Are you looking to have a freelance proofreading business? Do you want to make a part or full-time income from proofreading?
If this is you, developing your skills is the key to becoming a successful proofreader and standing out in the marketplace.
You need to work on your proofreading and business skills to become the best of the best.
And the fastest way to enhance your knowledge is through proofreading courses.
But wait.
Don’t just enroll in any proofreading course you come across. You need to find the best proofreading course that will set you up for success.
In this article, you’ll discover the top two courses worth your time and money.
You’ll also learn why you should consider either of the courses and what to look out for before deciding to ensure your success as a proofreader.
Let’s dive in.
Proofread Anywhere
Learn how to become a proofreader and make $40k a year from home as a freelance proofreader with this wildly popular program!
15,000+ students. 7+ years of results.
Are proofreading courses worth it?
Yes, proofreading courses are worth it. They provide the essential skills and knowledge required to proofread written content effectively.
The benefits of proofreading courses include the following:
Enhancing skills
Most courses have a structured and comprehensive approach to learning the art of proofreading.
You get to learn the fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style, enabling you to identify and correct text errors.
Gaining industry insights
Proofreading courses also provide valuable insights into industry-standard tools and techniques.
They offer guidance on the industry, best practices, and the latest trends.
This knowledge equips you with the necessary resources to proofread documents provided by clients efficiently.
You also get to understand clients' expectations, which will help you tailor your proofreading services and position yourself as a valuable asset in the industry.
Feedback and guidance
One of the significant advantages of proofreading courses is the instructor's feedback and guidance.
They review your work, offer constructive criticism, and help you refine your skills.
This personalized feedback allows you to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, accelerating your learning process.
Credibility
A course enhances your credibility if you aspire to work as a professional proofreader.
Many online proofreading courses offer certificates upon successful completion.
Employers and proofreading clients value training and certification as it demonstrates a commitment to the craft.
A certification also signifies your competence. A recognized qualification can open doors to more job opportunities and earning potential.
Networking
While taking a proofreading course, you may interact with other learners, instructors, and industry professionals.
This creates networking opportunities, connecting with like-minded individuals and building relationships that can lead to collaborations or referrals.
Networking within the proofreading community can be invaluable for career growth and gaining insights from experienced professionals.
Confidence boost
Finally, investing time and effort into a proofreading course boosts confidence in your abilities.
As you learn, practice, and get feedback, you become more confident in your proofreading capabilities.
Your work will reflect this confidence, enabling you to deliver high-quality client results.
You’ll also get the courage to apply to more proofreading opportunities leading to more income.
What are the educational requirements to become a proofreader?
To become a proofreader, there are no specific educational requirements.
However, having a strong foundation in language skills and a keen eye for detail are essential to becoming a successful proofreader.
Based on observation, while a formal education may not be mandatory, it can certainly be beneficial for developing the necessary skills and knowledge.
It may also give access to specific opportunities, as some online proofreading jobs require a degree before they consider you.
If you need a more conventional education, a proofreading course will help build your reputation.
How long does it take to complete a proofreading course online?
The time it takes to complete a proofreading course varies with the specific course.
The duration also depends on the time commitment of the learner. This is because some of the courses are self-paced.
My research shows that most online proofreading courses have a reasonable completion timeframe.
On average, comprehensive proofreading courses can be completed in a few weeks to a few months.
Some courses have a suggested timeline or a recommended number of weekly study hours to help you stay on track.
Proofreading courses focusing on specific skills or topics may be completed in a shorter duration, such as a few days or weeks.
When considering a proofreading course, it's advisable to review the course details to better understand the expected time commitment.
This will help you to plan your schedule accordingly.
Also, choose courses that offer unrestricted access to the course materials.
Unlimited access will enable you to conveniently refer back whenever you need a refresher on specific details.
What to look out for in a proofreading course
When considering a proofreading course, there are several key factors to consider. They include:
Course content
The first thing to check when considering a course is the course content to understand what will be covered.
