Online Proofreading Jobs 

When you are thinking about working from home and making money online the hardest part is finding legitimate online jobs that pay well. 

Well, look no further than becoming an online Proofreader.

If you enjoy reading and have an eagle eye for spotting spelling or grammar mistakes, this could be the perfect job for you.

Becoming an online proofreader is a job that is flexible and easy to do when you need to make cash.

Proofreading is an important part of writing.

Nowadays there is a high demand for part-time and full-time Proofreaders and editors online because of the endless supply of written materials on the internet.

It can be done at any time making it perfect for a stay-at-home mom job.

Bloggers, journalists, and authors of all kinds are always looking for proofreading services because they want their published content to stand out.

There is a common misconception that you need a university degree and ample proofreading experience, as well as a near-perfect level of English to make money proofreading.

This is simply not the case for all proofreading companies.

In this article, I’ll go over the best online proofreading jobs for beginners, places to find jobs as a freelance proofreader, and how you can get started today.

If you want a jump start in making money as a proofreader we highly recommended you sign up for this FREE 76-minute online proofreading workshop.

1. What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the process whereby a proofreader reviews the final draft of a written document to make sure there is uniformity with the spelling, punctuation, formatting, and correctness.

A great online proofreader is detail-oriented and can spot issues that could make the written document look professional.

Proofreading is one of the final steps in the process of content creation for example; this article that you are reading now will have a proofreader work on it before it is published.

It is where a critical eye is cast over a piece of writing to check for spelling and grammatical errors.

This is an important step because when you are writing you can accidentally make small mistakes that you don’t notice even if you read it back.

If you are new to proofreading or don’t understand. Here is a FREE workshop that teaches you everything you need to know to get started proofreading online.

2. Proofreaders Vs Editors 

Proofreading and copy-editing are sometimes mixed up or used interchangeably.

Knowing the difference can help you when looking and applying for online proofreading jobs. 

Editing is correcting, condensing, or changing a draft in a presentation for publication. An editor is involved with the big picture of the document. 

Unlike an editor, proofreaders typically mark errors and leave the final changes up to the author.

 An editor, on the other hand, dives into the content and makes all the changes necessary to submit a polished piece.

Proofreading involves examining your text to find any mistakes in grammar, style, spelling, and typographical errors.

While proofreading and editing jobs do require many similar talents, proofreading can be quicker and easier for beginners to learn.

You can find editing jobs online or in person with newspaper facilities in your area.

 Another question we often hear is what different tasks would copy editors have compared to proofreading jobs.

 Both are easily practical online jobs for you if you like editing, but know that copy editing entails more hours.

Copy editors work the steps before proofreading where papers tend to be less polished-like a rough draft. Copy editing looks at everything to make bigger changes to content.

 Once large-scale editing had been completed, the text is handed over to a proofreader for any small edits, likely grammar and spelling mistakes that can get missed during the big content reviews.

Proofreading is the final checkpoint before everything is finalized for publishing.

3. How Much Money Can You Make Proofreading?

Online proofreaders have a median salary of $52,202 per year according to the report released by salary.com 

However, the amount of money each proofreader makes can vary widely depending on factors like education, skills, experience, and how fast one works per hour.

Some proofreading freelancers make anywhere from $25-$50 per hour.

If you work for yourself, you get to determine how much you make. If you work for someone else, they are going to determine how much you make per hour.

As a beginner proofreader who is just getting started, expect to earn about $20 per hour.

Once you have gained experience and become better at proofreading, you can Charge $30, $40, or even $ 50 per hour.

This means that there is more room to command higher rates and make more money per hour once you gain experience as a freelancer.

It’s most likely that you will be paid per project and typically on a freelance or contractual basis.

 A good starting fee for proofreading is $20 an hour, but you can increase this as you gain experience and impress your clients.

Taking a course like Proofread Anywhere will help you get started as a proofreader making $30+ an hour.

