When you’re taken with turning into a digital nomad, making good cash on-line whereas lazing on a seaside by the Mediterranean, or tenting on the hovering Canadian Rockies, I like to recommend that you simply attempt proofreading on-line. Earlier than you begin, nevertheless, you’ll want to think about the {qualifications} to be a proofreader.

With a lot written content material being launched in at this time’s digital world, proofreading is in demand. And fortuitously, this job could be labored from anyplace.

I started freelance proofreading after I began residing overseas in Japan, and the additional money allowed me to backpack across the complete nation; from exploring Tokyo to trekking round Iriomote Island. Proofreading can also be considered one of my favourite on-line jobs; it’s a lot enjoyable to learn all kinds of written work, from pupil sociology essays to media information articles and neuroscience analysis papers.

However, in the event you’re taken with proofreading on-line, you’ll first have to think about the various necessities to safe proofreading jobs. So, that will help you out, I listed out the ten {qualifications} that it is advisable be a contract proofreader.

With out additional ado, let’s start.

☞ SEE ALSO: Easy methods to Turn out to be a Proofreader

{Qualifications} to Be a Proofreader

Earlier than we dive proper in, I simply wish to make clear that whereas having these 10 {qualifications} to grow to be a proofreader is very advisable earlier than beginning your proofreading profession, not all of them are required. Many of those abilities could be discovered or developed whereas working as a proofreader, and there are various proofreaders which can be simply as profitable with out a few of these traits.

Nevertheless, it’s a lot more durable to do nicely as a proofreader with out these abilities, so I undoubtedly suggest engaged on them. With that being mentioned, let’s get began with the ten final {qualifications} to be a proofreader:

1. Take a Proofreading Course

First, one of many key {qualifications} for turning into a contract proofreader is the completion of a proofreading course. Not solely will this let you achieve precious perception into the basics of grammar and proofreading, however you’ll even be extra marketable to potential shoppers. The appropriate course can even expose you to the terminology, guidelines, and finest practices for locating errors, recognizing inconsistencies, and bettering the writing of others.

One of many finest proofreading programs accessible is the Knowadays Turning into a Proofreader course, because it comes with assured work with their accomplice firm, Proofed.

Whereas I by no means personally took a course particular to proofreading, I did take a grammar and punctuation refresher previous to beginning my first proofreading job, and it was instrumental in offering me with the instruments, sources, and confidence to begin proofreading professionally. So, I undoubtedly suggest taking some type of course earlier than you begin to proofread on-line.

2. Sturdy Grammar and Punctuation Expertise

Subsequent, one of many greatest necessities to be a proofreader is to have distinctive grammar and punctuation abilities.

Now, I do know that this level could be just a little apparent to you however it should be mentioned. Understanding the ins and outs of grammar and punctuation is crucial for figuring out errors in written content material, comparable to misplaced commas, misused phrases, inaccurate verb tenses, incorrect pronoun utilization, sentence fragments, and extra. It’s certainly one of the vital essential abilities a proofreader will need to have.

When you’re not fully snug together with your present English abilities, you may all the time take a category on English grammar. Doing this helped me tremendously after I first began out; I by no means appreciated what number of guidelines there are within the English language till I took a category on it!

3. Submit-Secondary Expertise

I wish to preface this by saying that having post-secondary expertise is certainly not a requirement for working as a web-based proofreader. Nevertheless, having some type of faculty diploma or diploma can actually enable you to thrive as an expert proofreader.

This doesn’t need to be an English diploma; any post-secondary expertise can give you a bonus over opponents because it makes you extra marketable to potential shoppers. It might additionally make you stand out for being extra specialised in your proofreading area of interest.

For example, whereas I’ve a bachelor’s diploma, it isn’t in English, it’s in neuroscience. And having this diploma provides me an enormous benefit when proofreading tutorial articles, analysis papers, grants, and theses in STEM. So, having some faculty expertise has personally helped me achieve extra shoppers than I might have been capable of in any other case.

4. Laptop Expertise

Having some expertise, or information, working with computer systems is essential for working as a web-based proofreader. And don’t fear, it doesn’t need to be in depth; you don’t have to know how you can construct programming or something like that. However you’ll undoubtedly profit from being snug with the fundamentals and fundamentals.

As skilled proofreaders should have the ability to use digital instruments like PDF editors, grammar-checking applications, text-comparing software program, and different functions with ease, realizing how you can navigate a pc is crucial. Moreover, with the intention to be environment friendly (and subsequently, earn more money) as a proofreader, you’ll additionally want quick and correct typing abilities.

My laptop information is fairly fundamental; I understand how to make use of Microsoft Workplace, Adobe Acrobat, WordPress, and Google Docs. And that is sufficient for many proofreaders, so don’t fear in case your laptop information is considerably restricted too.

5. Familiarity with One or Extra Model Guides

One other important qualification to be a proofreader is to be educated with a number of type guides, comparable to MLA, APA, and Chicago type. That is particularly vital in the event you’re hoping to proofread pupil papers and tutorial writing.

