If you are quick to find grammatical and punctuation errors, as well as misspelled words, you will definitely benefit from various sites that offer a proofreading job online.
Proofreading is a skill that not all people have. Not everyone can easily find grammatical and punctuation errors and misspelled words. In addition, you need to have exceptional attention to detail to be able to do so.
Proofreading is one of the most popular work from home jobs. I, for one, worked as a proofreader in the past. It’s actually one of the first few works from home jobs I took before I decided to do blogging.
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A lot of people thought that to be a proofreader, you need to have an English or journalism degree. While having either of these is an advantage to get into this job, it’s not really necessary. Anyone with any college degree is welcome to be a proofreader as long he or she meets the requirements of the job.
If you want to get into a proofreading job, it is important that you first familiarize yourself with what proofreading is all about and what specific skills do you need for this kind of work from home job.
With that said, no need to look any further because I have gathered all the information you need, including some sites that offer proofreading job. Are you ready? If you are, then, let’s begin.
WHAT IS PROOFREADING AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM EDITING?
First and foremost, let me just say that proofreading and editing are two totally different things. Many of us thought that they are the same thing, but in reality, they are not.
Editing is all about fixing sentence and paragraph construction. It’s all about making sure that the article follows a certain writing style (which depends on the company or the person you are working for). Editing is the process of making sure that a written material has improved readability, accuracy, fitness for its purpose, and also, to ensure that the copy is free of error, inconsistency, repetition of words or thought, as well as omission.
Now, with regards to proofreading, it refers to the process of checking or reviewing a document thoroughly to ensure it is free of grammar and punctuation errors, as well as misspelled words. What proofreaders do is they sift through the written documents or articled for any grammatical or punctuation errors.
Primarily, proofreading is done to ensure that a file or document is free of error – typo, grammar, spelling and/or punctuation.
If you’re new to proofreading, you may want to check this proofreading tutorial video by the English Language Centre. This gives you an idea of the basics of proofreading.
With that said, a perfect work from home proofreader is someone who is detailed-oriented, excellently corrects spelling errors, has the capability to spot typos, and have the ability to include proper punctuation to make a written document look professional and well thought out.
WHO CAN BE A PROOFREADER?
As I mentioned earlier, anybody can do proofreading as long as he or she has the right skills and you meet certain proofreading job requirements.
But to give you an idea, to qualify for a proofreading job, one must possess the following:
– Impeccable grammar skills
– Strong skills in recognizing errors
– Excellent attention to detail
– Excellent communication skills
– Years of experience (although there are a lot of companies that also consider newbies in this field)
– A journalism degree is an advantage but not required
– Strong self-learner
– Have gone through proofreading training (it is an advantage but not necessarily required)
HOW MUCH MONEY DOES A PROOFREADER MAKE?
Based on the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary rate for a full-time proofreader is $41,950. As with the online site called Glassdoor.com, as of this writing, a proofreader could earn as much as $45,000 on an average level.
For beginners, meaning no proofreading work experience at all, expect to earn around $10 or more per hour. As you gain experience, you may slowly increase your salary rate – charging from $30 up to $50 per hour.
So, if you are keen on starting your proofreading career, then at least you already have an idea of up to how much you can make should you pursue a career in this field.
As with me, when I worked as a proofreader then, I was just a newbie to this field, if I remember it right, I earned around $30,000 for full-time work from home proofreading job.
WHERE TO FIND PROOFREADING JOB ONLINE?
Of course, now that you already know some of the basic information you need to know about proofreading jobs, let’s proceed to where you can find a work from home proofreading job. As I said earlier, there are a lot of online companies that offer proofreading jobs out there. At the end of the day, you just have to find which you think fits best in your personal qualifications in a company.
Anyway, here are some of the best online sites that offer proofreading jobs:
ProofreadingServices.com
Proofreadingservices.com offers both full-time and part-time work from home proofreading jobs. However, to qualify for the job, candidates or applicants must take and pass a 20-minute screening test. Once you passed it, you are ready to work on certain assigned proofreading tasks.
