There are readers and then there are readers, you know the type, people who can find typos, spelling and grammar mistakes, and formatting and style issues in just about everything they read- books, websites, newspapers, magazines even personal letters. If you are one of those people you may be suited to go into business as a freelance proofreader.

Proofreaders provide an invaluable service to people who want to ensure that their work is error free. As more and more websites emerge onto the worldwide web there is greater demand for accuracy in the information that people seek. This means that sloppy grammar is no longer acceptable (not that it ever was). Research has shown that there are many e-commerce sites that are obviously grammatically incorrect. These sites are not taken seriously and they are likely to lose business. Therefore there has been a rise in employing proof readers to ensure that web owners have error free pages.



Job description

Proofreaders read material and check for errors such as typos, missing text, punctuation problems, formatting and style, inconsistencies, and spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofreaders act as a final quality check, ensuring that nothing has been missed by the copy-editor or typesetter. Online proofreaders may be required to test links with the pages and report any broken or problem links as well as search for link opportunities. Link opportunities are instances where one article on the site mentions a topic that is covered in another article on the site.

Requirements

There is much more to being a proofreader than knowing punctuation and how to spell. You will need to have a significant grasp of written and spoken English. Proofreaders need to have an eye for detail. They need to be able to scan material and detect errors that the average person would overlook. They must also have knowledge of proofreader’s marks and symbols, and a basic understanding of editing and publishing. A passion for reading and general knowledge in a broad array of subjects is helpful for proofreaders. They also need to be able to cope with repetitive tasks as proof reading can be tedious.

A second language can increase your assignment quota. There is no degree in proofreading but there are courses you can take online and offline at universities and colleges to equip you with the necessary knowledge for succeeding in this business. These include communication, linguistics, and journalism. Many companies will you ask you to complete a test to find out how well your skills are. Any courses or workshops on English grammar, editing, publishing or the proofreading process is a distinct advantage.

Although some proofreaders work in house for companies, majority of them are freelancers. There are few full-time positions for in house proofreads and competition for these positions is fierce. However, freelance proofreading has its own negative drawbacks. Many proofreaders do not earn a full-time living from this work, and must combine it with other work. Despite the low wages, set up for this business is cost effective, and having the right training in business can help a freelance proofreader earn more. The types of material you proof can have a significant impact on your earnings. For instance, proofreaders that proofread books prior to publication earn quite a fortune. But most proofreaders are paid per page and receive $3-$10 a page. The faster you are at proofreading the more money you can earn.

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