If you consider yourself good at editing and have some experience, then it’s a prudent idea to become a freelance editor.
There are many advantages to working as a freelance editor: you can choose your clients, work whenever you want, and of course, work from anywhere – whether it’s on the couch or near the beach.
But the greatest joy is to reach a level where your editing skills rock. Top-notch editing skills should be reflected in having a steady flow of work accompanied by a heap of testimonials from happy customers.
But reaching such a level doesn’t happen overnight. One thing you need to know for sure is that the competition is fierce.
How To Start Freelance Editing – Compelling Ideas
Getting started as a freelance editor may not be the hardest part. You could be good at editing and proofreading, but how to be a freelance editor? This may require you to sell yourself and your achievements aggressively.
One way is to get your work published as widely as possible. Another is to create strong online traffic. But the best is to rank well on search engines.
Some employers may ask you to do some tests, like sample edits, to prove your capability as an editor.
As a cub reporter, getting experience is everything, and before getting started, getting to know an experienced editor can be a good idea. Working for an established editorial company may not pay you much, but it’s an excellent place to learn how to start freelance editing.
You could start by applying for a part-time or full-time position with an established publishing company. That is done generally like you’re applying for a regular job: advertise yourself and what you can offer.
Does Copy Editing Pay?
There are many ideas in the publishing world on how to become a freelance copy editor. But does it pay a decent wage? Anybody can become a proofreader or copy editor as there are no known universal standards that regulate the trade. However, if you’re skilled in punctuation, spelling, and grammar, this will undoubtedly help.
Moreover, a superb grasp of the English language, including word choice, style as well as a fertile imagination for both fiction and non-fiction content can be advantageous.
The best freelance editing is organized pedantic. In your first copy, it’s essential to present your best in terms of the above skills and to get readers to trust you. That is an excellent example of how to become an editor without a degree.
Develop A Niche
When it comes to freelance editing, you may want to resist the urge to offer general proofreading and editing services, as this sounds too generic. Here are specifics you could develop a niche:
• Manuscript editing
• Editing for academic papers
• Dissertation editing
• Book or novel proofreading
• Essays editing
• Products reviews writing
Focus on becoming the best in one of the above slots. That will enable clients to bring your name up if one of your subjects of expertise comes up.
How To Charge For Your Work
Charging for freelance editing can be complicated and challenging. Different freelancers charge different rates depending on how thorough the work needs editing, whether they need proofreading or copy editing.
Some charge $5 for one hour. Others charge $50. Sometimes it’s a good idea to charge per word count. That makes potential clients figure out exactly how much their project is going to cost.
Charging anywhere between $0.01 and $0.02 per word is a reasonable rough estimate for the industry average. That translates to roughly $10 to $20 per 1000 words. Although how to become a freelance editor with no experience may cost you, sometimes it’s best to start at the bottom. After that, you’ll learn the ropes on your way up.
Don’t listen to what other editors are saying. Figure out the complexity of the project and the time you need to do quality work then submit a reasonable quotation to proofread and edit.
One rule of thumb is: figure out how many words you can edit in an hour and use that to establish your pricing.
How To Become A Freelance Proofreader
At the very minimum, a high school course in English, journalism, and literature gives you an excellent foundation in proofreading skills that you need to become a freelance editor.
If you’re a hard worker, you can supplement this knowledge with more courses at university, online, or community college.
There are many places offering courses on how to become a freelance proofreader. One skill they’ll demand in common is that you be well-read. That you should enjoy reading several types of writing and become familiar with several styles, as well as acquire knowledge in multiple fields.
To proofread text successfully, you require a broad understanding of word usage and punctuation, separating common word confusions and spelling words correctly. You should also understand the message the writer is trying to convey.
How To Get Freelance Editing Jobs
Whether it’s the print world or online-based, freelance editors are in high demand.
Everyone who produces content requires a proofreader at some stage. So, there is an endless flow of the content of any kind, and you’re likely to find proofreading work that interests you.
If you’re good, chances are you can proofread any content and any style. Here are some niches that need proofreaders from time to time:
• Academic papers
To get better grades, students will hire proofreaders to correct their work before submission. Those with poor English skills are particularly vulnerable.
With freelance editing online becoming more popular, here is a good chance of how to get freelance editing jobs.
• Online pieces/blog posts
Newspapers and TV articles are quietly getting shelved for online articles and blog posts. With everyone now owning a smartphone, more people are now getting their regular content from smartphones.
• Novels
Freelance editing online for books and other creative pieces of writing is paying more than ever before. If you’re a talented online proofreader, then editing a writer’s novel can make you a substantial income.
• CV/Application letters
When applying for a job, the applicant wants to make an excellent impression to land the job. A proofreader’s input could make the most considerable difference in your chances of getting hired.