What Is Scoping?

What indeed? As previously stated, you won’t find this type of scoping in the dictionary; the kind we’re discussing is a highly specialized form of editing.

Not to be confused with court transcript proofreading – the step that follows scoping – scoping involves editing raw transcripts produced by court reporters who type what is said in real time using stenography machines. The shorthand type produced by the machines is translated into English using Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) software. The early forms of that software used minicomputers that looked like oscilloscopes. This led to the job of producing more understandable documents from those “scopes” being referred to as “scoping.” In turn, the person performing that vital job became known as – can you guess? – a scopist.

What Does a Scopist Do?

Now that you understand what kinds of documents a scopist works with, you probably have a taste of their responsibilities.

Courtroom dramas on TV and in film may involve some rapid-fire dialogue that is generally clear and, having been scripted, easy to follow. However, in real-life courtrooms, witnesses – and even their lawyers – can experience nervousness and sometimes mumble their words, talk over each other, or ramble. Accents can be difficult to understand as well. The court reporter’s typed shorthand may miss or mishear what is said. And the CAT software is only as good as the information it’s fed, so words can be mistranslated. The scopist’s job is to check the translation for those missing, misheard, or mistranslated words.

Scopists don’t sit in a courtroom to hear the dialogue. They are remote freelance professionals who perform their vital job by comparing the translation produced by the CAT software to an audio recording of the proceedings. They also format and edit the translation to ensure a readable document with an accurate record of what was said.

This leads us to another crucial scoping skill: striking a balance between readability and accuracy. The nature of court documents is that the words spoken by a witness or defendant – and their phrasing – can be important. And the consequences can be just as serious if what the judge orders is misheard.

How to Become a Scopist

Becoming a scopist may require specialized skills, but it doesn’t require a college degree. Working freelance and remotely can provide a great, flexible career since rigid business hours don’t control your schedule. This allows you to organize your life around family and other commitments. Scoping is such a vital and specialized job that it also tends to pay well.

As you’ll see, scoping is a good opportunity if you’re a proofreader or editor because you already possess many of the skills required. Let’s take a closer look at how you can become a scopist.

Skills

To clean up raw courtroom translations and turn them into a document that’s easy to read, a scopist must have:

• A good grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation – something as simple as a missed comma could misrepresent what was said
• A willingness to break, rather than enforce, grammar and punctuation rules in favor of accurately recording what was said
• An understanding of formatting requirements
• A keen awareness of homophones – a particular issue due to the nature of scoping
• Good listening skills – necessary for checking audio recordings
• Research skills and attention to detail – checking the spelling of names, acronyms, etc.
• Technology proficiency – scoping involves working with audio files and CAT software in addition to the editing and word processing software you might be used to
• Soft skills, such as the ability to work to a deadline

Furthermore, while not crucial to begin with, understanding legal terminology will greatly assist you and save you a lot of research time.

Qualifications

Although a college degree is not necessary to become a scopist – neither is certification – specialized training is essential to gain a number of the skills we have listed. Many institutes, such as the Internet Scoping School (ISS), provide online training. Alternatively, some court reporter schools run programs for scopists.

Equipment

Aside from a computer and access to the internet (for receiving and returning documents), you’ll need to invest in some specialized equipment:

• CAT software – likely the highest expense
• Headphones – for listening to audio recordings

And, while not essential, a foot pedal will also help you control the audio playback while you type and, therefore, speed up your work.

Where to Find Jobs

Once you’ve acquired the necessary skills and training, the next step is to find work as a scopist. As customary with most freelance editorial work, you have several options:

• Join an online community or registry – even while you’re waiting for work, the support from other scopists will be invaluable
• Search or advertise on job boards (e.g., stenosearch.com)
• Create a LinkedIn page to highlight your skills and mark yourself as available for work
• Seek out court reporters directly and inform them of your skills and availability

Proofreading and Editing Courses

As highlighted in this blog post, the work of a scopist is more specialized than that of an editor or proofreader; nevertheless, they have many common skills. If you’re intrigued by this seemingly overlooked yet vital career, you can start gaining the necessary skills with our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses. You can even try them out for free today!

The post What Is a Scopist? (And How to Become One) appeared first on Knowadays.

• Explore the advantages and disadvantages of online learning
• Provide some pointers to help you decide whether online learning is right for you
• Give some examples of online course providers

What Are the Advantages of Online Learning?

The internet is vast, offering various courses on a wide range of subjects, from lots of different institutions and colleges. Online courses can help you expand your skills and knowledge, demonstrate your commitment to learning, and help you achieve your career goals more quickly.

1. Easy Access

There are many reasons why people may not be able to attend face-to-face classes. First, online classes often provide more flexibility. This is great for people who need to fit their studies around other commitments, such as work or looking after their family. Face-to-face classes also require transportation to specific locations, which some people may not have easy access to. Similarly, they may not live within a reasonable distance of good face-to-face options. Online courses cut out the need for travel completely!

Second, face-to-face classes aren’t necessarily well suited to, or accessible for, everyone. Thanks to technological advancements and the increasing trend of remote work, online courses have made learning more accessible. Some people find that they learn better in a more independent environment, where they have greater control over the style and pace of learning. Online or remote learning also allows individuals (e.g., those with disabilities or particular learning requirements) to customize their learning environment to suit their needs.

Online courses allow individuals to learn at their own pace, fit learning around their existing schedules, and save time and money.

2. Tailored to You

Online courses typically have smaller class sizes compared to traditional courses. This allows learners to have more one-on-one time with the teacher or tutor, making it easier to personalize learning and address individual needs. Learning resources (such as videos, ebooks, forums, and online workbooks) are often included within the course cost, making them more affordable and easier to access.

3. Less Expensive

Enrolling in an online course can be more affordable than attending a traditional face-to-face class. Online institutions often offer flexible payment options such as monthly installments, per-lesson payments, and reduced fees or scholarships to entice students to join. Additionally, taking an online course eliminates the need to commute, saving you money on transportation costs.

4. Leads to Better Salary

The job market is constantly evolving, and businesses are now seeking candidates with diverse skills, whether hard or soft. Although a college degree may increase your chances of landing a high-paying job, online professional courses can provide practical tips and skills through project-based learning. Building a portfolio of your work can demonstrate to potential employers that you have hands-on experience as well as theoretical knowledge.

5. Enriches Networking

Investing in job-oriented courses not only helps you gain valuable skills, it could also provide networking opportunities with industry professionals. Connecting with experts in your field can help you expand your network and advance your career by making it more likely that you’ll be recommended by others for jobs/opportunities. Many courses offer a comprehensive personal and professional development approach, helping you work on your communication skills and confidence as well as teaching you new skills.

