8 Steps to Becoming a Successful Proofreader in Business by 2022
Proofreading is an essential part of the publishing industry and many other types of businesses in today’s world. However, not everyone can do it well, and hiring the wrong proofreader can result in costly mistakes that could damage your reputation and credibility, as well as your bottom line. In order to become a proofreader in business, you’ll need to learn the skills required to proofread effectively as well as have some solid business practices in place. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about becoming a successful proofreader in business by 2022.
Step 1: Become a registered freelance worker on Upwork
Upwork is a global freelance marketplace where businesses find, hire and work with talented freelancers. Freelancers can choose from thousands of jobs available for them and pick their own hourly rate. If you’re looking for flexible work hours or need to set your own schedule, freelance work could be right for you. In addition, it allows you to build up your portfolio so that when applying for full-time positions, employers can see what kind of work you do and how well you do it. And if you happen to get hired as a freelancer, there are even more benefits! You may be able to take advantage of health insurance, paid time off and other perks.
Step 2: Set up your home office
You may be able to set up your proofreading business while working full-time, but if you can work remotely, there’s no reason not to. Many companies are open to letting their employees work from home as long as they meet deadlines and maintain professional relationships with clients and coworkers. Check your employee handbook for specific rules on working from home, or ask your boss for clarification on how you can run your business. If possible, find an office space near your house that has WiFi access so you can still connect with clients when needed. If that isn’t an option, consider investing in a personal hotspot device like Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 5510L so you have reliable internet access at all times.
Step 3: Get yourself acquainted with current proofreading software
Proofreading software will make your life easier, especially for documents that require special formatting. These programs can help you eliminate repetitive and tedious tasks like checking grammar, finding capitalization errors, and ensuring consistency throughout an entire document. You may want to consider familiarizing yourself with at least one program like Grammarly or Word’s built-in tools. (Here are some other good resources.)
This is not only important because it makes your job easier, but also because it helps build confidence with clients who might feel uneasy handing over their work to someone new. In fact, some proofreaders actually use online proofreading tools as a selling point—after all, who doesn’t want their writing to be as error-free as possible?
Step 4: Gather a portfolio of your best works
A portfolio is essential. With it, you’ll be able to show prospective clients that you can handle any task they may throw at you, whether it’s proofreading articles, creating captions for videos or composing ad copy. The more expertise you can demonstrate (with your past work), the more money you can ask for and get as an independent contractor. To build up your portfolio, do some of these tasks on behalf of friends or family members—or ask them if they have projects that need doing. And don’t forget to include plenty of samples from previous jobs! You should also have a website where potential clients can see examples of your work; make sure it looks professional and well-designed so people will trust you with their own projects.
Step 5: Study relevant courses to sharpen your skills
Taking professional development courses and honing your skills will help you gain more credibility as a proofreader, allowing you to charge higher rates. As online education becomes even more accessible, there are plenty of e-learning options available through reputable universities that can enable you to earn credentials on your own schedule. Courses will cover everything from grammar and punctuation basics to specialized training for medical or legal editing. To get started, check out websites like Coursera or Udemy for free course listings. You might also consider taking some of these classes at a local community college—many schools offer credits transferable to online programs.
Step 6: Read books from top authors on the craft
Reading is just as important as writing. If you want to improve your skills and get your name out there, then picking up some books from some of today’s top authors can be an effective way to learn how to become a successful proofreader. These industry leaders will teach you more about what it takes to be successful at what you do, opening new doors for you along the way. You never know who you might meet or where it could lead. For example, did you know that JK Rowling was once turned down by 12 publishers before finally getting her big break? The moral of that story is that if you keep trying—even when things look bleak—you might find yourself with a bestseller on your hands!
Step 7: Read resources online about how to build your client base
There are plenty of resources online that can help you grow your client base. Online forums, websites, and even instructional videos from companies like Facebook and WordPress will help you fine-tune your strategy for attracting clients. To build your client base, it’s important to diversify your strategies so as not to be overly reliant on one method of contact. If one form of marketing doesn’t work, there are other options available to you.
Step 8. Commit To The Change
This is your last step! You’ve come so far, and there’s no turning back now. It’s time to really set yourself apart from other proofreaders, so you can make sure your clients understand that you are committed to excellence. To do that, you need to commit fully to creating an amazing business for yourself. Your website needs to be up-to-date with professional information about your services, including testimonials and examples of your work. You also need a mailing list signup form on every page of your site so people can stay up-to-date with new content or offers from you. And don’t forget to send out a monthly newsletter letting everyone know what you have going on. That way, when it comes time for them to think about hiring someone for their next project, they will remember how much they enjoyed your previous work and decide that you would be their best choice!