Turn typos into cash
What if you could have a money-making side hustle fixing typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues inside content you already like to read?
It’s called general proofreading — and it’s about time you made money off those error-catching eyeballs of yours!
That’s right! Writers of books, blogs, courses, websites, guides, emails, social media posts, grants, papers (the list goes on) will pay you to fix the errors they invariably make when they’re writing.
It’s as straightforward as 1, 2, 3:
- Learn how to proofread
- Learn how to set up your business
- Learn how to get clients
I got you with all three! Ready? Let’s do this.
Turn typos into cash
What if you could have a money-making side hustle fixing typos, grammar errors, and formatting issues inside content you already like to read?
It’s called general proofreading — and it’s about time you made money off those error-catching eyeballs of yours.
That’s right! Writers of books, blogs, courses, websites, guides, emails, social media posts, grants, papers (the list goes on) will pay you to fix the errors they invariably make when they’re writing.
It’s as straightforward as 1, 2, 3:
- Learn how to proofread
- Learn how to set up your business
- Learn how to get clients
I got you with all three! Ready? Let’s do this.
What is general proofreading?
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) — think books, websites, papers, blogs, grants, etc. 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. It’s 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.
Now you can learn how to get paid to correct the errors you see everywhere!
Ready to start turning typos into a fun, flexible side hustle?
Take the stress and guesswork out of your proofreading side hustle with The General Proofreading Guides
Finally! A comprehensive and customizable way to have a successful general proofreading business. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at it for a while, you’re in the right place.
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. (They’re what I wish I had when I started my proofreading business nearly 20 years ago!)
Each guide is a fluff-free PDF you can download straight to your computer or print out to reference whenever you need. Get all the guides together or grab the one you need right now for your business.
If you’ve never proofed before and need to learn the basics
How to proofread as a general proofreader: The step-by-step guide to learning how to proofread books, blog posts, and more
You love to read and you see mistakes everywhere, right? What if you could create a side hustle and make some extra money doing just that? Yes, please!
The first step? Learn how to proofread so you know what to do when a client hires you! I’ll teach you exactly how with clear, no-fluff steps.
Inside this comprehensive, step-by-step PDF guide, chapters include
- How to set yourself up for success (includes a bonus group coaching replay!)
- What a general proofreader does
- How to name your business
- What resources you should use
- Common proofreading tools and how to use them
- How to work with client preferences
- Proofreading practice
- BONUS: Time management training with productivity expert Kristen Van Horn
The 29 pages are packed with training, additional resource links, videos, and action items so you can apply what you’re learning. It’s everything you need to learn how to proofread!
Get it for $37.
If you need to brush up on your grammar
The general proofreader's grammar guide: Next-level your grammar and spelling skills so you can wow your clients and proofread with confidence
As a general proofreader, you’re going to come across a lot of wrong/misspelled words and grammar errors. Some errors you will know right away how to fix them. Others you will need a quick place to double-check you’re correct or learn a new rule.
Inside this PDF guide, you’ll learn the right way to correct the most common mistakes you’ll find as a proofreader.
Sections include:
- Commas
- Semicolons
- Quotation marks
- Hyphens
- Dashes
- Apostrophes
- Subject/verb agreement
- Spacing
- Italics
- Numbers
- Frequently confused words and phrases
- Resources to use as a general proofreader
Get it for $37!
If you need help with business details like setting up your business entity, rates, contracts, managing a job from start to finish, etc.
How to set up your general proofreading business for success: The step-by-step guide to starting and running your proofreading business
Taxes, insurance, what to charge, invoicing, contracts, what to do when you get a client, how to stay organized 
When you’re starting your general proofreading business, figuring all that out on your own can feel really overwhelming.
When I started proofreading nearly 20 years ago, I knew how to proofread really well…but I didn’t know how to start and run my new online business! I made some big mistakes and left money on the table because I didn’t know what I was doing.
You don’t have to feel overwhelmed, stressed out, or completely lost when it comes to starting your general proofreading business though!
I’ll show you exactly what I wish I had known when I started proofreading so you can start your proofreading business in no time.
Inside this comprehensive, step-by-step PDF guide, chapters include
- Setting up your business email address
- Working with a CPA to set up your business and understand taxes
- Business finances
- How to set your rates
- How to invoice
- How to avoid getting scammed + contracts
- Health and business insurance
- What to do when you get a client
- A proofreading job from start to finish
- Scheduling your proofreading time
- How to stay organized as a proofreader
- BONUS! Business coaching call replays! Get access to hours of coaching call recordings I lead that do an even deeper dive into starting up your business
Get it for $77!
