Start Your Own Freelance Proofreading Service
If you want a hassle-free business of your own, setting up a proofreading service has a lot going for it.
No special tools, equipment or premises are needed.
You can work any time that suits you, perhaps fitting it in around family commitments.
You can start part-time and go full-time later if you wish.
And while you won't make a fortune, you can certainly make a decent living.
What Do Proofreaders Do? Proofreaders perform a final check on the text of books and other written materials (e.
g.
magazines, newspapers, web pages) before they are sent to be printed.
They mark up any errors they find using a standard set of proofreading marks.
These corrections are then incorporated before the book goes to print.
Proofreaders may be asked to work in one of two ways.
They may be sent the author's original typescript with the copy editor's corrections marked on it, along with a copy of the proofs.
In this case they are required to check that the typesetter has carried out all the editor's instructions and not inserted any errors of his own.
This is known as reading against copy.
Alternatively, the proofreader may simply be sent a set of proofs and be asked to read through them checking for any errors (e.
g.
spelling, punctuation or factual mistakes).
This is known as performing a straight (or blind) reading.
What Skills Will I Need? To start with, you will need a good grasp of spelling and punctuation, and at least a basic knowledge of English grammar (though you can take courses in these areas if required).
You will need to be thorough and conscientious, and have a good eye for detail.
A typical page proof may have no more than one or two mistakes in it, but as a proofreader you will be expected to find them.
The other key requirement is a knowledge of the standard proofreading marks and how to apply them.
The standard marks can be found in guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style (US) and The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (UK), both of which can be easily obtained from libraries or the Amazon internet bookstore.
You can also take courses such as the Professional Proofreading & Editing Course from Maple Academy, which will teach you the standard marks and give you practice in applying them.
Finally, you should obtain a good modern dictionary to check spellings and usage.
This should be the full-length version (at least 150,000 words).
Pocket and concise dictionaries just won't do! Do I Need to Take a Course? It's not essential, but if you haven't previously worked in publishing it is probably best to do some training before marketing your service to paying clients, if only to build your confidence and hone your skills.
As mentioned above, Maple Academy runs a comprehensive introductory course covering both proofreading and copy editing, with correspondence tuition from professional proofreaders and editors.
How Can I Sell My Service? Publishing houses are the biggest employers of freelance proofreaders, and one way of finding work is simply to write to them offering your services.
Hundreds of publishing houses are listed in Writer's Market (US) or The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (UK).
Rather than send out a mass mailshot, however, it may be better to target publishers who produce books on subjects where you have specialist knowledge.
If you have teaching experience, for example, concentrate on school textbook publishers.
If you have French as a second language, target publishers in the modern languages field.
When you write, don't forget to mention any relevant qualifications and experience.
Many other businesses also use freelance proofreaders.
Advertising, design and PR agencies in particular are well worth trying, as are printers and typesetting companies.
You should find dozens of such businesses listed in your local Yellow Pages or telephone directory.
Send them a letter of application, or even better give them a call.
Writers and aspiring writers are yet another potential market.
Try advertising your services in magazines aimed at writers, such as Writer's Digest (US) or Writer's News (UK).
Try to obtain a sample copy first, however, so you can see how other proofreaders are doing it.
Finally, you could try advertising in local business magazines and directories.
No special tools, equipment or premises are needed.
You can work any time that suits you, perhaps fitting it in around family commitments.
You can start part-time and go full-time later if you wish.
And while you won't make a fortune, you can certainly make a decent living.
What Do Proofreaders Do? Proofreaders perform a final check on the text of books and other written materials (e.
g.
magazines, newspapers, web pages) before they are sent to be printed.
They mark up any errors they find using a standard set of proofreading marks.
These corrections are then incorporated before the book goes to print.
Proofreaders may be asked to work in one of two ways.
They may be sent the author's original typescript with the copy editor's corrections marked on it, along with a copy of the proofs.
In this case they are required to check that the typesetter has carried out all the editor's instructions and not inserted any errors of his own.
This is known as reading against copy.
Alternatively, the proofreader may simply be sent a set of proofs and be asked to read through them checking for any errors (e.
g.
spelling, punctuation or factual mistakes).
This is known as performing a straight (or blind) reading.
What Skills Will I Need? To start with, you will need a good grasp of spelling and punctuation, and at least a basic knowledge of English grammar (though you can take courses in these areas if required).
You will need to be thorough and conscientious, and have a good eye for detail.
A typical page proof may have no more than one or two mistakes in it, but as a proofreader you will be expected to find them.
The other key requirement is a knowledge of the standard proofreading marks and how to apply them.
The standard marks can be found in guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style (US) and The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (UK), both of which can be easily obtained from libraries or the Amazon internet bookstore.
You can also take courses such as the Professional Proofreading & Editing Course from Maple Academy, which will teach you the standard marks and give you practice in applying them.
Finally, you should obtain a good modern dictionary to check spellings and usage.
This should be the full-length version (at least 150,000 words).
Pocket and concise dictionaries just won't do! Do I Need to Take a Course? It's not essential, but if you haven't previously worked in publishing it is probably best to do some training before marketing your service to paying clients, if only to build your confidence and hone your skills.
As mentioned above, Maple Academy runs a comprehensive introductory course covering both proofreading and copy editing, with correspondence tuition from professional proofreaders and editors.
How Can I Sell My Service? Publishing houses are the biggest employers of freelance proofreaders, and one way of finding work is simply to write to them offering your services.
Hundreds of publishing houses are listed in Writer's Market (US) or The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (UK).
Rather than send out a mass mailshot, however, it may be better to target publishers who produce books on subjects where you have specialist knowledge.
If you have teaching experience, for example, concentrate on school textbook publishers.
If you have French as a second language, target publishers in the modern languages field.
When you write, don't forget to mention any relevant qualifications and experience.
Many other businesses also use freelance proofreaders.
Advertising, design and PR agencies in particular are well worth trying, as are printers and typesetting companies.
You should find dozens of such businesses listed in your local Yellow Pages or telephone directory.
Send them a letter of application, or even better give them a call.
Writers and aspiring writers are yet another potential market.
Try advertising your services in magazines aimed at writers, such as Writer's Digest (US) or Writer's News (UK).
Try to obtain a sample copy first, however, so you can see how other proofreaders are doing it.
Finally, you could try advertising in local business magazines and directories.
