Dictionary.com defines an editor as “a person having managerial and sometimes policymaking responsibility related to the writing, compilation, and revision of content for a publishing firm or for a newspaper, magazine, or other publication.”
A proofreader is someone who “reads (printers’ proofs, copy, etc.) in order to detect and mark errors to be corrected.”
There is so much web content generated, sales emails composed, online advertising copy written, and so many self-publishing authors, that the job of an editor and/or proofreader has never been so necessary. If you are meticulously detailed and a stickler for spelling and grammar, then editing or proofreading may be the job for you.
There are plenty of methods on the journey to becoming an editor. A college degree in English is always beneficial, as is coursework in editing or proofreading. If you are at a different stage in your life, is it too late for you to become an editor or proofreader?
Of course not! The need is huge in every industry, so look below for courses you can take to learn this valuable skill. You’ll also find job sites listing both editor and proofreader positions.
Courses:
ed2go: ed2go is the industry leader in affordable online learning for adults. We provide the highest-quality online continuing education courses that are easy to use through a network of over 2,100 top colleges and universities.
Coursera: Every course on Coursera is taught by top instructors from the world’s best universities and educational institutions. Courses include recorded video lectures, auto-graded and peer-reviewed assignments, and community discussion forums. When you complete a course, you’ll receive a sharable electronic Course Certificate.
Proofread Anywhere: This is the perfect course to dive into the freelance world of proofreading. Learn the detailed mechanics of proofreading AND how to market your services to find clients, even if you don’t have any experience. This course is packed with 40+ lessons in 8 modules, grammar-specific worksheets, and real-life example jobs. After passing with 90% or higher on the final exam, receive a Certificate of Completion and access to the Self-Publishing School Preferred Outsourcer Rolodex.
Small Revolution is an online school that teaches online workers how to hone their skills and become more marketable. They provide information and links to 80 Authority Websites Offering Legitimate Proofreading Jobs Online [A Comprehensive List] and a list of online employers who are looking for a skilled and reliable online workers. Small Revolution also has a resource list which is titled “Online Job Boards: A Complete List.
Udemy: Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online where students are mastering new skills and achieving their goals by learning from an extensive library of over 80,000 courses taught by expert instructors.
Universal Class: Become a skilled Proofreader or Copyeditor. If you’re looking for a new career path or if you’re a writer who wants to improve your writing skills, learning how to proofread and copyedit with our easy to follow, in-depth course, may be just what you need. The course is completely online and self-paced.
The Writers Bureau: As a freelance proofreader and copy editor you can earn a good income making sure that written copy is professional and error free. To help you succeed we offer you a first-class home-study Proofreading and Copy Editing course written by professionals, expert guidance from your personal tutor, tutor-marked and self-test assignments, advice on how to set yourself up in business, and valuable resources to get you started.
Job Sites:
Upwork: Upwork is a great place to find more clients, and to run and grow your own freelance business. On Upwork, you run your own business and choose your own clients and projects. Clients are now posting jobs in hundreds of skill categories, paying top price for great work. The greater the success you have on projects, the more likely you are to get hired by clients that use Upwork.
Remote.co: Find the best online editing jobs here. Are you hoping to proofread from the comfort of your own home? Or, maybe you’re a digital nomad with a keen eye for detail, and you want to take your copy editing skills on the road. Regardless, one of these online editing jobs could be the right next step in your remote career.
Cactus Communications specializes in academic and medical writing. If you have a background in academia or the medical fields, you can work as an Editor remotely or freelance.
EditFast: EditFast provides a free service to freelance editors. There are promotional tools provided to help the activated editors promote their free Web pages and their skills and talents as editors. When new projects are received from clients by the EditFast administration these projects will be sent out to the best-qualified editor, taking into consideration the needs of the client and the needs of the document. Our goal is to provide fast, quality service to our clients and send work to as many editors as possible.
Scribbr: Since 2012, Scribbr has helped thousands of students earn their degrees. Our team of 400+ academic editors on 6 continents help students across the globe perfect their theses and graduate. Enhance the language and structure of term papers, essays, and theses. Help students finish their bachelor’s master’s, or PhD program. Coach students to become better writers.
Scribendi: Scribendi is a pioneering internet-based language company that offers document revision services to clients in all sectors, including business, academia, and publishing. Our transparent, per-order pricing makes it clear how much a job is worth before you accept it.
Conclusion
If you have ever considered proofreading or editing online, check out one of the fantastic companies above and get started on making your dreams come true!
