Make $400/ Day Spotting Errors

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If you are good at spotting errors, like spelling mistakes, typos, grammatical errors, punctuation, etc. Then you are a proofreader. You can make money from home by just Proofreading. 

Let’s understand first. What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is going through written texts and checking for errors. Spelling mistakes, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Issues with consistency or formatting. 

Proofreading is the very essential final process of all important pieces of writing work. 

Because this is the most essential task in writing work, there’s plenty of scope for proofreading online jobs such as academic papers for publications, admission essays, resumes, business emails, and documents.

Is Proofreading and Editing the same?

This is the one big question, I myself was confused about this. The two are often used interchangeably, but there is a remarkable difference between them. 

Proofreading mainly focuses on grammatical errors, typos, spelling mistakes, and punctuations, in the written text, while editors take a broader view, and make major changes to the writing structure, examining the content, clarity, and tone in addition to correcting the grammatical errors. 

Finalizing a written piece for submission needs both editing and proofreading, and both are equally vital steps.

But proofreaders are the final players in the work, they check the whole text over for any minor grammatical mistakes or typos that may have crept through.

How Much Money did I make as a Proofreader?

I made around $280 per day working flexible hours. There were two ways I charged for proofreading jobs, one was by the hour and the other was by word count. 

Experience level, Difficulty of the job, and whether you are an amateur or pro will impact the rates. As a beginner, I earned around $100 per day. It was a good start I’d say as I had no experience. 

As I gained more experience my rates increased, it not only affected my pay, but also my speed of proofreading had become faster and more efficient. 

Do you need to be skilled or hold a degree to make money as a proofreader?

I have no degree and I didn’t need one to do the freelance editing job. There are some businesses that demand that their proofreader have a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree, but most of the businesses don’t care about it and they just bother with the results. 

If you don’t have any experience or degree you can still make money proofreading online from home. Having said that you need to be skilled in spotting errors, and you have to be good at grammar and spelling.

5 Tools for Work-from-Home Proofreading Jobs

You will require some vital tools to effectively complete proofreading tasks from home. here are a few of them:

Spellchecker: The very first tool you will need for this is a spell checker. This will rake through your written text searching for typos and grammatical mistakes. This is a simple tool, but is awfully necessary for proofreading.

Grammarly: And of course, our good old Grammarly is no doubt the best tool for this job. Grammarly is the most accurate tool for correcting grammatical errors. Grammarly is your weapon for this job as it not only corrects the errors, but also furnishes explanations and suggestions for each grammatical error with the plagiarism checker.

Ginger: If you are looking for something other than Grammarly then ginger is also one of the best tools we have for grammar. Compared to other spell checkers ginger is more efficient for proofreading more complex texts because it can spot and correct the hardest grammatical errors. It’s also an excellent tool for polishing and improving your own writing.

Google Docs: Google Docs is another crucial tool for online editing. As it is simple to receive, send and share files with clients. There are numerous editing tools and add-ons available, as well as the option to store work offline, using this free service.

Antivirus: Finally, although they are often disregarded, security and antivirus software are vital components of online proofread. They’re important for both your own internet security and the safety and confidentiality of client documents. 

10 Top Online Proofreading Jobs

There are many ways for finding proofreading jobs online, like applying on websites that specifically provide proofreading jobs and joining large freelancing platforms.

But here are some very good legit options to get paid to proofread

1. Up work

One of the top websites for beginners for proofreading jobs Up work is also the largest platform for freelancers broadly.

Upwork is an excellent place to find work-from-home jobs because it has a massive amount of freelance job listings. Getting opportunities for editing and proofreading will be quite simple because of the platform’s excellent usability and navigation.

But there are downsides to using Upwork

First of all, it will be difficult to get a good salary because there are countless freelancers willing to accept meager pay. So, in order to outbid other proofreaders, you’ll probably need to undersell your services. Up work also imposes a 20% service fee.

Though the pay is on the downside, Up work is great for beginner proofreaders looking to gain experience.

However, it’s a fantastic place to begin your online proofreading career, and if you sell yourself efficiently, you can find clients willing to pay you reasonably.

2. FlexJobs

FlexJobs are a huge online platform, similar to Up work, that lists new jobs for beginners and skilled freelancers. However, unlike Up work, FlexJobs charges $14.95 per month for joining. 

But, there may be an advantage in that there will be less competition for jobs. FlexJobs also make sure all of its job listings are genuine, has a user-friendly platform, and provides tremendous support.

