Where will you go on holiday? What? You will stay at home because it costs too much?!?! Have you considered an extra income? Because if you use part of your free time to dome an activity to earn money, you will be able to pay for the trip. There are many options, but now I want to write about one in particular. The freelance proofreader. I see through my computer a big question mark on your face.
Let me explain! The internet is full of writers who are preparing texts for any type of need. There are more or less 1 billion websites. Marketing, blogs, companies’ websites and so on. Most of them need someone who can check their posts and articles. A Freelance proofreader needs to be a grammar fanatic. Because she or he has to read and correct the text. Taking care of punctuation, formatting, and any other errors that may occur.
What does a freelance proofreader do?
The freelance proofreader hasn’t the task to edit and write but only to make the corrections. The role concerns different actions: restructuring, deleting huge chunks of text if needed. And generally making sure that copy flows well and reads as it’s intended to be read. The proofreading is the last step of the editing, the stage before to post the article on the web.
This type of activity requires a meticulous work on the contents. Because you have to go over content with a fine-tooth comb looking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. In the end, the article will be perfect to be read. It is not only a matter of grammar but also about the flow. It must be readable and comprehensible. These elements give you an idea of the skills required.
How to become a freelance proofreader
You don’t need necessary a course, but you have to show your skills. If you want to be a freelance proofreader you have to be good at reading. And of course, you need to be fast and precise in finding mistakes. There is a huge competition, but also a lot of work to do, so if you find easily the errors when reading and if you are fast, you will be more appreciated.
People with an English degree are generally successful, but it doesn’t mean that is mandatory. A degree in a subject related to the language is important, so you should consider that. Generally, who hire you need proof about your abilities.
So if you are not graduated or your graduation is for example in Science, you have chances. Maybe you can unite a high competence in grammar with another related to a specific field. If you are an engineer, you can analyze texts about this topic. And be a very good freelance proofreader.
How to start and apply
Once you verified your competences, maybe in doing some test online, you can start. The first thing you have to do is a research of clients. Prepare your own website or blog where to post some articles and also to promote your service. In this way, companies will see you and will contact you. Then apply to some marketplace. It is plenty of platforms that are searching for freelance proofreaders.
They will give you work to do for their clients. It is not the best way to earn a lot of money, but you can do experience. Obviously, if you have direct contact with the clients your income will be better. Do it step by step. Especially if it is not your main activity. In fact, you can become a freelance proofreader step by step. If everything works well, it will become your main profession. The income depends on your work, but consider that you can have an average earning around $40,000.
Airtasker: your new ally
I guess your goal is a success. So if you want to be a freelance proofreader you need clients. You have now a lot of information. Maybe you need a tool. I have a solution for you. Airtasker is a platform focused on the match between offer and demand. It connects companies and people who are searching for help with workers. Register and you will find a lot of customers. You can put yourself in the middle, showing your skills. Then you can apply to various job offers.
What are your benefits? To get the opportunity to find clients easily. To be sure about rates. Everything is well explained and the staff supports the deal between you and the person who will give you the task. You will be your own boss. The payment will be managed by the platform’s staff. So you won’t risk losing money once the task is done. For any question the assistance is available. Airtasker is perfect to start to be a freelance proofreader.
This is the idea of how to earn extra money to travel. Think about it and make your choices. If you want to know more, I suggest you follow the described steps.
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It’s a nice work.
I would love to do that. 🙂
In my language (Portuguese). In English would be more difficult, but a good challenge. 🙂
I think it is interesting and also quite funny to do it. Surely if you like to read it is not boring. It is also profitable. Well, as I know in Italy there are marketplace online plus you can propose yourself to some companies. I don’t know how it works in other countries, but I guess it is almost the same. Especially if you want to help editors and writers who publish through the internet. Surely it is important to know very well the language.