Look for comprehensive grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style conventions coverage.
The course should also cover proofreading techniques and editing skills and provide practice exercises to hone your abilities.
Ensure that the course materials are relevant to the industry you want to engage in.
Different fields have specific terminology, writing styles, or formatting guidelines. A course that addresses these specific sections can be valuable.
Instructor qualifications
Research the credentials and experience of the instructor or instructors leading the course.
They should have a strong background and extensive experience in proofreading, editing, or related fields.
Ideally, the instructor should possess recognized certifications or qualifications.
Price
Price determines whether a course is within your budget or not. Establish how much you are willing and able to spend on a proofreading course.
Having a budget in mind helps narrow down your options.
Based on experience, while price is important, it should not be the sole determining factor.
Evaluate the course's content, quality, and reputation to assess whether it offers good value for the price.
Consider the potential return on investment (ROI) from taking the course.
If a higher-priced course significantly enhances your chances of success or leads to higher-paying jobs, it might be worth the investment in the long run.
Interactive learning
It’s beneficial to consider interactive courses instead of purely passive lectures or readings.
Interactive elements such as quizzes, assignments, and discussions can help reinforce your understanding and provide practical experience.
Effective proofreading courses should also offer opportunities for hands-on practice.
Feedback and support
As mentioned, feedback and support from the instructors and fellow learners boost confidence in your skills.
Before choosing a course, establish whether it offers feedback on your work.
Also, ensure you have avenues to ask questions or seek clarification.
Supplementary resources
A comprehensive course should offer additional resources to use in your proofreading activities.
Resources such as style guides, grammar handbooks, or reference materials you can access even after completing the course are essential.
These resources serve as helpful references when encountering complex or unfamiliar proofreading situations.
Flexibility and accessibility
Examine the course format and schedule to ensure it meets your needs and availability.
Some courses are self-paced, while others have fixed schedules and strict timelines.
Self-paced courses allow you to study at your convenience. Choose a course that suits your learning style and availability.
Reviews
It is said that it’s best to learn from the experience of others.
When researching proofreading courses, read reviews and testimonials from previous students who have completed the course.
Their feedback will give you insights into the course's effectiveness, quality, and value for money.
Certification
Ensure that the course provides a certificate you can present to potential clients upon completion.
While optional, a reputable certificate can enhance your credibility as a proofreader and increase your chances of securing freelance or employment opportunities.
Top 2 proofreading courses you should know about
From our experience and extensive research, the two courses we’d recommend include:
- Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle
- Becoming a proofreader by Knowadays
I am aware that several online proofreading courses are available, and a few are offered at no cost.
You might be wondering why I chose the two above.
The choice was based on an experiment and research.
The experiment was part of my commitment to grow my blog. And there is no better way to do this than investing in my team.
I also got firsthand information for this article- a win-win!
The process was simple. I had my team enroll in several proofreading courses available, both free and paid options.
We identified 10 proofreading courses that are highly recommended. I then had everyone enroll in at least two for better comparison.
It took about two months for everyone to start and complete their respective proofreading courses.
From the feedback, it was clear that a majority of the courses that emerged the best were paid courses.
They were also courses offered by independent companies as opposed to editorial organizations.
Proofreading courses by independent companies were more relevant to the marketplace, and they got updated regularly.
I then shortlisted courses that met the criteria mentioned in the “What to look out for in a proofreading course” section.
The two chosen courses stood out because of the detailed content and the ease of finding proofreading opportunities after completion.
I also did a deep dive into the reviews by other students online to eliminate any bias.
Most of what my team had to say resonated with other students.
Review of the best proofreading courses
Proofread Anywhere
Proofread Anywhere is an online course created by Caitlin Pyle.
She is an experienced proofreader and editor with over 10 years in the industry.
Her knack for proofreading started in 2007 as a college student proofreading for her friends.
After working for numerous clients, she started teaching others how to earn as proofreaders in 2014.
Caitlin Pyle is a self-made millionaire based in the United States, and the course is taught in US English.
