Do you have a strong English prowess in grammar and spelling composition? These skills are not only beneficial for writers. You can use these skills to get well pay online proofreading jobs.
How much does an online Proofreader earn?
Making money as a proofreader varies with experience.
As a beginner with no experience, you can make $10 per hour.
However, as an experienced proofreader, you can make $15 to $50 per hour.
Glassdoor, as at January 2020, stated that online freelance proofreaders earn an average salary of $44,000 yearly.
In this article, I will be showing you where to find proofreading jobs.
- Firstly, what is proofreading? Is there any difference between proofreading and editing? What are the requirements one needs to possess to make handsome earnings from this business? And are the tools a proofreader must-have?
What is Proofreading?
Proofreading is the process of scrutinizing or vividly reading written content to identify and rectify vocabulary, grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Is there any difference between editing and proofreading?
Both are similar but not the same.
In editing, an editor scrutinizes a written content to check for the overall readability.
The editor ensures the written content follows a logical, grammatical flow.
The editor makes sure the paragraphing is very well; the words is correctly written and at the right sequence.
The proofreader goes through the written piece after the editors have worked on it.
The proofreader helps to ensure the completed piece is free from all forms of error.
Can a proofreader also do editing?
In an advanced stage of proofreading, you may employed to do some editing alongside proofreading.
This usually attracts higher pay.
What are the requirements for me to become a good online proofreader?
As an online proofreader, you must possess:
- Sound English skills: Majority of proofreading jobs is in English. To be successful in this job, you must be good in English grammar and spellings. You should be knowledgeable of all the punctuation marks and their uses in English. Also, you should be knowledgeable about the different variations of the English language. For example, Labour in American English is a spell as “Labor”. Luckily, in this modern age, apps like Grammarly, Spell Checkers, etc. exist to aid proofreading.
- Vivid reading habit: As a proofreader, you must learn how to calm down and read carefully. It is one of the major skill of a proofreader. With this, you can easily spot errors because most times as we read, our mind unconsciously correct misspelt words without our eyes taking notice.
Do I need a degree to be successful in online proofreading?
If you notice in the above requirements I didn’t include having a degree, right?
Because it is not a basic requirement.
But to work for some big corporations and companies, you must need a degree to be accepted.
It could either be in the English language, Journalism, or in professional courses like Law, accounting, etc.
This applies to proofreaders who want to specialize in:
- Legal transcription
- Press release
- Students essays
- Court transcript
- Tax reports
What are the tools or apps I must have as a proofreader?
Below are a few tools or apps that will make your job easy as a freelancer:
- Grammarly keyboard: Regarded as the best tool for proofreading. Grammarly is a wonderful tool that helps to spot spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. The good thing about this app is that it sometimes suggests writing styles and sentence structures. It has a free version and a premium version. To ensure advanced features, the premium version is the best to use. It is a must-have tool for beginners.
- ProWritingAid: Its easy-to-use interface helps in editing words, spotting spelling error, overused words, and pacing issues. It comes in both a free and paid version.
- Ginger: This is the best proofreading app if you deal with other languages other than the English language. It can be operated both on a free and paid version. The paid version is a must-have to ensure perfection. The free version only spot errors but does not recommend suggestions.
- Google Docs
- DropBox
Can I work from home as a proofreader?
As far as you are working in the online space, you can work remotely from home.
However, you have to be conscious of deadlines.
Be flexible enough to summit your jobs before or on their deadlines.
Here is a list of websites and online freelance platforms where you can find proofreading jobs:
You need to note that most companies and blogs prefer proofreaders as editors, content developers, reviewers, and editorial assistants.
Try as possible to add one of these skills to your proofreading skill to get better job deals.
1.Upwork
Upwork is the second biggest online freelance site after Fiverr.
There are a lot of freelancers all over the world competing to get jobs in this site.
As a result of this, some freelancers bid less to get a job.
There is always someone ready to bid lesser than you.
For beginners, Upwork is not encouraging.
For you to stand out and get jobs, you must have enough experience.
There are a lot of experienced proofreaders competing for jobs.
To succeed in Upwork, you must create an irresistible profile that shows your qualification.
In Upwork, you approach clients, not clients approaching you.