4. What Skills Do I Need To Become A Freelance Online Proofreader?

 For you to qualify as a proofreader, you will need to have the following qualifications;

  • First, you need to have a clear understanding and the knowledge and ability to master the English language or the particular language you are proofreading.
  • You should be able to spot mistakes quickly and easily. So you need to be able to pay attention to fine points while proofreading. 
  • Having excellent grammar and spelling skills is a must and shows casing excellent written communications skills.
  • Additionally, you need to be able to slow down to find mistakes that the original writer missed. If you rush through proofreading a document, these types of errors may slip through.
  • Be able to work well with others especially proofreading clients and show initiative and creativity while working on projects.
  • Be persistent and determined in your work and ready to take a proofreading test to show your competency.
  • The ability to be flexible especially with your working hours and bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or another proofreading-related discipline.

5. Do I Need To Have A Degree To Proofread?

You don’t need a Ph.D. in English to be an effective freelance proofreader!

 When you have applied to work for a company, you will probably have to do a test for them that you will need to pass to be hired.

Depending on the client, they may require an advanced degree in English or journalism if getting hired as a company employee.

To pass the tests, it’s highly recommended that you know of the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook for which there are lots of free resources online if you are unfamiliar with them.

Start by making money as an online proofreader and sign up for this FREE 76-minute online proofreading workshop.

6. Where to Get at Home Proofreading Training?

If you are wondering right now, how do I start with this proofreading stuff?

We get you!

 Check out this highly recommended FREE Proofreading workshop that will help you learn the basic skills and decide on whether freelance proofreading is for you.

Caitlin is the lady who runs the course and she has been a proofreader since 2007. She turned her love for proofreading into a full-time job and now helps others do the same.

 Anyone can proofread and the flexibility is great for a stay-at-home mom or someone who wants to work more flexible hours.

This Completely FREE workshop from Caitlyn Pyle at Proofread Anywhere is value-packed and perfect for those on the fence.

 The workshop is also helpful for getting you started proofreading with tips on maximizing skills and where to find clients.

The Proofread Anywhere course trains you up to become a proofreader, run it as a well-paid Proofreading business, hone your proofreading skills and help increase your chances of landing well-paid online proofreading jobs.

The Proofread Anywhere course includes training on;

  • Proofreading basics
  • Advanced proofreading methods
  • How and where to find jobs
  • What rate to set and common mistakes to avoid 

The Proofread Anywhere course is packed with 40 + lessons in 8 modules, grammar-specific worksheets, and real-life example jobs.

 After passing with 90% or higher on the final exam you will receive a Certificate of completion and access to the Self-Publishing School Preferred Outsourcer Rolodex.

7. Are Proofreading Courses Worth It?

Yes, proofreading courses are well worth your time and money if you are to consider becoming a professional proofreader.

 A highly regarded course can cut down your learning curve and help you master proofreading skills, become an expert, understand how to set better proofreading tare, and get more clients for your business.

 Caitlin Pyle is a professional proofreader and very successful in the Field. She has earned more than $36, 000 per year picking up remote proofreading jobs on a part-time basis.

She has a paid course but also created a FREE 76-minute workshop that teaches freelancers how to make money from home as online proofreaders.

You can start with the free workshop if you do not have the funds to pay for a course right away. Caitlin will show you the basics and help you understand if proofreading is the career path for you.

8. Is There A Demand For Proofreaders?

With so many people forming online businesses, Bloggers, brands, small businesses, authors, and companies all hire proofreaders to make sure there are no typographical errors. 

 Some foreign businesses will hire a native English- speaking proofreader to go over their website and make grammatical changes.

 So the answer is yes. There is a high demand for proofreaders, and this demand is always increasing.

 Proofreading jobs are profitable but the market is not over-saturated, as you may imagine.

 Bloggers, authors, and other companies are always searching for qualified proofreading freelancers to handle their pieces of writing (written content) on a full-time and part-time basis.

9. Can You Work From Home As A Proofreader?

Yes, you can work from home as a proofreader.

 If you work online as a freelancer, you can proofread from anywhere around the world and make money while at home.

Most online proofreaders have the freedom to set their hours and work whenever they want. Proofreading is an amazing work-at-home profession worth trying.

