In the event you’re desirous about changing into a digital nomad, making good cash on-line whereas lazing on a seashore by the Mediterranean, or tenting on the hovering Canadian Rockies, I like to recommend that you just attempt proofreading on-line. Earlier than you begin, nevertheless, you’ll want to think about the {qualifications} to be a proofreader.
With a lot written content material being launched in in the present day’s digital world, proofreading is in demand. And fortuitously, this job will be labored from wherever.
I started freelance proofreading once I began dwelling overseas in Japan, and the additional money allowed me to backpack across the total nation; from exploring Tokyo to trekking round Iriomote Island. Proofreading can also be one in all my favourite on-line jobs; it’s a lot enjoyable to learn all kinds of written work, from pupil sociology essays to media information articles and neuroscience analysis papers.
However, if you happen to’re desirous about proofreading on-line, you’ll first have to think about the various necessities to safe proofreading jobs. So, that can assist you out, I listed out the ten {qualifications} that it is advisable be a contract proofreader.
With out additional ado, let’s start.
☞ SEE ALSO: The best way to Turn out to be a Proofreader
{Qualifications} to Be a Proofreader
Earlier than we dive proper in, I simply need to make clear that whereas having these 10 {qualifications} to develop into a proofreader is very beneficial earlier than beginning your proofreading profession, not all of them are required. Many of those abilities will be discovered or developed whereas working as a proofreader, and there are numerous proofreaders which can be simply as profitable with out a few of these traits.
Nevertheless, it’s a lot more durable to do nicely as a proofreader with out these abilities, so I positively advocate engaged on them. With that being stated, let’s get began with the ten final {qualifications} to be a proofreader:
1. Take a Proofreading Course
First, one of many key {qualifications} for changing into a contract proofreader is the completion of a proofreading course. Not solely will this mean you can achieve beneficial perception into the basics of grammar and proofreading, however you’ll even be extra marketable to potential purchasers. The proper course can even expose you to the terminology, guidelines, and finest practices for locating errors, recognizing inconsistencies, and enhancing the writing of others.
One of many finest proofreading programs out there is the Knowadays Turning into a Proofreader course, because it comes with assured work with their companion firm, Proofed.
Whereas I by no means personally took a course particular to proofreading, I did take a grammar and punctuation refresher previous to beginning my first proofreading job, and it was instrumental in offering me with the instruments, assets, and confidence to start out proofreading professionally. So, I positively advocate taking some form of course earlier than you begin to proofread on-line.
2. Robust Grammar and Punctuation Abilities
Subsequent, one of many largest necessities to be a proofreader is to have distinctive grammar and punctuation abilities.
Now, I do know that this level could be a bit of apparent to you nevertheless it have to be stated. Understanding the ins and outs of grammar and punctuation is important for figuring out errors in written content material, corresponding to misplaced commas, misused phrases, inaccurate verb tenses, incorrect pronoun utilization, sentence fragments, and extra. It’s definitely probably the most essential abilities a proofreader will need to have.
In the event you’re not solely comfy along with your present English abilities, you’ll be able to all the time take a category on English grammar. Doing this helped me tremendously once I first began out; I by no means appreciated what number of guidelines there are within the English language till I took a category on it!
3. Submit-Secondary Expertise
I need to preface this by saying that having post-secondary expertise is certainly not a requirement for working as a web-based proofreader. Nevertheless, having some form of faculty diploma or diploma can actually make it easier to thrive as knowledgeable proofreader.
This doesn’t need to be an English diploma; any post-secondary expertise can give you a bonus over rivals because it makes you extra marketable to potential purchasers. It may possibly additionally make you stand out for being extra specialised in your proofreading area of interest.
As an illustration, whereas I’ve a bachelor’s diploma, it isn’t in English, it’s in neuroscience. And having this diploma provides me an enormous benefit when proofreading tutorial articles, analysis papers, grants, and theses in STEM. So, having some faculty expertise has personally helped me achieve extra purchasers than I might have been capable of in any other case.
4. Pc Expertise
Having some expertise, or information, working with computer systems is vital for working as a web-based proofreader. And don’t fear, it doesn’t need to be in depth; you don’t must know the best way to construct programming or something like that. However you’ll positively profit from being comfy with the fundamentals and fundamentals.
As skilled proofreaders should be capable of use digital instruments like PDF editors, grammar-checking applications, text-comparing software program, and different purposes with ease, understanding the best way to navigate a pc is important. Moreover, to be able to be environment friendly (and due to this fact, earn more money) as a proofreader, you’ll additionally want quick and correct typing abilities.
My pc information is fairly primary; I understand how to make use of Microsoft Workplace, Adobe Acrobat, WordPress, and Google Docs. And that is sufficient for many proofreaders, so don’t fear in case your pc information is considerably restricted too.
5. Familiarity with One or Extra Type Guides
One other important qualification to be a proofreader is to be educated with a number of fashion guides, corresponding to MLA, APA, and Chicago fashion. That is particularly necessary if you happen to’re hoping to proofread pupil papers and tutorial writing.
Why is that this the case? Nicely, a key element of proofreading entails checking the formatting of the written content material, and every fashion information has completely different formatting guidelines. As an illustration, the citations in MLA require the writer’s final identify and web page quantity, whereas the citations in APA require the writer’s final identify and publication yr.
Fortunately, I gained familiarity with fashion guides by my faculty diploma (another excuse why having some post-secondary expertise will help). In the event you’re desirous about reviewing the fashion guides, I like to recommend testing the Purdue On-line Writing Lab.
