What is Proofreading and How to Become a Proofreader with No Experience

Do you know what we’ve just realized? We’ve been writing this proofreading blog for so long that we just assume everyone landing on our page already knows what proofreading entails, so we’ve never done a basic “What is proofreading?” blog post! Silly us! 

However, when we look at some of the frequently asked questions we receive, it’s obvious we haven’t been answering those questions on our blog. 

So now we’re going right back to basics by taking an in-depth look at what proofreading is, who it’s a good fit for, and how you can become a proofreader. 

So, if you want to know how to become a proofreader with no experience who can deliver high-quality content, look no further. 

If you’ve just hit on the idea of becoming a freelance proofreader, but you’re not really sure what it involves, keep reading!

What is Proofreading

You might be wondering what the proofreading process looks like. Proofreading is the last step in the editorial process. It comes after the document has already been through the developmental and copy editing stages. A proofreader’s eyes will be the final set of eyes to check the document before it is printed or published online. 

Traditionally, proofreading would have been done when the book had been formatted and laid out, so proofreaders needed to focus on issues like awkward page and word breaks and inconsistencies in the layout. 

The proofreader would compare the printed version of the manuscript (proofs) against the edited copy to ensure that the formatting process introduced no errors. That will still be the case if you work with publishing houses, although the comparison may be done electronically now, rather than on printed proofs. 

Nowadays, many proofreaders work with bloggers or directly with self-publishing authors, so they often carry out the work in Microsoft Word or Google Docs before the formatting stage.

The use of proofreading marks is becoming less common, but they’re still interesting to know about.

What’s The Difference Between Proofreading and Editing?

A lot of people get mixed up between proofreading and copy editing or assume that they’re the same thing. They are similar, but there are some key differences.

Both copy editors and proofreaders check for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation; however, copy editors make changes at the sentence or word level. They suggest alternative words or rewrite sentences. A proofreader doesn’t rewrite. A copy editor will rewrite sentences and paragraphs and even restructure the text. 

There is even such a job as a line editor! Line editing is where the editor will go over each line meticulously ensuring there are no errors whatsoever. 

It’s important to identify the correct level of editing required; otherwise, you may end up copy editing at a proofreading rate. In traditional publishing houses, your job should be made very clear to you. But if you’re freelancing, you want to know the differences between the types of jobs. 

We covered the differences between proofreading and copy editing in detail in this post. 

What Kind of Errors do Proofreaders Look for?

A proofreader is responsible for double-checking documents for errors and typos, including:

• Typos
• Double words (“the the,” “and and,” etc.)
• Grammar errors
• Punctuation mistakes
• Spelling errors
• Formatting issues
• Ensuring the document adheres to the chosen style guide

The final version of the document needs to be perfect, so the proofreader’s job is to ensure you spot all the mistakes. 

Why is Proofreading Important?

Proofreading ensures readers can immerse themselves in the content rather than get distracted by errors. If a document is full of typos or grammatical errors, the reader will be yanked right out of the story. They will be trying to understand what the writer meant rather than enjoying what they read or learning from it. 

Proofreaders also protect a writer’s or business’s reputation. We stop them from making embarrassing or costly mistakes. The editing process is key for a business, which is why us proofreaders are so important! 

In the online era, it’s even more important to make sure as few errors slip through the cracks as possible. If they do slip through, the writer can get torn apart on social media. Internet trolls take no prisoners!

Who Hires Proofreaders? Are Proofreaders in Demand?

A lot of people wonder if proofreaders are in demand. The answer to that is YES! 

The great thing about being a proofreader is that there are many markets where you can find work. None of these markets are oversaturated with quality proofreaders.

