Finding legitimate work at home jobs that pay well is the hardest part of working at home, but becoming an online proofreader is a great place to start.
Despite the fact that proofreading is a skill that can be learned very quickly, it is also one that will earn you a lot of money.
If you like and are good at spotting mistakes like spelling and grammar, then you may love working online as a proofreader.
It’s one of the best choices for freelance jobs from home.
Today in this article I review the best work at home jobs available and I will show you how you can start your online proofreading career today!
Proofreading: What Is It?
These days, there is a lot of stuff done online and as a result, there is a lot of content for people to consume.
For stay-at-home moms, there are a variety of work opportunities where you can work online from home and get paid. One such opportunity is that of proofreading.
A great deal of content needs to be proofread before it is published, like for example this article you’re reading now.
A critical eye is cast over a piece of writing to make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors.
You can make small mistakes when you are writing, which you may not notice at first glance.
Proofreading: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Your work can be done from home.
- If you are able to manage your own time, you can incorporate proofreading into your schedule while doing other things that interest you.
- If you have a good knack for spotting errors, then proofreading should come naturally to you.
- Proofreading is a quick and relatively inexpensive business to start compared to other businesses.
- You can find beginner proofreading jobs out there.
- Proofreading can be considered as a side hustle, which can lead to an additional source of income.
Cons
- For a lot of jobs, additional education/experience may be necessary.
- A very tight deadline is sometimes required due to the very nature of the project.
Working Online As Proofreaders: How Much Do They Earn Per Hour?
Your expectations of a salary offer will depend on your previous experience, who you are working for and how you are paid.
There are three ways to make money when you work online from home: hourly, by the word, or by the project.
Typically you’ll be paid on a per-project basis and usually as a freelancer or contractual employee.
An hourly rate of $15 is a good starting point for proofreading, but you can increase this as your experience increases and as you impress your clients.
You can become a proofreader making $30+ an hour by taking a course like Proofread Anywhere.
According to Salary.com, an average proofreader earns a salary of around $53,000 a year.
Are there any skills necessary for landing an online proofreading job?
As a proofreader, you will require solid grammar and spelling skills as well as the ability to quickly spot mistakes.
It is essential that you take your time and not rush your work through, as you will need to pick up on errors that have gone unnoticed by the author. (This may sound obvious, but there are issues you can miss!).
Occasionally, candidates may need a degree in English or journalism, but there are other times when just some relevant experience is required.
You might be the perfect candidate if you possess those qualities because being an online proofreader could be the right fit for you!
Check out this awesome FREE 76-minute online proofreading workshop by clicking here.
What’s The Best Way to Find Online Proofreading Jobs That You Can Do From Home?
Consider what kind of proofreading work you are interested in doing before looking for clients. There are so many different options available nowadays for home-based work, so you need to find the best match that fits your skillset.
If you are trying to find proofreading jobs, you can conduct online searches by using terms such as
- Proofreading for a freelancer
- Editing work
- A copy-editing service
- Editor
- Editor and editing of books
- An academic editor
- Proofreading jobs online
- Proofreading jobs for beginners
- Positions available in proofreading
Facebook groups can be a great place to find clients.
A lot of people who have found work have done so by adding value and making themselves available to people within Facebook groups.
There are a lot of sites out there that are really good places to find jobs because they are where hiring companies go to find someone for the job.
Best Proofreading Jobs You Can Do From Home
These are the top 20 ways to find proofreading jobs online.
Upwork
With Upwork, freelancers get to choose their own clients and projects from what is available on the site.
It will tell you which jobs are relevant to your skillset, and then you must make sure to create a great profile and pitch to the client.
Freelancer
Like Upwork, Freelancer needs you to complete your profile and skills in order to be matched to jobs.
Domaine
This is a site that doesn’t pay very well, but it’s a good place to start if you’re new to proofreading.
Polished Paper
There are opportunities available for outstanding editors at Polished Paper (which by the way has an amazing website!).
Once you sign up, you’ll have to upload your resume to the system, and then take a 35 question test.
ProofreadingServices.com
There are positions available that offer a full-time and part-time income, ranging from $19—$46 per hour.
This site asks for a brief 20-minute assessment in order to sign up.
Apart from being one of the best online jobs you can do, some other benefits of working with Proofreadingservices.com
- Flexible hours (work when you want, right from your living room, in any time zone)
- Great colleagues (connect with some of the world’s top English proofreaders)
- Can apply from any country
Fiverr
You might have heard about Fiverr. It is an exceptionally good value for money platform that we have used previously and will definitely use in the future from a buyer’s point of view, but you also have the opportunity to make a lot of money as a seller.
The $5 is the lowest price point on the site, but you get more if you upsell your services.
Depending on the length, complexity, etc. of the document, you can charge different prices for proofreading tasks.
Wordvice
This site has remote work at home, part-time openings, and you are asked to state your expected pay in your application.
A resume and a writing sample are required to apply, and then results will be sent to you via email.
It does request that you have a graduate degree or you are currently enrolled in a graduate program.
CACTUS Communications
There are plenty of opportunities to freelance or work online from home part-time.
Current openings at CACTUS include
- Freelance Specialist Editors
- Freelance Specialist Editors – Computer Science
- Freelance Specialist Editors – Medicine
- Freelance Specialist Editors – Medicine (South Africa)
- Freelance Specialist Editors – Medicine and Life Sciences (Philippines)
There is a requirement that you have a relevant degree in the subject you are editing.