About the course
The course is referred to as General Proofreading: Theory & Practice.
It aims to teach you how to become a successful freelance proofreader and build your proofreading business.
The proofread anywhere course covers various aspects of proofreading, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and more.
Two versions of the course are available: Ignite and Ignite Plus.
Ignite costs $497, while Ignite plus $597. That’s a $100 difference.
Ignite offers lifetime access to more than 80 lessons structured in 10 training modules, worksheets, quizzes, case studies, a private community, and resource guides.
With Ignite Plus, you enjoy all the features of Ignite and other additions.
This package includes a digital certificate of completion, a hand-graded exam, and membership in a separate marketing mastermind group.
For the certificate, you’ll need to score 90% or higher. This certificate acknowledges your passing grade.
Duration
The proofreading courses have a self-paced structure. As a student, you control when to complete the course.
This makes it very convenient as you can fit the course into your schedule.
On average, it takes approximately one month to finish.
As mentioned, you receive lifetime access to the course materials, including future updates.
Requirements
You are recommended to have two texts:
- The 17th Edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition)
If you’re unsure whether this course suits you, I’d encourage you to enroll in the free 76-minute workshop.
It provides more information on how to establish a thriving proofreading business.
Proofread Anywhere also offers courses such as Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice and Money Mindset Transformation.
Pros of Proofread Anywhere
- The course is self-paced, making learning flexible
- It is a comprehensive course created by an experienced proofreader and editor
- A certificate is provided with the Ignite Plus package
- You receive lifetime access to the course materials and future updates
- Instructor feedback is available to facilitate learning
- Additional resources are provided to help with your proofreading business
- A free workshop is available to provide more information on the course with a $100 discount when enrolling
- There is a private community for learning and networking
Cons of Proofread Anywhere
- You need to pay for ignite Plus to get a certificate
- There are no refunds offered after signing up
- The cost can be high when compared to other proofreading courses
Becoming a proofreader by Knowadays
Becoming a Proofreader by Knowadays is an online course designed to help you learn and develop the skills necessary to become a proofreader.
Formerly known as Proofreading Academy, Knowdays is a fully-fledged learning platform offering various courses.
It is a company managed by a team of professionals experienced in content and online learning.
About the course
Expert tutors offer the course and is CPD certified.
The company is based in the UK, but their courses are taught in US English. If you’d prefer the UK English course version, you can request it.
Becoming a proofreader costs $499.
The course curriculum consists of 13 modules covering several topics related to proofreading.
It includes reading materials, brief tutorial videos, webinars, quizzes, and assignments.
Throughout the course, you can access tutors via email and 24/7 customer support.
These tutors give comprehensive grading and feedback. You receive a certificate upon successful completion.
If you score 80% or higher, considered a distinction, you can work with Proofed, a partner company of Knowadays, on a trial basis.
You’ll get to work on assignments and, after completing 20 documents, become a full freelance proofreader.
It is a great opportunity that allows you to work towards becoming a professional proofreader.
With a passing score, you are also invited to join Knowadays' LinkedIn group of professional proofreaders.
Duration
Becoming a proofreader is a self-paced program estimated to take at least 50 hours to complete.
Requirements
- Laptop or desktop computer
- A full version of Microsoft Word version 2016 and above
Pros of Becoming a Proofreader course
- The course is CPD certified online
- Graduates get guaranteed work
- The course is self-paced
- Tutors are experts and offer comprehensive training and feedback
- There is 24/7 customer support
- A certified certificate is provided to successful students
- A free trial is available
Cons of Becoming a Proofreader course
- The course does not cover setting up a freelance business
- The job guarantee is a trial based on performance
- No dedicated community for learners
Conclusion
Choosing the best proofreading course is essential if you are seeking to enhance your proofreading skills and pursue a career in the field.
The best proofreading course offers comprehensive content, industry insights, practical exercises, and personalized feedback.
Investing in a reputable proofreading course will give you the necessary expertise and confidence to excel in your proofreading endeavors.