How to Become a Freelance Proofreader

You read the newspaper with a red pen to circle spelling mistakes and delete misused apostrophes. All the while you wonder why advertisers spend so much money to send such a poor message. Enter YOU to the rescue. You can become a freelance proofreader!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Vaious Newspaper ads
• Various website content

1. Create a file of poorly worded newspaper ads from local businesses. Add to it regularly.
2. For each advertisement, create a corrected version. Clean up the excess verbiage, properly spell each word, and punctuate every sentence. Don't change the content of the message, but do correct obvious mistakes.
3. Once you have a few advertisements from one local business, call and ask for a meeting with the owner or manager.
4. Explain to the owner that his ads have caught your attention. Pull out the old ads and show him clearly--but kindly--what is wrong with them.
   
   Then pull out your corrected versions and describe how seemingly minor details have a negative impact on his company's credibility and, therefore, on the bottom-line.
5. Offer to proofread all future ads for a fee.
6. Negotiate a timetable and fee structure.
7. Send a written proposal to him later that day outlining your agreement to work for him as a freelance proofreader. Follow up by telephone to confirm the arrangement.
8. Repeat the process with other local businesses and build up your freelance proofreading buisness.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have marketing or graphic talents, you may want to offer suggestions regarding content and layout of the ads as well.
• Be careful not to come across as a snobby know-it-all regarding grammar and punctuation. Many people are simply unaware of their poor usage and will respond positively to a compassionate offer of help.