Drumroll, please! Your quiz results are in! You got…
That means typos and grammatical errors in your favorite type of content (think books, websites, blogs, college papers, resumes, and more) don’t stand a chance against you.
Ready to learn how you can turn skills you already have into a money-making side hustle?
If you…
And if you…
…then you’re going to love being a general proofreader!
Ready to learn how you can turn skills you already have into a money-making side hustle?
I’m glad you asked! General proofreading focuses on any type of content where the writer has direct control over the words on the page (as opposed to the verbatim spoken word). It closely follows the formal grammar rules we learned in school and makes everything grammatically correct (while following client preferences).
Compared to transcript proofreading for court reporters, it’s much more black and white, and it takes less training. General proofreading is what you usually think of when you think of proofreading and what you’re already used to doing when you read a book and want to fix an error.
Once a general proofreader connects with a client and they both decide to move forward, they’ll sign a contract, agreeing to the rates and turnaround time. The general proofreader (you!) will proofread the document the client sends you in the file type they prefer, and then you will send it back to the client by the due date. You will invoice the client for the job…and get PAID!
The Editorial Freelance Association rate guide quotes the median rate anywhere from $35-$65/hour. This is just an average, and you can make less or more depending on a variety of factors including the complexity and size of the project, your proofreading efficiency, and your rates. You could make as little as a few bucks a month if you only do one small job or you can make a thousand or two if you have consistent work from clients. It’s up to you! (I cover how to set your rates inside my training.) When I was a general proofreader, I made $1-2,000/month.
You can do this on your schedule and from wherever you want to work.
As long as you are skilled as a proofreader, are easy to work with, and get jobs back on time, your clients don’t care what location you proof from or what time of day (or night!) you like to work.
What are the steps to being the general proofreader clients want to work with so you can make money as your own boss, on your own time, and wherever you want?
Need help with those steps?
I got you, friend!
The General Proofreading Guides streamline exactly what you need to know to help you build a money-making side hustle where you’re your own boss, you set your own schedule, and you work where you want.
Each guide is a fluff-free PDF that meets you where you’re at and takes the stress, overwhelm, and I feel so lost right now out of starting and running a successful proofreading business.
How to Proofread as a General Proofreader
Unlock the skills to confidently take on clients by mastering the art of proofreading with clear, no-nonsense steps. Lay the foundation for your new business, understand the crucial — and very specific role — of a proofreader so you remain within your scope of practice and give your clients exactly what they need, effectively use proofreading tools, tailor your services to meet client needs, and get some practical experience under your belt so you aren’t a newbie before you start working with clients.
The General Proofreader’s Grammar Guide
Enhance your grammar skills and tackle common errors with confidence as a general proofreader. This guide provides you with quick references and essential rules, ensuring you’re always prepared to spot and correct mistakes effectively. It’s the perfect resource to bring all of your Grammar skills back to the forefront and rebuild your efficiency with Grammar in case it’s been a little while!
How to Set up Your General Proofreading Business for Success
Streamline your journey to becoming a successful general proofreader by mastering the essentials of business setup, including rates, contracts, and job management. This comprehensive guide simplifies everything from invoicing and organization to client interactions, empowering you to navigate your new business with confidence and ease.
How to Find and Get General Proofreading Clients
Master the art of client acquisition without the discomfort of traditional (i.e., icky and spammy) marketing tactics. Learn to showcase your authentic self—whether you’re introverted or extroverted—while confidently attracting clients and building a thriving general proofreading side hustle, both on and off social media. Plus, gain access to bonus coaching call replays that dive deeper into effective marketing strategies tailored just for you!
I started proofreading right out of high school. I was really good at grammar in school, and I loved reading and fixing things, so proofreading was a great fit. My first official job was with the Writing Center at the university I went to. I worked with college and graduate students to edit and proof their papers. After I dropped out of college a couple years later, I started proofreading online.
It took a lot of work trying to build my business on my own without any business know-how. Contracts? Marketing? Setting rates? Taking time off? How to proofread inside a PDF? 😱 I made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of cringy moments — the moments that come to you at 2:00 in the morning and make you want to crawl all the way under the covers and never show your face again.
