12 Awesome Websites To Make Money Proofreading

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Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by Chris Panteli

How To Make Money Proofreading

If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know there is a massive demand for professional proofreading services online. 

But with so much competition, how are people actually making money with proofreading and editing? Many freelance websites are indeed a race to the bottom, and getting caught up in bidding wars for jobs is easy. 

On the other hand, some incredibly successful freelance proofreaders are their own bosses and have complete control over their earnings. 

So, let’s look at how to make money proofreading and how you can start as a beginner. 

If you’re just starting a proofreading business, you need to know what clients expect from you. Make sure to head to our guide on what to look for as an online proofreader so you can wow your first clients. 

Learn How To Start Your Own Proofreading Business

Alicia made $1,100 the first month after she graduated from one of Caitlin’s proofreading courses – even while she was still working full-time at her retail banking job!

12 Awesome Websites To Make Money Proofreading

Advantages of Being a Freelance Proofreader

How to Make Money Proofreading

If you’re brand-new to the editing and proofreading industry, there are some key benefits of choosing this as a side hustle:

  • There is a huge demand for proofreading, and that isn’t going away anytime soon. So, it’s not difficult to find work, even as a beginner. 
  • Start-up costs are incredibly low; you really only need a computer with internet. 
  • There is great flexibility since you can work as much or as little as you want. 
  • You don’t have to answer to anyone and you can be your own boss. 
  • There are tons of free sites where you can sign up to get jobs (we’ll look at some of the best ones later in the post).

How to Make Money Proofreading

The average proofreader in the US makes $55,410, so there is plenty of opportunity to make decent money proofreading. Here’s what you need to do to get started. 

Choose a Niche

When you’re starting out, you’ll find it easier to land clients if you work within a specific niche. This doesn’t mean you can’t take on general gigs, but it will make it easier for specific clients to find you.

You should have some experience or connection to the niche you choose. For example, if you currently work for a tech firm, you could offer proofreading services for technical documents. 

People are likelier to trust proofreaders within a niche, especially if they have experience. 

If you’re not sure which niche you should choose, here are some questions to help you decide:

  • What field do you work in? Can you proof content from that niche?
  • What industries have you worked in before?
  • What are you passionate and knowledgeable about?
  • Which subjects in school were you most interested in?

Gain Experience

If you don’t have any experience with proofreading work, get some before you take on paying clients. Warm up your skills by offering proofreading services to friends, family, or colleagues. 

You could also do some free online proofreading tests to see where your skills are. 

Whatever type of experience you get, try to keep a record you can turn into a portfolio. Using Tracked Changes on Word will allow you to share sample documents with potential clients so they can see your level of work. 

Proofreading is essential, and clients want to know you can deliver results before they hire you. 

Learn To Market Yourself

Proofreading is only half the job; you must be a good marketer. Whether you find jobs on job sites or reach out to local businesses, you’ll need to know how to market your services. 

Create a social media presence on LinkedIn and Twitter, and draft a pitch you can send to potential clients. 

Types Of Content You Can Work On

Types Of Content You Can Work On

Next, you must figure out the type of content you want to work on. Different types of content require a different approach to proofreading, so it’s best to narrow down what you’ll take on. 

Some of the most common types of content that require proofreaders include:

  • Blogs
  • Landing pages & website content
  • Books & eBooks
  • Journal & magazine articles
  • Academic papers & essays
  • Marketing & sales material
  • Brochures & flyers

Websites for Making Money with your Proofreading Skills

There are hundreds of sites where you can find freelance proofreading jobs. However, some are not as good as others.

We’ve reviewed 12 of the most popular freelancer sites here so you can figure out which ones you want to sign up for first. 

1. Upwork

Upwork is incredibly popular with new freelancers. It’s one of the largest freelancer sites and has thousands of freelance proofreading job listings in almost every niche. 

Potential clients can list the experience level they’re looking for, and the rates reflect that. As a new proofreader, you’ll be able to find entry-level jobs to build up your proofreading experience. 

✅Pros

  • Huge site with tons of jobs posted daily
  • User-friendly and easy to sign up for
  • Entry-level positions listed for new proofreaders

❌Cons

  • Massive competition from thousands of other freelancers
  • Rates can be very low
  • Upwork charges 20% as a service charge

2. FlexJobs

This site is similar to Upwork and has thousands of entry-level job postings for proofreaders. The main difference is it costs to sign up for FlexJobs. 

The sign-up fee is $14.95 a month, but it does mean there is less competition on the platform, and the jobs tend to be higher quality. 

FlexJobs also has an excellent freelancer support team, and the site is easy to navigate. 

✅Pros

  • Good customer support
  • Less competition than other sites
  • Ensures all jobs are legitimate

❌Cons

  • Monthly fee to join
Flexjobs website

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a gig site known for many online freelance jobs. It’s popular with beginner proofreaders, but it’s not the best. 

The main disadvantage of Fiverr is the low-paying jobs. As the name suggests, some are as low as $5. It has a reputation for bargain jobs, and many freelancers there are willing to work for pennies. 

