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As someone who has extensively researched where to find proofreading jobs, I’m here to let you know about your options. When I began my career as a proofreader, I wanted to know all the places I could encounter proofreading jobs so I could find the ones I was best suited for.
Proofreading jobs can be found on freelance platforms and job boards. You’ll find them on the websites of editing companies, editorial organizations, and publishing houses too. You can also land work by starting an online proofreading business, networking, and cold emailing potential clients.
Let’s look at the many choices for finding your next proofreading job. We’ll discover some of the most popular options for each place mentioned above.
Find Online Proofreading Jobs on Freelance Platforms
A freelance platform is an online space where buyers (clients) can connect with sellers (freelancers). If you’re interested in working from home, joining freelance platforms is one of the most popular ways to get remote proofreading jobs.
The reason it’s so popular is that these platforms advertise for you.
Your job is to set up a profile and write a brief sales pitch to the clients whose projects you’d like to work on.
Some of the most popular freelance platforms are the following:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- Guru
- PeoplePerHour
Fiverr is the only platform listed that doesn’t require you to pitch to potential clients.
You have to wait for clients to come to you to purchase the services you offer.
Jobs on freelance platforms usually aren’t the most lucrative opportunities because they’re competitive, and the platform takes a cut of your pay. But if you’re just starting, it’s an excellent option to get experience and hone your skills.
Luckily, it’s free to post your profile on these platforms.
I started my proofreading career on Fiverr and landed a client within three weeks of posting my profile.
If you’d like to learn more about freelancing on this platform, I’ve written a comprehensive article geared toward proofreaders about how to be successful on Fiverr.
One advantage of these platforms is that you can find both short- and long-term projects to work on. For example, you can offer to proofread blog posts or novels. Of course, you can do both if you’d prefer.
These assignments will help you get experience with a wide variety of documents and allow you to accumulate positive reviews so you can eventually charge higher rates or obtain higher-paying jobs elsewhere.
Scout Out Proofreading Positions on Job Boards
Job boards are online platforms where businesses advertise job offers to potential employees.
These job boards (except for FlexJobs) usually post in-house positions; however, you can find opportunities for remote work.
Below is a list of some of the most popular online job boards.
- FlexJobs—some great remote opportunities, but you pay a fee to use their site
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- SimplyHired
- CareerBuilder
- Monster
- ZipRecruiter
- LinkedIn—a networking site for professionals, also a great place to find work
Looking on job boards makes sense if you’re seeking long-term employment and all the benefits (e.g., health insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid vacation time) that go with it. You can search for both part-time and full-time jobs on these sites.
Most job board sites let you set up a profile and upload your résumé for free. You can do that on all the sites listed above, except FlexJobs.
(FlexJobs charges for using their site since they scout out the best opportunities and screen each job they post to ensure it’s legitimate.)
Posting your résumé allows you to be seen by hiring managers and recruiters who may invite you to apply for an open position.
Finally, many sites have a feature that alerts users when opportunities that meet their job search criteria become available.
Look for Work at Online Proofreading Companies
You can also apply for jobs offered by online companies that provide proofreading services. Most of these jobs involve working on a freelance basis. If you’re hired by one of these businesses, they usually have a running list of proofreading assignments.
You can work on the jobs that appeal to you. Some of these companies have many assignments to choose from, whereas others hire so many proofreaders at once that it can be challenging to find steady work.
The requirements to work for one of these businesses vary.
Some companies require you to have a degree to be eligible to apply. Others want you to have several years of proofreading experience before working for them.
However, not all of them require proofreaders to have experience.
I wrote an article about the best remote proofreading jobs for beginners (no experience required) if you’d like to check out some legitimate opportunities.
Consider Being a Proofreader for a Publishing House
Some proofreaders are only interested in proofreading books; they enjoy working on long-term projects. If this sounds like your cup of tea, working for a publishing company could be a fabulous fit for you.
Just keep in mind that the competition for these jobs is steep!
When we think of publishing houses, we usually think of the “Big Five” book publishers:
It used to be the “Big Six” until Penguin and Random House merged in 2013.
Starting at a small publishing company may help you get your foot in the door if you eventually want to work for a well-known publishing house. Also, scoring an internship or entry-level proofreading position at a local publishing company could give you a leg up on the competition.
Furthermore, being a ninja networker has advantages.
Finally, it’s a good idea to research the publishing house you’d like to work for. This way, you can learn the company’s ins and outs and the requirements for working there.
If you want to be a book proofreader but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, you can work for self-publishing authors. I wrote an article about how to find at-home book proofreading jobs.
Other Opportunities
Other options for securing work require more effort, but they can be worth the reward.
These options include starting an online proofreading business, networking, and cold emailing.
Start an Online Proofreading Business
One surefire way to increase your earnings is to create an online proofreading company. If you have some money to pay for advertising, Google Ads is an option for attracting visitors to your new website.
Running your own proofreading business means you can keep 100% of the profit.
Om Proofreading has a post about the top resources to build a website if you’d like to learn more. In this article, I explain a few basic ideas about starting a website and tell you about free places to find images for your site.
Network with Other Proofreaders
One of the best ways to score your first job can be through networking.
Do your family members, friends, or colleagues need your services?
Could you work your magic with one of their documents and then have them pass the word along that you’re looking for more business?
One way to provide a friendly reminder that you’re available is to create and distribute business cards not only to people in your social network but also to companies who you think could benefit from your services.
Note: To take this further, you can purchase a mass-marketing machine. (It’s like a snow-making machine, but instead of putting out tons of snow, it fires a thick stack of your business cards into the open air in rapid succession.)
Just use it in a highly populated area, and repeatedly scream something like “You won!” or “Don’t miss out!” as your business cards slowly sail to the ground. First impressions are everything, so how could you possibly go wrong with this tactic? 😉
Creating a LinkedIn profile that’s visible to recruiters is another way to showcase your services.
You can also join proofreading-related groups on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn more about marketing and other proofreading-related topics.
Send Cold Emails to Land Your Next Proofreading Gig
You can email potential clients who could benefit from your hawkeyed help. Of course, this requires a heaping dose of tact. But with persistence, you may have some luck.
Just make sure to customize each email you send.
If your target clients write about topics that interest you, let them know how much you enjoyed what they said and how you’d love to help them polish their work to make it shine even brighter.
If you’d like guidance on identifying your target clients, please check out my post “Proofreading Niches: How and Why to Choose One.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start as a proofreader?
To get started as a proofreader, you need to understand a proofreader’s role and ensure the job matches your strengths and desired income. To compete in the market, it’s necessary to receive adequate training from a reputable proofreading course.
After developing the needed skills, you can advertise your services and look for jobs suited to beginners.
What qualifications do I need to be a proofreader?
Fortunately, no qualifications are needed for most proofreading jobs. However, you’ll find jobs that require a degree (sometimes even a PhD). Nevertheless, plenty of opportunities are available to those who don’t have a degree but have developed the skill set needed to be a successful proofreader.
Can I be a proofreader from home?
Yes, you can be a proofreader from home. Most proofreaders do their job remotely. Thanks to the digital methods now available to mark up texts, many proofreading jobs that previously took place in offices can now be done from the comfort of your home.
I published a post about whether proofreaders can work remotely if you’d like to read more about this.
I hope this article has given you several useful options for finding proofreading jobs as a new proofreader.
Best wishes to you!
“Comparison kills creativity. There is room for you. Nobody can do it with your voice, with your experience, with your insight.”
– Karen Walrond
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