10. Pros VS Cons of Proofreading?

Pros 

  • The Startup costs are very low for a proofreading business compared to other businesses.
  • You get flexible working hours because you can even work from home 
  • Perfect for people who are good at spotting grammatical mistakes 
  • Low barrier to entry. Doesn’t always require experience or a degree
  • You are in charge of your own pace and control your working environment by micromanaging your boss or loud coworkers to get in the way!
  • Endless supply of online materials to proofreading and you can sign up as many proofreading sites as you want.
  • Easy to start proofreading small as a side hustle and later scale-up

Cons 

  • If you get distracted while working on your computer, editing work will be difficult to complete.
  • There can be tight deadlines or strict guidelines you need to follow.
  • Further education/ experience may be necessary for some jobs.
  • Some people may bite off more than they can chew, taking on too many clients and projects. You have to manage your time strictly if work overlaps or you have an overflowing plate 
  • If you need someone to remind you of deadlines or supervise your work more closely, online proofreading may not be for you.
  • Can be difficult to piece together full-time work and some companies offer low pay to beginners.
  • Some sites aren’t easy to navigate and you may spend more time searching for good opportunities.
  • Editing and proofreading jobs can be treated synonymous ( always read the job descriptions)

11. How Can You Get Started As A Proofreader?

  • The Proofread Anywhere course trains you up to become a proofreader and run it as a well-paid business.
  • The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation – a straight-to-the-point guide that will help you master English grammar.
  • Copy editing and proofreading for dummies

A great place to find clients is within relevant Facebook groups. You will be surprised what proofreading jobs may be posted on social media.

 Plus on social media, you can grow your presence as a proofreader and gain more clients that way!

I know lots of people who have found work within these groups by adding value and letting people know that they are available to help.

There are a lot of sites out there that are great places to look for work because hiring companies will generally head to these to find someone for the Job.

When it comes to searching for proofreading jobs, there are other search terms that you can use to bring up the jobs, such as;

  • Freelance proofreading 
  • Online Proofreading jobs 
  • Beginner proofreading jobs 
  • Proofreading Positions
  • Editing jobs
  • Editor
  • Book Editor/ Editing
  • Academic Editor
  • Copy Editing

12. Best starter Tools for the online Proofreaders

If you are going to work online as a proofreader, it may be wise to invest in some technology that will help you save time make proofreading manageable.

 Here are a few of my favorites;

  • Grammarly – this tool is amazing and it’s FREE. It finds all errors for you and you just need to review and ensure the language flows naturally.

Many people have started using Google Docs, which is great for Grammarly users because there is a free extension. 

 You can use the free version or you can use the paid version. Use whatever you think will help you best! 

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.

  • Spellchecker – don’t forget to use the proofreader you have on the word processor that you are using.

 Sometimes we forget to use the most basic tool on our computers that can still help us save face with an error or two!

  • Ginger – Another proofreader tool that you can take advantage of is Ginger

This tool can help you find more advanced issues that you can take advantage of is Ginger. This tool can help you find more advanced issues that you otherwise may have missed!

  • Google Docs – This is the most common and easy way that documents are sent. It only requires a free Google Drive account. Your client can send you a link to the document that you can make changes to.
  • Dropbox – if your client doesn’t use Google Docs, then Dropbox is probably the next most common document sharing method. The Free account is perfectly fine for getting started.

35 Best Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

Here are the best companies that hire beginner online proofreaders.

The following companies allow you to post your freelance proofreading services or be hired for online proofreading. 

 The great thing with online businesses, there is no need to put all your eggs in one basket.

Be on the lookout for different job titles as some companies refer to proofreaders as editors, revisers, content developers, editorial assistants, and or other similar personnel.

 Review the job listing closely to determine if it’s the right fit for your skills and experience. 

Now, let’s look at the best companies currently hiring beginners’ online proofreaders.

1. Upwork

One of the first places to start online proofreading jobs for beginners is Upwork.

Upwork is a great place to start your work-from-home journey, especially your proofreading journey.

The site is perfect for beginner freelancers because jobs are posted by the minute, but it has a little caveat.

 You need to create an eye-catching profile and showcase your skills and talents for you to stand out.