Upwork collects a 20% service charge of all completed deals.
Best of all, its user platform is very friendly.
2. Guru.com
I recommend Guru.com to persons who want to venture into online proofreading experience as a beginner.
Whether you have no experience, little experience or several months of experience, you will be able to find a proofreading gig on Guru.com.
In this platform, employers and project managers usually post proofreading jobs.
All you have to do is to design a good and irresistible profile.
Then you are good to go.
You can equally search and apply for jobs that interest you on the platform.
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is the most popular freelance site out there.
It is a great marketplace to get online, proofreading jobs.
Freelance services in the site is for at least $5.
The payment for your services depends on two things; gigs and customers review and ratings.
To charge more money, you need to add more services to your gigs.
Equally, if you have good customers review and rating, you can expect more orders on good prices from clients.
Poor customers rating and review can hamper your business.
You can charge an extra fee for the fast delivery of jobs and doing extra services, like editing or posting contents on blogs.
Fiverr is wonderful but not very palatable for early beginners.
Getting customers’ ratings and reviews take time.
4. FlexJobs.com
Are you looking for online proofreading jobs as a beginner?
Then, FlexJobs.com can be your ideal choice.
It is with flexibility in the operation of freelance jobs.
It provides opportunities for you to do remote freelance jobs.
That is, you can work from home.
You can work part-time or full time.
There is a dedicated section for editing and proofreading jobs on the site.
To get access to all remote online jobs on this site, you must pay a membership fee of $15 monthly.
Without this membership subscription, access may be denied or limited.
The interesting thing about this site is that there is a 30-day guarantee.
That means you can pay the fee and demand for a refund if you are not satisfied with the platform and wish to discontinue.
All jobs opportunities on this platform are carefully screen before they posted.
It means all the listed jobs are legit.
No scams or fake jobs on this platform.
5. Wordvice
Wordvice provides open positions for freelance content writers, editors, and proofreaders.
And is never a shortage of an online job in this company.
There are always proofreading and editing jobs.
As a result, the company is always seeking skill and experienced proofreaders and editors to add to their professional team.
You can work from any part of the world remotely as far as you connect to the site.
Payment is made on the word count and turnover time.
Work here involves proofreading and editing research articles, thesis, dissertations, and admission essays.
Jobs here are usually on a part-time basis.
This makes it the best site to get online part-time proofreading jobs.
6. Domainite
Domainite is the best freelance site for an online proofreader who has no experience.
The limitation here is that this platform is one of the lowest paying sites.
As a beginner, you can use this platform to gain experience in proofreading.
You can build mastery in proofreading jobs to be able to compete effectively on bigger sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
To get accepted as an online freelancer into this platform, you must fill an application form which includes a sample letter to prove the degree of proficiency of your skill.
7. ProofreadingServices.com
ProofreadingServices.com offers full time and part-time online proofreading jobs at competitive prices.
This freelance website is mark for its flexibility.
You can work remotely from any part of the world at a flexible schedule while working for this freelance site.
In this site, their pay-price is incredibly good.
They pay between $19 and $46 depending on the turn-around time.
It is a great platform for meeting with other great proofreaders.
Before you can get accept, you need to pass a 20-minute screening test.
After which, you will become a member of the platform.
8. ProofreadingPal.com
Are you a college student or graduate?
Are you seeking for online proofreading jobs for students?
ProofreadingPal.com can be tried out.
This site offers professional student online proofreading jobs at good prices.
ProofreadingPal.com offers a 100% customers’ guarantee.
Using this platform, you can make $500 to $3000 monthly.
If you want to work on this platform, you need to be extremely disciplined as they are very strict.
They make use of a two-proofreader model.
Which is, every written document is edited and proofread by two professional proofreaders before submission.
You would have to answer an independent questionnaire on the platform before you can be accepted.
After submission, you need to wait within five to ten days to get feedback from their representatives.
9. Scribendi
Scribendi is a professional editing company.
It was founded in the year 1977 and presently has a network of over 400 professional editors working on hundreds of orders daily.
They currently have open online proofreading jobs that you can apply.
Most of the jobs are done remotely.
You are to set your working schedule.