Cactus’s constant efforts to be a freelancer-friendly organization have earned them a place in the top 20 among the Top 100 Companies with Remote Jobs for 5 years running.
Gramlee
Gramlee’s are always looking to hire exceptional editors, and if selected you will work at home for them.
Applying is as simple as completing its Employee Application and waiting to hear if you have been accepted.
Scribe Writing
The Scribe Writing company (previously known as Book in a Box) hires freelance editors for editing books.
The best thing about this site is that if there are no current openings, you can set up e-mail alerts to be notified as and when they become available.
Current remote openings at Scribe include
EditFast
You will need to sign up and pass the EditFast review before you can get work, but whether you do will depend on whether the client requests you to do the project.
Editors will receive payments through PayPal. EditFast gets 40% of the project’s final price.
Scribbr
To become a Scribbr, you will be required to follow this process:
- Once you have taken and passed the language quiz, Scribbr will review your CV and motivation statement to determine if you will fit well with the team.
- A language editing assignment needs to be completed.
- You will be invited to join the Scribbr Academy if you pass the test assessment. There will be two simulation orders that you have to complete before you can accept real orders.
Writer’s Relief
A service powered by Writer’s Relief helps freelance writers and creative writers get published.
To apply, fill out the application form, but please be aware that it will only accept 2% of the applicants that apply.
FlexJobs
The FlexJobs job board offers search features that enable users to search for specific job titles, such as “online proofreading jobs.” The website makes it easy to see everything that is on offer.
Wordfirm Inc.
You will have to fill out a lengthy application, so give yourself time to read it all. Wordfirm Inc. provides editorial services and publication production.
American Journal Experts
The positions are offered remotely, so they can be filled by anyone from anywhere in the world.
You can check out the company’s job openings and apply for the ones that are best for you when working online.
Some of the current openings include:
OneSpace
The company OneSpace (formerly known as CrowdSource) hires people to do short tasks like writing and editing.
Edit911
You must meet the following qualifications in order to apply for a position here:
- A PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline;
- A published scholar, with demonstrable talent and skills as a writer;
- A teacher and/or book editor with verifiable experience;
- A master copy editor and experts in various documentation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Turabian;
- Proficient in MS Word and at least one other software application, such as InDesign or Publisher;
- Dedicated to providing our clients with the world’s finest, most professional editing.
Send an example of your writing and your resume to Edit911 if you meet their requirements. Edit911 will reply to you within 48 hours.
Kirkus Media
A wide variety of job openings is available here, including many positions for writers and editors who can work at home.
SmartBrief
This is a good one to watch as they occasionally have openings for work-at-home copy editors. The pay is $15 per hour.
What Tools Are Needed for Online Proofreading Jobs?
In either case, you will need a laptop or desktop computer to work on, though it’s entirely up to you. (I love working from my Mac!).
You can also make your proofreading more efficient by using other tools. It is important to note that the tools won’t be able to pick up everything so you should not rely on them alone.
Google Docs
It is easy to use, and you can store a large number of documents in it, so you won’t regret using Google Docs.
When the work is complete, you can share it easily, and the client has the option of adding comments.
Grammarly
This is an indispensable tool for proofreaders as it is a piece of online software used to help proofread.
The Grammarly software is a great time-saving tool for writers and proofreaders alike. Grammarly will check your work for grammar and spelling errors and let you know all of them.
You will have the opportunity to decide whether or not you want to change it, since there may be some things Grammarly will pick up that actually you are totally fine with.
✅ Download Grammarly for FREE to your computer or laptop to help catch your typing errors, even in emails! They even have an app to use on your phone.
Dropbox
Dropbox is an alternative choice for those of your clients who do not want to use Google Docs, so make sure to get your account set up and know how to use it.
At-home proofreading training
If you want to become a proofreader and work at home, there are various training courses you can take, including Proofread Anywhere.
Caitlin Pyle is the trainer of the popular Proofread Anywhere program which will train you for a successful proofreading career.
There are 40+ lessons included in the General Proofreading course, 10 grammar and punctuation worksheets, online resource guides for all types of markets, 40 real-life examples of jobs and more.
You will learn more than just proofreading; you will also learn how to start and run your proofreading business, and how to market it to get clients!
Proofread Anywhere is offering a FREE Introductory Proofreading Workshop for anyone interested in getting started.
Qualifying to be an online proofreader
A good proofreader must be skilled in editing and spotting errors. This kind of goes without saying.
A company may require you to take a test if you apply to work for them. You must pass the test in order to be hired.
It’s best to become familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style and AP Stylebook in order to pass your tests; if you are unfamiliar then there are plenty of free resources online.
Proofreading as a Career?
There have been proofreading services for years, but they are even more common nowadays because there is so much content available to us at our fingertips. Today Making money online is easier than ever before with plenty of different options.
Of course, the amount of effort you put into it will also depend on the success you have with it. You cannot rely on clients coming to you so you must have a plan to market your business and attract clients.
Many people find proofreading to be a great career and many, like Caitlin Pyle who runs Proofread Anywhere, are incredibly successful. It is also safe to say that there are legitimate proofreading jobs online.
You can get started today by enrolling in Proofread Anywhere, which will teach you how to get clients and improve your skills.
Online Proofreading: Get Started
A proofreading job online is a great way to make some great money online.
Taking Proofread Anywhere’s General Proofreading course is recommended if you’re serious about earning a living proofreading online.
Go get your first client! You got it!