 All the same, the platform has so many clients looking for freelancers to add to their teams.

If you are a fast learner who understands what’s required of you, you will get hired pretty quickly.

Head over to Upwork.com to apply for a beginner editing position.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is my favorite and one of the best places to find freelance proofreading jobs for beginners.

This is a website that has been around for a few years. However, it’s for proofreaders of all types.

Signing up for Fiverr means you can sell your proofreading services and make a small amount of cash at first. 

Most clients will just ask you for a few samples of your work or give you a short test to prove your skills and experience if any.

 Most freelance service starts at $5. They call them gigs but you can add more services to your gigs and charge even more money.

 As time goes on, you’ll be able to earn more money and you could charge extra for fast delivery or add proofreading-related services like writing a blog post or posting content on WordPress sites.

3. Lionbridge

Are you looking for a full-time online proofreading job? Lionbridge is a great place to start. 

 Lionbridge offers several different types of work from home jobs and is an outsourcing platform that offers work from home jobs for proofreaders.

While you do need a little experience to get started, Lionbridge has a great reputation and this may be a good place for you to start.

  • You can look for all kinds of positions in various countries and languages.
  • You do need to have fluency in the language and culture of the position you apply for.
  • You won’t need to have any specific experience or a degree.
  • You may have to take a simple skills test to get started.

4. ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com is a great starting point for proofreaders.

When you work with this company, you get a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and the ability to connect with other proofreaders.

ProofreadingServices.com has full-time and part-time online proofreading jobs but all proofreaders must pass a 20-minute screening test before getting any work assigned.

You will love this at-home proofreading position because they offer flexible working hours and you get to earn more than the U.S average hourly wage for proofreaders.

Another advantage is that you get a chance to connect with some of the world’s top English proofreaders around the globe.

You have got to give this proofreading company a chance. 

5. Start your own Business 

The real money on proofreading comes to those who start their own business as a proofreader because of the low start-up costs.

You can make it as simple as starting a website or as intricate as starting a Facebook page.

When you start your own proofreading business, you can set your rates, work for all kinds of different companies, and ultimately build a client base of your own. 

That way you won’t have a company or middle-man service capping your earnings.

Caitlin Pyle has built a stable income of over $45,000 per year working part-time as a proofreader.

 She gives tons of solid advice on how to start your own business and maximize your hourly earnings.

This doesn’t mean you can’t pick up clients through sites like Flexjobs or Fiverr, but it sets you up with a different mindset from the start.

6. Craigslist

Believe it not, Craigslist has is a lot more steady these days in the job department.

If you head to Craigslist in any city and look in the “Writing and editing” section, you may be able to find loads of gigs that you can apply or you may be able to find private clients.

 Just remember that working from home never costs money and you should never have to pay to work from home.

7. Guru

Another online place to look for proofreading jobs is Guru.com

A lot of people would compare Guru.com to Fiverr, but I think any platform can be good for you if you take the time to make it work in your favor.

Whether you have zero experience or several months of experience, you may be able to find a proofreading gig on Guru.com.

Fill out the profile correctly and don’t stop until you find a groove.

8. Linkedin 

Some proofreaders and editors underrate the power of LinkedIn. It’s a platform that lets you publish your resume for other professionals to see.

When it comes to LinkedIn, there are a lot of jobs and you may not get lucky at first.

 But with the right information and keywords, you could have clients and employers reaching out to hire you.

You can display your proofreading and editing skills by writing short essays and articles and publishing them to your profile.

 If you don’t have an account yet, make sure to get one set up and start seeking proofreading jobs there. Keep trying and applying and in no time, you will land your first proofreading job.

9. Freelancer

Freelancer is a site very similar to Upwork since it’s a freelance marketplace. It’s open to an array of freelancers, not exclusively for proofreaders. 

After you fill out your profile, you can bid on posted jobs that people are trying to hire for.

10. SmartBrief

SmartBrief is a digital media publisher that targets business news and industry information. 

Frequently check their job openings for work-from-home editor and proofreading jobs that pay around $15/hr.

11. Polished Paper

Polished Paper is always looking for exceptional editors. For you to be considered for these online editing jobs, you have to register for a user account and upload your resume.

