15 Execs and Cons of Being a Proofreader

In the event you’re excited about becoming a digital nomad, being profitable whereas touring around the globe, or simply merely looking for methods to make additional money on your subsequent trip, then changing into a contract, on-line proofreader is the way in which to go. Nonetheless, as with all job, there are each execs and cons of being a proofreader.

I first began proofreading professionally whereas dwelling overseas in Japan, and the additional earnings allowed me to spend many months backpacking across the complete nation, from Okinawa to Hakone, Tokyo, and Kyoto.

Whereas I completely love proofreading (and the cash and freedom that it affords me), I’ve a good bit of expertise coping with the downsides to working as a proofreader. So, should you’re questioning if proofreading is best for you, maintain studying; immediately, I’ll go over the 15 largest execs and cons of working as a proofreader.

☞ SEE ALSO: How to Become a Proofreader

Execs of Being a Proofreader

First, let’s deal with the entire unbelievable advantages of being a proofreader. Right here is my listing of the highest 9 benefits of working as a contract, on-line proofreader:

1. You Can Work from Anyplace

In the beginning, the best benefit of working as a web-based proofreader is that you are able to do it from anyplace on this planet. From a seaside within the Caribbean to the mountains of Nepal, all you must earn money as a proofreader is an web connection and a laptop.

This was the best attract for me after I first began out as an expert proofreader; I used to be searching for a technique to make good cash with out being tied all the way down to a selected location. Proofreading has allowed me to work whereas visiting international locations together with Japan, Scotland, Greece, Germany, and extra!

2. It’s Simple to Get Began

One other nice good thing about changing into an expert proofreader is that it’s surprisingly straightforward to get began. All you want is an web connection, entry to a laptop computer, and a few primary information of grammar and punctuation, (which most individuals have already got). You don’t even must spend money on any particular instruments or software program, Microsoft Phrase will do the trick, (though proofreading software can enhance your effectivity).

All I had after I first began out as a proofreader was an previous laptop computer and a Microsoft Workplace subscription, and I used to be set.

3. You Get to Be Your Personal Boss

One other good thing about working as a web-based proofreader is that you just get to be your personal boss. Wave goodbye to having to cope with choosy, micromanaging supervisors. By changing into a web-based proofreader, you’re open to begin doing issues your personal manner.

That is one in all my favourite elements of being a freelancer; you get to set your personal hours and workload, which lets you work when it’s most handy for you. Not solely does this provide you with extra freedom and adaptability when it comes to your schedule, but it surely additionally reduces stress and promotes a greater work-life steadiness.

4. There’s a Excessive Demand for Proofreaders

Subsequent, one of many biggest upsides of working as a proofreader is that there’s a excessive demand for them. With a lot written content material on the market on this planet (from emails, scholar papers, dissertations, novels, brief tales, weblog posts, information articles, and extra), there’s at all times a necessity for proofreaders to make sure that written supplies are free from grammar and punctuation errors.

5. There’s a Lot of Flexibility

One other good thing about being a web-based proofreader is that there’s a variety of flexibility within the function. You possibly can work when and the place you need, take breaks when you must, go to the grocery retailer in the midst of the day, and skip the frenzy hour site visitors.

6. You Get to Select Your Personal Hours

In the event you’re nonetheless asking your self “Is being a proofreader value it?”, then think about one in all my favourite benefits of being a proofreader: you get to decide on your personal hours.

In the event you’re best in the midst of the night time, you may work then. In case your buddy asks you to go to brunch on a Wednesday, you may go. As your personal boss, you could have the liberty to decide on if you work, and the way lengthy you’re employed for.

7. You Get to Select Your Purchasers

One other among the finest elements of working as a proofreader is that you just get to drop purchasers that you just don’t take pleasure in working with.

Now, this may not be attainable early on in your proofreading journey, as it may be difficult to seek out constant proofreading work at the beginning. Nonetheless, as you construct up your expertise and fame, it’ll turn out to be simpler and simpler to drop the purchasers that you just discover difficult to work with.

8. There’s a Lot of Selection

One of many explanation why I like working as a proofreader is that there’s a variety of job alternatives accessible. Generally, I’ll proofread a sociology paper on cultural appropriation, and different occasions, I’ll go over a PowerPoint presentation on the life cycle of roundworms!

With such all kinds of labor accessible for proofreaders, it’s thrilling to know you’ll probably study one thing new each time you decide up a brand new job.

9. There are Many Web sites Accessible to Discover Work

Final however not least, among the finest elements of being a proofreader is that there are numerous completely different web sites accessible to supply and safe new jobs. From increase a shopper base on freelancing platforms resembling Upwork and FlexJobs to becoming a member of a proofreading firm like Scribendi and Scribbr, there are numerous web sites accessible that can assist you discover work.