6. Demonstrates Your Passion

Investing time in building your knowledge base demonstrates that you are committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or in other words, improving yourself and the results you achieve for your employers or clients. CPD can involve taking online courses in your field, as well as a number of other activities. CPD can help established professionals stay up to date with industry skills and knowledge, take on more complex work, and work more efficiently. For career changers, CPD demonstrates a commitment to building new knowledge and skills, and can help to prove their credibility.

What Are the Disadvantages of Online Learning?

There are many common concerns that people have when it comes to online learning (and whether it matches up to face-to-face learning).

Some people worry that online courses are not as rigorous, or as credible, as traditional in-person courses. While some online courses come from established providers (like colleges or universities) others are less well-known. It can be harder to ascertain the credibility of these courses. However, this issue can be avoided with some thorough research. Before taking any course, you should do some due diligence. For example: check that the course covers all the basics, see if it requires assessment to gain certification, and read reviews from previous graduates.

Another potential disadvantage of online learning is that, if a course has been around for a while, the material may not have been updated to keep up with current trends. This is a valid concern, as employers and clients may not respect courses or accreditations that are out-of-date! Once again, however, this issue is easily avoided. Make sure you are familiar with the latest industry requirements in your field, and check that any course you take covers all the bases. You could also check online reviews, and see if you can find anyone in your network (real life or online) that can recommend the course.

Finally, online learning isn’t suited to everyone’s learning style. Some people find motivation in connecting with other people who have the same goals, but many online courses involve a lot of independent work. If you’re the type of person who prefers group work, or learning in a traditional classroom surrounded by other people, you may find it harder to find an online course that caters to these needs. However, all is not lost – lots of courses offer things like webinars and virtual group sessions, so it is possible to find a course that offers the right support for you. It might just take a little more research!

Is Online Learning for You?

So, are online courses worth it? Before you embark on your learning journey, there are various factors you should consider.

1. What Is Best for Your Career Path?

Some careers require specific certifications or qualifications (e.g., healthcare, accounting, teaching) to get started, which may not be available online. Once you have those, though, you could consider adding to your resume with complementary certifications. These will show employers and/or clients your commitment to improving your skills, and going above and beyond the minimum requirements for your field. As an example, a teacher might choose to take a short course on SEN education or teaching computing skills.

For jobs that don’t require specific qualifications, an online certification can help you stand out from the crowd. For example, a data entry clerk could improve their Microsoft Office skills, or an editor could add formatting to their repertoire.

2. Can You Justify the Cost?

When contemplating professional certification courses, it’s a good idea to weigh the benefits of the course against the cost. For example, is it likely to advance your career? Could it result in an increased salary? Will it help you attract new opportunities? If the answer is yes, it’s most likely a good investment.

3. What Are Your Goals?

When deciding whether to take an online course, always keep your goals in mind. If you’re just starting out in a new career, obtaining a recognized industry-wide certification can boost your resume and help you advance in your chosen career path.

If you’re already established in your career, an online course could help you upskill and reach the next level. This is especially true for freelancers looking to expand their horizons. Not only will it make your resume stand out, but it could also open up new doors and opportunities for you to explore.

4. Which Is Better: A Degree Program or a Certificate?

Choosing between a degree and a certificate depends on your field, and your career goals. As we mentioned previously, some careers require specific qualifications, which are non-negotiable. Other careers do not require specific qualifications (although they might be beneficial). For those careers, a degree may not always be necessary or provide a return on investment to justify its cost. Instead, a recognized accreditation or certification may be better. They can be completed more quickly, more flexibly, and according to Forbes, you can expect a 13–25% salary increase after taking one!

Where to Find Online Courses

There is an abundance of resources out there! Here are just a few examples you can choose from that cater to a range of budgets.

• Knowadays
  Knowadays offers accredited courses helping you to become a proofreader, editor, or freelance writer. Expert instructors lead CPD-certified courses that come with guaranteed work opportunities for graduates who pass with distinction.
• Udemy
  Udemy offers a wide range of online video courses on various subjects. Courses are often created by independent instructors who are experts in their field, allowing individuals to gain valuable industry insights.
• Coursera
  Coursera provides access to professional certificates, and even full degrees, from world-class universities and companies. Their diverse range of courses cover numerous subject specialisms and fields.
• FutureLearn
  FutureLearn is an online learning platform that offers a range of free and paid courses, as well as microcredentials and degrees from universities and other educational institutions. FutureLearn has a focus on professional development and lifelong learning, and is a great resource for people at any stage of their career.
• EdX
  EdX offers access to courses, micro-credentials, and even full degree programs from top universities and colleges, with a strong emphasis on Massive Open Online Courses, otherwise known as MOOCs.
• LinkedIn Learning
  LinkedIn Learning provides a library of courses and video tutorials on a wide range of professional and technical skills. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can show off your LinkedIn Learning achievements to potential employers or clients.
• Masterclass
  Masterclass offers video lessons taught by experts and celebrities in various fields – cooking, music, writing, and more – providing valuable insights from industry leaders.
• Skillshare
  Skillshare is a platform where instructors offer courses and workshops on creative skills, including design, photography, and entrepreneurship.
• HubSpot
  HubSpot Academy provides free courses on inbound marketing, sales, and customer service, helping individuals and businesses improve their digital marketing and sales strategies.
• Grow with Google
  Grow with Google offers free courses and resources on digital skills, such as data analysis, digital marketing, and coding, with the aim of helping individuals thrive in the digital age.

Finally, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge with courses provided by your employer. Ensure that you’re getting the most out of these offerings by requesting a tailored selection from your HR department or team leaders. With the right courses, you’ll be equipped to excel in your current role and beyond.

Becoming a Freelancer

If you’re looking for professional development courses, our CPD-accredited courses are a great option. Completing one of our courses will earn you a certification, which is an excellent addition to your resume. For new freelancers, our courses provide a fast-track route to proofreading, editing, or writing. Our courses offer CPD and career development opportunities for current professionals and freelancers. So, if you want to improve your skills and advance your career, sign up for our free trial today!

The post Are Online Courses Worth It? appeared first on Knowadays.

According to Upwork, nearly 40 percent of Americans performed freelance work in 2022, which was an all-time high. It’s clear that a growing number of people are drawn toward the autonomy and flexibility that freelance work offers. With so many people exploring freelance work, having the right skills and being able to stand out from the crowd is more important than ever.

We’ve previously explored 10 Essential Soft Skills for Your Freelance Resume. In this blog post, we’ll look at seven of the most in-demand freelance hard (or technical) skills.

7 In-Demand Freelance Skills

As the world of work is changing, and technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming ever more dominant, the skills that freelancers need are changing too. Here’s our list, in no particular order, of some of the most in-demand freelance skills.

