Content is everywhere. From books to magazines to essays and ads, the written word is used to convey a ton of information every day. And that’s not even including websites. Think about this:
As of January 2014, there were 180 million active websites, all of which are filled with content.
With so much content being written, it only makes sense that online proofreading and editing jobs have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years too.
If you’re ready to jump right in because you know you have what it takes, be sure to take the free General Proofreading Practice & Theory Workshop.
You’ll learn a lot about monetizing your proofreading skills, including the three important factors needed to find long-term success 🙂
Editing vs. Proofreading
The terms Editing and proofreading are often used interchangeably, but they really are two distinct processes.
Editing looks at a document as a whole and checks for flow, clarity, and sentence structure. A good editor will be able to make recommendations on how to improve the overall readability of a document (while also checking for grammar and spelling mistakes).
Proofreading is the final step of reviewing a document and requires reading it word for word to make sure no spelling or grammar errors exist. A good proofreader has an insane eye for detail and can spot spelling errors, typos and any grammatical mistakes a mile away!
Who uses proofreaders and editors?
Writers, authors, students, professors, businesses, entrepreneurs, bloggers, court reporters — just about anyone who has ever written something meant to be read by others may turn to a proofreader and editor to polish their writing.
Note: If you specifically want to work within the publishing industry, you need to check out Proofreading Pro for insider’s guidance on how to break into this lucrative proofreading career path!
Why use a proofreader or editor?
If you’ve ever written anything, you know how difficult it is to separate yourself from it and really evaluate the content for what it’s worth. Plus, when you’re so closely attached to a project, you tend to overlook errors that are glaringly obvious to others. An editor can make suggestions to improve your document and a proofreader will make sure it is error-free.
Where can I find online proofreading and editing jobs?
With so much content around, there certainly are no shortages of opportunities to become a remote proofreader or editor. If you’re starting a proofreading career from scratch, start here. If you have experience, check out these 16 companies frequently hire remote workers to edit and proofread a variety of client documents:
1. Kibin
Kibin is an on-demand editing and proofreading service available 24/7. If you know what makes a piece of writing good and have what it takes to help all writers become their best, you will fit right in as a Kibin Editor.
2. ProofreadingServices.com
At ProofreadingServices.com you can choose to work full or part time (they have enough work to go around!). All of their editors and proofreaders must pass a 20-minute test to start the application process.
3. Domainite
Domainite frequently hires freelance editors to join their team. If you’re new to editing, this is a great opportunity to gain some (paid) experience. You’ll need to edit a sample piece of content to get started. If you do well, you may be invited to contract with Domainite and be well on your way to your new career as an editor!
4. Book In A Box
From time to time, Book In A Box will have remote Editor positions available. Keep in mind, this isn’t your typical editing job. As a Book In A Box Editor, you will interview and get to know authors and writers so you’ll be able to effectively take their thoughts and put them into words (without losing any meaning!). This nontraditional online editing job comes with some pretty nice benefits and a team that is super-supportive to boot.
5. Editor World
To register as an Editor at Editor World you must go through an application process which includes an editing test. If you become a member of the Editors Panel, you may be selected by clients to perform work based on your profile. It’s kind of like a marketplace of editors and proofreaders where clients get to choose who they work with.
6. Wordy
It will take you about an hour to sign up as an online Editor at Wordy. You will need to familiarize yourself with the Wordy style guide and take an online test. Wordy works on a crowdsourced platforms where editors have access to open jobs and claim them on a first-come-first-served basis. When you’re done with a job, you simply upload the document and return it to the client.
7. Gramlee
Gramlee is always looking for talented editors to join their team. Clients are promised 24-hour turnaround times for content that is 3,000 words or less. So there are projects available to edit any time day or night. As a Gramlee Editor, you’ll need to be able to edit documents for spelling and grammar errors as well as overall clarity, structure, brevity, and readability.
8. Scribendi
As a telecommuting Editor at Scribendi, you get to choose which projects you want to work on. Editors gain access to free training and are even offered incentive programs on top of regular pay! Scribendi is very supportive of their online editors and provides forums for them to interact and connect with one another.
9. English Trackers
English Trackers hires expert academic editors. An academic editor helps students, professors and other academia professionals put their research into words. This position requires a higher level of expertise than a typical editing role would. In fact, a typical English Trackers Editor has a PhD.
10. Sibia Proofreading
Have a background in science? Sibia may be a good fit for you. Science experts with strong writing or editing skills are encouraged to apply as are individuals with extensive editing and proofreading experience. To become a Sibia Proofreading Editor, a strong academic background is a must (those with a PhD are preferred!).
11. Polished Paper
Polished Paper offers editing services around the clock, 365 days a year. Editors need to register, submit a resume, and pass an editor’s test to get started. Pay rates vary based on the turnaround time and number of words to be edited. You need to be familiar with several different styles (APA, MLE, Chicago, etc.) to be successful at Polished Paper.
12. Hello Essay
In case you didn’t guess by the name, Hello Essay is an editing service for essays. Remember all those admissions essays you needed to write when applying for college? Hello Essay has an army of editors ready to edit these and other academic essays to perfection. At Hello Essay you can work when you want as much as you want (and get paid pretty well, too!).
13. ProofreadingPal
ProofreadingPal uses a two-proofreader model to make sure each and every document is carefully checked by not one but two of their professional editors. To be successful, you’ll need to be comfortable proofreading for errors as well as editing for sentence structure, clarity, and overall style. ProofreadingPal is always accepting applications and actively hires about eight months out of the year!
14. Publications Professionals
At Publications Professionals, there’s opportunity to work on projects involving a number of different subjects like banking, education, health care, medicine, and many more. Although there are both onsite and offsite positions, all candidates must first pass an onsite proofreading test at the Publications Professionals office located in Fairfax, Virginia.
15. Wordvice
Wordvice specializes in editing services for a variety of documents ranging from academic papers to business documents. Their services are offered 24/7, so there’s work available any time day or night. To become a Wordvice Proofreader, you should have a master’s degree, MS Word, and knowledge of style guides.
16. Cactus Communications
If you have a medical background, an editor position at Cactus Communications may be a good fit for you! This is a flexible opportunity to set your own schedule and earn anywhere from $1,200 to $4,000 a month depending on your availability and accepted workload.
Proofreading Ebooks
No matter your skills or background, if you have an eye for detail and a genuine interest in the written word, an online editing or proofreading job is a great (and lucrative!) work from home opportunity.
Want to get started on the right foot? Check out The Pocket Book of Proofreading
There’s even a Kindle edition so you can read it on your phone or tablet with the Kindle App. Plus, if you Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial, you can read this book (and thousands others) for free for 30 days.
Online Proofreading Training
If you’d like to launch your own lucrative freelance proofreading career, sign up for the free 45-minute workshop at Proofread Anywhere. You’ll learn three important factors that lead to success as a work-from-anywhere proofreader!
For anyone who wants to specifically work with entrepreneurs, writers, content creators, and within the publishing industry, I highly recommend checking out Proofreading Pro by Phon Baillie.
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