyes of a copyeditor.

The copyeditor and the writer are responsible for making copyediting and developmental changes.

You will only make minor changes that escape the editor and the writer.

Not long ago, proofreaders mostly found work with publishing companies.

However, proofreading services are needed by almost everyone who creates written content today.

You may land jobs from self-publishing authors, bloggers, social media marketers, students, businesses, and more.

How much money can you make proofreading?

What you earn as a proofreader depends on several things. But I know you will love to have a figure to understand what you are getting into.

According to salary.com, the median salary of an online proofreader is around $52000 per year.

The majority of proofreaders make $25-$50 per hour.

As a freelance proofreader, you will be working from home and have all the freedom.

Therefore, what you make will depend on how many hours you put in. If you dedicate more hours to your work, you will earn more.

Secondly, what you make as a proofreader will depend on your skills and experience.

A proofreader with better skills and experience will earn more than those that are just starting.

You must hone your skills and boost your expertise to make more from less work.

However, do not expect to be an overnight millionaire. Freelance proofreading won’t do that for you. But getting several trusted and regular clients will be worth it.

What qualifications do you need to be a proofreader?

For you to succeed as a proofreader, you need to have the following skills:

Excellent command of English.

If you want to work as a proofreader, your knowledge of English must be above average.

If you struggle with English, you will not notice bad grammar, spelling errors, and punctuation mistakes.

And it will be best if you are able to catch them at first glance.

An eye for detail.

As a proofreader, you are the last set of eyes that work goes through before publishing.

This means that you must have an eye for detail because if anything escapes your eyes, the errors will get out there.

Therefore, your reading does not have to be skimming. You have to be able to notice small mistakes that other people do not see with ease.

Not sure where to start or how to become a proofreader? This FREE Proofreading Webinar by Caitlin Pyle has all the tools you need to get started.

Learn how to transform your passion for words & reading into a thriving proofreading business.

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Caitlin’s proofreading training has helped over 4800 students start their proofreading careers.

She has been in the business since 2007 and regularly makes over $50000 per year proofreading part-time.

Can you be a proofreader without a degree?

Yes. You can succeed as a proofreader without a degree. No degree offers all the skills that you need to succeed as a proofreader.

Fortunately, all these skills are something you can develop through dedication, research, and commitment.

The most important skill is a good command of English. The good news is that you do not need an English degree to be good at it.

You can succeed as a proofreader if you have an eye for detail and your English is above average.

That said, it is still good to have that degree. Some companies will not hire proofreaders without an English degree.

How long does it take to become a proofreader?

I know you will hate it when I tell you there is no definite time to become a proofreader.

It all depends on your skills, your learning ability, and any training courses you might take.

If you enroll in a comprehensive course, you may need some time to learn it all.

For instance, Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle has so many comprehensive modules. It may take you several weeks to go through them all, but it will be worth it.

The good thing is, you do not need to finish all the modules before you can start working. You can start looking for clients while still undergoing training.

How to become a proofreader in 5 simple steps

Ready to learn how to become a proofreader? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Understand The Scope Of A Proofreader’s Work

If you decide to become a proofreader, the first step is understanding what the job entails.

You need to understand that your work is the final step before publishing, meaning it involves double-checking for any superficial errors that escaped earlier stages.

Also, this step entails you knowing the difference between proofreading and editing.

Usually, when working on a writing project, there will be an editor, and you, the proofreader.

The editor will deal with sentence structures and major factual connections.

Step 2: Find Your Proofreading Niche

There are a lot of niches you can choose from. However, finding your niche is often overlooked by many people trying to find their way to proofreading.

Yes, you can decide to work on several of them, but if you want to build your reputation and experience, the secret is to choose a niche and specialize in it.

Some of the common proofreading niches you can choose from include:

Blog posts
Essays
Legal documents
Transcripts
Court reports
Books

If you choose to work as a proofreader for a self-publishing author, you can always choose a specific genre. Narrowing down helps you build a strong reputation.

Take your niche as your competitive advantage and grow in it. What if I cannot decide on my niche yet?