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the process of optimizing website content (for example blog posts) so that it ranks highly on search engine results pages. Businesses of all sizes use SEO techniques to market their products or services, making it a very in-demand skill. SEO techniques include:

• Using Google’s E-A-T guidelines to create high quality content
• Identifying and incorporating relevant keywords
• Building a linking strategy
• Ensuring that meta titles, meta descriptions, and URLs are search-engine friendly
• Knowing how to effectively incorporate AI into the content creation process
• Monitoring and reviewing the performance of content using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console 

By boosting traffic to their websites, businesses can attract a larger audience, build brand awareness, and secure more sales.

SEO is a particularly valuable skill for anyone looking to get ahead in a freelance content writing or marketing career. If this is not yet in your skill set, look for an online SEO course to get started!

2. AI Engineering

As we mentioned before, the rapid growth in the popularity of AI is changing the world of work in many ways. Many people are concerned about the role AI will play in the future, and whether their jobs will be made obsolete by technology.

However, AI presents many opportunities, especially for aspiring freelancers. Coding, software engineering, debugging, and testing, are all highly sought-after skills when it comes to working with AI.  Many of these skills are also transferable to careers like website and app development and UX (user interface) design.

These skills are often taught on the job, although there are many online courses that teach the basics. If you already have any of these skills from previous roles, they can form a great basis for a freelance portfolio.

3. Graphic Design

In the digital age, visual content is an essential part of communication and marketing. Graphic design involves the production of visual content for print, social media, websites, and many other places. It also involves branding: helping businesses to create a strong identity through their logos, typography, and color schemes.

There are many routes into graphic design, from short online modules to university degrees.

4. Videography and Photography

Can you compose a great photo? Do you make your own videos for social media? If so, you already have some of the skills a freelancer needs to succeed in this field.

Visual content is everywhere. All kinds of businesses use photographs and videos as part of their marketing strategy – on their social media platforms, on their websites, in digital and print advertising campaigns, and more. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so photography and videography are great freelance skills to have!

Whether you’re trying to turn your hobby into a freelance business or you’re starting from scratch, there are lots of ways to develop your technical and creative skills. There are numerous online resources, books, courses, and in-person workshops that can help you grasp the basics and then further refine your skills.

5. Project Management

Some businesses can’t afford to have a project manager on their payroll, especially if their big projects only come around infrequently. As such, many prefer to hire project managers on a temporary, as-needed basis. Because freelance project managers work flexibly and are usually happy to take on short-term projects, their skills are in demand.

Project managers are responsible for seeing a project through from start to finish. They create a detailed plan, organize resources (like the budget), manage the project team, and ensure that the project reaches a successful conclusion.

There are a plethora of courses available depending on which area of project management you prefer.

6. Social Media Marketing

How often do you see marketing posts in your social media feeds? Daily? Hourly? Every time you glance at your phone? You can see why social media marketing is an in-demand freelance skill!

A social media manager is responsible for running a business or client’s social media platforms (like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok). Their day-to-day tasks include:

• Developing a social media strategy (to help their clients reach their business goals)
• Creating, curating, and scheduling content (e.g., images and videos, captions)
• Interacting with followers (respond to enquiries, building a community)
• Analyzing the performance of social media campaigns

Copywriting skills are vital for social media marketing, and we’ll look at that next.

7. Copywriting and Editing

Although AI is increasingly being used to produce and edit content, it’ll never be able to replace writers or editors completely.

When it comes to content and copywriting, AI can’t yet match the creativity or empathy of real people (and likely never will be able to). When we read a piece of writing produced solely by AI, we can still hear a robotic voice – and it rarely has the sparkle and personality that shines through copy written by humans. While AI has many useful applications, businesses still need human writers who can truly understand the nuances of tone and voice and create content that resonates with their target audience.

Similarly, proofreading and editing skills are highly sought after when reviewing AI-generated copy. Human editors are needed to ensure factual accuracy, address issues with tone and style, and make sure writing is engaging and impactful. AI can’t make nuanced assessments and will often miss errors, so any content produced needs a final (human) review before publication.

Writing and editing skills are valued in every industry and sector; after all, every business wants to promote their products and services, build brand awareness, and make sure their content is accurate and error-free. You could pursue a wide variety of roles with these skills, including content writing or copywriting, marketing, and proofreading and editing.

Online courses can be a great route into freelance writing, proofreading, and editing. Not sure where to look? Check out our roundups of some of the best options:

• 5 of the Best Online Proofreading Courses for Beginners
• 5 of the Best Copy Editing Courses You Can Do Online
• 5 of the Best Freelance Writing Courses for Beginners

What’s a Great Way to Kickstart a Freelance Career?

As we’ve seen, there are a wide range of freelance skills that can help you along your chosen path. A great way to kickstart your freelance career, add new skills to your resume, or refresh your existing skills is to take a look at our suite of courses aimed at helping you make the most of life as a freelancer. Get in touch today and sign up for a free trial to see just what our courses can offer you!

The post What Are the Most In-Demand Freelance Skills? appeared first on Knowadays.

However, as with any career change, it’s not something you should dive into unprepared – especially if you’re used to working a more traditional nine-to-five. With that in mind, in this blog post, we’ve provided some practical tips to make sure you’re well prepared to quit your job and become a freelance proofreader.

1. Research What a Proofreader Does
2. Make Sure You Have the Right Skills
3. Create a Budget and Start Saving
4. Plan the Details in Advance
5. Start Freelancing on the Side

Read on to find out about each of these tips in more detail.

1. Research What a Proofreader Does

What Does a Proofreader Do?

A proofreader’s job is to complete the final review of a document after all the other stages of editing have been completed. A proofreader will usually:

1. Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling
2. Correct other usage errors (e.g., how to write numbers and dates correctly)
3. Address formatting issues (e.g., inconsistent heading styles or fonts)
4. Ensure a document is consistent in style, tone, and voice
5. Apply the conventions of the relevant English dialect (e.g., British, American, or Australian English)

Tasks may vary depending on the type of document or client. For example, proofreading academic writing will also involve checking that sources are correctly cited and subject-specific or technical language is used appropriately. 

2. Make Sure You Have the Right Skills

Do You Need Qualifications to Be a Proofreader?

There are lots of different routes to becoming a proofreader, so you don’t need any particular qualifications. The most important thing is being able to show that you have a keen interest in (and understanding of) the English language as well as the skills and experience needed to do the job well. And of course, a strong desire to help your clients produce their best possible writing!

What Skills Does a Proofreader Need?

Although you don’t need qualifications to work as a proofreader, you do need certain skills. These include hard (or technical) skills and soft (general, non-technical) skills:

1. A good grounding in English grammar, punctuation, and spelling
2. A keen eye for detail and the ability to concentrate on the task at hand
3. Independence (as a freelancer, it’s your responsibility to keep on top of projects and deadlines)
4. Good communication skills to build strong client relationships
5. Excellent time management and organizational skills
6. Confidence with technology (e.g., word processing tools like Microsoft Word and communication tools like email and video conferencing)

If you want to specialize in a particular area, you may need experience in that field. For example, if you want to specialize in medical writing, you’ll need to be familiar with the relevant terminology and writing styles.

