To proofread your work, you, therefore, need to do it with utmost seriousness and be willing to change your point of view.

The best tips on how to proofread your own writing

1. Proofread after thorough revision

If there is still content left to be compiled, then it is the wrong time to proofread. You need to give yourself a gap between the time you write and the time you proofread. The time can be as much or as little as you need to clear the project from your mind. Upon coming later with a clear mind, you would see things that would have otherwise gone unnoticed had you continued.

2. Use digital editing software before you proofread

To ensure your written work is error-free, it is helpful to use spelling and grammar-checking software. They help fix the little details that might have gone through the crack that the other spell-checking software might have missed, including typos and homonyms.

3. Put it on paper

Having printed copies of your work before you embark on proofreading is very important. Reading from the printed papers will help you notice mistakes that would have gone unnoticed behind a screen or on your gadgets.

4. Concentrate and take your time

Distractions should be avoided when you want to start proofreading. You can also switch off your phone and avoid your emails as a great way to minimize distractions. Ensure your seating is comfortable with adequate lighting

5. Read it out loud

The likelihood of finding typos and commas increases if you’re reading it out loud. Silent reading will only have you stressing on individuals’ words. You might therefore miss out on certain mistakes such as phrases that simply do not sound right and run-on sentences.

6. Read it backward

While going through your work in the order written, it is easier for your brain to ignore some errors as it already read what you wrote. To avoid these errors, it is good to go through your work from the bottom and work your way up sentence by sentence. This helps your brain focus on single sentences and take note of any errors.

7. Be careful about homonyms

These might be hard to detect with the help of MS word spell check, but with the help of digital editing software, it becomes easier. Some have the same pronunciation but have completely different spellings and meanings.

8. Check your punctuation

Punctuation mistakes are getting more common lately. The omission of some symbols completely changes the meaning and what was being put forward. Ensuring these are all present during proofreading minimizes the risk of your message not reaching the intended target.

9. Double-check numerical values

Cross-checking all numerical values mentioned in your work helps avoid embarrassment. You need to ensure that you did not misplace a full stop or add a zero to a certain price quoted in your document. It is those clerical errors, if left unchecked, that spoil the whole presentation.

10. Eliminate unnecessary words

While drafting and eventually compiling your content into one blanket body, you tend to put more words than are needed. We eliminate most throughout the editing process, and now that we proofread the material, it is time to remove the excess words. They were good at first; then, during proofreading, they stopped making sense.

11. Package your work

During your printing and proofreading, you might have forgotten to update the copy on your computer to omit the errors you might have found. You need to collect all your copies together and package them presentably. Then you are ready for any outcome.

Final take

For most people proofreading their own material is a daunting task as everyone believes their work is free from error. Unless you take a step back from the driving chair and look at it like a client’s job, then you might be self-sabotaging. Scrutinizing your own work requires patience and the energy of acceptance.

We have two modes that you can use to charge clients. The choice depends on your preference, and they all have their good and bad sides. They are:

• Per hour – this is a simple way of working out your rates. It, however, requires you to give your clients an accurate estimate of the duration of each job. If you underquote the job and it ends up taking longer than you had agreed with the client, you can either undercharge for the extra time or renegotiate halfway through the job.
• Per word – this means you can give a reliable estimate of how much you charge a client. When starting, most freelancers either quote per word or 1000 words for a flat rate.

Your capability to make money proofreading will depend on how much and where you work. A freelance proofreader’s salary is based on his output and work ethic. While there are set guidelines on the amount to be paid, you can also charge the assigned task. You can either charge depending on the technicality of the work or with the amount of time estimated to take. We shall visit the internationally set rates later on. But for the new freelance proofreaders, it is hard for them to be trusted at the set rate.

While we explore how to make money as a proofreader, some of the new freelance proofreaders are proactive by going out to get the available jobs. With freelance proofreaders seeking to get employed to go through the available jobs available, they try to get paid to edit essays. These vary from college admission essays to any school work that the students may need proofread before submitting their grades.

Average hourly rates

The rates charged can vary depending on:

• Your experience as a copy editor and proofreader
• The complexity of your job
• The specialty subject area you are working on – technical writing
• Clientele – Corporates tend to pay more than individuals

Proofreading organizations have recommended rates depending on the level of work to be done. The following are some of the international organizations and their set rates:

EFA (US) – $30 – 40 per hour

SFEP (UK) – £25 – 30 per hour (approx. $32 – 38 per hour)

AFEPI (IRE) – €25 – €35 per hour (approx. $27 – 38 per hour)

As such, most of the new proofreaders end up charging lower rates than those listed. They charge as low as $12 per hour, making it difficult to break into the freelance proofreading industry.

After establishing your resume and your name during the times of low pay and making it through with an impressive track record, it is now time for you as a freelance proofreader to start setting your rates regarding the work you produce. It is easier to set your rates without making it too hard for clients to believe what you are offering.

On the other hand, you can use the competitive rates set by international freelance proofreaders’ organizations.

Final take

There is money in this and most careers, but hard work is required to ensure success and a continuation of work supply. Determination, passion, and a never below-perfect work rate will ensure your success or failure in the industry. While money is what we all seek, the level of work you produce will determine how much you make at the end of the day.