Cons of Working As a Proofreader

Now that we’ve gone by the entire benefits of working as a proofreader, let’s deal with the disadvantages. These are the highest six cons of being a proofreader:

1. It Takes Time to Construct a Constant Shopper Base

It may be tough for newbie proofreaders to get regular work, because it takes slightly time and persistence to construct a shopper base. And sadly, sourcing new purchasers and making use of to new jobs doesn’t pay the payments. Consequently, it may take some time earlier than you begin making good cash from proofreading.

2. Deadlines Can Be Tight

One other draw back to working as a proofreader is that you could be often be inundated by strict deadlines. Whether or not you unintentionally confirmed too many roles without delay otherwise you procrastinated, approaching deadlines could be tremendous aggravating. Furthermore, should you don’t full the work by the deadline, your professionalism, credibility, and pay can endure.

3. You May Must Take care of Tough Purchasers

One other vital drawback of working as a web-based proofreader is that you just typically should cope with tough, choosy, and bossy purchasers. And whereas it’s true that as a contract proofreader, you may drop any purchasers that you just don’t like working with, typically you must cope with these overbearing purchasers on account of a scarcity of labor. And belief me, it isn’t best.

4. The Work Can Get Repetitive

Whereas I principally take pleasure in proofreading, I admit that it typically will get boring. And if you’re coping with a very repetitive or tenuous proofreading job, it may turn out to be downright painful. After I get these kinds of jobs, I merely attempt to grind by it, so I can get it executed and over with ASAP.

5. It Can Be Isolating

In the event you’re nonetheless considering whether or not or not selecting to become a proofreader is an efficient choice for you, then think about one of many largest downsides of being a proofreader; you principally work independently, with no co-workers or supervisors. Whereas this may be an upside, it may additionally really feel isolating.

To assist curb these emotions of seclusion, I like to affix Fb teams and boards for on-line proofreaders. It’s an effective way to hunt recommendation and join with fellow freelance proofreaders.

6. There may be No Security Web

Lastly, one of many largest downsides to proofreading is that it doesn’t present a security web. As a self-employed freelancer, your pay cheque is totally depending on the quantity of labor you accomplish. So, should you’re experiencing a dry interval with little to no work, you merely received’t receives a commission.

Discover Proofreading Jobs

Now that we’ve gone over the entire execs and cons of being a proofreader, you could be questioning the right way to discover proofreading work within the first place. That can assist you out, listed below are my prime 5 suggestions for the right way to discover proofreading jobs online:

• By way of a proofreading course: The most effective methods to seek out work as a newbie proofreader is to take the Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader course (use promo code GOATS10 for 10% off), which comes with assured work with their accomplice firm, Proofed. This is among the greatest investments you may make as an aspiring digital nomad, as it can educate you the right way to excel as an expert proofreader whereas offering constant proofreading work thereafter.
• Upwork: As the biggest freelance job platform on the market, Upwork is filled with an abundance of proofreading work. This makes it the proper web site for each new and skilled proofreaders to safe new purchasers.
• FlexJobs: FlexJobs is among the largest web sites to seek out freelance work, and its job board is crammed with proofreading job alternatives. Though it prices $14.95 monthly to entry, the charge makes the roles much less aggressive than these discovered on Upwork.
• Scribendi: An organization targeted on offering proofreading and modifying providers, Scribendi is continually searching for new distant editors and proofreaders. I joined Scribendi after I first began proofreading, and it was wonderful to get constant work as a newbie; I positively suggest checking it out.
• Scribbr: For a proofreading and modifying firm targeted on scholar papers and dissertations, you must try Scribbr. Whereas it may be tenuous to complete the appliance, you’ll be capable of discover constant work when you’re accepted.

☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Best Proofreading Software and Tools (Free and Paid)

Execs and Cons of Working as a Proofreader: FAQs

Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on working as a proofreader:

Is Being a Proofreader Value It?

General, solely you may resolve if the pliability and talent to work remotely is well worth the lack of advantages and the time it takes to construct your shopper base and reap the rewards.

It additionally comes all the way down to how a lot you wish to proofread. In the event you like to seek for the grammatical and spelling errors in an editorial, creating the proper product for purchasers, then you definitely would love working as a proofreader. However, should you hate nitpicking and like to have a look at the larger image, proofreading may not be best for you.

And should you’re nonetheless unsure if proofreading is best for you, I like to recommend making an attempt it out regardless. That’s actually one of the simplest ways to find out whether or not being a proofreader is your subsequent path.