Take Some Time to Train

Perhaps you already have a love of reading and regularly spot typos in the book on your bedside table, and that’s a great start! But there’s a lot more to being a proofreader, and it’s important to have all the right skills.

Although there are no specific qualifications for becoming a proofreader, thorough professional training will fill the gaps in your knowledge, add to the skills you already have, and give you a framework for carrying out a wide range of specialist editorial projects.

There are some excellent books and other resources out there to help you, but have you thought about taking a proofreading course? A top-quality proofreading course will address all the areas of work and the necessary skills that we’ve already touched on in this post. 

Our Becoming a Proofreader course takes an in-depth approach to all aspects of proofreading, and its modular structure means the information you need comes to you in a logical order to make learning as easy as possible. In addition to rules governing spelling, grammar, and punctuation, we cover specialist areas such as proofreading academic papers, creative writing, business reports, and job applications. We also give you the skills you need to use a range of digital tools in your work and insight into getting your freelance proofreading career off to a flying start.

3. Create a Budget and Start Saving

How Much Can a Freelance Proofreader Earn?

Though freelancing can offer more flexibility than traditional work, that freedom comes with the caveat of an irregular paycheck. You may find yourself busy with multiple projects in one month and then have much less work the next.

You can make sure you’re prepared for financial insecurity, though, by creating a budget for when you make the switch.

Track your current expenses and compare these with what you’ll be spending as a freelancer. Consider:

• What you’ll save on. For example, you probably won’t be paying for transport to and from work.
• What you’ll spend more on. You may need to invest in software and equipment for your home workspace.

Factors That Can Impact Your Earnings

There are lots of factors that can impact how much you earn as a freelance proofreader:

1. Market rates. Proofreading has become a global industry, so what you charge will depend partly on what other proofreaders charge across the world, not just locally. Don’t go too low, because price is often equated with quality; and don’t go too high, or you’ll price yourself out of the market. The major proofreading professional bodies around the world have recommended rates to guide you.
2. Experience. Your rate will also reflect the level of your experience. As you progress and take on more specialist projects, you should be able to increase your rates.
3. Project timings and deadlines. Some proofreaders charge extra for tight deadlines, and some contracts contain penalties for late completion, so ensure you negotiate the detailed clauses carefully.
4. The client’s sector. Small charities and indie authors often can’t pay standard fees while major corporations can, so tailor your rates according to the type of business. Offering pro bono work with charities can be a great way to raise your profile and get good reviews.
5. Your well-being. This is often overlooked, but don’t forget to factor in breaks. Time away from the screen helps your overall output rate.
6. Project complexity. If you offer extra services, such as proofreading or editing for clients whose first language isn’t English, or if you offer more than one read-through of a project, you may wish to increase your rate or charge separately for additional services.
7. Seasonal variation. Remember that freelance work is often termed “feast or famine”! Some months will be great, and others not so great. You need to have funds in hand from the good times to help pay your bills in the slimmer months. 
8. Your own financial needs (and don’t forget the taxman’s needs!). Your personal circumstances will impact your earnings. If proofreading is a side hustle for you, it may not matter if you earn less than you expect. But if it’s your main income, you’ll need to budget carefully and build up some savings for those rainy days we all face and for your tax bill. 

4. Plan the Details in Advance

Marketing Your Services

Even the most skilled proofreaders will struggle if they haven’t prepared the tools they need to promote themselves. 

So before you make the switch to freelancing full-time, you should work on setting up the foundations of your business. This might involve:

• Choosing a business name. 
• Creating a website.
• Setting up professional social media profiles. 
• Deciding what rates you’ll charge for your services.

Of course, you don’t need to complete all of these at once. Think of them as a checklist of tasks you can tick off as you approach freelancing full-time.

You should also take some time to adapt to working from home. Start setting up a dedicated workspace, whether this is a spare room, garage, or table in the corner of your living room.

Set Goals That Motivate You

It’s easy to lose motivation when transitioning to a new career. It can be all too tempting to stick with the safe option (i.e., your current job) when faced with the possible risk of switching careers. This is why it’s important to set goals to provide yourself with a sense of direction and purpose.

In the long-term, your main goal will probably be to fully transition to freelance work. Set a realistic date for this, informed by your budget and preparation progress.Another way to motivate yourself is by writing a business plan. If you define your services and target clients and set marketing goals, your path to success will become clear. Setting some SMART goals will help keep you on track and will prevent your goals from seeming out of reach. Try creating a timeline of smaller goals that you can achieve in the short-term. These might include some of the points we mentioned in previous steps, like setting up a website, securing new clients, and working out your rates.

Create a Workspace

You should also take some time to adapt to working from home. Start setting up a dedicated workspace, whether this be a spare room, garage, or table in the corner of your living room.

If you’ve previously only worked from someone else’s premises, it can seem strange to suddenly be the only one around. Here are some tips for creating a successful workspace:

1. Be prepared to change your workspace configuration around once you get used to working from home. Experience will tell you what works best.
2. Try not to use your sofa or your bed. Proofreading takes concentration, and that’s nearly impossible if your neck and shoulders ache from poor workstation posture.
3. Try to sit near a window. Natural light and looking up from your screen at intervals can really help with tiredness.
4. Try to set up your workspace away from distractions like the dog, the cookie jar, and the pile of ironing! 
5. Some proofreaders find it useful to have two screens, with resources open on one and your project document on the other. 

5. Start Freelancing on the Side

Don’t quit your day job just yet! Taking the occasional proofreading job alongside your main job is a great way to ease yourself into it, and will help you gain confidence and experience as a freelancer.

In the early days of your new career as a proofreader, it’s often easiest to pick up small pieces of work, but ideally, you’ll want to find some long-term clients to work with too.

These are clients who will require your services on a regular basis and may even offer long-term contracts. Having dependable, regular sources of work will provide you with more job stability. It will also mean that you can spend less time hunting for new clients and more time actually proofreading (not to mention earning!).

You could also consider signing up for flexible work with an agency. Keep in mind, however, that most agencies will require you to have some prior proofreading experience (with the exception of our partner company, Proofed). 

How to Find Freelance Proofreading Jobs

There are plenty of online marketplaces out there that advertise one-off freelancing gigs. Fiverr and Upwork are some of the better known platforms, while smaller sites like AngelList and Remote will have less competition. There are also a number of companies that hire freelance proofreaders directly. 

You can even try finding proofreading jobs using social media. LinkedIn, for example, is designed specifically for professionals and is a great way to form connections with potential clients (and other freelancers). Just make sure you know how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile! Other platforms like Facebook and Instagram can also help you build your brand, establish your network, and find clients. 

