15 Execs and Cons of Being a Proofreader

In the event you’re excited about changing into a digital nomad, earning profits whereas touring around the globe, or simply merely trying to find methods to make further money in your subsequent trip, then changing into a contract, on-line proofreader is the way in which to go. Nevertheless, as with every job, there are each professionals and cons of being a proofreader.

I first began proofreading professionally whereas dwelling overseas in Japan, and the additional revenue allowed me to spend many months backpacking across the complete nation, from Okinawa to Hakone, Tokyo, and Kyoto.

Whereas I completely love proofreading (and the cash and freedom that it affords me), I’ve a good bit of expertise coping with the downsides to working as a proofreader. So, if you happen to’re questioning if proofreading is best for you, preserve studying; in the present day, I’ll go over the 15 greatest professionals and cons of working as a proofreader.

☞ SEE ALSO: How you can Develop into a Proofreader

Execs of Being a Proofreader

First, let’s deal with all the unimaginable advantages of being a proofreader. Right here is my record of the highest 9 benefits of working as a contract, on-line proofreader:

1. You Can Work from Anyplace

Firstly, the best benefit of working as a web based proofreader is that you are able to do it from wherever on the planet. From a seashore within the Caribbean to the mountains of Nepal, all you must earn cash as a proofreader is an web connection and a laptop computer.

This was the best attract for me once I first began out as knowledgeable proofreader; I used to be on the lookout for a solution to make good cash with out being tied all the way down to a particular location. Proofreading has allowed me to work whereas visiting nations together with Japan, Scotland, Greece, Germany, and extra!

2. It’s Straightforward to Get Began

One other nice advantage of changing into knowledgeable proofreader is that it’s surprisingly simple to get began. All you want is an web connection, entry to a laptop computer, and a few primary information of grammar and punctuation, (which most individuals have already got). You don’t even must spend money on any particular instruments or software program, Microsoft Phrase will do the trick, (though proofreading software program can enhance your effectivity).

All I had once I first began out as a proofreader was an previous laptop computer and a Microsoft Workplace subscription, and I used to be set.

3. You Get to Be Your Personal Boss

One other advantage of working as a web based proofreader is that you just get to be your individual boss. Wave goodbye to having to cope with choosy, micromanaging supervisors. By changing into a web based proofreader, you’re open to begin doing issues your individual approach.

That is certainly one of my favourite facets of being a freelancer; you get to set your individual hours and workload, which lets you work when it’s most handy for you. Not solely does this provide you with extra freedom and adaptability by way of your schedule, however it additionally reduces stress and promotes a greater work-life steadiness.

4. There’s a Excessive Demand for Proofreaders

Subsequent, one of many best upsides of working as a proofreader is that there’s a excessive demand for them. With a lot written content material on the market on the planet (from emails, pupil papers, dissertations, novels, brief tales, weblog posts, information articles, and extra), there’s at all times a necessity for proofreaders to make sure that written supplies are free from grammar and punctuation errors.

5. There’s a Lot of Flexibility

One other advantage of being a web based proofreader is that there’s quite a lot of flexibility within the position. You may work when and the place you need, take breaks when you must, go to the grocery retailer in the course of the day, and skip the push hour site visitors.

6. You Get to Select Your Personal Hours

In the event you’re nonetheless asking your self “Is being a proofreader value it?”, then take into account certainly one of my favourite benefits of being a proofreader: you get to decide on your individual hours.

In the event you’re best in the course of the evening, you possibly can work then. In case your buddy asks you to go to brunch on a Wednesday, you possibly can go. As your individual boss, you’ve got the liberty to decide on whenever you work, and the way lengthy you’re employed for.

7. You Get to Select Your Purchasers

One other the most effective elements of working as a proofreader is that you just get to drop shoppers that you just don’t take pleasure in working with.

Now, this may not be potential early on in your proofreading journey, as it may be difficult to seek out constant proofreading work at the beginning. Nevertheless, as you construct up your expertise and fame, it’ll develop into simpler and simpler to drop the shoppers that you just discover difficult to work with.

8. There’s a Lot of Selection

One of many the reason why I really like working as a proofreader is that there’s a variety of job alternatives out there. Typically, I’ll proofread a sociology paper on cultural appropriation, and different instances, I’ll go over a PowerPoint presentation on the life cycle of roundworms!

With such all kinds of labor out there for proofreaders, it’s thrilling to know you’ll doubtless be taught one thing new each time you decide up a brand new job.

9. There are Many Web sites Obtainable to Discover Work

Final however not least, the most effective elements of being a proofreader is that there are various completely different web sites out there to supply and safe new jobs. From increase a consumer base on freelancing platforms corresponding to Upwork and FlexJobs to becoming a member of a proofreading firm like Scribendi and Scribbr, there are various web sites out there that will help you discover work.

