Client interviews
Client Case Studies
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become a proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I was an English teacher.
I still have the English teacher in me! I enjoy proofreading and enjoy the chance to use my proofreading skills to help people.
I have immensely enjoyed my work as a proofreader. I thought that I might not like the marketing aspect too much but with Claire’s suggestions the marketing was simple. I now find that I enjoy running the business as much as I enjoy proofreading. I have also been able to work when I want and love the flexibility of having my own business. The money I have made proofreading paid for my trip last year to Bali which was a dream come true.
I help students with their school essays.
My favorite aspect of proofreading it making use of my English skills and knowing that I am making a difference for my clients.
I found the marketing part most helpful because marketing is new to me.
I think that if someone is interested in starting a proofreading business and seeking clients that they should inform their contacts about their services. I was able to gain many clients through my contacts. I also suggest that if you want to succeed with proofreading that you do an excellent job to gain clients through word-of-mouth advertising.
Joan
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become a proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I worked as an administrative assistant but was laid off due to COVID-19.
I needed to make money and wanted to do something that I enjoy.
My experience has been overall positive. I was worried about getting paid proofreading jobs in the beginning but I overcame those concerns quickly. The market for proofreaders is larger than I imagined and I have enjoyed the different types of proofreading work.
I’ve proofread everything from menus, to brochures, to online content, and more. You name it, I’ve probably proofread it!
I like finding errors and the pride I feel in helping people produce quality writing.
All of it! The proofreading, business and marketing sections are informative.
In the beginning you have to put yourself out there to find work. You should also market your services where you can and where it makes sense. This might mean contacting friends, family and colleagues letting them know about your services and/or using social media for marketing. For those who are thinking about proofreading I suggest enrolling in Get Paid to Proofread to learn about this lucrative profession.
Amy
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become a proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I worked in college admissions for many years.
I wanted to make more money to shop and travel.
Words cannot express how amazing proofreading has been for me. I am making more money proofreading compared to my admissions work and this has been such a blessing. I love that I am able to set my own hours. Not having to commute to an office has been a great benefit of proofreading as well.
I am specializing in admissions essays.
I really enjoy reading the essays that students write. Some of the students are very creative and have so many inspirational stories to share. I love that they want to make sure that their application essays are perfect.
I feel that the proofreading information offers a great refresher on grammar and that the marketing section helped me to find work.
Sign up for the course! It was worth every penny. The course has been life changing in giving me the freedom to work from home or from any location around the world. I plan to take a few jobs on an upcoming trip that I’ve paid for through my proofreading profits.
Sarah
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I worked as an administrative assistant for a medium-sized company for several years. Some of my responsibilities were to proofread and edit memos, reports, e-mails, and other types of organizational communication.
I decided to become an independent proofreader for several reasons. First, I love proofreading. Second, I wanted to make extra money for myself and my family. Third, I felt and still feel that proofreading is a flexible job where I can work as much or as little as I want.
My experience as a proofreader has been wonderful! Once I finished the course, I started finding clients and have been actively building the business. In fact, I hired two other proofreaders to work with me and we’ve all been busy. I’m able to work when and where I want and enjoy building the business just as much as I do the proofreading. The money I have made has been wonderful for myself, my team, and my family.
When I started on my own I focused on small businesses. The proofreaders who work with me have areas of specialization, one proofreads translations to English and the other proofreads legal documents based on her legal background.
My favorite part of proofreading is knowing that it makes a difference. Proofreading is about professionalism. When my clients share their words with their audiences they must be perfect to achieve the goal of their writing. I enjoy playing a role in helping my clients sell their products or services, persuade their readers, and communicate effectively.
I enjoyed the proofreading aspects of the course but also the business aspects. In addition to the course, I’ve read Claire’s blogs and they were very helpful in helping me build my business.
The first tip for new proofreaders is to think about the many different types of proofreading work you can go after. From proofreading medical or legal material to small business proofreading, there are many types of proofreading you can perform. Once you have identified an area of interest, and of course ability, you can be more targeted with your marketing efforts.
The second tip I have for new proofreaders is to treat it like a business even if you are only working part time. Before I hired two other proofreaders to work for me I worked alone. I spent time developing the business such as scheduling my proofreading time and my marketing and management time.
The third tip, for someone thinking about becoming a proofreader, is to take Claire’s course. I enjoyed the course and found the teaching platform very user friendly. The best part about the course for me was that it not only gave me more knowledge about proofreading as a profession, I made the investment back within a week!
Kim
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I still work as an assistant in a high-tech company and have added freelance proofreading as an additional source of income.
I wanted flexibility to work when I want and how much I want.