Polished paper is for more experienced proofreaders and they pay accordingly. To sign up, fill out their application and take the 35 question test.

The 35 question editor test is set using the APA, MLA, and Chicago formatting guides. So do some research about these styles before submitting your application.

It sounds a little intense but they pride themselves on first-class service. They want to make sure you can catch some of the tougher errors that less experienced proofreaders may miss.

The company doesn’t state whether or not they are looking for you to have experience or a college degree, which means you can apply as a beginner and Potentially Get Hired If Your Skills Are Up To Par.

12. Scribbr

Scribbr is a Netherland-based editing company with freelance editor positions for editors who are fluent in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Scribbr makes all interested editors take an initial language quiz. If you pass, they will then look over your CV to determine whether you will be a good fit for them.

If they think you are a good fit, you will be invited to Scribbr academy where you will edit 2-5 simulation orders. Scribbr will critique your proofreading and give you tips.

Once you pass the academy, you will be a qualified Scribbr editor and get paid.

Most of the work involves editing dissertations, generating APA style references, and detecting plagiarism in the papers 

 You can land editing jobs from home with this super awesome company if you have at least a bachelor’s degree and 10 hours of availability each week.

13. Domaine

Domaine is an option for the true beginner proofreader but is warned that they are one of the lowest paying.  

It’s perfect for gaining experience if you are having trouble landing clients.

 The company requires nothing more than an impeccable writing sample to prove your proofreading and editing skills.

 To get accepted as a freelancer, you will need to fill out their application including sample letters to show off your work.

14. Edit911

Edit911 only hires people with a Ph.D. published scholars, teachers, or book editors with verifiable experience.

The qualifications are quite high but if you meet their qualifications and are looking to enter the freelance proofreading world, this is a great option.

If you qualify, you will be required to submit a resume and a sample of your writing to prove your competency, and then you will get a response after 48 hours.

Since their qualifications are a bit high, many people may not qualify. 

If you believe that you have what it take to be part of their team, you can apply and start your freelance proofreading career here.

15. Flexjobs

Flexjobs is an amazing work-from-home job portal with a dedicated section for editing and online proofreader jobs.

 Do a general search for “online proofreading” to find who is looking to hire. 

Often, you don’t need to narrow down the job postings by location since you can do them remotely from home.

 But I have to point out that they have a $15/month membership that gives you access to all kinds of remote jobs in addition to online proofreading jobs.

You can give it a try and see how it goes, but if you don’t like the service, you can cancel at any time. No questions asked.

16. Clickworker

Clickworker uses crowdsourcing for the completion of micro tasks for their clients. 

Every clickworker is an independent contractor who can log in and look at the available jobs.

These tasks are generally broken into smaller projects and part of a larger project.

 They won’t take as long as a huge proofreading job so it’s great for beginners to get their feet wet.

To become a clickworker proofreader, you first have to start as an author to gain experience. Then after completing a few text creation jobs, you are eligible to take the proofreading assessment test. 

If you pass, you will be able to access the available proofreading jobs.

17. Wordvice 

Wordvice is an amazing company with open positions for content writers, freelance translators, and freelance editors.

They always have proofreader jobs and seek qualified and experienced freelance editors to add to their team of professionals.

Work involves editing research articles, dissertations, and thesis and admission essays. You can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a stable internet connection.

 They have a lot of ESL (English as a second language) clients worldwide who are looking for native English proofreaders.

They ask that you have completed a graduate program but they do offer remote, part-time work.

This application will have you complete an editing sample and they will notify you by email whether you have been accepted.

Their payment plan is based on word count and turnaround time given by clients. This is a freelance part-time job that you can do at any time. 

18. Onespace 

OneSpace rebranded itself recently from CrowdSource. This is an online platform known for hiring freelancers to complete short tasks on their behalf.

CrowdSource will post their jobs as they become available. You can sign up and search for editing or proofreading jobs for beginners.

Some are available as remote work whereas other is not so it’s important to read the job description to determine which.

