Proofreaders need an eye for detail, they need to be accurate and thorough. They also need to able to spell – and without the computer spell check facility. For people who meet those requirements, and who want flexibility – the option of working from home perhaps, or at unsocial hours or around childcare, it’s an ideal choice. Or is it?
Freelance proofreading
Although proofreading can be done in-house, and increasingly is as employers tighten their belts, many proofreaders are freelancers. Freelance work in general can be challenging, it needs discipline, determination and conviction. And the ability to meet deadlines. But what about proofreading, specifically?
Proofreading work: what is it?
Proofreaders assess copy (the text) for errors such as grammar and spelling mistakes; they might also check for accuracy and consistency in layout and style. This may include checking visual elements such as graphs or images. Proofing is traditionally checked against a source document but this is not always the case. Proofing is about final quality checking – as the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) points out, proofreaders are ‘not responsible for overall consistency and accuracy’. This is the domain of copy-editors.
Proofreading courses
People become proofreaders from a variety of backgrounds. Certain qualifications such as a degree in English or specialist subject knowledge may help with credibility or for particular projects, but there are no specific requirements. What is especially important is experience. Potential proofreaders should identify any relevant experience they have, such as proofing in-house newsletters or the company website. In many organisations, there are likely to be a wealth of such opportunities. All relevant skills and expertise should be summarised for a CV, with examples.
People without sufficient experience or who want to develop their expertise or learn traditional proofreading marks may want to obtain some training. See SfEP for more details. The Publishing Training Centre also runs relevant courses.
Proofreading tools
Proofreading has come a long way since the days of print-based work, using proofreading marks. Some sectors such as publishing still work that way. But increasingly, proofing is done online, using software like MS Word or the full version of Adobe Acrobat, both of which allow annotations on the text. A powerful computer with broadband is also essential for proofreaders who wish to work from home. All of these have cost implications. The growth of the internet, however, enables proofreaders to win clients from a much wider market.
Proofreading jobs
Potential freelance proofreaders need to know what their own requirements are first. Can they travel, do they need or want to work from home, what hours are they available? As for clients, these come in all shapes and sizes. Proofing for companies tends to mean better pay, more regular work and sometimes more sociable hours. But it takes time to build up such contacts. Working for individuals can, in contrast, be less well paid, and is sometimes to very tight deadlines. Think of that last minute student thesis!
Jann Tracy, a freelance proofreader with four years’ experience says, ‘To start with, cast your net as wide as you can, and get all sorts of clients. Individuals are easier to win than corporate clients, and at the beginning you won’t know which you prefer. Later on, you can focus on corporate clients if you wish. Also, get a PayPal account so individuals can pay you easily.’
Get paid to proofread
Proofreading is not a particularly well-paid job. SfEP’s suggested minimum freelance rate is rather optimistic and (deliberately) hasn’t been amended since 2008. Getting a steady supply of work is challenging, there are likely to be ebbs and flows, with most of the flows coming at the same time! Unlike some other jobs, proofreading requires close concentration for long periods – this might be an issue for those thinking of working full-time.
Proofreading jobs: top tips
- Win work from a variety of sources, don’t rely on just one or two clients
- Find some corporate clients – focus on companies rather than individuals to build income
- Join a local Chamber of Commerce or business networking association and develop contacts locally
- Decide on the rate for the job and stick to it. Working long hours for little money leads to demoralisation and undermines the efforts of other freelancers
- Think about promoting your freelance proofreading business before you start
- Treat the work as a supplement to other income to begin with – don’t give up the day job! It takes time to build a client list and grow earnings
Further Information
SfEP (Society for Editors and Proofreaders)
Publishing Training Centre They run two distance learning courses recommended by SfEP: Basic Proofreading and Copy-editing
Proofreader information sheet from jobs4u Careers Database
Ellie Stevenson - Ellie writes on history, travel, careers & the arts. Her novel, Ship of Haunts (http://tinyurl.com/cyryp2m) is on Amazon as an ebook.
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