Why is that this the case? Effectively, a key element of proofreading entails checking the formatting of the written content material, and every type information has totally different formatting guidelines. For example, the citations in MLA require the creator’s final title and web page quantity, whereas the citations in APA require the creator’s final title and publication yr.

Fortunately, I gained familiarity with type guides by means of my faculty diploma (one more reason why having some post-secondary expertise can assist). When you’re taken with reviewing the type guides, I like to recommend testing the Purdue On-line Writing Lab.

6. Element-Oriented

Presumably one of the vital vital qualities it is advisable be a proofreader is to be detail-oriented.

That is one other apparent level, however it should be mentioned regardless. As a proofreader, you want to have the ability to decide up on even the subtlest of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. And in the event you’re required to nit-pick an editorial, being meticulous is crucial.

I discover that one of the simplest ways to hone this ability is to begin studying by means of an article a number of occasions and pay shut consideration to the usage of language, grammar, punctuation, and extra. I generally get sidetracked by how fascinating the written content material is (and sometimes, how boring), so re-reading the writing a number of occasions is certainly needed. With sufficient observe and dedication, you’ll grow to be more proficient at recognizing errors and inconsistencies in written content material.

7. Self-Disciplined and Nice with Deadlines

Subsequent, two of essentially the most vital abilities that you simply’ll have to have with the intention to achieve success as a contract proofreader are self-discipline and assembly deadlines.

Assembly deadlines early and promptly reveals shoppers that you simply’re an expert and reliable proofreader. This makes it extra doubtless that the shoppers will return to you many times, they usually’ll even be extra more likely to suggest your companies to different potential shoppers.

When you’re anxious that you could be not be self-disciplined sufficient to be a proofreader, don’t fret; there are various methods so that you can keep up to the mark. One of many greatest hacks that I take advantage of is to provide myself an earlier deadline than the one supplied. That manner, I can be sure that I meet my deadlines on time, and sometimes even earlier than anticipated.

Total, as a proofreader, you have to have the ability to keep organized and on prime of your tasks. So, construct good habits to make sure that you all the time stay dependable and constant in your work.

8. Time Administration Expertise

When you’re nonetheless questioning what {qualifications} it is advisable be a proofreader, one of the vital essential abilities that you simply’ll want is time administration abilities.

That is much like being self-disciplined, however it does differ in some methods. Sure, you want time administration abilities with the intention to meet your deadlines, however excelling at time administration additionally entails being organized, prioritizing a very powerful or most arduous duties, setting objectives, and making a schedule.

For example, after I’m planning to spend a complete day proofreading, I set short-term objectives for a way a lot of the written content material I wish to get by means of by (for instance) 12 o’clock. I additionally wish to deal with one job at a time; as an illustration, I’ll begin by specializing in proofreading the formatting and citations, then I’ll examine to see in the event that they use the Oxford comma or not, and so on.

9. Able to Working Independently

Having the ability to work independently is a vital qualification for turning into a contract proofreader.

Proofreading is a job with little to no collaboration. This is likely one of the biggest cons to proofreading; it could possibly generally get isolating. Whereas there are methods to mitigate these emotions of seclusion (comparable to utilizing co-working areas or bonding together with your roommates at a hostel), working independently with out co-workers or supervisors requires numerous self-motivation and group abilities.

Moreover, you should be able to effectively perfecting an editorial with out a lot (if any) assist or steerage from others. This sort of self-reliance requires the event of fine habits comparable to setting real looking objectives and studying to handle distractions.

I discovered that these abilities got here with time, however belief me, it all the time helps to have them earlier than you grow to be a web-based proofreader and start taking in your first jobs.

10. Stellar Communication Expertise

Final however not least, one of the vital very important {qualifications} to grow to be a proofreader is having stellar communication abilities.

As a proofreader, you’ll typically want to speak with shoppers, editors, and others with the intention to be sure that your work (and the ultimate product) is ideal and meets the consumer’s expectations. So, having robust communication abilities will let you successfully clarify any adjustments that you simply made and reply any questions that the shoppers may need.

Being a powerful communicator can also be vital so that you can ask any pertinent inquiries to your shoppers, inform them of any points which will come up, and hold them up to date in your progress (particularly if it’s a big job).

Total, this helps construct a way of belief and rapport between you and your clientele, which makes them extra more likely to request your proofreading companies once more sooner or later.

{Qualifications} for Proofreaders: FAQs

Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions concerning the required {qualifications} of a proofreader:

In Conclusion

I hope this text helped you establish whether or not or not you have got the abilities and traits essential to work as a web-based freelance proofreader.

And bear in mind, you don’t essentially want all of those {qualifications} to grow to be a profitable proofreader; many of those abilities could be discovered. From taking a proofreading or grammar course, turning into acquainted with a pc, reviewing the type guides, or working in your time administration abilities, I imagine that anybody can grow to be an expert proofreader in the event that they put within the work and energy required.

So, open up your laptops and polish up your resumes, it’s time to begin your proofreading profession.

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