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Many teachers choose proofreading as a source of extra income and some even pursuit it as a new career. Since most teachers are usually proficient in language and writing, and they practise proofreading on a daily basis with their students anyway, it comes very naturally to match the skills they already have.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is the last step in the editorial process. It comes after the document has already been through the developmental and copyediting stages. A proofreader’s eyes will be the final set of eyes to check the document before it is printed or published online.
A proofreader is responsible for double-checking documents for errors and typos, including:
- Typos
- Double words
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Formatting issues
- Ensure document adheres to chosen style guide
Traditionally, proofreading would have been done when the book had been formatted and laid out, so proofreaders needed to focus on issues like awkward page and word breaks and inconsistencies in the layout. The proofreader would compare the printed version of the manuscript (proofs) against the edited copy to ensure that no errors were introduced by the formatting process. That will still be the case if you work with publishing houses, although the comparison may be done electronically now, rather than on printed proofs.
Nowadays, many proofreaders work with bloggers or directly with self-publishing authors, so the work is often carried out in Microsoft Word or Google Docs before the formatting stage.
About Proofread Anywhere
Proofread Anywhere is the brainchild of Caitlin Pyle. Caitlin helps proofreaders earn extra income from anywhere in the world… even if they are starting from scratch.
Her passion for proofreading started in college when she would help students proofread their college essays. She used her grammar talent to catch errors and help others turn their writing into masterpieces.
That love for proofreading continued to grow. She took her general proofreading skills to the next level when she got into proofreading transcripts for court reporters. In fact, proofreading transcripts became her primary source of income.
Being so passionate about proofreading, Caitlin started ProofreadAnywhere.com as a blog back in 2014, and it’s exploded since then. She now wants to share her passion for proofreading with teachers everywhere — so they can grow their own freelance businesses like she did.
The Courses
General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™
- Interested in proofreading but not sure where to start? This is the perfect course to dive into the freelance world of proofreading.
- Learn the detailed mechanics of proofreading AND how to market your services to find clients, even if you don’t have any experience.
- This course is packed with 40+ lessons in 8 modules, grammar-specific worksheets, and real-life example jobs.
- After passing with 90% or higher on the final exam, receive a Certificate of Completion and access to the Self-Publishing School Preferred Outsourcer Rolodex.
Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice™
- Want to take your proofreading skills to the next level? Ready to really narrow your general proofreading into a powerful niche? This course hones in on the world of court reporters and their transcripts.
- The ONLY online course designed specifically to train proofreaders in the art of transcript proofreading.
- Incredibly thorough, well-planned, and rigorous.
- Includes 9 modules and 55 units of theory, practice, and examinations designed to prepare your career.
- Provides a Certificate of Completion upon receiving a score of 90% or higher on the cumulative final exams.
Why choose Proofread Anywhere
Because this training works.
- You can use your eagle eyes to earn extra income from home—even if home is a faraway place.
- Create a side income — or something more! — to enhance your life and finances.
- You can learn how to market and network your valuable skills to those who need them.
- Gain more flexibility in how and when you work.
- Freedom to travel more — and still earn while on the go.
- Transform your mind to realize your true potential for success.
How quickly can I start making money as a proofreader?
Proofread Anywhere isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a learn-the-skills-and-reap-the-rewards opportunity.
You need to learn the skills before you can make the money. Take the time to learn the skills, and THEN the money will come.
How much money can I make as a general proofreader?
The answer isn’t that simple. Some people might only need to make $200/month to help pay down some debt. Other people might want to make this their full-time career. The amount of time and effort you put into this, along with the quality of the service you provide your clients, is directly linked to the amount of money you can make. And that’s why it’s hard to put a definite number on how much you can make.
All that being said, here is a very general idea of what you can earn proofreading a book. For a nonfiction novel that’s anywhere from 15,000 – 35,000 words, a proofreader can earn between $100 – $500 for that project. Yes, that’s a bit of a range, but it gives you some idea as to what to expect for that particular type of project.
Just remember that your income is going to be based on a variety of different factors. Are you just starting out with your proofreading business, or have you been doing this for a few years? Are you proofreading simple blog posts, or are you proofreading incredibly technical books? Do most of your projects have standard turnaround times, or do they all have super-tight deadlines? All of these factors and more will come into play when it comes to your income.
The important thing to remember is this: YOU are in charge of your success and how much money you make! The courses provide you with the knowledge and even the practice you need to be successful. But it’s solely up to you to determine how much you will make and how well you will do.
The Proofread Anywhere courses will give you all the tools you need to be a rockstar proofreader, but if you don’t use those tools and work hard with them, they won’t do you any good. If you take those skills you learn and work hard, the sky’s the limit.