Proofreading has been a great experience. I am meeting wonderful clients from around the world and am being paid to do something that I love doing.
I’ve focused on technical reports for the tech industry.
My favorite aspects of proofreading include the money, learning from the materials I proofread, and honing my proofreading skills.
My favorite part of the course was the professionalism aspect. I believe that this topic is lacking in other programs I reviewed before choosing Get Paid to Proofread.
Proofreading is not a get-rich-quick job. It took me a few weeks to find my first customer, so people should not be discouraged if they do not have customers overnight.
Proofreaders should always maintain their professionalism. My clients continue to hire me for proofreading jobs because I am professional and reliable. Proofreaders also need to focus on the quality of their work to gain repeat business.
Mukesh
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I ‘ve had several part-part time jobs over the years in customer service, telemarketing, restaurant work and cleaning.
I decided to become a proofreader when I lost one of my part time jobs due to COVID-19. Although English is not my first language, I have always loved the nuances of English and enjoy reading and writing. I know that I am skilled in proofreading and decided to give it a chance to make up for lost wages.
My experience as a proofreader has been wonderful. I enjoy the work and my clients.
Most of my work is proofreading documents that have been translate from Spanish to English. I also proofread other types of documents such as manuals.
I am a bit of a wordsmith so I really enjoy the work. I was surprised, however, how much I enjoy growing my own business. I’m used to working for other people which has been a positive experience but being your own boss definitely has some advantages.
I found the business building information and tips most helpful.
I’ve always been a believer in loving what you do so you need to love proofreading. A few things that have helped me along the way in building my business include reaching out to friends to let them know about my proofreading and learning where there is a need in my community for my business.
Proofreaders should be ready to proofread as well as market and manage their business.
Isabella
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I worked in public relations in the hospitality industry.
I’ve proofread documents for people I know such as resumes and cover letters and realized that there is a large market for it.
My experience has been wonderful. I set my own hours, create my own rules, and am the CEO of my own small business. What more could I ask for?
I started with resumes and cover letters when I was sporadically proofreading. When I decided to create my own proofreading company I shifted towards public relations writing after I completed Get Paid to Proofread. I often proofread corporate media reports, media kits and press releases for clients in the Middle East and Europe.
My favorite part of proofreading is helping clients. I know that my work helps my clients show that they are professional and pay attention to details. If potential clients of a public relations firm see that the writing is poor, this reduces the chance that they will be hired. I take pride in knowing that I play a role in helping my clients gain their own clients.
The most helpful part of the course was the promotion section. The proofreading principles section was also useful.
I find that sometimes when a person starts a business, and in particular a freelance business, that they spend a lot of time doing the work to find new clients. While you definitely need to be finding clients, you should not forget that you have to be serving clients who have already paid you.
It’s fine if you are too busy to take a proofreading job and have to say no. It’s much better to say no and do an excellent job with your existing clients than make a bad name for yourself because of poor quality proofreading. The key to any business is repeat business!
Amira
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for a number of years before becoming a proofreader.
I’ve proofread for third-party websites and companies in the past and they take a percentage of the client payment. I decided it was time for me to build my own business where I would be able to make more money.
It’s been a real joy. Being able to set my own hours, work from home or by a beautiful lake, and make more money is wonderful.
I work with a lot of translation documents.
I like that I can proofread from any location I want. I also like the flexibility of the work. Initially, I thought that I would have a hard time with the business aspects of proofreading but I actually enjoy them.
The most helpful aspects of the course for me were the legal, marketing, pitching and payments sections.
Proofreading takes concentration so if you plan to proofread at home, make sure that your family members know not to disturb you during your working hours.
Proofreaders should be ready to tackle some tough text every so often and they should have the common style books handy.
Sophia
What did you do before you became a proofreader?
Why did you decide to become an Independent proofreader?
What has your experience as a proofreader been like?
Are you specializing in a specific type of client work?
What are your favorite aspects of proofreading?
What aspects of the course did you find to be most helpful?
What tips would you give to a new proofreader and/or someone thinking about becoming a proofreader?
I still work in administration for a university and am proofreading for side income.
I became a proofreader to make more money for my family. I am a new father and want to give my child, and future children, a great life.
I’m enjoying proofreading because I enjoy the nature of the work and having a flexible side business that has been profitable.
I proofread webpages and marketing material for several small businesses.
I think proofreading is fun because it’s a challenge, similar to word puzzles, which I also love.
The pitching section was the most helpful section of the course.
My top tip is to be committed to the business. There can be some ups and downs, as with other types of jobs.
I also think that customer service has to be a focus and this includes following up with clients such as sending e-mails to customers to update them about any new service or change. Proofreaders should also find a quiet place for their work.
Aryan