FlexJobs are a different online freelance website, but it’s a great place to find new clients and jobs for proofreading.

3. Fiverr

Like Upwork and FlexJobs. Fiverr is yet another website that offers a massive amount of work for beginner proofreaders along with a great range of other freelance jobs. 

Fiverr has the same drawbacks as Up work in that there are many low-paying jobs available, with the lowest offer being $5, But it’s easy to get started and find work, you just need to have a catchy impressive profile.

Nevertheless, as a beginner proofreader, it’s a fantastic way to gain experience. Once you have this experience, you can move on to better sites and claim more for your services.

4. Scribendi

Scribendi does not have a massive platform like Up Work Fiverr or flexjobs which have all kinds of freelance work. But Scribendi specializes in providing specific editing and proofreading jobs. 

Scribendi is a Canadian company hiring remote editors across the globe, You stand to gain in many ways working with scribendi.

One, is they make regular and reliable payments in USD via PayPal, and you get complete flexibility in the jobs you choose. Second, your account will stay active as long as you do one project every three months. Third, they provide courses in editing and proofreading, as well as a forum where you can chat with other proofreaders about a variety of topics.

You must, however, meet a few qualifications in order to register for Scribendi. You should be university-educated, a native English speaker with at least three years of experience, and should be able to proofread at least 1,000 words per hour. You also need to have at least three years of experience.

I myself had not had enough experience, but was lucky enough to get accepted, but I was quite good in my speed of 1,000 words per hour, So I would suggest that even if you don’t meet the requirements apply for the job. 

If you are accepted, it’s a great platform to join as a freelance proofreader.

5. Scribbr

Scriber is a proofreading and editing platform, it specializes in helping students perfect their theses and dissertations. Scribbr is good for both beginners and experienced proofreaders. 

To apply here, you have to go through a thorough and lengthy process. The application process involves a language quiz, a resume, and motivation statement, a language editing task, and a scribbr academy training program. 

After being selected as a Proofreader and editor, you can make around $25 per hour.

6. Proofreading Services

Proofreading Services are another great platform. You can get remote Proofreading jobs part-time and full-time. 

It’s like Scribendi, with completely flexible work hours, you have the liberty to work as much or as little as you want 

The average pay ranges from $19 to $46 per hour, you can make extra cash working from home or anywhere living independently. 

7. Proofreading Pal

If you are a college student then this should prove a perfect platform for online Proofreading jobs. 

This is just great for college and university students, Proofreading Pal offers flexible work with pay ranging from $500 to $3000 monthly. 

However, this is not for beginners because they hire current graduate students with an average GPA of 3.5 and above or those with a graduate degree and a minimum of 5 years of editing experience. 

Proofreading Pal has tough qualification criteria, but it’s worth it. If you think you qualify, it’s a great platform to work.

8. Gramlee

Gramlee is one of the recommended platforms for great work-from-home Proofreading jobs.

Unlike Proofreading Pal, Gramlee is good for beginner proofreaders. 

You can earn $0.03 per word, for a maximum of 3,000 words (so, a maximum of $90 per order). Beyond 3,000 words, they start to charge more, but only senior editors are able to access those larger, better-paid orders.

The application process is very simple here. You just have to fill out a short questionnaire about your previous work experience. You have more chances of being contacted if you have more experience. 

9. Polished Paper

Polished Paper is a great website for a little experienced person. 

They look for the best editors with good Proofreading experience, and they pay for these qualifications accordingly. 

The application process is somewhat like Proofreading Pal and consequently quite difficult; you’ll need to register an account, upload your résumé, and fill out a 35-question test, followed by an interview.

But It’s tough to pass the test for the interview. So those who want to work with Polished Paper, need to take their time filling out the test. People who qualify should go for it because, in the end, it’s worth it. It’s also a great place to work as a freelance Proofreader. 

10. Edit Fast

OK, this is the last website on our list. 

Edit fast is filled with postings for freelance proofreaders and editors. 

It’s very easy to apply to edit fast, you have to register online, upload a resume, take an editing test, sign a nondisclosure agreement and build the profile. 

After approval, you just have to apply for jobs on the listings. The communications with clients are done via edit fast and you get paid through PayPal 

But here’s one big drawback, it takes 40% of your final cut. 

When it’s that easy there has to be a drawback. But I’d say for beginners, this is a good choice to gain experience. 

Keep trying, make a good approach, plan your moves, and don’t get let down by rejection. Consistency is the key to success.