Should you’re excited about turning into a digital nomad, making good cash on-line whereas lazing on a seaside by the Mediterranean, or tenting on the hovering Canadian Rockies, I like to recommend that you just strive proofreading on-line. Earlier than you begin, nonetheless, you’ll want to think about the {qualifications} to be a proofreader.
With a lot written content material being launched in at present’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 complete nation; from exploring Tokyo to trekking round Iriomote Island. Proofreading can also be certainly one of 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, should you’re excited about proofreading on-line, you’ll first have to think about the numerous necessities to safe proofreading jobs. So, that will help you out, I listed out the ten {qualifications} that it’s essential be a contract proofreader.
With out additional ado, let’s start.
☞ SEE ALSO: The right way to Develop into a Proofreader
{Qualifications} to Be a Proofreader
Earlier than we dive proper in, I simply wish to make clear that whereas having these 10 {qualifications} to turn into a proofreader is extremely advisable earlier than beginning your proofreading profession, not all of them are required. Many of those abilities will be realized 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 tougher to do effectively as a proofreader with out these abilities, so I positively advocate engaged on them. With that being mentioned, 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 turning into a contract proofreader is the completion of a proofreading course. Not solely will this assist you to achieve useful perception into the basics of grammar and proofreading, however you’ll even be extra marketable to potential shoppers. The correct course may even expose you to the terminology, guidelines, and greatest practices for locating errors, recognizing inconsistencies, and enhancing the writing of others.
One of many greatest proofreading programs out there is the Knowadays Turning into a Proofreader course, because it comes with assured work with their accomplice 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 begin proofreading professionally. So, I positively advocate taking some type of course earlier than you begin to proofread on-line.
2. Sturdy Grammar and Punctuation Expertise
Subsequent, one of many greatest necessities to be a proofreader is to have distinctive grammar and punctuation abilities.
Now, I do know that this level may be a bit apparent to you but it surely have to be mentioned. Understanding the ins and outs of grammar and punctuation is important for figuring out errors in written content material, reminiscent of misplaced commas, misused phrases, inaccurate verb tenses, incorrect pronoun utilization, sentence fragments, and extra. It’s surely some of the essential abilities a proofreader should have.
Should you’re not fully comfy together with your present English abilities, you’ll be able to at all times 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. Publish-Secondary Expertise
I wish to preface this by saying that having post-secondary expertise is certainly not a requirement for working as an internet proofreader. Nevertheless, having some type of faculty diploma or diploma can actually show you how to thrive as an expert proofreader.
This doesn’t should be an English diploma; any post-secondary expertise can offer you a bonus over opponents because it makes you extra marketable to potential shoppers. It might additionally make you stand out for being extra specialised in your proofreading area of interest.
As an example, whereas I’ve a bachelor’s diploma, it isn’t in English, it’s in neuroscience. And having this diploma offers me an enormous benefit when proofreading educational articles, analysis papers, grants, and theses in STEM. So, having some faculty expertise has personally helped me achieve extra shoppers than I might have been capable of in any other case.
4. Laptop Expertise
Having some expertise, or data, working with computer systems is essential for working as an internet proofreader. And don’t fear, it doesn’t should be intensive; you don’t have to know how one can 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, realizing how one can navigate a pc is important. Moreover, to be able to be environment friendly (and subsequently, make more cash) as a proofreader, you’ll additionally want quick and correct typing abilities.
My pc data 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 data is considerably restricted too.
5. Familiarity with One or Extra Model Guides
One other important qualification to be a proofreader is to be educated with a number of model guides, reminiscent of MLA, APA, and Chicago model. That is particularly vital should you’re hoping to proofread pupil papers and educational writing.
Why is that this the case? Properly, a key part of proofreading entails checking the formatting of the written content material, and every model information has totally different formatting guidelines. As an example, the citations in MLA require the creator’s final title and web page quantity, whereas the citations in APA require the creator’s final title and publication 12 months.
Fortunately, I gained familiarity with model guides by way of my faculty diploma (another excuse why having some post-secondary expertise can assist). Should you’re excited about reviewing the model guides, I like to recommend testing the Purdue On-line Writing Lab.
