Why Proofreading and Editing Are the Best Side Hustles for Writers
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Are you planning to earn an extra income while pursuing your writing career? Proofreading and/or editing could be the perfect side hustle for you.
In today’s blog post, we’re discussing five reasons proofreading and/or editing can be a great second job for writers:
- The costs to get started are low.
- You’ll likely already have the skills you need to succeed.
- You can fit it around your writing.
- It can improve your writing skills further.
- You can specialize in areas you enjoy.
Keep reading to find out more.
1. The Costs to Get Started Are Low
If you’re looking for a side hustle, keeping starting costs low is probably a priority. Luckily, you don’t need any expensive equipment or a costly qualification to get started as a proofreader or editor.
The basic tools you’ll need are:
- A good laptop or desktop computer
- A reliable internet connection
- Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word
And as far as training is concerned, you’ll find lots of cost-effective online learning options out there.
Many proofreaders and editors also get to work from home, meaning you’ll save money on expenses such as commuting and childcare.
2. You’ll Likely Already Have the Skills You Need to Succeed
You don’t need any particular qualifications to become a proofreader or editor, but you will be expected to possess some essential skills. These include:
- A strong understanding of the English language, including grammatical rules and correct punctuation
- A keen eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to focus for long periods of time
- Good time management
The good news is that you should have most of these skills in spades if you’ve worked as a writer.
You’ll likely also have a passion for the written word, something that can help keep you motivated as you get your side hustle started.
3. You Can Fit It Around Your Writing
While other jobs might conflict with your writing schedule, proofreading and/or editing can provide a very flexible career.
If you choose to become a freelance proofreader and/or editor, you can set your own hours and work whenever and wherever you want.
You can also choose to reduce your hours and take some time off if you’ve got a deadline or a big writing project coming up.
4. It Can Improve Your Writing Skills Further
As a proofreader, you’ll pay a lot of attention to errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Doing this can help you become more aware of errors in your own writing and develop a better understanding of how the English language works.
More in-depth editing often involves making significant changes to a text to improve tone, style, and clarity. Sharing appropriate suggestions or rewrites can provide you with opportunities to flex your own writing muscles.
And finally, it’s (almost) universally acknowledged that reading widely contributes to better writing. By proofreading and/or editing a wide range of documents and manuscripts, you’re sure to see your own skills improve!
5. You Can Specialize in Areas You Enjoy
While proofreading and editing offer a lot of variety, you can also choose to specialize in one subject or form of writing.
You might want to work in:
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Creative nonfiction
- Academic writing
- Business documents
Or you can choose to target a particular client for your side hustle, such as students or self-published authors.
If you write in a particular genre or style, you’ll be suited well to editing in that genre because you’ll have a good understanding of its conventions and requirements.
Becoming a Proofreader or Editor
Fancy starting your own proofreading and/or editing side hustle? Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses provide comprehensive training and guaranteed work to help you supplement your income.
Save 15% and buy both courses as a bundle or check them out first with a free trial.
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