Before you can apply to work on this site, you must have a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree, or you must have at least three years’ professional experience in proofreading with a speed of 1000 to 1500 words per hour.
In addition to that, you must be a native English speaker.
Payment done via PayPal in the US dollars.
You can get your payment no matter where you live in the world.
10. Kirkus Media
Kirkus Media is an American book review magazine establish in the year 1993.
Also, has been an authority in the sphere of book discovery for eight (80) years.
Currently, in Kirkus, professionals review all genres of books of all length in both hard and soft copy format.
There are open positions for professional proofreaders.
If you are interested, you can apply by submitting your resume, writing samples, and a list of reviewing specialities to their chief editor.
11. Gramiee
Gramiee is always looking for exceptional editors and proofreaders to add to their team.
One interesting thing about Grammie is that there is always a daily supply of editing proofreading jobs.
There is a guarantee that work from home proofreading jobs are available 24/7.
For you to get a job here, you must be an English grammar guru.
Equally, you must be a fast proofreader because they have a turn-around time for 3000-word documents.
12. EditFast
EditFast has open jobs for skilled and experienced English editors, proofreaders, and writers who specialize in documents related to business and individual matters.
For you to get a better chance to be accepted on this platform, you must have a degree in the English language coupled with some editing and proofreading experiences.
EditFast normally provides free services to freelance editors and proofreaders, but take 40% commission on completed projects.
If you are interested in applying, you must go through an editing test before you can be approved.
When approved, your web page will be activated and a profile created for you.
But this does not guarantee that you will receive jobs immediately.
It only signifies your eligibility to receive projects.
Clients can now view your profile and perhaps, choose you.
In EditFast, you are free to search for opportunities personally on the platform.
All payment of jobs is on the last day of the month via PayPal.
13. Writer’s Relief
Writer’s Relief is a team of professional writers, editors and proofreaders who deliver excellent jobs for their clients.
They provide remote jobs for editors and proofreaders.
These editing and proofreading jobs cover written content like books, poems, novels, short stories, essays, and articles.
One important information you must know is that Writer’s Relief only hire the top 2% of all applicants that apply for proofreading opportunities in the company.
So if you are interested in applying, you must upgrade your proofreading expertise.
In addition to that, you should pour out all your creative writing skills into the screening in order to stand a chance of being selected.
The interesting thing about this company is that work is available throughout the year for their successfully selected applicants.
They offer good pay rates.
Also, this company help creative writers to publish their literary piece by linking them up to the best suited literary agents and literary journal editors.
14. Sibia
Sibia provides remote and non-remote proofreading, copy editing, and essay reviewing services to graduates, college students, businesses, researchers, authors, professors, and professional from all part of the world.
They normally provide remote proofreading jobs to their applicants based on necessity.
Editors and proofreaders’ positions are normally reserves for science experts who are skilled in the art of editing and proofreading.
For you to stand a better chance of being selected in the company, you must have a PhD or an equivalent degree.
But note that it is not mandatory.
It is just necessary in order for you to get the upper hand during selection.
Sadly, Sibia is currently not hiring any proofreader.
But you can bookmark this website and keep checking for when they call for applicants.
15. English Trackers
English Trackers provide experts with editing and proofreading services that cover a wide area of expertise.
From academic papers to newsletters to legal papers, and so many more areas.
English Trackers provides a flexible working schedule.
Payment is always on the 15th of every month via PayPal.
If you have a complaint or aggression, you can write a query to the editors’ support team.
They are very responsive to their workers, as queries do not take long before they are addressing.
For you to apply and get selected, you must have a PhD or two years of professional academic proofreading expertise with verifiable results.
In addition to that, you must be a native English speaker.
16. Lionbridge
Are you a student looking for a great site to get well paid online proofreading jobs?
I am glad to inform you that this company provides great online proofreading jobs that can earn you cool money as a student.
Lionbridge offers different types of work from home jobs.
The most popular is the proofreading.
You don’t need to be an expert before joining this platform.
With a little experience, you can venture into proofreading.
This site is very good for beginners to start with.
It has less competition.
17. Cactus Communication
Cactus Communication is a global scientific communication company that cuts across 166 countries serving over 60,000 clients nationwide.