19. CACTUS Communications 

CACTUS Communications normally looks for editors and proofreaders who have a medical background, but there are also some general proofreading opportunities from time to time.

They specialize in specific proofreading topics and ask that you have a degree in the field you be editing for.

 Some of the fields include medical, biology, molecular and more. Check their website to see what they are currently hiring from.

They offer flexible working hours and you can earn up to $4000 per month just by working on editing jobs online.

They have other monetary benefits that will see you banking 20% extra cash if you deliver high-quality work and be consistent.

 You will need a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or some form of proven experience in healthcare life sciences, or medicine and surgery.

20. EditFast

EditFast has open positions for skilled proofreaders, editors, and writers.

 You will create a profile and resume in their system. Clients looking to hire a proofreader will look at your samples and decide whether or not to pick you.

One thing to note is that all communications must go through the EDitfast system and Editfast keeps 40% of the final total project price.

They have an editing test that all eligible editors must submit for review before any work is assigned.

If you get a positive review, your web page will be activated and a profile created to enable you to receive new project notifications. All payment is made via PayPal on the last day of the month.

The company requires its editors to hold a degree and suggested that additional qualifications are helpful such as an online course or professional editing experience.

21. Gramlee

Gramlee is always looking for exceptional editors to add to their growing team! But, you must be a grammar geek before getting any work here. 

As a general proofreading company so it could be a wide variety of categories. 

Applying is a simple process. Answer a few questions on the employment application form and they get back to you.

One thing I like about Gramlee is that they have work from home editing jobs available 24/7

You won’t have to worry about looking for a job ever again. But, you need to be fast as a proofreader because they have a 24 hour turnaround time for 3000-word documents.

The company doesn’t require previous experience or a degree to apply, but it helps to have some type of background in proofreading to share.

22. Kirkus Media 

Kirkus Media offers a service for authors to have their books edited and reviewed. They often have job listings for book reviewers or at-home editors for their magazine.

If you intend to apply, you will need to submit your resume, writing sample, and a list of reviewing samples. The email to us is on the site.

23. Scribe Writing 

Scribe Writing (formerly Book in a box) is a proofreading company currently accepting freelance manuscript proofreaders.

The Company got rebranded and seems to be super organized.

 As an editor, you will get an opportunity to interact with the writers and authors and can best understand their wants and needs.

Scribe doesn’t’ have a long list of credentials that you need to have before applying, but some form of experience helps.

 You can provide previously written high school papers, articles, or essays to prove your writing and editing skills.

If they don’t have any open positions currently, join their email list and they will let you know when more open up.

24. Get Editing Jobs 

This is a community hub for anyone searching for help with their text. Get editing jobs that include editing, proofreading, and specialty writing.

Since this is a freelance jobs directory, you will have to use the search bar to find proofreading jobs to apply for.

 Many of the jobs are virtual but some companies are looking for in-person permanent hires too.

25. Proofreading Pal

ProofreadingPal has proofreading and editing career opportunities for you if you are a professional proofreader.

They are very strict and use a two-proof reader model where every document is proofread and edited by two professional proofreaders.

The average pay for a Proofreading Pal editor is between $500- $3000 per month. You can even do this proofreading job while still in college.

They are looking to hire current graduate college students who have a GPA of 3.5 and higher. Alternatively, they also look for proofreaders and editors with a graduate degree and 5 years of experience.

When joining the company, you have to answer a short independent contractor questionnaire and wait to hear from their representative within 5 to 10 business days.

26. Write’s Job Shop

Writer’s Job Shop is a job marketplace for proofreaders and other writing freelancers. They are always looking to add additional proofreaders and easy editors to their team.

They require that you have a native-level grasp of the English language and a degree in any field before applying.

27. American Journal Experts

 American Journal Expert’s jobs are topic-specific and updated frequently. You can do them from anywhere since they are all remote.

 All positions are for independent contractors. The application is straightforward and can be auto-filled using indeed if you already have a job profile with them.

28. Write’s Relief 

Writer’s Relief is a team of expert proofreaders who deliver exemplary work to their clients. Their remote editing jobs cover books, novels, poems, essays, and short stories.