Some proofreaders use several platforms, while some focus their efforts on one or two. We recommend the latter, especially if you’re short on time. You don’t want to spend all of your time posting and none of it proofreading! If you do choose to post on several platforms, there are various tools that can help you schedule your posts and save time.

Update Your Resume

Spend some time early on in the process of becoming a freelancer updating and polishing your resume.

Resumes can be either functional or chronological. Chronological resumes are ideal for people who are applying for a new role in the industry they already work in. A functional (or skills-based) resume is best for new proofreaders, as it allows you to focus on your skills more than your experience. 

If you haven’t worked in a relevant area such as publishing or teaching, it’s a good idea to decide which of your skills are transferable and emphasize them. If your natural modesty gets in the way, ask a friend! You might have worked in finance – in which case, you probably already have an eye for detail. If you’ve recently (or not so recently) had a baby, you’ll already know all about juggling several aspects of a project. Have you made presentations to other staff? Yes? Then you can emphasize your communication skills.

Once you have your basic resume, you can tailor it further to each job listing. Pick out the keywords and phrases in the job listing and try to incorporate them into your resume. This will enable the recruiter to quickly see that you possess the skills they’re looking for.

Becoming A Proofreader

We hope we’ve encouraged you to make the leap into a career in freelance proofreading. There’s a lot to think about, so here’s a list of the key points to consider:

1. Do you like the idea of what a proofreader does? Does it sound like a good fit for you?
2. Do you have a reasonable number of the necessary skills, or could you acquire them?
3. Can your finances cope with a period of reduced earnings while you build up your work?
4. Does setting up in business excite you? 
5. Is your resume relevant? Does it shout, “I’m the person you need”?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then take a look at our Becoming A Proofreader course! We’ll help you take the first step toward your new career. Try it for free today!

The post How to Quit Your Job and Become a Freelance Proofreader appeared first on Knowadays.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss nine ways to become a better writer.

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Freelance Writer?

Making a career as a freelance writer is an attractive option for anyone who enjoys writing. In a previous post, we considered the hard and soft skills required to be successful in such a career, which naturally include strong writing skills. It’s never too early – or too late – to work on those, so let’s have a look at some ways in which you could improve as a writer.

How to Become a Better Writer

We don’t intend this to be an exhaustive list, but here are some tips to get you started:

1. Identify your weak spots.
2. Know your audience.
3. Make an outline.
4. Don’t stress about the first draft.
5. Read your writing out loud.
6. Ask for feedback.
7. Read more.
8. Write more.
9. Take a course.

Let’s have a look at each of these in turn.

1. Identify Your Weak Spots

We all have aspects of our writing that we could improve. Maybe you’ve always struggled with spelling or punctuation and need to brush up on those skills. Perhaps you have a tendency to waffle and need to work on your clarity and concision. Or you might suffer from writer’s block and need to find inspiration. Being honest with yourself will allow you to focus your efforts on the skills you need to improve.

2. Know Your Audience

Who do you hope will benefit from the piece you are writing? The answer to this question will inform not only the topic but also the tone of voice you adopt (whether formal, informal, or humorous) and your word choice. Using lots of jargon for a piece aimed at the general public might be a turnoff, and using examples or idioms peculiar to your region may confuse a reader from elsewhere.

3. Make an Outline

Before you plunge headlong into the writing, try making an outline of the piece. Sketching out the headings and main points can help you to organize your thoughts, keep the piece on track, and avoid any gaps in the information to convey. With an outline, you can also easily see how the piece will flow, which will help your readers follow the finished article.

4. Don’t Stress About the First Draft

Sometimes the word or phrase you want escapes you. Don’t worry about it. Write down something – anything – that will remind you and move on. No one else needs to see your first draft. You’ll enjoy the satisfaction of completing the piece and can hone it later.

5. Read Your Writing Out Loud

Or, if you don’t like the sound of your own voice, use the Read Aloud feature on your device. By reading your piece out loud, you’ll hear how it will sound to others, and you’ll likely catch little errors that your eyes may skip.

6. Ask for Feedback

And don’t be shy! You are undoubtedly your own worst critic, so any feedback from others is unlikely to be as bad as you imagine. Make use of your friends and family, but try to find a good match for your potential audience (see Tip 2).

7. Read More

Whatever weak spots you may have identified in your own writing, reading the work of others is a good way to improve. You’ll pick up on spelling, grammar, punctuation, tone of voice, clarity, concision, and (depending on what you choose to read) expertise as you go.

8. Write More

It may be a cliché, but practice really does make perfect – or, at least, it can help you to improve. And it doesn’t matter what you write; it’s developing the habit that counts. Try keeping a daily journal – that way, you won’t have the added pressure of anyone else reading what you’ve written.

9. Take a Course

To borrow the closing line from Some Like It Hot, nobody’s perfect. You may not even realize you have a particular weak spot but simply want to improve your skills or keep up to date with technology. Whatever aspect of your writing you wish to improve and however you prefer to learn, there will be a freelance writing course for you. To help you consider your options, we’ve curated a list of 5 of the Best Freelance Writing Courses for Beginners.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

Following these tips on how to become a better writer is something you can do at any stage of your writing career. If you are still at the stage of wondering whether such a career is for you, why not give our Becoming a Freelance Writer course a go? You can even try it out for free.

The post 9 Ways to Become a Better Writer appeared first on Knowadays.

1. What is a freelance writing portfolio?
2. Why do you need a freelance writing portfolio?
3. How to build a freelance writing portfolio (including examples)
4. How Knowadays can help you launch your freelance writing career

Keep reading to get started!

What Is a Freelance Writing Portfolio?

First, let’s review what a freelance writing portfolio is and what it is used for. A freelance writing portfolio is a collection of samples and projects that demonstrate your writing skills and specializations. It serves as a professional display for potential clients to see the quality and format of your work before hiring you. You may also want to include a link to your portfolio on your business website and social media accounts, so when you pitch to potential clients, they can easily review your work.

Typically, you should include only your best work in your writing portfolio, since you want to avoid overwhelming potential clients with a large number of samples. Choose samples that highlight your creativity, ability to engage the audience, and knowledge of SEO techniques. You should also select samples that reflect a variety of subjects and topics (unless, of course, you focus on one specific niche).

Why Do You Need a Freelance Writing Portfolio?

Freelance writing portfolios are an important tool to have in your toolbox as a new freelancer. Not only do they demonstrate your versatility but they also showcase your best work and simplify the process of pitching to new clients. They help you stand out among the crowd in a competitive market and give clients something concrete to evaluate you on. Having a well-organized portfolio also shows that you care about your work and have a proven track record of delivering top-quality results.