They do this by collaborating with researchers across academic disciplines, publishers, universities, and life science organizations.
Proofreading positions in this company is normally reserve for proofreaders with a medical background and those into molecular and biological sciences.
Cactus Communication provides flexible working hours.
You can work remotely too.
You can earn up to $4000 per month just by working on proofreading jobs online.
If you can deliver good and high-quality work consistently, you will be title to an additional 20% extra cash reward.
18. Editor World
Editor World is currently looking for online freelancer editors and proofreaders to work remotely.
Is also into the provision of round-the-clock professional English editing and proofreading services to wide categories of people.
This includes authors, international students, academics, faculties, and the government.
For you to get selected into this company.
There are some basic requirements you must possess. They are:
- You must have a PhD degree or a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in any science background.
- You must be a native English speaker.
- And must have professional editing and proofreading experiences.
- You must have a Microsoft Word 2010 on a PC. Apple computers are not accepted.
- You must have a high internet speed.
- And you must be flexible enough to be able to meet deadlines.
- You must be committed to high-quality customer services.
After having all these requirements, you can proceed with the assessment test.
Make sure the username you include is not a personal or business name.
The username should be something relating to proofreading.
Their pay price is high and worthwhile.
19. Proofread Now
Proofread Now provides open positions for editors and proofreaders from time to time.
For you to stand a chance of being accepted, you must have at least five (5) years of professional editing and proofreading experiences in specialized areas such as in legal, financial, medical, high-tech areas, and so many more.
Equally, you must be ready to undergo tedious and difficult editing tests before acceptance.
But once you get selected, you will see that it is worth the stress, because their pay price is high.
Their editing and proofreading services are in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
You have to be good in either of the languages before applying.
Currently, they are not hiring.
But you can bookmark their website and keep checking from time to time.
Better still, you can sign up for their employment emails to be receiving alerts on their available jobs.
20. Edit 911
Are you a world-class book editor, PhD holder or a published Scholar with verifiable experiences?
Edit 911 can be an ideal place for you to try out your professional proofreading skills in return for high pay fee.
Before you can apply for jobs in this company, there are some qualifications you must have.
Without them, you will not employed:
- A PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline
- A master copy editor and experts in documentation styles such as APA, MLA and Turabian
- A published scholar with great skills as a writer
- A book editor or teacher with verifiable experience
- Proficiencies in MS Word and at least one another software application, such as Publisher or InDesign
- Discipline and flexibilities in meeting deadlines
If you possess all these qualifications and you are confident in yourself, you can simply send your resume and a sample of your writing to their official email address.
It will be responding to within 48 hours.
21. Wordfirm Inc.
Founded in the year 1966, Wordfirm is a Washington DC-based editorial firm that uses managed editorial services to hire top-notch editors.
Wordfirm offers freelance, part-time, and occasional jobs for editors and proofreaders.
If you are interested in applying for this company, you must note that you will be ask to fill out a lengthy independent contractor application form online.
You will be selected based on your answers.
When selected, your filled application form will then use for your placement.
It means that the filled form will then used to determine which job suits you the best.
They focus on proofreading, writing, copy, and substantive editing.
22. WordsRU
WordsRU was founded in the year 2002 to meet the needs of academic professionals, individuals, writers, and business professional around the world.
Currently, they have open positions for qualified editors such as academic editors, science editors, and business editors to work over during the weekend.
WordsRU focuses on academic formatting styles and manuscripts editing.
They are well-known to be the leading proofreading and editing services provider.
Therefore, before you apply, you must be a PhD holder, Master’s degree holder, a professional editor or a proofreader with verifiable experiences.
In WordsRU, you work as an online independent freelance contractor.
Payments are usually discussed personally with successful applicants.
This company allows you to bargain for your pay.
23. Book Editing
Are you looking for long-term book editing and proofreading jobs from home?
This company provides open positions for copy editors, proofreaders, or an experienced writing mentor with traditional or self-publishing experience.
The company provides work from online home editing and proofreading jobs that you can do at your comfort zone.
As an applicant, you need to go through a find-the-errors proofreading test.
You must pass this test before you can accept as proofreaders or copy editors.
24. Craigslist
If you are looking for where to get a more stable online proofreading job, you can try out Craigslist.