6. Element-Oriented
Presumably some of the vital qualities it’s essential be a proofreader is to be detail-oriented.
That is one other apparent level, but it surely have to be mentioned 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 should you’re required to nit-pick an article, being meticulous is important.
I discover that the easiest way to hone this ability is to begin studying by way of an article a number of instances and pay shut consideration to using language, grammar, punctuation, and extra. I generally get sidetracked by how fascinating the written content material is (and infrequently, how boring), so re-reading the writing a number of instances is certainly obligatory. With sufficient observe and dedication, you’ll turn into more proficient at recognizing errors and inconsistencies in written content material.
7. Self-Disciplined and Nice with Deadlines
Subsequent, two of essentially the most essential abilities that you just’ll have to have to be able to achieve success as a contract proofreader are self-discipline and assembly deadlines.
Assembly deadlines early and promptly reveals shoppers that you just’re an expert and reliable proofreader. This makes it extra seemingly that the shoppers will return to you time and again, and so they’ll even be extra more likely to advocate your companies to different potential shoppers.
Should 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 greatest hacks that I take advantage of is to offer myself an earlier deadline than the one offered. That means, I can be certain that I meet my deadlines on time, and sometimes even earlier than anticipated.
General, as a proofreader, you will need to be capable of keep organized and on prime of your initiatives. So, construct good habits to make sure that you at all times stay dependable and constant in your work.
8. Time Administration Expertise
Should you’re nonetheless questioning what {qualifications} it’s essential be a proofreader, some of the essential abilities that you just’ll want is time administration abilities.
That is just like being self-disciplined, but it surely 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 example, once I’m planning to spend an entire day proofreading, I set short-term objectives for the way a lot of the written content material I wish to get by way of by (for instance) 12 o’clock. I additionally wish to concentrate on one job at a time; as an illustration, I’ll begin by specializing in proofreading the formatting and citations, then I’ll test to see in the event that they use the Oxford comma or not, and so forth.
9. Able to Working Independently
With the ability to work independently is a necessary qualification for turning into a contract proofreader.
Proofreading is a job with little to no collaboration. This is among the biggest cons to proofreading; it could possibly generally get isolating. Whereas there are methods to mitigate these emotions of seclusion (reminiscent of utilizing co-working areas or bonding together with your roommates at a hostel), working independently with out co-workers or supervisors requires a variety 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 steering from others. This sort of self-reliance requires the event of fine habits reminiscent of setting practical objectives and studying to handle distractions.
I discovered that these abilities got here with time, however belief me, it at all times helps to have them earlier than you turn into an internet proofreader and start taking in your first jobs.
10. Stellar Communication Expertise
Final however not least, some of the important {qualifications} to turn into a proofreader is having stellar communication abilities.
As a proofreader, you’ll usually want to speak with shoppers, 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 robust communication abilities will assist you to successfully clarify any adjustments that you just made and reply any questions that the shoppers might need.
Being a powerful communicator can also be vital so that you can ask any pertinent inquiries to your shoppers, 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).
General, 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 below are some solutions to generally requested questions concerning the required {qualifications} of a proofreader:
When you don’t want any official certifications or levels to turn into an expert proofreader, having some faculty expertise can assist. Further traits and abilities {that a} proofreader wants are a flair within the English language, familiarity with a number of model guides, time administration abilities, and powerful 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 really want is a powerful 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 gradual consumer base, so long as you’re affected person and have a powerful resume, you’ll be thriving as a digital nomad very quickly. You can too expedite the method by taking a proofreading course.
On-line proofreaders could make round $25 to $45 USD per hour, relying on their pace, expertise stage, 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 identify whether or not or not you might have the abilities and traits essential to work as an internet freelance proofreader.
And keep in mind, you don’t essentially want all of those {qualifications} to turn into a profitable proofreader; many of those abilities will be realized. From taking a proofreading or grammar course, turning into acquainted with a pc, reviewing the model guides, or working in your time administration abilities, I imagine that anybody can turn into an expert 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 begin your proofreading profession.