Personally, I like the fact that the company offers a flexible working schedule. For stay at home moms like me, I highly suggest ProofreadingServices.com to you. With this company, they also allow you to earn more than the United States average hourly wage for proofreaders. Amazing, right?
I also love the fact that by working with this company, you get the chance to connect with some of the world’s top English proofreaders! Yes, they’re from all over the world. I honestly believe that if you are starting your proofreading career, you better give this company a chance. It’s totally worth it.
Scribendi
This proofreading company started in 1997 and has earned over 400 professional freelance editors to date. Scribendi is actually popular when it comes to proofreading jobs. In fact, they are tagged as the world’s fastest-growing community of professional editors. It’s not surprising though because they regularly have open positions for freelance proofreaders and editors.
Like the company above, they too let you set your worn work schedule. However, it’s one of those proofreading companies that require applicants to have the following requirements:
– A university degree
– At least 3 years of editing or proofreading experience
– A native English speaker
– Has an average editing/proofreading speed of 1,000 to 1,500 words per hour
If you have all these, then you have what it takes to be a Screbendi proofreader! With regards to payment, the company pays its proofreaders through PayPal, and in US dollars regardless of your country of origin.
ProofreadingPal
ProofreadingPal has both editing and proofreading job opportunities for you. However, they have a very strict application process and set of requirements. The company also uses a two-proofreader model wherein each document is proofread and edited by two expert proofreaders.
Although the process of landing a job in this company is quite a challenge, the good thing is, as a ProofreadingPal proofreader, you can earn as much as $500 to $3,000 per month! That’s huge! While it may sound too good to be true, fortunately, it is indeed true!
Before joining the company, you need to answer a short independent contractor questionnaire and wait for a company representative to get in touch with you within 5 to 10 business days.
Flexjobs
For sure, you have heard of Flexjobs already. It’s one of those well-known work from home job portal that offers hard-screened remote, part-time, freelance and very flexible home-based jobs. Flexjobs have a specific section for those looking for editing or proofreading jobs.
Unlike other job listing sites, Flexjobs have a $15 per month membership fee, which allows you to have access to all kinds of work from home jobs apart from online proofreading jobs.
If you are okay with the fee, and you think you can maximize it, I suggest you go ahead and try out Flexjobs and see for yourself if it works for you. If in case you do not like the site’s service, you can always cancel your membership anytime.
Fiverr.com
If you want to sell your freelance proofreading services, Fivver.com is the site for you. With Fiverr, the company lets you decide how much you charge for your services. In fact, most freelance services on this site start at $5.
What I like about Fiverr is, if you want to earn more, you can add more to your list of services to what they call as “gigs”. By doing so, you get to charge even more money. For example, you can charge more for a faster turnaround or added services like writing blog posts or posting blog content on the website.
I highly suggest Fiverr to those who want to maximize their skills and want to earn more without having to go from one site to another.
Proofread Now
Unlike other sites, Proofread Now hires proofreaders and editors, not on a regular basis. You have to wait until they have proofreading job opportunities posted. If you are someone who is not so keen on having a job immediately, then you may consider Proofread Now, but if not, this one’s not for you.
To qualify for a proofreading job with Proofread Now, you must at least have 5 years of work experience, and you must be willing to undergo some very challenging editing tests. While the process can be quite tedious, rest assured that your return of investment once hired is going to be totally worth it.
Editor World
Editor World looks for independent contractors to work from home from time to time. To get into a proofreading job in this company, you must be a college degree holder, you must have some editing work experience, and you must be a native English speaker or have English as your primary language.
To get into a proofreading job in this company, you must complete a short editing test. Once done, you are immediately assigned editing/proofreading jobs.
Wordvice
Wordvice is one of a company that has open positions not only for proofreaders but also for content writers, and freelance translators and editors too. To qualify for a proofreading job with the company, you must meet their set of requirements, which include professional work experience.
With Wordvice, your job includes editing/proofreading academic papers like a dissertation, thesis, research articles, as well as admissions essays. Like any other online company that provides proofreading jobs, Wordvice allows you to work from any part of the world as long as you have a stable and high-speed internet connection.
