Proof Reading

[Urban Space]

Hi,

I've recently had a bit of business come my way with reference to proof reading/editing. I'm thinking of getting into it a bit more, but I need to know how to charge? Does anyone roughly know the rate at which proofreaders work? Per hour? Per Page? How much would you pay?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

Liam

[DarrenC]

Hi Liam,

I think for your first client you should always do it for free ;) joking of course! There are a number of factors you need to take into consideration when looking at your rates.

Length of page
Amount of mistakes instantly seen on page

When someone comes to you for a quote you need to ask for the pages they want proofreading, and then visit them - base your quote on the pages.

I am sure a proofreader in the forum will have a better understanding of the business than I will though.

Also bear in mind, that if your starting out you want to attract business, and testimonials, so maybe start off at the lower rate, and as you gain experience, increase the rate.

Darren

[Urban Space]

Thanks Matey!

Did you get those pages I sent to you?

Thanks

Liam

[DarrenC]

Liam, yep just sent you a PM now :)

[fastfences]

I'm thinking of getting into it a bit more, but I need to know how to charge?
Liam

Hi Liam.
Be very careful with this. Proof-reading is not just plucking a couple of 'typos' from a script. There are many facets, not the least of which are grammatical construction and punctuation.
Your quote above is one such example. This is a statement, not a question and therefore does not require a question mark.

Cheers, Nigel

[Urban Space]

Tut Nigellllll! You've stamped out all my ideas before! :cry:

[Jayne]

Hi,

Don't you need qualifications to be a proof reader? You haven't finished school yet have you Liam?

Jayne

[Urban Space]

Omg, lets all stamp Liam down! And no, you don't need any qualifications, just a sound knowledge of spelling and punctuation! I've already made more money from this than a paper round churns out, so don't knock me!

Liam

[DarrenC]

Good points by Nigel and Jayne (listen to experienced business people - we all have to learn) - maybe proof-reader is not the right term Liam?

You've done a grand job on the pages I've sent you, but looking at a proof-reader job outline, what you do is check for grammar and spelling, which is just a very small part of proof-reading.

[fastfences]

No Liam, don't get me wrong. The idea and initiative are good. But what do you think will happen if you do, say, a 10 page job and get £10.00 for it, then later find that the material has been released with an error. The owner of the script 'may then put it on ya' for a refund.

Down the drain by £10.00 for an hour's work.

This is just a scenario. To elaborate, it's a bit like trying to do a tonsilectomy without the experience or qualification - could lead to big problems.

Cheers, Nigel

[Urban Space]

Tut, fine :(

[DarrenC]

Tut, fine :(

Don't get down about peoples comments, learn from them. Why don't you do your schooling, because that's important, and in your spare time learn from people in here, maybe look at designing a website?

It's great to see someone young taking an interest in their future, so don't loose that.

Darren

[Urban Space]

Well I was only doing this as a bit of an extra...But seeing as you guys have been so supportive, I'm giving up completely :( Guess I'm just not ready :(

I won't bother coming on here anymore

[Coding Monkey]

They're not criticising you, just offering advice. I setup my first business at 16 and it went fantastic. 5 years later I run 2 companies and my other business partner is nearly 10 years older than me. Age only becomes an issue if you allow it.

Just stick to what you enjoy and work at it

[Jayne]

Don't be silly Liam, It's great you are trying, we are trying to help and look out for you, so you don't do anything stupid and get in trouble. :D

I don't just write poems for anyone you know :lol:

Jayne

[Coding Monkey]

Here, here, Jane.

If it wasn't for my dad being 100% honest with me when I setup Coding Monkeys, it probably wouldn't have come to much. He's been running his company for over 30 years, so although I wanted to believe I was right about everything, I'm glad I listened and learnt. He never meant to offend, just offer advice. Just what these people are doing

[Urban Space]

I'm sorry! It's just I'm trying ever so hard at all this, but however much I try I just get put down! I try and try and try but it just seems so pointless!