Writer’s Relief helps creative writers get published. Authors submit their writing and writer’s relief proofreaders check over their submissions.

One thing to keep in mind is that they only hire the top 2% of all the applicants who apply for proofreading opportunities.

So you have to up your proofreading game and put those creating writing skills to good use if you are to stand a chance of getting accepted.

They offer competitive rates to their successful applicants and work is available throughout the year.

29. Managed Editing 

Managed Editing hires independent contractors who have a degree and a few years of relevant experience. They offer editorial service and publication production.

Their application asks what subject matter you have proven proofreading skills in. They may follow up asking for examples of your work or give you a test on the topic.

30. MediaBristro

MediaBistro is a hub for all media-related jobs from marketing, sales, design, and writing/ editing. 

One perk is that MediaBristro lets you sign up for job alerts for certain keywords.

You will get notified by email if a new job shows up in the proofreading sector after you set up those alerts.

31. Reedsy 

Reedsy works mainly with authors and writers. The community is free to join and then get to keep 90% of your commission while Reedsy takes 10%.

 Once you sign up, you will create a profile and the Reedsy algorithm will pair you with clients it thinks you will be a good fit for.

There are over 100,000 people in the marketplace and many are first-time authors looking to self–publish their books.

32. Writing Jobs 

Writing Jobz is one of the best marketplaces for online proofreaders because it’s all they focus on. 

They specialize in academic proofreading, proofreading articles for online blogs and news sources, and book proofreading.

You start by taking a language task, and then you can build up a client database as you take on more and more projects. As a proofreader, you can earn up to $11 per page.

33. Sribendi 

Sribendi was started in the year 1997 and has over 400 professional freelance editors. This is the world’s fastest-growing community of professional editors I have seen.

Scribendi is a proofreading platform perfect for someone who has a college degree. They allow you to create your schedule working from home and the pay is good.

But, they expect you to have a university degree, at least 3 years of editing experience, be a native English speaker with an average editing/ proofreading speed of 1,000 to 1,500 words per hour.

You will receive payments via Paypal in US dollars no matter the country you live in.

34. R3ciprocity  

R3viprocity, pronounced as reciprocity is a proofreading and editing platform based on credits. 

This is great for authors or someone who wants a reciprocal proofreading situation.

After you sign up, you can proofread others’ work and earn credits. You can use these credits to get your work proofread.

It can also earn money. If you earn credits, you can cash them out instead of using them to proofread items of your own.

35. Proofread Now 

 Proofread Now normally hires Proofreaders and editors from time to time. If you find that they are not hiring now, just bookmark the website and be checking for open Proofreading positions.

For you to get proofreading jobs here, you must have at least 5 years of experience and be ready to undergo difficult editing tests. But, once you get hired the return on investment will be worth the effort.

36. Editor world 

Editor World is currently looking for independent contractors to work remotely. For you to get freelance editing jobs from home with this company, you must be a degree holder, with some editing experience and speak English as your first language.

They have a short editing test that you must complete before getting assigned editing jobs.

37. Sibia Proofreading

Sibia Proofreading normally looks for science experts who have editing or proofreading experience.

But you also need to have a Ph.D. or an equivalent. It’s not mandatory but having it will give you a fair advantage. 

38. Wordy

Wordy provides online proofreading and copy-editing service to its clients thus the need for editors and proofreaders

They normally advertise online proofreading jobs from home. It’s unclear at this time whether or not they will require a degree to apply. Make sure to check back later.

39. English Trackers 

English Trackers normally has open positions for professional academic editors.

They expect you to be a Ph.D. holder or an academic editor with verifiable experience.

For you to qualify, you must be a Native English Speaker with 2 years of professional academic editing experience.

They have flexible working hours, pay on the 15thof every month via PayPal and have a responsive editor support team that will respond to your queries in the shortest time possible.

This company also provides great online editing jobs for college students. So, don’t be left out of you are a student who wants to earn some money while in college.

40. Words

WordsRU is currently looking for qualified editors to work over the weekend. Academic editors must have a Master’s Degree, Ph.D., or equivalent professional experience in any other academic discipline. 