The main advantage of Fiverr is the speed at which you can get your first gigs. Experience isn’t really an issue on Fiverr, so you’ll be able to build up your experience quickly. 

Once you have a few projects under your belt, you’ll find it easier to compete on the higher-paid job sites. 

✅Pros

  • Free to sign up
  • Find your first freelance proofreading job quickly
  • Good for building experience as a beginner

❌Cons

  • Very low-paying jobs
  • Saturated with freelancers willing to work for low rates

4. Scribendi

Scribendi is dedicated to proofreading and editing services, unlike other online job boards. Based in Canada, Scribendi hires freelancers to complete projects sent to them by clients. 

Scribendi website

You have to apply to sign up as a freelancer, and there are some basic requirements you have to meet:

  • Have a university degree
  • Have three years of experience
  • Be able to proofread 1000 words an hour

If accepted, you must do at least one online proofreading job every three months to keep your account active. 

Scribendi is excellent for reliable payments and fairly consistent work, and you don’t have to worry about bidding against other proofreaders for jobs. 

Scribendi is a great website to make money as a proofreader (if you qualify). 

✅Pros

  • No bidding against other editors
  • Consistent payments
  • Decent rates

❌Cons

  • Long application process
  • Initial exam to prove you can proofread 1000 words an hour
  • Need a degree and experience to sign up

5. Scribbr

Scribbr is a proofreading company for students that need help with theses and dissertations. There are opportunities for entry-level proofreaders all the way through to experienced editors. 

This site also has a lengthy application process, including a language quiz, resume, and motivation statement. You’ll also have to complete an assignment and training program. 

However, you’ll earn between $22 and $27 an hour if accepted. If you’re interested in academic proofreading, this is a good option for making money proofreading. 

✅Pros

  • Focuses on academic proofreading
  • No need to bid against other editors for jobs
  • Decent pay for entry-level proofreaders

❌Cons

  • Lengthy application process
  • Need to complete training and exams

6. Proofreading Services

This is another freelance site dedicated to proofreading and offers great flexibility for remote proofreading. 

Proofreading Services website

Like Scribendi, you can choose how often you work, but you do need to complete a proofreading test to sign up. 

The average pay on Proofreading Services is between $19 and $46 per hour, depending on your experience level and quality of work. This is an excellent start for anyone looking for remote work to proofread anywhere. 

✅Pros

  • Very good hourly rates
  • No bidding for jobs
  • Good customer support

Cons

  • Jobs aren’t as regular as larger sites
  • Need to complete a test to sign up

7. Proofreading Pal

If you’re a student, Proofreading Pal is perfect for making extra money every month. The site claims to have an average pay of between $500 and $3000 a month, and the work is totally flexible. 

The site prefers to hire current graduate students with an average GPA of 3.5 or higher, but they also hire those with a minimum of five years of editing experience. 

While the qualifications are strict, Proofreading Pal is an excellent site for students looking to make money with a proofreading service. 

✅Pros

  • Perfect for graduate students
  • Great rates
  • No job board competition

❌Cons

  • Difficult sign-up process
  • Need years of experience if you’re not a graduate

8. Gramlee

This one is an excellent site for smaller, quicker jobs. Gramlee specializes in projects under 3,000 words and has a 24-hour turnaround, so the proofreaders work fast. 

They charge $0.03 per word (maximum $90 per order), and their proofreaders earn a cut per job completed. There are jobs over the 3000-wordcount, but only experienced editors can access those. 

The application process is just a short questionnaire, so it’s straightforward. The more experience you have, the more likely you will hear back from them. 

Overall, Gramlee is an excellent site for general proofreading jobs. 

✅Pros

  • Simple application process
  • Great for beginners with skill
  • Short, fast jobs

❌Cons

  • Fairly low rates
  • Fast turnaround expected

9. Polished Paper

Polished Paper is only for those with previous experience, so if you’re brand-new to finding proofreading jobs online, you won’t get accepted on this website. 

Polished Paper website

Polished Paper is only interested in the best proofreaders, but they pay accordingly. You’ll need to complete a 35-question test, upload your resume, and fill out the registration form. 

Getting accepted is tough, but you’ll find high-paying online proofreading jobs available if you get in. 

✅Pros

  • High paying jobs
  • Supportive team
  • No bidding on gigs

❌Cons

  • Difficult sign-up process
  • Past experience required

10. Edit Fast

Edit Fast is an online freelance job portal with many jobs for proofreaders and editors. 

It’s easy to sign up; you’ll just need a polished resume to upload and to take a short editing test. Once you’re accepted, you can start building your profile.

You need to apply for jobs on this site, and you’ll compete with other editors for work. They have a message board where you can talk with potential clients, and all payments are made via PayPal. 

The major disadvantage of Edit Fast is the fees. The platform keeps 40% of earnings, which is a hefty amount. Once you factor in taxes and PayPal fees, making a living on this site can be challenging. 

However, it’s an easy place for beginners to find their first proofreading projects and gain some experience. 

