Do you have experience proofreading? Did you know you can have a full-time business a proofreader grossing as much as $70,000 per year?
Even if you do not have experience with proofreading, there are plenty of courses available online that can help get you started.
Does it drive you nuts when people make grammatical mistakes like the usage of the word their instead of there? Maybe you DO have publishing or editorial experience…. or otherwise the perfect fit without even knowing it. Channel that frustration into something productive!
Before you get started, you should know there is a lot of competition so you will have to come up with a strategy to stand out score the best, highest-paying proofreading gigs. Here are my top three tips for landing new clients and growing your proofreading business from home.
Don’t be scared to market yourself!
Make your skills discoverable! My advice is to start a website to build credibility. Your target customers could be hiding anywhere. If you don’t have a personal website already, we highly recommend BlueHost for hosting plans at less than $3 per month. Haven’t you ever heard the expression “you have to make money to spend money”? It will just take a few minutes and $3 to get your website up and running. Be realistic about expenses like website hosting that are not absolutely necessary but may really make the difference in presenting yourself as a professional.
Once you have your website set up….
Do you have a good portfolio of previous work? It’s easier to get clients if you have some referrals. It’s also easier to charge higher rates with more experience. Otherwise, some killer sales copy will work. Aside from customer testimonials, case studies are also a highly effective content marketing strategy to build your portfolio.
You may want to consider marketing yourself within a certain niche, whether that’s Amazon listings or restaurant menus. Depending on your target niche, you may be required to use a specific markup language or understand and use industry-specific conventions. As your continue to market yourself, put yourself in your customer’s shoes to make sure the language you use and qualities you highlight reflect their values and needs. When you focus on a targeted industry, you may find it easier to get referrals, to build your brand, and even use SEO to drive new visitors to your site if you’re savvy in that department!
Take courses
It’s also not a bad idea to take a course online for the bragging rights if nothing else. Some of the advanced proofreading skills can only be learned through training. And to be considered a “professional proofreader” extra coursework on your resume can help distinguish you from the competition. Continue to pursue skills you don’t have right now to stay one step ahead. Don’t forget : if you aren’t learning and growing, you have nothing to promote. To make sure you are the perfect fit for your niche, do the appropriate training for that market. You can always contact your national editorial society for their suggestions.
Mindset is key
Don’t forget to be patient. Like any other new business, it may take time to acquire jobs and new clients.
You’re the boss now which means you can’t blame anyone else for poor execution and branding. Make a business plan and come up with a creative marketing strategy. Research and seek guidance from experience business owners or professionals in the publishing industry. From every email reply to social media interaction is an opportunity to define and build your personal brand. Be professional on all stages!
A proofreading business is a great way to supplement your day job but it can also be a full-time income. Treat it like a real job (because it is). You will start to grow your business with effort, persistence, but also time.
