Freelance Proofreading
Although not so very well paid, proofreading is a money making option for lots of people who have the patience, the skill and the nerves to take up such jobs. Not all best-selling authors have amazing five-style spelling, and not all mistakes are spotted by editors. Moreover, word omissions and grammar mistakes make work seem amateurish, unless there is a proofreader to checked the material before publication. proofreading saves lots of publications from maintaining a reputation. Although, proofreaders are often taken for editors or copywriters, their job is different: they are the ones to scan the text for spelling, formating and manuscript errors and pay attention to minute details. Freelance proofreading applies not only to newspapers, books and other publications but to online materials as well. Web content and brochures also require error checking, and jobs are often posted for such cases in particular. In case the proofreading service will be contracted for a book, the publisher will choose a job applicant that is familiar with all the style conventions as they are depicted in the standard style manuals. All the corrections made by a proofreader will then be checked by another party as the final stage before the manuscript publication. If

a proofreading job requires special style mentions, the contractor will inform you on the details previous to work start. If the material you are hired for is less formal, then you won't have to use style manuals too much. You will actually find similarities between your tasks and those of a copywriter, and there may be cases when re-writes are necessary on occasion. We need to emphasize the importance of work experience here, because proofreading jobs are more difficult to land when you cannot prove your abilities. If you manage to work with other proofreaders and copywriters or collaborate with a team of well-established proofreaders, you have more chances of practicing this profession independently and in the way. There are Internet websites where you can advertise your proofreading services and eventually get a job. Sometimes, you may have to start with smaller, poorly paid projects in order to make a name and gain a good reputation. Do not expect proofreading to be piece of cake, and do not commit to such a work activity unless you have a good mastery of language, style, spelling and grammar. There should be plenty of work available if you know where to look for it and you have something valuable to offer. Good luck!