6. Element-Oriented
Probably probably the most necessary qualities it is advisable be a proofreader is to be detail-oriented.
That is one other apparent level, nevertheless it have to be stated regardless. As a proofreader, you want to have the ability to choose up on even the subtlest of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. And if you happen to’re required to nit-pick an article, being meticulous is important.
I discover that the easiest way to hone this talent is to start out studying by an article a number of instances and pay shut consideration to using language, grammar, punctuation, and extra. I generally get sidetracked by how attention-grabbing the written content material is (and infrequently, how boring), so re-reading the writing a number of instances is certainly crucial. With sufficient apply and dedication, you’ll develop into more proficient at recognizing errors and inconsistencies in written content material.
7. Self-Disciplined and Nice with Deadlines
Subsequent, two of probably the most vital abilities that you just’ll must have to be able to achieve success as a contract proofreader are self-discipline and assembly deadlines.
Assembly deadlines early and promptly exhibits purchasers that you just’re knowledgeable and reliable proofreader. This makes it extra doubtless that the purchasers will return to you many times, they usually’ll even be extra more likely to advocate your companies to different potential purchasers.
In the event you’re frightened that you could be not be self-disciplined sufficient to be a proofreader, don’t fret; there are numerous methods so that you can keep up to the mark. One of many largest hacks that I exploit is to present myself an earlier deadline than the one offered. That manner, I can be certain that I meet my deadlines on time, and sometimes even earlier than anticipated.
Total, as a proofreader, you need to be capable of keep organized and on prime of your tasks. So, construct good habits to make sure that you all the time stay dependable and constant in your work.
8. Time Administration Abilities
In the event you’re nonetheless questioning what {qualifications} it is advisable be a proofreader, probably the most essential abilities that you just’ll want is time administration abilities.
That is just like being self-disciplined, nevertheless it does differ in some methods. Sure, you want time administration abilities to be able to meet your deadlines, however excelling at time administration additionally entails being organized, prioritizing crucial or most arduous duties, setting objectives, and making a schedule.
As an illustration, once I’m planning to spend an entire day proofreading, I set short-term objectives for a way a lot of the written content material I need to get by by (for instance) 12 o’clock. I additionally prefer to concentrate on one job at a time; as an example, I’ll begin by specializing in proofreading the formatting and citations, then I’ll verify to see in the event that they use the Oxford comma or not, and so forth.
9. Able to Working Independently
Having the ability to work independently is a vital qualification for changing into a contract proofreader.
Proofreading is a job with little to no collaboration. This is likely one of the biggest cons to proofreading; it could possibly generally get isolating. Whereas there are methods to mitigate these emotions of seclusion (corresponding to utilizing co-working areas or bonding along with your roommates at a hostel), working independently with out co-workers or supervisors requires loads of self-motivation and group abilities.
Moreover, you have to be able to effectively perfecting an article with out a lot (if any) assist or steerage from others. This type of self-reliance requires the event of fine habits corresponding to setting practical objectives and studying to handle distractions.
I discovered that these abilities got here with time, however belief me, it all the time helps to have them earlier than you develop into a web-based proofreader and start taking in your first jobs.
10. Stellar Communication Abilities
Final however not least, probably the most very important {qualifications} to develop into a proofreader is having stellar communication abilities.
As a proofreader, you’ll usually want to speak with purchasers, editors, and others to be able to be certain that your work (and the ultimate product) is ideal and meets the consumer’s expectations. So, having sturdy communication abilities will mean you can successfully clarify any modifications that you just made and reply any questions that the purchasers might need.
Being a robust communicator can also be necessary so that you can ask any pertinent inquiries to your purchasers, inform them of any points that will come up, and preserve them up to date in your progress (particularly if it’s a big job).
Total, this helps construct a way of belief and rapport between you and your clientele, which makes them extra more likely to request your proofreading companies once more sooner or later.
{Qualifications} for Proofreaders: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions concerning the required {qualifications} of a proofreader:
Whilst you don’t want any official certifications or levels to develop into knowledgeable proofreader, having some faculty expertise will help. Further traits and abilities {that a} proofreader wants are a flair within the English language, familiarity with a number of fashion guides, time administration abilities, and robust consideration to element.
No, you don’t want any certification to be a proofreader. You’re not even required to have a level! All you actually need is a robust grasp of the English language.
Some abilities which can be required to be a profitable on-line proofreader embrace being detail-oriented, self-disciplined, and arranged, and having distinctive communication, time administration, and English abilities.
Sure, you’ll be able to positively be a proofreader with none expertise. Whereas it could possibly take a while to construct a gentle consumer base, so long as you’re affected person and have a robust resume, you’ll be thriving as a digital nomad very quickly. You may as well expedite the method by taking a proofreading course.
On-line proofreaders could make round $25 to $45 USD per hour, relying on their velocity, expertise degree, and specialty. Nevertheless, as a newbie proofreader with low expertise, you’ll be able to count on to make $12 to $15 USD per hour.
In Conclusion
I hope this text helped you establish whether or not or not you may have the talents and traits essential to work as a web-based freelance proofreader.
And bear in mind, you don’t essentially want all of those {qualifications} to develop into a profitable proofreader; many of those abilities will be discovered. From taking a proofreading or grammar course, changing into acquainted with a pc, reviewing the fashion guides, or working in your time administration abilities, I consider that anybody can develop into knowledgeable proofreader in the event that they put within the work and energy required.
So, open up your laptops and polish up your resumes, it’s time to start out your proofreading profession.