Freelance writing portfolios are beneficial in more ways than simply helping you source new clients. Maintaining and regularly updating a portfolio can help you reflect on your own growth and development as a writer. By continuously reviewing your past work, you can identify areas for improvement and set goals for future projects.

How to Build a Freelance Writing Portfolio

A good portfolio is professional, easy to navigate, and eye-catching, without being visually overwhelming. You already know why an effective freelance writing portfolio is important – so how do you build one as a new freelance writer? Below are some tips on building a freelance writing portfolio from scratch.

Select What to Include in Your Portfolio

If you have writing samples, be sure to include them in your portfolio. However, writing samples don’t just have to be paid work you’ve done for past clients – they can be any past writing you’ve done or example pieces you’ve created to use as samples. Try to showcase your ability to write different types of content, such as articles, blog posts, and website copy.

You can also include reviews or testimonials from past clients, awards or recognition you’ve received as a writer, and your freelance writing resume. Don’t forget to include a short biography and your contact information so clients can connect with you.

Organize and Format Your Samples

After you select your samples, organize them logically. Use categories, tags, or sections to group related samples and make it easy for visitors to navigate and find the content they’re interested in. Also, make sure to properly format your samples using bullet lists, headings, and subheadings to make them visually appealing and easy to skim.

Decide How You Want to Design Your Portfolio

These days, most writing portfolios are hosted online. Start by choosing the specific format you want to use, such as a website or portfolio-building platform. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to create a portfolio – there are lots of straightforward online tools and apps that can take you through the entire process from the beginning. You’ll need to decide on your branding (such as the colors, patterns, fonts, and designs) and how you want to structure your homepage.

Summarize Each Piece

Write brief descriptions or provide context for each sample or testimonial. Explain the purpose of the piece, the target audience, and any special considerations or challenges you faced while writing it. You can also include other relevant details, such as how the piece ranked on search engine results pages or how many times it was shared on social media.

Regularly Update Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is a living document, meaning it evolves over time. As you write more samples, gain more experience, and receive more positive client testimonials, be sure to update and add to your portfolio. If, down the line, you decide to concentrate your writing on a specialized niche, you’ll need to update your portfolio to reflect that change.

Freelance Writing Portfolio Examples

There’s no one right way to structure your portfolio – it should reflect your own unique style and creativity. Below are a variety of examples of well-designed, real-life freelance writer portfolios to give you some inspiration.

Writer and editor Jennifer Fernandez uses a minimalist grid theme to showcase a series of thumbnail images and photos of her previous work. This simple but impactful design makes it easy for potential clients to browse her work and get a feel for her overall style.

Writer and artist Akwaeke Emezi clearly defines the distinct services they offer and includes their most recognizable work front and center against a backdrop of muted colors. They also include a contact form so potential clients can easily connect.

Writer Kristen Bateman sticks to a modern black and white theme and organizes her work by category and publication. She also includes links to her social media accounts, which gives potential clients multiple ways to contact her.

Meanwhile, tech writer and reporter, Qin Chen, includes an eye-catching photo backdrop on the main page of her portfolio, taking a no-frills approach to presenting her previous writing work and organizing it as a series of links on a single page.

Although there are similarities among all these examples, each writer demonstrates their own strengths while keeping the focus on their work. So, while most freelance writing portfolios include the same basic elements, there is room for flexibility and to stretch your creative muscles.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

Do you want to learn more about what it takes to launch a freelance writing career – and build your portfolio at the same time? Check out our Becoming A Freelance Writer course – distinction graduates have the opportunity to write and publish three blog posts for the Knowadays website. Claim your free trial and get started today!

The post How to Build a Freelance Writing Portfolio That Wins Clients appeared first on Knowadays.

What Does a Freelance Writer Actually Do?

Hollywood would have you believe that writers are tortured souls who rummage between the couch cushions for spare change as they unsuccessfully pitch pilot after pilot to big production companies, but that’s a very bleak picture (although the excessive caffeine intake may be true). The reality is that there are many types of freelance writing out there, and you can choose which direction you want to take your career. The control you have over the work you take on is one of the many benefits of becoming a freelance writer.

Why Is Freelance Writing a Great Career for English Majors?

You Already Have a Firm Foundation in Writing

Anyone who has an arts and humanities degree knows how much writing is involved in the course. Indeed, sometimes it feels like that’s all you do. But this gives you a fantastic foundation for content or copywriting. You know the grammar rules and how to use language to convey your meaning. It is worth investing in a writing course that teaches you how to become a freelance writer, if you can.

You Have Experience Researching New Topics

One of the most important skills in freelancing writing is the willingness to constantly learn about new topics. Writing for The Independent, Sacha Zackariya found that being curious about new subjects can help both your career and mental health, concluding that an inquisitive mind is a happy mind. Knowing how to research new topics, which you are likely to have done in university, will help you branch out into new subjects and expand your client base.

You Know How to Manage Your Time

As a student, you have probably had to juggle multiple tight deadlines at some point during your studies. That will stand you in good stead for a freelance career! Many freelance writers have multiple projects on the go at any one time, and knowing how to manage these deadlines without becoming overwhelmed is an essential skill to master. Having finished an English degree, you have already developed some time management skills.

You Know How to Construct and Present an Argument

As an English major, you have had to form a thesis for your essays and construct an argument that supports that thesis. Being able to present evidence that backs up an argument in an accessible and compelling way is a skill that is massively underappreciated in writing. You also know how to spot a credible source and incorporate other sources without plagiarizing them.

Conclusion

All the above are skills that freelance writers need to be successful in their careers. If they don’t have them when they begin, they need to develop them. Having finished your degree, you are already a step ahead and have mastered some of these skills. Of course, having a degree, in any subject, does not automatically guarantee success. The final skill you’ll need to develop is perseverance.

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Despite all the experience you already have, it can feel like a bit of a jump from writing essays and theses to writing for the mass market. It never hurts to get some extra training.

Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course, written by a team of content writing experts, takes you through the writing process from preparation to publication, including how to make the most of search engine optimization. You’ll have the chance to get feedback on your writing, and if you achieve a distinction score in your final assignment, you’ll be offered the chance to write three articles for Knowadays to kick-start your freelance writing portfolio. Try it for free today!

The post Why Freelance Writing Is a Great Career for English Majors appeared first on Knowadays.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the VARK system, which suggests that there are four key learning styles: visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic. Even though not everyone fits neatly into one category, it can be helpful to try different ways to study your course material to see which style (or combination of learning styles) works best for you. Read on for some tips on how to figure out how you learn best and how to study better.

What Are the Different Learning Styles?

What Is Visual Learning?

