What does a proofreader do?

Hey there! Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I greatly appreciate your support!

Are you interested in becoming a proofreader working from home and want to learn more about the work a proofreader does?

Learn what a proofreader does and how you can get proofreading jobs from home.

Many people are unclear as to what proofreaders actually do when they receive a document for proofreading.

In reality, the tasks a good proofreader will complete will vary according to the type of document they are reading, the intended audience for the document, and the instructions they receive from the client.

To learn more about getting proofreading work from home, how to become a proofreader, and what's involved, check out this FREE workshop for proofreaders.

Below you will find some examples of the types of processes an online proofreader may implement:

Identify necessary changes.

Online proofreaders will create a clone of the first document and will then mark any amendments that are required clearly on this version. They will generally highlight punctuation, spelling, grammatical and syntax errors. Customers will receive two documents from their proofreader; one that contains the original document with all changes highlighted, and one that contains all of the proofreader's changes in final form.

Ensure that the language and grammatical style used throughout the document is consistent.

It is very common for people to switch between different forms of English within their written prose, especially when they have written a long document such as a dissertation or a manuscript. A good proofreader will check the document for consistency and ensure that one style is utilized throughout, except where the document warrants a change in language. If necessary they will correct the copy to ensure consistency.

grammarly The #1 Writing Tool

Compare two documents:

In some cases, proofreaders may be asked to compare two documents line by line (reading against copy). In this case, they will carefully examine each and every word and ensure that what is contained in one document is exactly the same in another.

Check the formatting of the document.

A good proofreader will not only look at the language, grammar, and spelling contained within a document, they will also provide assistance with formatting.

They will proofread the entire document to ensure that page numbers are consecutive, headings are correct, all figures and tables are correctly referenced and quotations and citations are presented appropriately. This can be especially useful to people who have prepared dissertations, theses, manuscripts, or legal documents for formal purposes.

It is important to note that proofreaders will not re-edit the work in full. They may make changes to spelling, grammar, and formatting or deal with inconsistencies, but they will not restructure or rewrite the paper; this is the role of an editor.

Grammarly Writing Support

In the past, you would generally hire a proofreader via a writing or publication agency. Recruiting a proofreader would be a long drawn-out process where you would request a quote and wait several days until work started. Such proofreaders were, and still are, very expensive.

Today, however, things are very different. You can access online proofreading services for very low prices. The best sites are able to offer full online order processing and will have transparent and up-front pricing schedules. Look for a site that offers you the ability to communicate directly with the proofreader throughout the process.

Check out Caitlin Pyle's FREE Introductory Workshop
to find out how to become a proofreader!

Proofreading Rates

How much do proofreaders Make

Salary.com mentions this: The average Proofreader salary in the United States is $57,473 in 2023 and top earners are making $73,073. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.From Salary.com

salaries of proofreaders

Glassdoor mentions that proofreaders in the US make an average of $54,000 annually, with the top end of earners making over $68,000 per year.
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/proofreader-salary-SRCH_KO0,11.htm

how much does a proofreader make?

Where to Get Proofreading Jobs

Looking for a proofreader or getting proofreading jobs from home?

Here are some places where you can find proofreading jobs from home:

  • To promote your proofreading service I recommend that you become familiar with freelance sites and social media sites like Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • See my blog post with a large listing of popular freelance sites.
  • Promote your proofreading services on Fiverr.
  • FlexJobs – Find legitimate work-at-home jobs in 50+ categories. Save up to 30% at FlexJobs with code SAVE30 and find your new remote job. 
  • https://www.upwork.com/freelance-jobs/
  • https://editfast.com/#
  • www.proofreadexpert.com
  • editfast.com

Check out Caitlin Pyle's FREE Introductory Workshop
to find out how to become a proofreader

Proofreading jobs can really help supplement your income. Check out Caitlin's FREE introductory proofreading workshop to help you get started!

Related Posts:

Vappingo.com is an online proofreading editing services provider. They are SEO experts and have vast experience in editing copy that attracts Google search engines. Their state-of-the-art 24/7 online ordering system allows customers to quickly and easily access expert proofreading services at an affordable, transparent price. For more information about vappingo.com, please visit their website: proofreading editing.