Here are some of the proofreading clients you can work with:

• Self-publishing authors
• Publishing houses
• Bloggers
• College or graduate students
• Newspapers
• Anyone with a résumé/LinkedIn profile
• Web content creators
• Marketing managers
• Graphic designers
• Scriptwriters
• Transcriptionists
• Business owners/entrepreneurs
• Podcasters
• Court reporters

With so many different potential clients available, it can be difficult to narrow down your marketing message. Choosing a proofreading niche is a great way to tailor your marketing to a select group of people so they can find you more easily. 

When choosing a niche, consider what your interests and experience are like. Do you have a science degree? Maybe you could proofread academic papers in this area. 

Have a hobby? Mention it on your website, so people who have written content about that topic are aware of your interest in the area.

Interested in the legal system? You could specialize in proofreading court transcripts. This is an even more specialized niche, and it’s one of our favorites because it has greater scope for you to get repeat clients. 

You can learn about the difference between general proofreading and transcript proofreading here.  

Picking a niche allows you to position yourself as an expert, and you can build a reputation as an excellent proofreader for this particular topic.

Who Can Be a Proofreader?

Well, the amazing thing about a proofreading service is that there are so many different routes to go down. Every single person or business that creates content needs a proofreader. As a result, the list of documents a proofreader could work on is almost endless. 

For example, here is a list of texts that need to be proofread: 

• Books
• Blogs
• Essays/papers/theses
• White papers
• Résumés/LinkedIn profiles
• Newspaper articles
• Marketing copy
• Scripts
• General transcripts
• Legal transcripts
• Emails
• Letters
• Contracts
• Press releases
• Product descriptions

Whatever niche you go down, we recommend having completed some proofreading courses to help polish your skills and hone your profession. 

How to Become a Proofreader with No Experience

Wondering what tools you need to become a proofreader? The answer is that there are very few. It really doesn’t cost much to start a proofreading business. 

All you need is a laptop, a reliable internet connection, and a few grammar books or style guides.

For us, this is the most important part; you must use your resources if you want to be an excellent proofreader. 

Style guides are manuals that provide guidelines for the grammar, punctuation, and formatting rules of various documents. Excellent proofreaders take the time to become very familiar with these guides.

Which style guides you will use depends on your niche and the types of documents you work with. The most used style guides are:

• The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
• The Associated Press Stylebook (AP)
• The MLA Style Manual
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA style)

Our General Proofreading course is based on the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines.

Following a style manual will ensure that the document is consistent throughout, which will make it easier to read. 

One of the best ways to get more familiar with grammar is to read grammar books. (They’re fun, we swear!)

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Step 1: Develop Basic Skills

Proofreaders need to have an above-average understanding of grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. Punctuation errors pop up alllll the time, so you really need to know those rules inside out. You can hone your grammar skills, but it’s better if you have a natural ability in this area and a tendency to spot errors.  

You also need to have an eagle eye for detail. A person who skims while they read or who doesn’t care about the nitty-gritty will probably not be a good fit for proofreading.

If you routinely spot factual errors when reading books, blog posts, ads, billboards, menus, or just about any copy, there’s a good chance proofreading would be a good fit for you!

You must also possess soft skills like communication, time management, and the ability to meet deadlines. These are transferable skills that many people will have likely picked up in their previous work experience. 

Step 2: Learn the Basics of Proofreading

If you want to become a successful proofreader, you must hone your editorial skills. Proofreaders must have an eye for detail, above-average knowledge of grammar rules, and a willingness to research what they don’t know. 

Even if you have a strong natural grammar ability, you still need to make sure that your knowledge of the rules is up-to-date as language changes over time. Continuous professional development is essential. 

Taking a course is a great way to update your knowledge. Our Proofread Anywhere courses not only test your grammar skills, but they also teach you how to create a successful proofreading business.

We highly recommend taking a proofreading course before looking for clients, especially if you have no experience. Having some sort of proofreading qualifications will make your skills look even better when searching for clients. 

Our Transcript Proofreading course includes over 3,000 pages of practice transcripts, and our General Proofreading course includes 40 practice essays. That’s like having 40 practice clients before you even start!