Craigslist provides more stable jobs than other companies.
The interesting thing is that most opportunities presented in Craigslist are not boring ones.
In Craigslist, you can source for private clients online to work for.
All you have to do is to apply.
After being selected, you should go to the “writing and editing” section and apply for a gig.
Then you are good to go.
25. Wordy
Wordy provides online proofreading jobs at fixed prices.
You can apply for proofreading in here regardless of your experience level.
Whether you are a beginner with little experience or an expert with professional experience, you will be accepted.
But, the only thing is that the more experienced you are, the more jobs you get.
In Wordy, you are can either apply to work as their staff or register just to be a member of the platform.
If you want to apply for a job in Wordy, you must be ready to pass a series of tests.
The test will be given to you to check your proficiency in:
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Ability to spot inconsistences
- Awareness of ambiguities
- Textual structures
- Command of English
Once you are accepted, you will work as an independent contractor.
As a registered proofreader or editor, you will not need given jobs directly.
You can only source for clients and acquire jobs through the platform.
26. Polished Paper
Polished Paper offers online proofreading jobs to wide categories of people.
As a result of this, they are always on the lookout for good and experienced proofreaders.
And if you want to apply, register a user account and upload your resume.
After that, you will get direction to a 35-question editor test.
In this test, you are to use APA, MLA, and Chicago formatting styles.
I am advising that before you go for this test, try and do some research about these formatting styles.
Master and understand how to write and use them properly.
After passing the test, you will then be invited by their team for a follow-up interview.
27. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is an online freelance marketplace that cuts across over 160 countries.
It works like Fiverr and Upwork.
There are lots of freelance jobs offered on this platform.
They have to segment into their different sections.
Lots of online proofreading jobs also display here.
But this is not a good place to make a lot of money.
Like Fiverr and Upwork, the competition here is intense.
All you have to do is just to register an account and build up your profile to be super attractive.
Supercharge your portfolio to get the attention of more clients.
Most importantly, don’t get discourage.
The competition here isn’t funny for a beginner.
The good thing about this platform is that it charges a lower commission rate than Fiverr and Upwork.
28. Scribbr
Scribbr is a Netherland-based editing company that provides editing and proofreading service to students.
They have open editors’ positions for editors who are fluent in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
They currently have over 400 editors all over the world that deal with proofreading students’ thesis and dissertations.
The nature of jobs here cuts across editing dissertations, detecting plagiarism and generating APA referencing style.
You can also work remotely in this company.
If it’s tempting in applying, there are certain basic qualifications you must have.
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Also, if you are a native English speaker, you will have to prove your grammatical prowess, understanding of editing principles, and familiarity with academic writings.
If you pass the test, you will admit to Scribbr Academy to complete your training program.
You will be train how to edit for students flawlessly.
Once you pass through the academy, you get approval as an editor.
You should expect to earn $22 to $27 hourly depending on the nature of the job.
29. Scribe Writing
Scribe Writing, formerly known as Book in a Box, is a proofreading company that offers online proofreading jobs to manuscript proofreaders.
If you are looking for a full-time proofreading work, you can try out this company.
But just know that you won’t have your total freedom when you opt-in for a full-time position.
According to a review, their workers seem to be happy working here.
One good thing about this company is that, when you become part of them, you will get incredible support and training.
They help to make you better, and you get the opportunity to connect and interact with writers and authors.
30. Clickworker
Clickworker is currently on the lookout for proofreaders who can check and correct texts in the description of hotels, cities, software, and products.
They are always looking for persons with good command of English and good eyes for spotting and correcting grammatical errors.
Most importantly, those that can follow instructions fully.
Before you can be accepted, you must first qualify as an author.
You should be able to handle a few test creation jobs, after which you will take the proofreading assessment test.
If you deliver a good work, it will increase your chances of getting better deals. So learn to give your best.
Proofreading is one of the jobs on the increase due to the mass influx of content on the online space.
As a result, more people are signing in for it.
For you to stand out and make money from it, you must actively train and build your proofreading skills.
Most importantly, don’t forget to add up some skills to your proofreading skill.
The competition out there is tense; you need to come up at the top of the game to succeed.