They focus on manuscripts editing and academic formatting styles. Open positions are for academic editors, science editors, and business material editors. 

You will work as an independent contractor and payments are discussed personally with successful applicants.

41. Wordfirm Inc.

Wordfirm Inc is a proofreading and copy-editing company that uses managed editing services to hire top-notch editors.

For you to qualify as a copy editor or proofreader, you must fill out a lengthy independent contractor application form for them to determine which jobs would suit you the best.

They focus on copy editing, proofreading, and substantive editing and writing. 

The company requires you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in any subject and five years of relatable experience 

Conclusion 

Now that you know all of the jobs available and companies hiring proofreaders, you may be wondering how to land an online proofreading job.

 Just like with any job, it will take some effort to land proofreading jobs as a beginner.

Here are a few ways to make yourself more desirable;

  • On dating sites, like Fiverr, offer your first few clients a discount in exchange for an honest review to get initial business
  • Brush up on proofreading skills by taking a course; I recommended this FREE online workshop 
  • Join job boards and social media groups to find clients
  • Don’t forget about Facebook groups 
  • Consider courtroom transcript proofreading to diversify your talents

Freelance Proofreading Skills and Requirements

 Each company may have different freelance proofreading guidelines but there are a few common requirements to become a proofreader.

1. A Sharp Eye for Details 

Pay close attention and catch all errors in the shortest time possible. Again, I love using Grammarly to help me do this. 

Give it a try and you will see, it’s like having a second set of eyes on every piece of content you proofread.

2. Impeccable English Skills

As a proofreader, you should be able to recognize proper punctuation and correct spelling errors with ease. Thankfully, it’s not hard to do this when using a free tool like Grammarly.

Most of these proofreading projects are in English. Make sure your English and grammar skills are up to par.

3. Reading 

You should have good reading and comprehension skills since your work will entail reading a lot of written material.

Practice by reading books, essays, manuscripts, or articles. Try to get in the habit of reading daily.

4. Training or a Degree

While it’s not necessary to have an English degree, some companies prefer it. 

If you have a master’s degree in journalism or another field closely related to editing or proofreading, you will be ahead of your competition.

However, even without any extra schooling, you can get free training to learn the skills needed to be a proofreader

5. Flexible Work Hours 

 Freelance proofreading jobs can have deadlines around the clock. To meet the demand, you will need to be flexible and ready to complete the work on time.

Once you have established a good reputation with clients or proofreading companies, you can be more particular about the jobs you choose.

 Want to test your proofreading prowess before you look at the companies? You can take this simple proofreading quiz!

How to Increase Your Rate as a Proofreader

Note- before you even think of increasing your rate, you need to ensure your proofreading work has no grammatical errors, no spelling mistakes and you submit work on time.

Proofreading Client will not hire you again and provide you with recurring work if you cannot do the bare minimum.

1. Set-Up a professional Editing Website 

If you want to have an online proofreading business that looks professional and is taken seriously by clients, you can set up a professional website for, or less than $5 a month and you don’t need to be good at technology.

2. Niche down 

 Learn to be a proofreader that works in a specific field. Use your background and experience to proofread documents in specific niches.

If you worked in sales and marketing, or even engineering, you can proofread magazines, online publications, books, and even these fields.

 You can then search for specific proofreading jobs online no experience is required in those specific fields.

3. Offer extra Services

 You can offer extra services like reference checking, formatting, and paraphrasing.

There are proofreading-related services that can increase your rate dramatically.

4. Cold Pitch 

 If you want to attract higher-paying clients, a good option is to do cold pitching 

This may seem scary at first, as you are the one approaching the business owner and they haven’t published a job opportunity.

But, this doesn’t mean they don’t need you. With this tactic, you can get good-paying clients that get impressed by your motivation, portfolio, and proactiveness.

This tactic works well if you.

Have a professional proofreading website where the client can see your profile and portfolio.

Send an email where you highlight how you can help the client and have understood their needs 

Have a clear package of services to offer

5. Proofread Academic Papers 

I was able to increase my rate significantly by targeting students and professors in universities, there is no secret they pay more and the work is steady

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