Cons of Working As a Proofreader

Now that we’ve gone by all the benefits of working as a proofreader, let’s deal with the disadvantages. These are the highest six cons of being a proofreader:

1. It Takes Time to Construct a Constant Consumer Base

It may be tough for newbie proofreaders to get regular work, because it takes a little bit time and endurance to construct a consumer base. And sadly, sourcing new shoppers and making use of to new jobs doesn’t pay the payments. Consequently, it could take some time earlier than you begin making good cash from proofreading.

2. Deadlines Can Be Tight

One other draw back to working as a proofreader is that you could be sometimes be inundated by strict deadlines. Whether or not you unintentionally confirmed too many roles without delay otherwise you procrastinated, approaching deadlines might be tremendous irritating. Furthermore, if you happen to don’t full the work by the deadline, your professionalism, credibility, and pay can undergo.

3. You May Must Cope with Difficult Purchasers

One other important drawback of working as a web based proofreader is that you just typically need to cope with difficult, choosy, and bossy shoppers. And whereas it’s true that as a contract proofreader, you possibly can drop any shoppers that you just don’t like working with, typically it’s a must to cope with these overbearing shoppers because of a scarcity of labor. And belief me, it’s not very best.

4. The Work Can Get Repetitive

Whereas I principally take pleasure in proofreading, I admit that it typically will get boring. And whenever you’re coping with a very repetitive or tenuous proofreading job, it could develop into downright painful. Once I get these types of jobs, I merely attempt to grind by it, so I can get it completed and over with ASAP.

5. It Can Be Isolating

In the event you’re nonetheless considering whether or not or not selecting to develop into a proofreader is an efficient choice for you, then take into account one of many greatest downsides of being a proofreader; you principally work independently, with no co-workers or supervisors. Whereas this may be an upside, it could additionally really feel isolating.

To assist curb these emotions of seclusion, I like to affix Fb teams and boards for on-line proofreaders. It’s an effective way to hunt recommendation and join with fellow freelance proofreaders.

6. There may be No Security Internet

Lastly, one of many greatest downsides to proofreading is that it doesn’t present a security web. As a self-employed freelancer, your pay cheque is totally depending on the quantity of labor you accomplish. So, if you happen to’re experiencing a dry interval with little to no work, you merely gained’t receives a commission.

How you can Discover Proofreading Jobs

Now that we’ve gone over all the professionals and cons of being a proofreader, it’s possible you’ll be questioning methods to discover proofreading work within the first place. That can assist you out, listed below are my high 5 suggestions for methods to discover proofreading jobs on-line:

• By a proofreading course: Top-of-the-line methods to seek out work as a newbie proofreader is to take the Knowadays Changing into a Proofreader course (use promo code GOATS10 for 10% off), which comes with assured work with their companion firm, Proofed. This is among the greatest investments you can also make as an aspiring digital nomad, as it’s going to educate you methods to excel as knowledgeable proofreader whereas offering constant proofreading work thereafter.
• Upwork: As the most important freelance job platform on the market, Upwork is full of an abundance of proofreading work. This makes it the proper web site for each new and skilled proofreaders to safe new shoppers.
• FlexJobs: FlexJobs is among the greatest web sites to seek out freelance work, and its job board is crammed with proofreading job alternatives. Though it prices $14.95 per thirty days to entry, the charge makes the roles much less aggressive than these discovered on Upwork.
• Scribendi: An organization centered on offering proofreading and enhancing providers, Scribendi is continually on the lookout for new distant editors and proofreaders. I joined Scribendi once I first began proofreading, and it was wonderful to get constant work as a newbie; I undoubtedly advocate checking it out.
• Scribbr: For a proofreading and enhancing firm centered on pupil papers and dissertations, it’s a must to try Scribbr. Whereas it may be tenuous to complete the applying, you’ll be capable to discover constant work when you’re accepted.

☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Greatest Proofreading Software program and Instruments (Free and Paid)

Execs and Cons of Working as a Proofreader: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on working as a proofreader:

Is Being a Proofreader Value It?

General, solely you possibly can resolve if the flexibleness and skill to work remotely is definitely worth the lack of advantages and the time it takes to construct your consumer base and reap the rewards.

It additionally comes all the way down to how a lot you wish to proofread. In the event you like to seek for the grammatical and spelling errors in an editorial, creating the proper product for shoppers, then you definately would love working as a proofreader. However, if you happen to hate nitpicking and like to take a look at the larger image, proofreading may not be best for you.

And if you happen to’re nonetheless undecided if proofreading is best for you, I like to recommend making an attempt it out regardless. That’s really one of the simplest ways to find out whether or not being a proofreader is your subsequent path.