Do you enjoy reading and have meticulous attention to detail? Are you looking for a stable work-at-home opportunity that will pay you to do something that you actually love but don’t have much experience? If this is you, then you might want to consider applying for online proofreading jobs for beginners.
Due to the never-ending supply of written content online, there is currently a great demand for part-time and full-time proofreaders and editors.
And because they want their published content to stand out, bloggers, journalists, and writers of all kinds are constantly looking for the best proofreading services.
In this post, I go in-depth about getting started as a successful proofreader and list 8 of the best companies that offer online proofreading jobs to beginners.
WHAT IS A PROOFREADER?
A proofreader is a professional who gets paid to review a document’s final draft, making sure that it has accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROOFREADER AND AN EDITOR?
A proofreader only checks and flags surface errors on a document like punctuation and grammar but an editor has the authority to make big changes to the text, such as completely rewriting sentences and paragraphs for better flow and quality.
HOW MUCH DOES AN ONLINE PROOFREADER MAKE?
According to research published by Salary.com, the median yearly pay for proofreaders in the United States is $55,410 as of September 2022.
However, salaries can vary widely depending on factors like education, skills, experience, and where one works.
Online proofreaders typically earn $20 to $40 per hour but you could make more than this if you specialize your work (e.g by focusing on proofreading medical or business files, or fiction novels) or if you establish yourself as a freelance proofreader.
WHO HIRES PROOFREADERS?
- Students
- essays and reports
- Authors
- novels, text-books, memoirs
- Bloggers
- blog posts, emails, newsletters, social media accounts
- Businesses
- sales and marketing content, website content, product descriptions
DO I NEED A DEGREE AND EXPERIENCE?
Although a few companies will require an English or related degree, you do not need a degree to become a proofreader.
In actuality, the majority of proofreaders have never been to college at all.
However, you do need the following personality traits to successfully launch an online proofreading career:
- Meticulous attention to detail to spot mistakes right away.
- English language proficiency and mastery, as well as excellent writing abilities.
- Excellent written communication skills
- Effective interpersonal skills for dealing with clients.
- Consistency and tenacity
- Able to work flexible hours
- Good time management. As a work-at-home proofreader, you will be responsible for managing your own schedule and have to come up with the most effective way to get your work done while getting the most money.
- Be prepared to take a proofreading test to demonstrate your proficiency.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS:
These free tools are an online proofreader’s best friend as they readily highlight the writing errors for you.
You can also enroll in a quick online proofreading course to give yourself an advantage over other beginner proofreaders competing for the same jobs.
1. Fiverr
One of the best places to find online proofreading jobs for beginners is Fiverr. Fiverr is a platform that links freelancers with businesses and individuals, and you can sell any skill that you have on this platform.
Fiverr is probably the best place to launch your online proofreading career because you don’t need any qualifications to get started on the site. Neither do you need to pass a skills assessment test.
Furthermore, job availability is quite high as most businesses and individuals turn to Fiverr when they need swift digital services.
To start working as a proofreader on Fiverr, all you have to do is create a profile and list the type of services that you offer (in this case, online proofreading) so that businesses and individuals looking for a proofreader can find you.
Once you create your profile, it is immediately accessible. You don’t need to wait for anyone to approve it before you start accepting jobs. It is, therefore, advisable to create a compelling, information-rich profile to attract clients at first glance.
With Fiverr, you also get to choose the fees for your services. However, as a newcomer, you might want to start with cheaper prices until you have a steady clientele and positive ratings.
If you are a total newbie, you might want to consider developing some samples or performing some volunteer work in advance because most clients will ask you for a few samples of your work or offer you a brief test to demonstrate your skills and experience.
To give you some inspiration and confidence to get started, here are some examples of Fiverr proofreading profiles that are thriving:
Fiverr: I will proofread, edit, and improve your writing
Fiverr: I will edit, proofread, or rewrite anything written in English
Fiverr: I will check your grammar, spelling and proofread your writing
2. Proofreading Services
Proofreading Services is one of the top platforms that hire both part-time and full-time proofreaders. You don’t need any formal qualifications, but you will have to pass a 20-minute proofreading test.
The company hires beginner proofreaders from all over the world and you get to work whenever you have free time.
To apply, click on the ‘Apply to be an Online Proofreader’ button and do your best to pass the test. The test comprises of a series of grammar and spelling questions and writing a short essay.
Compensation is generous, ranging from $19 to $46 per hour, depending on your turnaround time. The company also offers other online jobs like translation and resume and cover letter writing.
3. Clickworker
Clickworker is a crowd-sourcing platform that pays people to perform a variety of microtasks on the internet including proofreading jobs.
To apply, you must first create a Clickworker account and complete your profile by answering some demographic questions.
The next step is to go to the assessments section and take some tests to demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills. You must first take on a few text creation assignments and then proceed to the proofreading test if you perform well on these.
Payment is based on the level of quality required for each job.
Clickworker is a good place to find online proofreading jobs for beginners, but you should note that workflow may be inconsistent.
4. Reedsy
Reedsy is a platform that helps freelancers who want to work with authors and publishers.
To get started, simply sign up on the platform, complete your portfolio, and if accepted, the platform will use data science to link you to clients who are most likely to be a good fit.
You will set your own proofreading rates on Reedsy, but the company will keep a 10% commission fee for every job you get.
Job competition on this site is pretty low as clients can only request quotes from 5 clients at a time.
5. Get Editing Jobs
Get Editing Jobs is a marketplace for independent contractors where you can find a selection of writing, editing, and proofreading jobs.
To get started, sign up to receive their free email alerts so that you can be notified when new proofreading jobs are posted.
Visit the “resources” section of the website, which includes a ton of content authored by subject-matter experts, to hone your editing skills while you wait for assignments.
As another proactive measure, you can also create a job seeker’s account to show potential employers your resume.
6. Gramlee
Gramlee is constantly looking for outstanding editors to join their team of work-at-home independent contractors.
While no formal education is required to work for this company, you must be a grammar expert and it would be advantageous to have some prior experience.
The best thing about Gramlee is that once you are in, job availability is guaranteed as jobs roll in 24/7 and you don’t have to worry about looking for additional part-time proofreading jobs to supplement your income.
Payment ranges from $10-$20 per hour depending on job difficulty.
To get started, fill out this application form and explain why you are a good fit.
Don’t get disheartened if you don’t receive an answer right away because the company receives hundreds of applications each week and will process yours in due time.
7. Writing Jobz
Writing Jobz, as the name suggests, specializes in professional writing, and is currently hiring freelance proofreaders to help freelance writers.
Beginners and experts all over the world are welcome to apply, as long as they can pass the language test.
To get started, fill out their form with some information about your background and your areas of interest.
Once you’ve been approved, you can submit applications for a variety of proofreading jobs, such as article, book, and academic proofreading. Payment is up to $11 per page.
Additionally, the company offers a wide range of writing jobs, such as ghostwriting, essay writing, and sports writing.
8. Quality Proofreading
Our final proofreading company on the list is Quality Proofreading.
The company is looking for experienced work-at-home proofreaders, especially those with a background in business/management or science/engineering.
To apply, simply send them an email with the subject line ‘PROOFREADING APPLICATION’ and attach your resume.
CONCLUSION
This post lists the 8 best websites that offer online proofreading jobs for beginners. If you enjoy reading, pay close attention to detail, and are looking for work-at-home jobs, this is a good opportunity to make decent money online.
Although working as an online proofreader is a lucrative work-at-home job that gives you some degree of freedom by working whenever you want, you are still financially reliant on someone else for your income.
Here are some articles I wrote to help you achieve complete financial freedom through passive income, something that I always encourage people to do on this blog:
Read More:
- How to make money with blogging: Top 5 Ways
- How to Make Money Easy Online: 5 Passive Income Ideas
- Side Hustle Ideas to Make $100 a Day at Home