✅Pros

  • Easy to sign up
  • Tons of legitimate proofreading jobs to apply for

❌Cons

  • Extremely high fees
  • Competition from other proofreaders

11. PeoplePerHour

PPH is another freelancer platform that allows clients to connect with remote workers. The site has everything from web designers to proofreaders, and dozens of new jobs are posted daily. 

Signing up is easy, and you can begin applying for jobs immediately. However, there is stiff competition, and many freelancers are willing to work for low rates. 

The platform also takes a 20% cut on projects under £250 and a 7.5% cut on projects under £5000.

PeoplePerHour website

That said, some great jobs are posted regularly, and you can find your first ongoing clients on the site with some searching. 

✅Pros

  • Easy to sign up
  • Dozens of proofreading and editing jobs added daily

❌Cons

  • High fees
  • Competition from hundreds of freelancers
  • Many low-paying jobs

12. Guru

Last on our list is Guru. This is another freelancer site where you can create an account to showcase your proofreading skill. Potential clients post jobs and then choose the right freelancer based on applications. 

Guru is free to sign up, and they take a 9% cut on earnings. That seems reasonable compared to other sites, but you can only bid on ten jobs per month in the free plan. To bid on more, you’ll have to sign up for a paid monthly membership that starts at $11.95.

✅Pros

  • Easy to sign up
  • Tons of jobs posted daily
  • Low fees compared to other sites

Cons

  • Only ten bids a month for free
  • A lot of competition from other proofreaders
  • Paid membership

How To Make Extra Money Proofreading

If you’ve signed up to some freelancer sites above but are looking for more ways to make money proofreading, here are some extra options. 

LinkedIn

Think of LinkedIn as a giant job board. As a professional proofreader, you should have a LinkedIn account that showcases your experience and skills. Make sure to fill your account with keywords, including proofreader, copy editing, editor, etc. 

LinkedIn also has its own job board where you can look for remote proofreading and editing jobs. Recruiters use the platform to find talent, so connect with them and let them know you’re available for freelance positions. 

School Campus

You can advertise your proofreading services on campus if you’re a student. Libraries and study areas usually have boards where students can advertise services, events, rentals, etc. 

Many students look for local proofreaders to help with their papers, especially those who don’t speak English as a first language. Advertising on campus is an easy way to make extra money with your proofreading services. 

Local Businesses

Finally, don’t forget to reach out to local businesses and tell them how you can help. Businesses often need editors and proofreaders for marketing materials, social media content, and website content. 

Put together a package service and email any local businesses. If you’re just starting out, make sure to give them a great rate and highlight your experience. 

Most businesses like working with local people, even if it’s remote work, so you’re more likely to get those initial clients this way. 

Essential Resources for Proofreaders

Essential Resources for Proofreaders

You don’t need a lot to start proofreading, and if you’re on a tight budget, it’s almost free to get started. Here is a list of the essential tools you need to get your side hustle going:

Grammarly

You can start with the free version, but Grammarly is a must. It will comb through work once you’re done proofreading and help pick out any errors you’ve overlooked. 

No one is perfect, so having a spellchecker will remove typos or mistakes you missed when proofreading content. 

Grammarly has a paid version with more features that can be useful. However, you don’t need this until you have a couple of ongoing clients. 

Ginger

If you’re not a fan of Grammarly, Ginger is another tool for checking grammar. It works well on complex text and can correct difficult grammatical problems if you’re struggling. 

Ginger also has a free Chrome extension that will check all your writing – a must for emails and marketing content. 

Google Docs

It’s a hassle sending and receiving Word documents for projects, and most businesses will want to work in Google Docs instead. 

This free service makes it quick and easy to share documents, edit content, and leave notes. You can also save files offline as needed. 

In Google Docs, you can suggest edits tracking all the changes you make when proofreading a document. It can get a little fiddly, but clients like being able to see all the changes you make. 

Professional Email

Even as a freelancer, you should have a professional email address for communicating with potential clients. Rather than a generic Gmail account, register for a business email to make your new side hustle look more legit. 

sarahsmith2210@gmail.com

vs

hello@sarahsmithediting.com

A professional Gmail is around $4 a month, so it’s a small investment, and clients will be much more likely to trust you. 

Antivirus Software 

Proofreaders usually overlook this, but it’s crucial to have it when starting a proofreading business. 

The confidentiality and protection of your client’s documents are essential, and antivirus software ensures everything is kept safe. 

There are some great free options on the market or paid software for something a little more reliable. 

Proofreading Online Can Provide a Flexible Income

With online freelance sites, LinkedIn, and online marketing, it’s straightforward to make money proofreading. 

As a beginner, you’ll have to deal with entry-level rates, but it won’t take long to build up experience and increase your rates to match. 

Start by signing up to just one or two freelancer sites and see what available jobs are. Remember, proofreading is a talent thousands of people are looking for; you just have to find them. 

If you’re passionate about proofreading and want to turn it into an online business, head to our following guide for a step-by-step process on building your brand and a successful editing and proofreading business.

Recommended: 43 Awesome Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners

How To Make Money Proofreading

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