If you would like a hassle-free business of your personal, organising a proofreading service has loads going for it. No particular instruments, gear or premises are wanted. You possibly can work any time that fits you, maybe becoming it in round household commitments. You can begin part-time and go full-time later if you want. And when you will not make a fortune, you may actually make a good dwelling.
What Do Proofreaders Do?
Proofreaders carry out a closing verify on the textual content of books and different written supplies (e.g. magazines, newspapers, net pages) earlier than they’re despatched to be printed. They mark up any errors they discover utilizing a normal set of proofreading marks. These corrections are then included earlier than the e-book goes to print.
Proofreaders could also be requested to work in considered one of two methods. They might be despatched the writer’s authentic typescript with the copy editor’s corrections marked on it, together with a duplicate of the proofs. On this case they’re required to verify that the typesetter has carried out all of the editor’s directions and never inserted any errors of his personal. This is named studying in opposition to copy. Alternatively, the proofreader could merely be despatched a set of proofs and be requested to learn via them checking for any errors (e.g. spelling, punctuation or factual errors). This is named performing a straight (or blind) studying.
What Abilities Will I Want?
To begin with, you have to a very good grasp of spelling and punctuation, and not less than a primary data of English grammar (although you may take programs in these areas if required). You have to to be thorough and conscientious, and have a very good eye for element. A typical web page proof could don’t have any a couple of or two errors in it, however as a proofreader you’ll be anticipated to seek out them.
The opposite key requirement is a data of the usual proofreading marks and how you can apply them. The usual marks may be present in guides equivalent to The Chicago Handbook of Type (US) and The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (UK), each of which may be simply obtained from libraries or the Amazon web bookstore. You can too take programs such because the Skilled Proofreading & Enhancing Course from Maple Academy, which can educate you the usual marks and offer you observe in making use of them 교정교열.
Lastly, it’s best to get hold of a very good fashionable dictionary to verify spellings and utilization. This ought to be the full-length model (not less than 150,000 phrases). Pocket and concise dictionaries simply will not do!
Do I Must Take a Course?
It is not important, but when you have not beforehand labored in publishing it’s most likely greatest to do some coaching earlier than advertising and marketing your service to paying purchasers, if solely to construct your confidence and hone your expertise. As talked about above, Maple Academy runs a complete introductory course protecting each proofreading and duplicate enhancing, with correspondence tuition from skilled proofreaders and editors.
How Can I Promote My Service?
Publishing homes are the largest employers of freelance proofreaders, and a method of discovering work is just to jot down to them providing your companies. A whole lot of publishing homes are listed in Author’s Market (US) or The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (UK).
Slightly than ship out a mass mailshot, nevertheless, it might be higher to focus on publishers who produce books on topics the place you’ve specialist data. In case you have instructing expertise, for instance, focus on college textbook publishers. In case you have French as a second language, goal publishers within the fashionable languages area. While you write, remember to say any related {qualifications} and expertise.
Many different companies additionally use freelance proofreaders. Promoting, design and PR companies specifically are nicely price making an attempt, as are printers and typesetting firms. You must discover dozens of such companies listed in your native Yellow Pages or phone listing. Ship them a letter of software, and even higher give them a name.
Writers and aspiring writers are yet one more potential market. Attempt promoting your companies in magazines aimed toward writers, equivalent to Author’s Digest (US) or Author’s Information (UK). Attempt to get hold of a pattern copy first, nevertheless, so you may see how different proofreaders are doing it. Lastly, you possibly can attempt promoting in native business magazines and directories.