Professional Tips: Online Freelance Marketplaces

If you’re looking for proofreading work, you might want to sign up to some online freelance marketplaces. But what do these involve? And how do they work? Let us explain the basics.

What Are Online Freelance Marketplaces?

Online marketplaces are everywhere these days. And if you’ve ever bought from a trader on Amazon or eBay, you’ll have a basic idea of how freelance marketplaces work as well.

The basic concept is a marketplace that provides a platform for freelancers and clients:

• Freelancers can sign up to a marketplace, create a profile, and list the services they offer.
• Clients can contact freelancers to hire them and/or list jobs they have available.

As well as helping freelancers and clients connect, these marketplaces usually facilitate other aspects of the work, such as client communications, tracking project progress, and billing. This means that you can focus on the job at hand and don’t have to worry so much about admin.

Marketplaces do vary, though. Some require freelancers to bid on projects, for instance, with the job going to the lowest bidder. Others simply connect clients and freelancers (although keep in mind that some will charge a fee or percentage on successful connections).

This means it is worth researching sites before signing up. But as a simple way of finding work, online freelance marketplaces can be invaluable for budding proofreaders and editors.

Which Marketplaces Should Proofreaders Use?

Most online freelance marketplaces cover all kinds of freelance work, not just proofreading. But some of the biggest names in the freelance marketplace world include:

• Fiverr – Originally focused on $5 jobs, Fiverr has grown into one of the world’s leading freelance markets, with Fiverr Pro an elite tier for the best-rated freelancers.
• Upwork – Possibly the world’s biggest online freelance market. For dedicated users, the Rising Talent and Top Rated schemes can help you stand out from the crowd.
• PeoplePerHour – An easy-to-use online marketplace that is great for UK freelancers.
• AirTasker – As above but based in Sydney, so ideal for Australian freelancers.

These are good places to start if you’re new to the world of online freelancing. But don’t forget to look at the options available, as other sites may be more suited to your requirements.

Becoming A Proofreader

To work as a freelance proofreader, you first need the skills! And the best way to learn them is with our Becoming A Proofreader course. Find out more by signing up for a free trial today.