Visual learners learn best by seeing. When trying to understand and retain information, they prefer information presented in a visual (rather than a written) format. This could include:

• Illustrations
• Graphs and diagrams
• Videos
• Demonstrations
• Handouts with images

They can often picture what they are learning in their heads, and sometimes close their eyes to help them visualize. They often use flashcards, mind maps, and color-coded notes to help them learn.

What Is Auditory Learning?

Auditory (or aural) learners learn by hearing information. They learn best from:

• Lectures (or recordings of lectures)
• Podcasts
• Audiobooks 
• Reading information out loud 
• One-on-one tutoring (where information is discussed)

Auditory learners usually need to hear someone present information, or read information out loud themselves, to be able to retain it. 

What Is Reading/Writing Learning?

Reading and writing learners learn best when information is presented as words and text. They like to learn by:

• Making lists
• Reading and taking notes
• Highlighting important details in their notes or handouts
• Creating presentations

They often benefit from repetition in their learning, such as rewriting notes or rereading summaries. They like to take information and summarize it in a way that makes sense to them.

What Is Kinesthetic Learning?

Also sometimes known as tactile learning, kinesthetic learners learn by touching and doing. They learn through:

• Hands-on experience
• Conducting experiments 
• Making models
• Manipulating or touching objects or materials
• Practicing something to learn it (e.g., building, drawing, or movement)

Kinesthetic learners typically prefer shorter bursts of studying and might find it difficult to sit still for extended periods of time. They prefer to be an active participant, rather than listening or watching a demonstration. 

How to Find Your Learning Style

If you want to get a better sense of your learning style, think about how you generally approach learning new material. For example, imagine you want to learn how to make bread. There are multiple ways to learn how to do this:

•  If you look at step-by-step pictures of the bread-making process, that’s visual learning.
•  If you listen to a podcast on how to bake bread, that’s auditory learning.
•  If you read a recipe in a cookbook, that’s learning through reading/writing.
•  If you watch a demonstration of a baker making bread and then try it yourself, that’s kinesthetic learning.

You may find that several of these styles appeal to you, and it’s fine to mix and match study methods to develop the approach that suits you best.

There are also a number of learning style quizzes (e.g., Education Planner, VARK, and Learn English) that can help you work out what suits you best. 

How Can I Study Effectively?

Now that you have a broad overview of the different learning styles, you can use them to focus on making a study plan that works for you. Here are a few ways to efficiently use these different learning methods to help you better absorb new material.

1. Vary Your Study Methods

One strategy to study more effectively is to approach the topic or skill in various ways. For example, if you’re learning a new computer skill, instead of just reading about it (reading or writing learning style), you can watch a related video demonstration, listen to a step-by-step audio recording, and try it out for yourself. Approaching new material in multiple ways helps you become more confident in your skills and further reinforces what you’ve learned.

2. Teach Someone What You Know

Once you’ve absorbed a new topic, it can be helpful to teach someone else what you’ve learned (using whatever method you feel most comfortable with). Explaining or demonstrating what you’ve learned to someone else allows you to work through the material at your own pace and ensures you’re not missing any crucial steps or information. You can even use their questions to pinpoint the areas you need to focus on for yourself.

3. Dedicate Time to Study

If you’re trying to learn a new skill or concept in your free time, it can be easy to get distracted by life, like kids, pets, a job, or household tasks. But you’ll get the most out of studying if you set aside some distraction-free time to review the material, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. Studying while doing something else, like cooking or cleaning, can have a negative impact on how well you retain the information. In other words, don’t try to multitask!

Becoming a Proofreader

If you’re interested in trying out these study tips and learning a new skill, why not take our online courses? Our Becoming a Proofreader and Becoming an Editor courses incorporate several learning methods through well-organized course content, webinars, online resources, module quizzes, and more. And if you pass both Becoming a Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with distinction scores of at least 80%, you’re guaranteed work with our partner company, Proofed! Sign up for a free trial today.

The post How to Find Your Learning Style and Study More Effectively appeared first on Knowadays.

Planning the next steps in your career doesn’t need to be difficult. This post will:

1. Define what Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is
2. Explain what professional development plans (PDPs) are
3. Tell you why you should have a PDP
4. Outline six simple steps for creating your PDP
5. Provide you with an exciting opportunity for your CPD

What Is Continuing Professional Development?

In brief, CPD is the process of improving your professional skills or gaining new ones. While this is very important for freelancers, it’s not always the easiest because you don’t have access to the same kinds of training resources that you might while working for a larger business or corporation.

If you are motivated to work on your own professional development, the process doesn’t have to be difficult. CPD can be done in many different ways, for example:

• Watching instructional videos
• Studying books and other training materials
• Being mentored (or shadowing) another professional
• Receiving a qualification in your field
• Enrolling in a formal training course

What Is a Professional Development Plan?

A PDP helps you define your professional development goals and come up with a strategy for accomplishing them.

Often, a PDP will take the form of a document that you create. You should start out by listing the knowledge and skills that you already possess. Then, you need to set yourself goals based on what you want to improve or what new skills or knowledge you want to acquire. Last, you need to come up with a plan for success.

Why Should You Set Professional Development Goals?

Adhering to CPD and coming up with a PDP can have a multitude of benefits. By setting realistic professional development goals, you can:

• Be more efficient with your time
• Make sure all your skills are up to date
• Be more confident in taking on more difficult contracts
• Provide proof that you and your freelance business are credible
• Make sure you are challenged and motivated by your career
• Have an opportunity to interact with other freelancers and professionals

How to Create a Professional Development Plan

PDPs are vital to any professional, especially if you want to be a successful freelance writer. Thankfully, creating an easy-to-follow PDP doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow these simple steps.

1. Assess Yourself

Start by writing out all the skills you have and then assessing which ones could use some improvement. It’s important to start the process by thoroughly defining your starting point. Then, you can begin to define what hopes and goals you have for your professional development.

Evaluating yourself can be a difficult task. To help jump-start the process, the Big Five, Sixteen Personalities, or DISC personality tests can help.

2. Set Your Goals

Now that you have found out where you are, you can decide where you want to be. It is important to set long-, mid-, and short-term goals. In general, you should start by setting one long-term goal, deciding the steps it will take to accomplish that goal, and then organizing it all into the mid- and short-term steps.

From your self-assessment, you should know what knowledge or skills you want to enhance or attain to make you a better freelance writer so when you are setting your goals, you can take your desired learning outcomes into consideration.

Examples of CPD goals might include:

• Working toward specializing in a particular writing niche
• Developing your knowledge in a particular area (such as SEO)
• Learning how to use a new tool or piece of software (e.g., social media management tools)
• Building your business skills (e.g., financial management)
• Improving a hard skill (such as proofreading and editing your own work)
• Improving a soft skill (e.g., your communication skills)

Some people can become frustrated when they set goals but never get close to achieving them. It is important that your goals are reasonable. Using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals can help in this process.