If you need help with finding clients
How to find and get general proofreading clients: The step-by-step guide to getting clients without feeling gross, spammy, and fake -- even if you're an introvert
Have you been trying to get clients but you feel stuck and frustrated? Are you just getting started on your business and need help knowing where in the world to start with marketing?
Marketing isn’t something most proofreaders know how to do — and you’re not expected to. It’s one thing to know how to proofread, and it’s a completely different thing to know how to market well and get clients.
Most of us have a bad feeling about marketing. It feels so uncomfortable, even icky and spammy. We worry about annoying people or doing something dumb.
But the way I teach marketing isn’t about bugging your mom and best friends to buy from you. It isn’t turning you into someone you aren’t where you feel fake.
It’s about taking the unique, wonderful personality you have — whether you’re introverted or extroverted — and showing up for potential clients in ways that feel genuine and helpful.
That way you can confidently market yourself, get clients, and build a general proofreading side hustle (or full-time career!) where you can work on your own schedule wherever you want with clients you love 
Ready to learn how?
Inside this comprehensive, step-by-step PDF guide, chapters include
- Setting yourself up for success
- The foundation of marketing
- Finding your niche
- Adding value to stand out
- Your help statement
- Be you
- Offline marketing
- Your Facebook page
- Your proofreading website
- Social media platforms to market on
- What to do on social media to get clients
- Keeping it real on social media
- Marketing in social media groups
- Freelance job sites
- Write cover letters and proposals that get you jobs
- Get a marketing plan in place
- How to not constantly be marketing
- BONUS! Marketing coaching call replays! Get access to hours of coaching call recordings I lead that do an even deeper dive into marketing. (Topics include testimonials, prioritizing your client, how to market when social media isn’t your thing, offline marketing, working with book publishers, posting on social media, and more!)
Get it for $97!
Ready to go all in on your general proofreading side hustle? Get all for guides together at a discount!
The General Proofreading Guides: All four together at a 25% discount!
These PDF guides are packed with training, additional resource links, videos, and action items so you can apply what you’re learning. PLUS! Hours of group coaching call replays that do an even deeper dive into setting up and marketing your business.
They’re what I wish I had known when I started proofreading nearly 20 years ago! Start your general proofreading business and be successful without all the stress and overwhelm of having to figure it out on your own.
Get them all for $186 — a 25% discount!
I’m Elizabeth Wiegner, The Proofreading Business Coach.
Starting your own general proofreading business can seem intimidating if you don’t know where to start. BUT! If you already have a natural gift for catching grammar errors and typos everywhere and you have a desire to learn, I can help you take care of the rest.
Since 2006, I’ve made thousands and thousands of dollars with my proofreading business. I’ve gone through courses, googled (a ton…), masterminded with proofreading and marketing geniuses, experimented with different proofing methods…and built the proofreading business (and life!) of my dreams.
Now I help others start their proofreading businesses too — without the overwhelm and mistakes I went through building mine.
FAQs you should read
What is inside the guides?
Each guide is packed with step-by-step training, additional resource links, and action items so you can apply what you’re learning. The business building and marketing guides also include hours of group coaching call replays that do an even deeper dive into the training. After purchase, a link to the PDF guide will be emailed to you, and you can download it to your computer or print it out.
What if I want more than one guide?
You can get all four guides together, or you can individually purchase the specific guides you want.
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 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!
Does this teach me how to be 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.
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
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.
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!
How much money can I make?
This all depends on how much you want to proof and the type of work you get. You could make as little as a few bucks a month if you only do one small job or you can make a few thousand if you have consistent work from clients. It’s up to you! The Editorial Freelance Association rate guide quotes the median rate anywhere from $31-$45/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. (I cover how to set your rates inside my training!)
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.
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.)
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.
Ready to have a successful general proofreading side hustle?
Tap here to choose your guide:
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. Transcript proofreading is not a get-rich-quick business. It takes diligence, learning, and showing up for yourself to get the results you want. No course will give you the life you want to have unless you put in the work. Your success is up to you -- I'm here to support you!
2020 - 2023 Elizabeth J. Wiegner. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer