How to Become a Proofreader and Work from Anywhere

by | Last updated Feb 10, 2024 | Work Abroad Backpacker Jobs

I’ve been an online proofreader for over 5 years and a proofreader for over 20 years and have found many proofreading jobs in that time. If you are looking for a way to make money while you travel, then consider a career as a proofreader. It is one of the best jobs online that allows you to work remotely from anywhere. Here’s how you can become a proofreader and work from anywhere too.

As I mentioned, I have been proofreading a long time. During this time I have seen just how many opportunities there are out there to travel and work your way around the world as a proofreader. I’ve used it to make extra cash while living abroad in the UK, backpacking around Europe and while residing in Australia.

In this post to online proofreading jobs, I will explain what proofreading is and how it is different from copy editing and editing. Also what skills are required to proofread effectively. How to get jobs proofreading and how to get paid to proofread. Plus provide the best online proofreading websites to get jobs online. 

I recommend proofreading if you are looking for a way to make money online as it is a very portable job that is particularly popular with travelling introverts. Proofreading allows you to earn extra cash if working remotely from home part-time, full-time, as a side hustle, or if you want to transition into the digital nomad lifestyle.

Proofreading has changed since I first started proofreading. Texts I would proofread were on printed paper and required me to mark up the errors with my red pen. And this type of proofreading still exists, however, most proofreading is now done online, where you proofread copy on a screen. If becoming an online proofreader sounds appealing, keep reading for everything you need to know about this work from home job or I should say, work from anywhere profession.

So let’s get into it and get your online job as a proofreader up and running, or is that up and travelling!

 

What is Proofreading? And What is a Proofreader?

 

Proofreading is the process of thoroughly and carefully checking a written text for any errors. These errors can be spelling, grammar, punctuation, consistency or formatting of the text. A proofreader is the person with an eagle eye and proofreading skills who is able to identify these errors and fix them or suggest to the person who wrote the text how to fix them. 

Proofreading is the final stage of the writing process and is very important. So writers and printers like to ensure the written text is perfect before pressing the publish button or the print button. Mistakes in a text make the writer look unprofessional.

 

Difference between Proofreading and Editing

 

While the skills needed for proofreading and editing are similar and often thought to be interchangeable, there is a significant difference between these two. Proofreading, you could say is ‘finding and fixing the mistakes’ while editing is a process where the whole text is looked at to ensure it is clear to the reader what it is about. During editing text may be removed, re-organised or re-written for clarity.

And within editing you will discover there are different types of editing: copy editing and content editing for instance. Copy editing is about improving style, formatting and accuracy while content editing looks at the content and is where you may need to add things, leave things out or re-write sections of content. Plus you have more specific types of editing: line editing, structure editing, fact checking and developmental editing to name a few.

But it is proofreaders who are the ‘final defenders’ of the text who do the final review before the publish button or the print button is pushed. And it is online proofreading as a profession that you can do remotely from home or anywhere what this post is about. 

 

TIP: Understand the differences between proofreading and editing and ensure your client understands the differences so when providing a service, there isn’t any confusion.

 

Can You Make Money Proofreading?

 

Of course you can, I’m living proof of this as I get paid to proofread. Most freelance proofreaders set their own prices or rates and work their own hours. The more you proofread, the more you can make. Some online proofreaders charge by the hour while others charge by the word. I charge a bit of both. I know it takes me about 30-60 minutes to proofread 1,000 words so if a client asked me to proofread a 2,000 word article I would give them a 2 hour price. But you will work it out, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

 

Person proofreading a printed text and looking at their laptop while having a coffee.

proofreading can be done from anywhere – while having a coffee in your garden

 

Pros & Cons of the Job as a Proofreader online

 

There are both advantages and disadvantages to being a freelance proofreader working from home or anywhere.

 

Pros of Being a Freelance Proofreader

  • As a freelancer you can set your own prices.
  • You can work your own hours and work these hours from anywhere – making this a great flexible profession to work from home or while travelling and around any commitments you may have.
  • You won’t have a supervisor breathing down your neck – you only need to meet the needs of your client.
  • There is a huge demand for proofreaders so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find work.
  • Proofreading is suited to introverts, on saying that, anyone can proofread.