If you are undecided, there is no harm. Try finding something that interests you and try working in that field.

For instance, if you love reading Science-Fiction books, you will surely enjoy working as a proofreader for science-fiction authors.

Also, you can decide to take on a few niches and later narrow them down. However, the faster you narrow down to one, the better your reputation.

Step 3: Hone Your Proofreading Skills

You need to perfect your proofreading skills. It is the only way you will be able to stand out from the competition.

Everyone can read and notice some mistakes. But you, as a proofreader, need to stand out.

One way to improve your skills is by taking a proofreading course. Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle is a sure way to take your skills to the next level.

Enroll in the course and learn the skills you need to start and grow a successful proofreading business.

Step 4: Decide Your Prices

Now that you have the skills and know what the job entails, what is the next step?Definitely, looking for clients?

But before you land clients, you want to settle on a price. There is no way you will negotiate with a client if you have not set your prices.

Now that you are just beginning, chances are you will be tempted to set your prices low. No, do not set your prices too low.

Do not underprice or overprice your services. So, how do you know the market prices?

Contact proofreaders in your circle and see what their rates are
Search online and see what proofreaders earn
Ask your trainer to help you set your rates

The good thing is, as you gain experience and reputation as you progress with work.

With more experience and reputation, your services will be pricier than when you started.

Step 5: Build Your Proofreading Portfolio

You need to put your services out there. It is the only way to find clients.

One of the best ways to expose your services is to write about what you do on a portfolio website. This way, your clients can access you with ease.

However, if you are just starting, setting up a portfolio website can seem a little challenging.

Use social media, previous clients, and proofreaders’ platforms to get your services known.

Step 6: Promote Your Proofreading Services

Landing your first clients should just be a starting point.

Do not stop marketing your skills and services just because you have a few projects running. There is always a better-paying client who is looking for your services.

You will be surprised by how many Facebook groups are dedicated to connecting proofreaders to people who need their services.

You will be surprised by how many people are out there looking for proofreaders on the Freelancers’ Job boards.

They will not know about you if you do not market yourself. Be your best supporter, and land yourself some better proofreading clients.

A couple of resources will make your work easier as a proofreader. You can find reference books on grammar, styles, and formatting.

FAQs on How to Become a Proofreader

Here are some commonly asked questions by people searching for how to become a proofreader.

What tools or resources are available for beginner proofreaders?

Also, you can use software such as Grammarly to help catch grammatical mistakes.

However, this software cannot replace human brains. You still have to analyze a document and ensure it remains in context.

Can You Make a Living From Proofreading?

Yes! You can earn some pretty decent money working as a freelance proofreader. Most proofreaders make $25-$50 per hour.

And the good thing is you can work as much or as little as you want to.

Is there a demand for proofreaders?

There is a huge demand for proofreaders. Students, bloggers, court reporters, businesses, and social media marketers always look for proofreaders.

With the right skills and dedication, you will not miss what to do.

Do you need certification to be a proofreader?

You need no certification to land jobs as a proofreader. However, the right certifications and even a degree will open more opportunities for you.

Some companies will not outsource work to people without certifications.

So, it is a good bet to pursue a certification. However, do not go for just anything. Do your research to ensure whatever you settle for is worth your effort and time.

What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?

There are several differences between proofreading and editing.

Editing involves rearranging sentences, rewording, checking facts, deleting unnecessary sentences, and ensuring the work flows well.

The editor makes the main changes in the paper or document.

On the other hand, proofreading entails correcting superficial errors such as grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Where can I find proofreading jobs?

There are a lot of places you can find proofreading jobs.

You can look up on social media, job boards, freelancers’ marketplaces, and proofreading websites such as Proofreading Pal, Scribendi, Proofread Now, and Cambridge Proofreading LLC.

You can also cold pitch to companies or individuals that you think could require your services.

Ready to become a proofreader?

Hopefully, our guide has given you all the ins and outs of how to become a proofreader.

You can become a successful proofreader, and you have plenty of options. Proofreading is one of the most popular ways for people to earn a living online from the comfort of their homes.

Ready to get started?