In this article, you will learn how to find entry-level proofreading jobs online.
Work-from-home jobs are becoming a thing everyone wants to try. However, getting started with online work can be a challenge, but taking the bold step to try it is worth it.>
If you focus on developing your skills and professionalism in any work from home job, you will reach a certain level of recognition and start reaping big from it.
While there are plenty of online jobs, freelance proofreading jobs are more popular than before.<
The good thing is that you can do this job as a side hustle.
If you sleep and dream proofreading in your sleep and you are good at grammar, spellings, and sentence structures, then an entry-level proofreading job would be the best option for you.
What Does it Mean to Be a Proofreader?
Frequently people confuse proofreading with editing. However, there is a slight difference between the two in that editing is done before proofreading, and it involves removing unnecessary content, restructuring the entire piece, checking on sentence structure, and making sure ideas flow smoothly.
Proofreading is the last stage of the writing process where a proofreader reads the article to check grammar, typos, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. In short, proofreading is the process of polishing the final draft.
Do You Require Certification?
To work online as a proofreader, you do not need a certificate. However, if you have the experience, it’s an added advantage to you, but not necessary.
So long as you have a good grasp of English grammar, punctuations, sentence structure, you can become an online proofreader.
The good thing?
You can create your own website or offer proofreading services on content mills such as Upwork or Fiverr and many others.
What Does The Online Proofreading Job Entail?
In online proofreading, you get hired to polish content online. It’s a job you can do from home on your computer or laptop. Your work is to check the content for grammar, spelling mistakes, typos, and punctuation to ensure the material is professionally written.
How Much Can You Earn as an Online Proofreader?
When it comes to the amount you can earn as a proofreader, a few things determine the pay. For instance, the company or publication you are working for and your experience.
You can develop a rate that will work for you and your experience as well. And if you work as a freelancer, you can work as often or as much as you like. There are many highly qualified and experienced proofreaders earning up to $80 per hour. Some charge by the page or even word-count as well.
How to Tackle a Proofreading Task?
There are plenty of approaches to make your proofreading work easier. Remember, proofreading requires someone keen and attentive with excellent time management skills.
Some proofreaders will check one particular error at a time, while others will take it sentence by sentence. You could start by correcting grammar, typos, and then finish with spelling mistakes.
Another option is to divide the content into pieces so you can read each paragraph separately and correct just that one paragraph before moving on.
Remember, you must focus when reading content so that you can spot any error or mistake.
Requirements to Becoming a Proofreader
Whether you are working through your website, online news magazine, or web portals, proofreading is a crucial job. While there are often not too many requirements for this type of work, you do need to have attention to detail and be 100% focused on your work.
- You should have a good command of the English language.
- Able to focus for long hours since it takes time to polish an article to perfection
- You should be able to proofread any content and documents on any topic.
How to Find Entry-Level Online Proofreading Jobs
There are companies and web portals that accept applicants with little or no experience. You need to craft a compelling proposal.
The best we have come across include Edit Fast, ProofreadingServices.com, and Scribe Writing. These are some fantastic work at home companies. The good thing about these proofreading job portals is that they offer competitive pay and flexible working hours.
Some of these companies may prefer experienced people, but here are the best websites you can find proofreading jobs online even if you are not an experienced proofreader.
Guru
On their website, they say, “Guru makes it easy for quality employers and freelancers to connect, collaborate, and get work done flexibly and securely”.
Well, Guru is a freelance website similar to Fiverr and Upwork. It is one of the best sites to find entry-level proofreading jobs online. You can start building your name and establish your reputation for being a good and reliable proofreader.
You determine how much you want to be paid yourself. There is room for negotiation on the payment as well.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is also another freelance website that offers plenty of online working jobs besides proofreading. It is also another excellent place to find entry-level proofreading jobs.
You determine the amount you want for your services yourself.
ProofReading Services
On this website, you can get full-time and part-time proofreading jobs. However, you must pass a 20-minute test that will boost your chances of getting hired. You also enjoy flexible working hours, and you can earn more on this platform.
You can also connect with experienced English proofreaders globally.
ProofreadingPal
On this website, you can do proofreading and editing of content. The platform follows a two-proofreader model where two people proofread a document.
The payment you can expect to earn from this website is around $500 a month, but you can receive more than that depending on your experience.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a freelance website with plenty of general freelance writing work, including proofreading and editing and more.
However, to join this website, you must pay a membership fee of $15 per month so that you can gain access to any proofreading jobs from home you want. You can work on your resume and apply to lots of different opportunities at once.
Wordy
Well, although Wordy comes the last in our list of the best websites to find proofreading jobs online, it offers online proofreading and copy-editing opportunities for proofreaders and editors alike.
Besides, you can find entry-level proofreading jobs by reaching out to companies and individuals on professional social media channels such as LinkedIn. Here, you can connect with experienced proofreaders who may help you to perfect your proofreading skills as well.
You need to connect with proofreaders who you are looking up to and ask them if they can assist you with something you don’t understand.
Networking with professionals can help you boost your proofreading skills big time. The more you connect and network with other proofreaders, the more you increase your chances of getting hired.
Over to you!
Working for yourself is the most satisfying thing you can do because you decide what to take and what to reject and for how much.
Online proofreading jobs are an excellent way to work from the comfort of your home and do not need too much qualification. Besides, you can improve and specialize in time. You need to get started then improve your proofreading skills as you go on.
We hope this article helps you to get started.