 

Cons of Being a Freelance Proofreader

With anything, there are disadvantages to being a freelance proofreader.

  • Some clients require a proofreader to have a professional qualification.
  • There can be tight deadlines that you need to meet.
  • Clients may confuse a proofreading service with an editing service.
  • Lack of confidence in your skills could see you take a lower rate than you actually should.

Overall, I think the pros of being a freelance proofreading win over the disadvantages.

 

What Qualifications and Skills do You Need to be a Proofreader?

 

Some proofreading jobs require you to have a degree while others don’t. To be a proofreader what you need is to have excellent spelling and grammar skills. And time management skills also helps, particularly when you have your own proofreading business. 

Now, if you have just become a little worried about whether you have the knowledge of these, I would suggest you do a proofreading course. This is what I did initially, and now I have a Diploma in Editing and Proofreading. But if you have good skills already, there are still jobs out there that don’t require a professional qualification plus, there are now on the market online tools to help.

 

Tools of the Proofreader Trade

 

When I first started proofreading I learnt how to proofread text on printed paper. I was taught how to ‘mark up’ a text using red pen. There were little symbols we would use to show where something needed to be done such as inserting a word or deleting a space. Things are much easier now, there are online tools available that help you to complete proofreading jobs from home. These tools include:

  • Spellchecker: This is a must-have tool as one of the things you check as a proofreader is spelling. As you need to know and understand whether to use their or there! And most software, such as Microsoft Word has a built in spellchecker – so use it!
  • Grammarly: Also while proofreading a document, you will be checking grammar. Grammarly is great in that it finds grammatical errors and provides explanations and suggestions for each grammatical mistake it picks up. This is so helpful.
  • Google Docs: Another tool for online proofreading is Google Docs. Google Docs allows you to receive, send and share files with clients for free. It has a number of editing tools helping you to show and suggest what needs fixing on the text. Though many use and like Google Docs, I do prefer to work in a Word document – but that’s just me! If it is you too you will need Microsoft Word.
  • Laptop or Computer with email software to communicate with clients. Read my posts Essential Equipment for online workers or essential equipment for digital nomads plus a printer to print the text to proofread.
  • Red Pen: Last, but not least, if you prefer to proofread from a printed copy of the text you will need a red pen (or any colour of your choice) to mark up the copy.

 

proofreading of text using a red pen to mark up copy.

marking up copy with a red pen

 

How to Find Online Proofreading Jobs

 

There are two main ways to find online proofreading jobs. You either start up your own business and advertise yourself via your own website or have a profile on an online platform, or answer proofreading job postings on an online platform. You can even contact online publishers, but I have had much luck using this avenue. I’ve had more luck with Facebook Groups such as Find a VA (Virtual Assistant).

 

How to Start a Freelance Proofreading Business

 

Many proofreaders work for themselves and so start their own freelance proofreading business. As with any business, you will need to work out your business structure and procedures. You may want to write yourself a business plan that will include:

  1. Get the appropriate skills.
  2. Business structure. Will you need to register a business name or a company.
  3. Define your service or services. What is your proofreading niche (travel blogs, legal documents, academic documents, business documents, print media and books). As I am a travel blogger/travel writer I decided to proofread for other travel bloggers so I specialise in proofreading travel blogs.
  4. What equipment is required? Computer and software.
  5. How will you get clients? See following. 
  6. Marketing yourself – your own website.
  7. Set up your communication channels of how you correspond with clients.
  8. Most importantly, how will you get paid?
  9. Keep track of your income and expenses.

 

Best Online Platforms to find a proofreading online Job

 

Get paid to proofread through these legitimate proofreading jobs online.

 

Fiverr

My first online proofreading gig came through Fiverr. I uploaded my profile and services on this platform and it didn’t take long before requests came in. With Fiverr, you create a profile that includes information about you, your skills and what services you are offering. There are 3 levels of services and you may have to start with a lower rate at first to attract clients. What I love about Fiverr is that it takes care of the money side of things. But to do so, they take a cut of your final money being paid for the gig.