BUT! I was stubborn and determined, so I made it happen. I proofread so many fun projects — nonfiction books on health and wellness, theology, and self-improvement; fiction books including sci-fi, fantasy, and romance; business papers for professionals; website content; blog posts; email newsletters; even a complete stranger’s family Christmas letter. One of the coolest jobs I got was proofreading answers for a huge online question-answer business and eventually managing a team of writers from around the world!
I did it all from my comfy recliner in the living room and a table near a window at the local library. Besides the flexibility and money (which was awesome!), I loved the variety of clients and work that came from being a general proofreader, the content I got to read and learn from, and knowing I made my clients feel more confident with their writing.
Proofreading has made a huge impact in my life. It hasn’t been just a side hustle for me. It’s been a lifestyle. It’s been a way for me to be me. To support myself. To live life on my terms without someone else telling me what to do. To work where I want, when I want, how I want. To support my husband’s goals. To feel fulfilled and satisfied. To make money doing something I love to do.
It all started by being a general proofreader.
That’s why I’ve dedicated my life to helping you be successful with your proofreading business too. That way you can have a life that fills you up and allows you to show up for yourself and others the way you want and need to ❤️
And it’s why I’m so excited for you to get your hands on the general proofreading guides! That way you can have an affordable and simple-but-effective way to take your proofreading business where you want it to be with the know-how I wish I had when I first started.
To making your life happen the way you want it to!
Does this teach me how to become a Transcript Proofreader?
No, these guides only apply to general proofreading. They do not apply to transcript proofreading for court reporters. Transcript proofreading is a very unique, advanced type of proofreading and requires very specific, in-depth training to complete. General proofreading and transcript proofreading are not the same and therefore the same training would not apply.
Is there a support community with the guides?
Because the guides are standalone training and not a course, there is no additional support or support community included.
Do you give refunds?
There are no refunds for any reason. If you’re wondering if this is a good fit for you or you have other questions before getting a guide(s), send me an email: elizabeth@elizabethjwiegner.com
Do I need a degree or certification?
You sure don’t! I’m a college dropout, and not once has that ever held me back from getting a proofreading job I wanted. Your clients care about how you show up and how skilled you are at proofreading, not the letters after your name. (I’ll show you how to market so you can show prospective clients how awesome you are regardless if you have a degree/certification or not.)
Do I have to live in the US?
Because jobs are received and returned digitally, you can live anywhere you get internet access. I specifically teach US grammar/spelling and how to set up a business in the US, but otherwise, how to proofread, run your business, and market yourself can be applied anywhere in the world. This side hustle is SO flexible!
What if English isn’t my first language?
English can be your second (or third or fourth!) language as long as you’re conversationally and grammatically fluent in English. That’s because your entire job from start to finish revolves around working with the English language — from communicating with a client to proofreading their writing.
Do you guarantee I’ll get clients and make money?
I do not. Your success is up to you. I promise to share with you training that works if you follow through with it. It’s up to you to show up and consistently apply what you learn. Proofreading isn’t a “get rich quick without any work” scheme. You have to be willing to put in the work to make your proofreading business happen — it’s worth it!
Will you tell me exactly where to get clients?
General proofreading covers such a broad number of potential clients that it would be impossible to list every single place. However, I share with you my favorite places to find clients, how you can find where your ideal client hangs out, and how to get clients.
What reference manual do your guides focus on?
My guides focus on The Chicago Manual of Style as that’s the manual I primarily used as a general proofreader. However, the principles you learn inside the guides apply to CMOS, AP, etc.
What do I need to get started?
You will need a laptop/desktop or a tablet that you can run an internet browser and Adobe on. Proofreading should not be done on your phone as the screen is too small to catch all the errors you need to, and proofreading software is very clunky on your phone/not available. You will also need internet.
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Testimonials, feedback, and reviews are directly from students. They have not been compensated for their comments. Success/results/income is not guaranteed and can vary from student to student. Proofreading is not a “get rich” or “get rich quick doing nothing” business. It takes diligence, learning, and showing up for yourself to get the results you want. No coaching, training, or course will give you the life you want to have; you have to put in the work. Your success is up to you!
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