Sorry for over reacting - It's my hormones :lol:

Sorry for being a moody teen lol!

I'm back :)

Liam

[DarrenC]

They're not criticising you, just offering advice. I setup my first business at 16 and it went fantastic. 5 years later I run 2 companies and my other business partner is nearly 10 years older than me. Age only becomes an issue if you allow it.

Just stick to what you enjoy and work at it

Great points Tom.

To be fair I didn't help you Liam, by asking you to look at them pages - you have to build a business properly, and it's not as simple as performing a task and getting paid for it.

I feel abit guilty about that - thought I was helping someone out who wanted to get on in life :?

Learn and like Tom says he was 16 when he started his business, so take some time to build up your knowledge about running and building a business.

Darren

[Admiral Collections]

The guys in here are so harsh and I think they might be a tad jealous that someone so young shows more initiative that they could have shown at his age. Try out your ideas in here Liam and take the advice but don't let it bring you down. Keep trying 8)

Nic :wink:

[fastfences]

The guys in here are so harsh and I think they might be a tad jealous that someone so young shows more initiative that they could have shown at his age.

Hang on!!

This is not about vindictiveness or retribution for supposed jealousy. Liam is a member like any other and deserves help, advice, guidance and assistance from those who wish to offer. It has nothing whatsoever to do with levels of initiative any of us have displayed when younger.

Liam has chosen to be a member on a Business Forum and in so doing has to 'mix it' with the big boys (and girls). He doesn't want the 'menial' tasks of delivering papers. No Nic, this is not about criticism and put downs; it's about reality.

You must note there is a balance here, as only yesterday in a post Liam was heartily congratulated for diagnosing and rectifying a computer programming fault. The equation is balanced in favour of advice and reward.

Cheers and regards, Nigel

[Amber]

I find that a lot of people tend to think that proofreading is very easy, and that anyone who can spell can make a living from it. If you're really serious about it I'd advise you to check out the SfEP (www.sfep.co.uk) and perhaps think about taking one of their courses. No, there isn't really a recognised qualification in proofreading, but membership of the SfEP is about as close as you'll get.

You should also speak to Mumper, who runs a proofreading business.

[Coding Monkey]

Hang on!!

This is not about vindictiveness or retribution for supposed jealosy. Liam is a menber like any other and deserves help, advice, guidance and assistance from those who wish to offer. It has nothing whatsoever to do with levels of initiative any of us have displayed when younger.


That's jealousy and member. £50 please :wink:

[Admiral Collections]

Mac your reply to Nigel is class!

Nigel where are you, you have gone all quiet!

As for big boys, I guess that's just a matter of opinion Nige :shock:


Nic :wink:

[Hayles]

I agree with Nigel (I must be poorly). The advice given is honest and for the right reasons, not through jelously in any way. Quite a strange thing to say Nic?! :?

However Liam, you do have a choice whether or not to accept someone elses opinions. But, if you ask for it, you have to bear it - whether it's supportive or negative. If you are really interested in a bit of proof-reading, why not offer your services to smaller (may be charity) organisations? If you're honest from the outset ie. you're not very experienced but you feel you're pretty good at it, you might get some small jobs in that you may or may not get paid for. And, although I'm sorry to keep repeating it, you'll get experience! I did some volunteer work when I was your age - it all helps.

Hayles

[Admiral Collections]

My point was that whatever you thought of your advice etc, Liam was upset by it. He is at an age where a crushing comment could discourage him, so I don't think what I said was strange at all.

Constructive advice is fine but to poo poo his ideas and insult him isn't on!

Nic :wink:

[fastfences]

My point was that whatever you thought of your advice etc, Liam was upset by it. He is at an age where a crushing comment could discourage him, so I don't think what I said was strange at all.
Constructive advice is fine but to poo poo his ideas and insult him isn't on!
Nic :wink:

No one in this thread had insulted Liam. Nor were his ideas 'poo poo'd'. In fact, I had offered the following:
No Liam, don't get me wrong. The idea and initiative are good.

However, there is more to this. I stand by my belief that Liam is deserved of the same advice, attention guidance etc as everyone else, and I, too, was upset and disappointed to read of Liam's reaction and consequent 'withdrawal' from the forum. I immediately PM'd Liam with the following:

Hi Liam,
Please don't be distracted by people's (and mine) comments.

This forum is full of different personalities and humour and varying levels of advice can seem, at times, critical. But we are a sort of 'club' and in wanting to help one-an-other the message that sometimes comes across will be taken the wrong way.

Most business ventures require a certain level of expertise and skill. Some may be commenced with a lower level of skill than others. I do not believe that Proof-reading is one of them. Many proof-readers have done Journalism at Uni and most would have a qualification of some degree. Despite my occupation as a Fencing Contractor, I have a Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing and have had many works published and have a range of Romance Cards out. (see www.niglerb.com)

In any business venture you'll get kicked in the head, spat on, criticised and heck knows what else. But the winners are survivors and beat the crap out of them all.

I have a 15 year old GIRL working for me. She digs holes, carries wood and does everything I never thought she could do. She has proved herself a winner because she has a point to prove.

So do you!! Get back on the Forum and say you understand the comments and that you'll strive to find something that will benefit both you and us. You will do it!

Cheers, Nigel

I post this solely in the interest of letting members know that quite often, all is not what it seems. Furthermore, and without seeking credit, Liam has returned and acknowledged, in a sense, his understanding of the predicament.
Cheers, Nigel

[coxadmin]

Hi,

I've recently had a bit of business come my way with reference to proof reading/editing. I'm thinking of getting into it a bit more, but I need to know how to charge? Does anyone roughly know the rate at which proofreaders work? Per hour? Per Page? How much would you pay?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

Liam

To get back to the question asked by Liam, many proofreaders charge per hour. The hourly rate depends on the experience of the proofreader.

As others have stated, proofreading requires a sound knowledge of grammar and punctuation, in addition to having an eye for detail. It also helps to know about the subject of the document you are proofreading - e.g. if the document is scientific, it is wise not to take on the job if you have no knowledge of scientific matters.

[DarrenC]

Hopefully Liam is reading this discussion. I'll openly admit that my grama and speling is average for a 32 yr old, but the work Liam has done is of very good quality (and I am not just saying that to make him feel better!)

We all have skills we would like to improve. Liam and anyone else his age has a lot to give this forum and it's great to see young people taking an interest and wanting to get on in life.

I personally hope he comes back because he has a lot to give, and there's a lot of knowledge and experience to give him.

I'm going to duck out of this discussion now, and get on with learning from all of these knowledgeable business owners.

[Jayne]

Liam hasn't gone, if he's a normal young lad, he'll be out snogging his girlfriend somewhere :D

Jayne

[DarrenC]

:lol: which is where I should be :O

[Jayne]

Get yourself off then, don't keep a lady waiting :lol:

Jayne

[DarrenC]

Ahh well she's working (she works for HSBC) so that's why I'm sat like a sadcase reading and answering forum posts :lol:

[Jayne]

Bless!

You'll have to snog her later then :D

Jayne

[clairemackaness]

Oh, dear. Looks like a day in the office has meant missing out on a fabulous ranting time that was had by all!!

Liam - Dont take anything to heart. All the advice on this forum (no matter how much it sounds like a slag off) is good advice. We are all here for two reasons and two reasons only...to make money and to help other like minded individuals. Dont go, between us we will find something you can do.

Nigel - I totally understand everything you have said, however perhaps you do need to think about the way you phrase things. Now that I feel I know you I can understand where your coming from, but when I was new, I also miss-read some of the things you said to be harsh.

Everyone........BIG HUGS!! and UKBF Love all round

[DarrenC]

I can feel the love :D

[Jayne]

Hope not Darren, you said she was working :lol:

Jayne