SEE ALSO: How to Make Money on Fiverr

 

Upwork

Upwork is very similar to Fiverr and is one of the best websites to find entry-level proofreading jobs. There is an abundance of freelance proofreading job listings so is a great way to find work from home. It is an easy platform to navigate and use and like Fiverr charges a service charge to introduce and handle the money on your behalf. Nevertheless, it is a great beginner platform for proofreaders looking to gain experience and build their portfolio for better paying jobs in the future. 

 

FlexJobs

Next on the list of best online platforms to find a proofreading jobs is FlexJobs. Similar to Upwork, this huge online platform lists job opportunities for entry-level and experienced proofreaders. But unlike Fiverr and Upwork, it charges a monthly fee – but this means the cheap freelancers who want everything for free don’t make FlexJobs their number one place to find jobs.

 

Scribendi

Unlike the previous three websites mentioned in this list of places to find freelance proofreading jobs, Scribendi is specifically for proofreaders and editors to find online work. They also require their proofreaders and editors to have certain qualifications before being allowed to sign up. So if just starting out and you don’t have a qualification, then consider Fiverr, Upwork and FlexJobs first to find a proofreading gig.

 

Other Online Proofreading Job Platforms

There are other online proofreading platforms, but I have not used them, so cannot give you first-hand information about them. But you might want to check them out: Scribbr, Proofreading Services, Proofreading Pal, Gramlee, Polished Paper and Edit Fast. 

Are You Ready to Become a Proofreader and work from anywhere?

 

I hope this post has proved helpful to you in your journey to getting a job as a proofreader. Even without a degree you can find online jobs proofreading that will allow you to work from home remotely or anywhere in the world you choose to call home. I’d love to hear about your proofreading journey.

 

Other Online Jobs

How to Become a VA
How to sell t-shirts online without inventory 
Teach English online

 

Proofreading pin. marking up copy with a red pin and working online.

Thanks for sharing!

Just so you know: some of the links in this post might be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. No pressure to use my links, but I REALLY appreciate when you do! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 


My favourite tools to Travel Live and Work Abroad

 

🏠 Where Will You Be Sleeping Tonight? – Get a bed in a hostel dorm through HostelWorld or for a hotel room check out Booking.com. Get free accommodation house and pet sitting through Trusted Housesitters – this has saved me thousands on accommodation, no joke!

✈️ Need a cheap and flexible airfare – head to Skyscanner.

 🚙 Car Rental – search and compare vehicles at DiscoverCars.

 🚆 Train Travel: I love riding the rails. For a rail pass in Europe head to Raileurope. And Japan has a great one too – JapanRail Pass.

🚌 Travelling by bus is often the cheapest way to travel. Compare and get a ticket or a pass at Busbud.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Jump-the-queue entrance tickets and day tours: I book these through GetYourGuide.

 🌏 How to pick a country to live and work abroad in? Check out my Working Holiday Visa Country Guides and Digital Nomad Visa Country Guides to see where you can live work play travel abroad.

👕 For travel clothing and gear I get a lot of stuff from Amazon, North Face and Anaconda.

 🚑 Should you buy travel insurance? Absolutely Yes! SafetyWing is great digital nomads and long-term travellers and World Normads has policies for general and adventure travel.

 

Buy the Guide to Get Ready to Live Abroad, Work Abroad and Travel Full Time Like a Pro

Three Suitcases Standing On Top Of The World For The New Cover For Ready, Set,Go - Travel Your Pre-planning Guide For Your Overseas Adventure.

Join Me and Subscribe

Follow Along on Facebook

Meet Live Work Play Travel?



Booking.com

Sharyn McCullum Sailing Through The Panama Canal With Storm Chasing Boat.

Sharyn McCullum – Travel Writer / Blogger, Remote On-line Worker, sometime Digital Nomad and Travel, Live and Work Abroad Expert. Is a chocoholic, coffee connoisseur and lover of ’80s music. Been travelling all her life thanks to her dad who worked for an airline. Lived in London 4 years on a working holiday. Has holidayed in Hawaii over 15 times and currently calls Melbourne, Australia home. Is inspiring others to get the live work play travel lifestyle with this blog. Read more about Sharyn here.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Do You Want to Live Work and Play around the World?

I thought so. Get my FREE Moving Abroad Checklist to help you on your way.

 

+ receive work and travel abroad tips and news delivered to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed.