15 Professionals and Cons of Being a Proofreader

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

I first began proofreading professionally whereas residing overseas in Japan, and the additional earnings 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, in case you’re questioning if proofreading is best for you, maintain studying; at this time, I’ll go over the 15 greatest execs and cons of working as a proofreader.

☞ SEE ALSO: Find out how to Change into a Proofreader

Professionals of Being a Proofreader

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

1. You Can Work from Anyplace

At first, the best benefit of working as a web-based proofreader is that you are able to do it from wherever on the earth. From a seashore within the Caribbean to the mountains of Nepal, all you should earn money 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 technique to make good cash with out being tied right down to a selected location. Proofreading has allowed me to work whereas visiting international locations together with Japan, Scotland, Greece, Germany, and extra!

2. It’s Simple to Get Began

One other nice good thing about turning into knowledgeable proofreader is that it’s surprisingly straightforward to get began. All you want is an web connection, entry to a laptop computer, and a few primary data of grammar and punctuation, (which most individuals have already got). You don’t even have to put money into any particular instruments or software program, Microsoft Phrase will do the trick, (though proofreading software program can improve your effectivity).

All I had once I first began out as a proofreader was an outdated laptop computer and a Microsoft Workplace subscription, and I used to be set.

3. You Get to Be Your Personal Boss

One other good thing about working as a web-based proofreader is that you simply get to be your personal boss. Wave goodbye to having to take care of choosy, micromanaging supervisors. By turning into a web-based proofreader, you’re open to begin doing issues your personal method.

That is considered one of my favourite features of being a freelancer; you get to set your personal hours and workload, which lets you work when it’s most handy for you. Not solely does this offer you extra freedom and suppleness by way of your schedule, however it additionally reduces stress and promotes a greater work-life stability.

4. There’s a Excessive Demand for Proofreaders

Subsequent, one of many biggest 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 earth (from emails, pupil papers, dissertations, novels, quick tales, weblog posts, information articles, and extra), there’s all the time 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 good thing about being a web-based proofreader is that there’s a whole lot of flexibility within the position. You possibly can work when and the place you need, take breaks when you should, go to the grocery retailer in the course of the day, and skip the frenzy hour 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 considered one of my favourite benefits of being a proofreader: you get to decide on your personal hours.

In the event you’re most effective in the course of the night time, you’ll be able to work then. In case your good friend asks you to go to brunch on a Wednesday, you’ll be able to go. As your personal boss, you could have the liberty to decide on if 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 simply get to drop shoppers that you simply don’t get pleasure from working with.

Now, this won’t be potential early on in your proofreading journey, as it may be difficult to search out constant proofreading work initially. Nevertheless, as you construct up your expertise and status, it’ll grow to be simpler and simpler to drop the shoppers that you simply discover difficult to work with.

8. There’s a Lot of Selection

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

With such all kinds of labor accessible for proofreaders, it’s thrilling to know you’ll possible 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 lots of completely different web sites accessible to supply and safe new jobs. From increase a consumer base on freelancing platforms similar to Upwork and FlexJobs to becoming a member of a proofreading firm like Scribendi and Scribbr, there are lots of web sites accessible that can assist 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 slightly time and persistence to construct a consumer base. And sadly, sourcing new shoppers and making use of to new jobs doesn’t pay the payments. Consequently, it may well 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 may be tremendous hectic. Furthermore, in case you don’t full the work by the deadline, your professionalism, credibility, and pay can undergo.

3. You Would possibly Need to Cope with Tough Purchasers

One other important drawback of working as a web-based proofreader is that you simply generally should take care of tough, choosy, and bossy shoppers. And whereas it’s true that as a contract proofreader, you’ll be able to drop any shoppers that you simply don’t like working with, generally you need to take care of these overbearing shoppers attributable to a scarcity of labor. And belief me, it isn’t preferrred.

4. The Work Can Get Repetitive

Whereas I principally get pleasure from proofreading, I admit that it generally will get boring. And if you’re coping with a very repetitive or tenuous proofreading job, it may well grow to be downright painful. Once I get these kinds of jobs, I merely attempt to grind by it, so I can get it executed and over with ASAP.

5. It Can Be Isolating

In the event you’re nonetheless considering whether or not or not selecting to grow to be a proofreader is an effective 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 may well additionally really feel isolating.

To assist curb these emotions of seclusion, I like to hitch 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, in case you’re experiencing a dry interval with little to no work, you merely gained’t receives a commission.

Find out how to Discover Proofreading Jobs

Now that we’ve gone over all the execs and cons of being a proofreader, you could be questioning the right way to discover proofreading work within the first place. That will help you out, listed here are my prime 5 suggestions for the right way to discover proofreading jobs on-line:

• By means of a proofreading course: The most effective methods to search 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 accomplice firm, Proofed. This is likely one of the greatest investments you may make as an aspiring digital nomad, as it should educate you the right way to excel as knowledgeable proofreader whereas offering constant proofreading work thereafter.
• Upwork: As the biggest 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 likely one of the greatest web sites to search out freelance work, and its job board is crammed with proofreading job alternatives. Though it prices $14.95 per thirty days to entry, the payment makes the roles much less aggressive than these discovered on Upwork.
• Scribendi: An organization targeted on offering proofreading and modifying providers, Scribendi is continually on the lookout for new distant editors and proofreaders. I joined Scribendi once I first began proofreading, and it was superb to get constant work as a newbie; I undoubtedly suggest checking it out.
• Scribbr: For a proofreading and modifying firm targeted on pupil papers and dissertations, you need 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 Finest Proofreading Software program and Instruments (Free and Paid)

Professionals and Cons of Working as a Proofreader: FAQs

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

Is Being a Proofreader Value It?

Total, solely you’ll be able to resolve if the flexibleness and talent 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 right down to how a lot you prefer to proofread. In the event you like to seek for the grammatical and spelling errors in an editorial, creating the proper product for shoppers, you then would love working as a proofreader. However, in case you hate nitpicking and like to have a look at the larger image, proofreading won’t be best for you.

And in case you’re nonetheless unsure if proofreading is best for you, I like to recommend making an attempt it out regardless. That’s really the easiest way to find out whether or not being a proofreader is your subsequent path.