Having some proofreading resources in your wheelhouse of knowledge will be beneficial when you are seeking clients and producing high-quality work for them.  

Step 3: Build a Portfolio

You might be wondering if you need some sort of qualification to start a proofreading career. Well, we’re here to tell you no. 

You don’t need a degree to become a proofreader. All you need is an eagle eye for detail and a strong knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. 

Occasionally, if you want to proofread academic papers, you may be required to have a qualification in that area, but in general, you do not need a degree. 

If you don’t have a degree or any proofreading experience, you can still get proofreading jobs from individuals like self-publishing authors or bloggers. In our experience—and the experience of many of our students—these kinds of clients are not concerned whether you have a degree or tons of experience.

That’s not to say you don’t need any proofreading training!

Even if you were top of your high school English class, chances are you will have forgotten a lot of the rules over the years. And you may never have been trained to follow a certain style guide so that you apply the rules consistently. 

There’s still a lot to learn when it comes to working as a professional proofreader, but luckily it can be learned for much, much less than the cost of a degree.

Not only will proofreading training give you the confidence to do your job well but it will also ensure that you can compete with other proofreaders out there who have completed training.

At the end of the day, you just want to build a solid portfolio that grabs attention. Offer your services (unpaid to begin with) to family and friends. From here, you can compile a sellable portfolio that proves your worth!

Step 4: Gain Experience

Everyone makes mistakes—even proofreaders. Shocking, we know! Proofreaders are held to such a high standard, but sometimes we make mistakes. What can we say!

But those mistakes get fewer and fewer the more we learn, so to get over your fear of making mistakes, get as much proofreading practice as you can.

Do online quizzes and look up any of the questions you get wrong. Practice makes progress, y’all! 

The more you practice proofreading, the more the errors will start to jump out at you. Many proofreaders comment on the fact that they now struggle to read for pleasure because they’re always subconsciously looking for errors.

That’s one tiny drawback, but the benefits of proofreading professionally more than make up for it, like doing work you enjoy, the ability to make money from home, and the satisfaction of being your own boss.

Step 5: Market Yourself

Now you have to show your skills off and sell yourself as a professional proofreading service. You need to present your best proofreader qualities to the world to get clients. 

We suggest creating a LinkedIn profile to start networking on. This way, you can connect with other people in your proofreading niches who could help you get work. 

A good way of making contacts is through joining writing groups and socializing. You’ll be surprised how many people get jobs simply through word of mouth.

Want to unlock LinkedIn’s full potential? We’ve got you covered! Our course shows you exactly how to turn LinkedIn into a client-generating powerhouse, with expert tips and strategies to help you use this platform effectively and boost your career.

Step 6: Leverage Proofreading Tools

Proofreading tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can be a useful final check to make sure there are no remaining errors, but they shouldn’t be relied on as the only means of proofreading a document. 

These tools can help pick up small errors (especially when you’re tired!), but ultimately your eyes will be the best source of proofreading. Let’s be real: you will be able to see the correct format, but the tool will be able to pick up a double use of “and.” We’ve all got our strengths! 

Tools like these often can’t pick up on context, so they may highlight things that are not errors. They may also be programmed to highlight errors that are really just myths or rules that have since changed. 

Step 7: Seek Paid Opportunities

When trying to find paid opportunities, we suggest knowing how the industry works. For example, knowing how the publishing process works could help when you apply for jobs in certain businesses. This just proves you have extra knowledge that could gain you the job.

When applying for jobs online, we suggest keeping your ads short and succinct. Don’t use any unnecessary phrases that distract from your work—keep it simple. 

Conclusion

We hope we’ve answered any questions you had about what proofreading is and how you can become a proofreader. We hope that you’ve gained some valuable proofreading tips and feel confident enough to jump into the world of editing and proofreading.

Ready to jump into being a freelance proofreader now that your questions have been answered? Check out our free proofreading workshop to learn how you can get started.