Proofreading is simply re-reading what has already been written with a different perspective. It helps you include all the information on your paper with nothing left out. If you want to learn how to proofread professionally, please read on for the best ways to learn to proofread.

Understand the scope of a proofreaders work

Proofreading comes after the structural and copyediting phases in the editing process. A proofreader has responsibilities that include double-checking works for mistakes and errors. The errors may include; inconsistencies’ in style and layout, typographical errors, missing punctuation and spelling mistakes, awkward page and word breaks, and any other issues that might spoil the reading experience.

Figure out your proofreading niche

With the divergent material in the field, no shortage of material requires proofreading. Picking from the available areas to focus on is good, but choosing a niche will push you above the rest. The only advantage you have with other prospective employees is your niche. The clients will appreciate the expertise in most cases more than scattered knowledge of barely related work experiences. 

Some options you have to help choose your niche include:

• Books
• Legal documents
• Website pages
• Blog posts
• Transcripts
• Essays
• Court reports

Since each of the above will have its specific requirements in terms of language and format, it is advisable to phone your specialty in one or two. If you decide to work in publishing, consider narrowing your focus down to several genres, as they may require different skills.

Proofreading a nonfiction historical book will require a lot of fact-checking, while a fantasy novel will require sharp attention to the mechanics of an imaginary language.

Hone your skills to perfection

There is more to proofreading than just the written word. You will be responsible for perfecting the formatting and appearance of the text as well. It is advisable to sign up for a proofreading course for a thorough guide on what is required of you.

Below are a few guidelines if you decide to learn on your own:

• Know your style guide – the most common styles used in the industry are; APA styles, Chicago style, and AP style. For the scholarly way, you need to know MLA and Turabian style.
• Practice – the more you do it, the more adept you’ll be at noticing discrepancies and errors. For everything that you write, proofread.
• Test your proofreading skills – Testing your skills is a great way to gauge your ability to find and recognize critical errors and inconsistencies.

Find proofreading jobs

As a beginner, the jobs offered to you will not be as glamorous as you expected. You accept the work offered to you regardless of the pay offered and use them to build a reputation. After a consistent stellar work output with not-so-big payouts, you emerge with the skills and track record to pull you through your proofreading career.

With these, you can start setting rates that are favorable to you as the writer. You can now fight off any intimidation by the clients, especially if you have the fundamental skills for the job.

Keep developing your resume

If you are persistent and constant with the work, you push out; before long, you will start finding jobs with ease and commanding higher wages. The quality of work produced is the most important thing. The level should not fluctuate as a slight change in quality will destroy your reputation.

Ensure your resume is updated regularly to include projects that might be relevant to your career goals.

Final take

Like in any business, there are always challenges. For proofreading, newcomers often receive low wages, and some end up discouraged. If you are persistent in your craft and stick out the challenging first days, then good tidings await you ahead.

Steps to ensure you land lucrative online proofreading jobs

This is a flexible side hustle that you can balance with your full-time job as low-stress work. It allows you to earn money from something you are either passionate about or are driven to achieve. All this without having to invest years of education and training. Or at least have a niche in the industry. The essential things you need include:

• A love for reading and in-depth knowledge of the language
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Computer literacy
• Quick and reliable internet connection
• Be familiar with the most style guides
• Motivation to meet deadlines and perform at your best

Read on to discover tips to help you become a proofreader and what to do to stay ahead of the others.

1. Hone your proofreading skills to perfection

Being able to prove and demonstrate your knowledge is more important than having a degree in this field. Practicing and perfecting your skills is critical as it helps with your success having had satisfied customers. Some materials and courses help you learn how to be better at proofreading. Before you settle on either of the two, spend a little time trying them both to see which best suits your needs. 

After establishing your preference and being sure that it’s what you want, you push yourself to be the best at your work.

2. Advertise your proofreading services

By advertising your services, you let all potential clients know the rates you charge with samples done. There are several ways to advertise yourself as a proofreader. Below are some of the most recommended;

• Register with online boards – by being registered with online boards, you can bid and apply for jobs and showcase and qualifications to attract prospective employers.
• Keep an eye on websites that provide proofreading services – this means registering on proofreading websites and publishing agencies—checking in on the website regularly, or setting up email notifications so that you are among the first to know when new job opportunities arise.
• Join online professional groups – these groups are good as they help bring together proofreaders from all disciplines. This helps share resources and exchange experiences. It helps with expert advice and help in job searches.
• Build your website – for those who have decided on proofreading as a long-term career; this would be a great idea. Having a personalized website is excellent as you can display every detail related to your work. Whether it be your professional qualifications, skills, experience, availability, rates, testimonials from previous employers, or other insights that you believe your potential clients may want to see.

3. Launch an online proofreading job search

This entails being proactive in the job searches and approach of the clients. It requires you to visit those job boards every day and monitor jobs you might be interested in. It would help if you were informed about proofreading work opportunities. 

This entails having email notifications set up for both prominent publishing agencies and other online companies. You also need to initiate contact with potential employers and promote your proofreading services to them. Either by chat, phone, or email.

Final take

Whether you are successful as a proofreader will depend on your drive to excel in the field. Sometimes, in your work, you get those remote proofreading jobs that need to be completed no matter how small they seem. Working from home has become a convenience for most people as the job market has dwindled over the years.

If you follow the steps set above, you are guaranteed to become an online proofreader, or they will help you become a proofreader.