4. Come Up With a Strategy

Now that you know what professional areas you want to focus on developing, you need to decide how you’re going to do it. An obvious choice is to train in skills you believe you are missing, but you also want to consider working on areas where you feel you need improvement.

For example, using AI in writing is becoming more and more popular. Some people are keen on using this new tool, while others believe it could ultimately replace freelance writers. Learning how to use, or deal with, the emergence of AI could be part of your professional development goals that you will need to come up with a strategy for.

Finding courses, textbooks, or knowledgeable instructors and mentors are all effective ways to accomplish your goals.

5. Create a Reasonable Timeline and Track Your Progress

Creating a timeline and setting reasonable deadlines are important to staying on track. When you set your goals, you need to decide how long they will reasonably take to accomplish (e.g., a week, a month, a year).

Remember to track short-, mid-, and long-term goals when creating your timeline. Your timeline doesn’t need to be rigid; if you miss a deadline, that’s okay. Just remember to keep track and update things when necessary.

6. Rinse and Repeat

So, what do you do when you’ve met all your goals? Well, it is important to consider the C in CPD – it stands for continuing. Your professional development should be ongoing. That way you will continue to be challenged and improve as a freelance writer. Once your goals have been met, go back to step one of this plan, reassess yourself, and then come up with a new PDP.

Becoming a Freelance Writer

If you want to become a freelance writer or already are one and want to improve your skills, we have good news for you.

Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course will teach you everything you need to know about getting started as a freelance writer. Best of all, it is CPD accredited and will keep your skills up-to-date and competitive.

Don’t delay; start your free trial today!

The post Do Freelance Writers Need a Professional Development Plan? appeared first on Knowadays.

1. Polish your understanding of English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
2. Research and develop some of the other skills you’ll need to proofread effectively, such as computing skills, communication skills, and attention to detail.
3. Look for chances to volunteer to gain experience of proofreading in practice.
4. Research where you can find proofreading work.
5. When you have some experience, look for ways to develop your career.

For more advice on how to become a proofreader, read on.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final stage in the editing process and takes place after copy editing. A proofreader checks for any errors that may have slipped through previous editing stages. They look at grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and may also fix inconsistencies in formatting (although some freelancers offer formatting as a separate service). Proofreading usually happens after a text has been typeset. Changes to a typeset text are expensive, so any changes must be minimal.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Proofreader?

There are many routes into proofreading, most of which do not require a specific qualification. However, most clients will want you to demonstrate that you have the skills needed to do a good job. A proofreading certification, particularly one that is CPD accredited, can help you showcase your knowledge to potential clients (especially if you don’t have much experience). There are lots of proofreading courses available, many of which come with certification.

How Much Do Proofreaders Make?

There are lots of different factors that can influence your earnings as a freelance proofreader, including your experience level, the complexity of the job, and the type of client. 

New proofreaders will typically charge lower rates than those with more experience and gradually raise their rates to match their experience. In our blog post, How Much Can a Freelance Proofreader Earn?, we discuss the average annual income from several different sources (which ranges from $43,940 to $56,437). 

How to Become a Proofreader

Proofreading can be a flexible and rewarding career that you can start without a formal qualification. Now, let’s dive into five ways you can become a proofreader. 

1. Polish Your English-Language Skills

To work as a proofreader, there are some essential skills you will need (or need to develop). The most important is an excellent understanding of the English language.

You don’t need to know everything at first, as English can be very complex. But it is important to review the basics of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Don’t assume you know all of this from school, either, as some of the rules we learn when we’re growing up aren’t always accurate! For instance, were you ever told that you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition? That’s actually a grammar myth. And do you think that a comma indicates a pause? Well, sometimes. But there are plenty of rules about comma usage that don’t involve pauses at all. And a good proofreader needs to know these by heart.

As such, if you want to become a proofreader, it pays to go back to basics! Make sure to review the rules you think you know. And never assume you already know everything.

If you’re not sure where to start with this, our Becoming A Proofreader course is a great option. It will cover not only all the English skills you need but also how to specialize in different kinds of proofreading, including working with academic, creative, and business writing.

Sign up for a free trial of Becoming A Proofreader today to find out more.

2. Research Other Freelancing Skills

As well as language skills, a freelance proofreading career requires:

• Communication skills – Proofreaders need to be able to communicate clearly with clients, some of whom may not speak English as a first language.
• Computing skills – Most modern proofreading involves using a computer, especially Microsoft Word, but this can involve an array of programs.
• Attention to detail – As a proofreader, no mistake can get past you. You’ll need a keen eye and the ability to stay focused to spot every last error your clients leave behind.
• Budgeting and organization skills – As a freelancer, you’ll be responsible for your own finances and organizing your own time. As such, these are key skills to develop!

You might feel confident about the above already, but it never hurts to polish your existing skills either. Think about what you might need to improve to succeed in your new career.

3. Volunteer For Experience

When you first start out, it might be tricky to find paid work. But you can usually volunteer your services somewhere as a way to get some valuable experience.

To get started, ask family and friends if they’ve got anything you could proofread, such as CVs, cover letters, and student essays. Alternatively, look online for creative writers or charitable groups who are seeking help with proofreading.

For more information on gaining experience as a freelance proofreader, take a look at our blog post How to Gain Experience as a New Proofreader.

4. Research Where to Find Proofreading Jobs

Once you have some experience, you can start to look for paid freelance work. Some common options for finding proofreading work include:

• Signing up with proofreading agencies. An example of a proofreading agency is our proofreading partner, Proofed. You can get guaranteed work opportunities with Proofed if you pass both Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with a high enough grade at the end of each course (80% or higher).
• Joining proofreading and editing societies, which typically feature an online directory where members can advertise their services (as well as access other benefits).
• Using freelance marketplaces, where you can create a profile and advertise your services or bid for particular jobs. Click here for more advice.
• Using social media sites such as LinkedIn to advertise your services.

Here are 10 companies that hire remote proofreaders to get you started. 

5. Look for Ways to Increase Your Business

Once you have a bit of experience under your belt, you can start thinking about the future and how to grow your freelancing business. This might include:

• Developing a website to promote your proofreading and editing services.
• Putting together a proofreading portfolio to impress potential clients.
• Gathering client testimonials to demonstrate the quality of your work.
• Being more active on professional social media networks.
• Researching clients you’d like to work with and contacting them.
• Making useful contacts by networking with other proofreaders and editors.

If you can do at least some of these, you should find it much easier to establish yourself as a freelance proofreader and editor. It’s just a matter of where you choose to focus first!

Become a Proofreader

We hope this list will help you meet your goal of becoming a proofreader. To take the best first step possible, sign up to the Becoming A Proofreader course! This will teach you all of the skills you need to get started, giving you the perfect platform for launching your freelance career.

The post How to Become a Proofreader appeared first on Knowadays.