Unlike other online companies, their payment plan is based on word count and not on an hourly basis. The turnaround time given by clients is also factored in.
Sibia Proofreading
If you want to work for Sibia Proofreading, you have to wait for any proofreading job opportunity as they rarely have one. To ensure that you easily get updated for any job vacancy, I suggest you bookmark their site and check it from time to time.
Sibia is quite strict when it comes to hiring proofreaders and editors. Also, normally, they are looking for science experts who have either editing or proofreading skills and experience. In addition to that, you also need to have a Ph.D. or equivalent to land a job at SIbia Proofreading.
Cactus Communications
If you want to earn as much as $4,000 a month, then Cactus Communications is for you! The company usually looks for proofreaders and editors who have a medical background. They offer flexible schedules just like most of the other companies on this list.
Apart from the fact that you can earn as much as $4,000 a month, the company also has other monetary benefits like giving out an extra 20% cash if you are able to deliver high-quality work, and you become consistent with your job. Such a great deal, right?
Scribe Writing
Formerly known as Book in A box, Scribe Writing is a proofreading company that accepts work from home manuscript proofreaders. Compared to what it was before when the company rebranded, they became more organized, and I do love that fact.
What I like about working for Scribe Writing is the opportunity to connect and interact with different writers and authors, which makes work easier as you get to understand what their needs and wants are specifically on the job that you are working on.
Wordy
Wordy is a company that provides both proofreading and copy-editing services to its clients. The very reason why they hire editors and proofreaders. The last time I checked though, the site is undergoing some updating, and the company paused their editor registrations and sign-ups. Anyway, the company usually advertise any available online work from home proofreading job.
Edit Fast
EditFast usually has open positions not just for proofreaders but writers and editors as well. The company normally provide their services for free. However, they do take 40% of the total project price once it is completed. I know, it seems quite a lot. So, you better make sure you take that into consideration when accepting a job.
To qualify, you will have to undergo and pass an editing test before you get assigned to a certain task. Also, if you get a positive review, your page will be automatically activated, and a profile is created to let you receive new project notifications.
If you wish to work for Edit Fast, make sure you do have a PayPal account as all payments are sent through this channel every last day of the month.
Gramlee
Gramlee is one of those online companies that regularly looks for exceptional editors and proofreaders. The thing though is, you have to be very good at grammar if you wish to work in this company.
There are so many things to love about Gramlee, but one thing that really stands out for me is that they offer work from home jobs that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means you do not have to worry about finding a job ever again! But as I mentioned you really have to be exceptional, or you will not get in.
The reason why they are looking for the bests is that the company has a 24-hour turnaround time for 3,000-word documents. That’s quite a lot, which is good for us because that means, more jobs!
Scribbr
Scribbr is based in Netherland. They are an editing company with a lot of work from home editor posts particularly to those who are fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Italian languages.
The last time I checked, they already have over 400 academic editors, and it continues to grow! The company’s pool of editors is from different parts of the world. Their tasks include editing and/or proofreading student term papers, dissertations, producing APA style references, as well as identifying plagiarism in the papers.
Unlike the other companies we mentioned earlier, landing a job in Scribbr is easier.
Polished Paper
Polished Paper is another online site that is constantly looking for proficient editors. For you to make it as a proofreader, you will need to register for a user account first so you get to upload your resume.
Once you are done submitting your resume, you will immediately be directed to a 35-question editor test. The test is set using MLA, APA, as well as Chicago formatting guides — which means, you have to study or review or research these guides to pass the test.
Book Editing
Book Editing is constantly looking for work from home proofreaders as well as copy editors, and experienced writing mentors.
To be considered for proofreading jobs from home in the company, you will need to take and pass a find-the-errors proofreading test.
Working for Book Editing is actually a great chance for you if you are specifically looking for long-term editing jobs from home.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PROOFREADING JOB
Working from home as a proofreader is ideal for anyone who has an eye for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. While there are some companies that are specifically looking for “experts” in this field, most of the companies allow newbies in the industry.
Do you think you have what it takes to be one? If your answer is yes, then head on to any of the sites that offer work from home proofreading job today.
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