Why Should You Take an Online Proofreading Course?
Online learning (or e-learning) is an increasingly popular way to gain new skills. You can now find online courses on almost any subject, including proofreading and editing.
In this blog post, we’ll look at how an online proofreading course can benefit people at all stages of their proofreading career – from those who have never worked as a proofreader before to professionals who’ve been doing it for years.
Advantages of Learning to Proofread Online
Before we consider the unique advantages for new and established proofreaders, let’s briefly look at some of the overall benefits of taking an online proofreading course:
- Flexibility: Because the learning takes place online, you can fit it around other commitments. This is particularly helpful if you have a busy schedule, perhaps navigating childcare responsibilities or a full-time job.
- Accessibility: You can study from anywhere with an internet connection, meaning your learning materials are always available – whether you’re at home or on the go.
- Value for money: Online courses are often more cost-effective than in-person courses, as you don’t need to worry about travel or accommodation costs. Plus, the cost of course materials is usually included.
You can read more about the advantages of online learning in another of our posts: “What Are the Benefits of Online Learning?”
If You Are New to Proofreading
If you’re currently working in a different industry, taking an online proofreading course is a great way to gain transferable skills and open up new career possibilities. Here’s a closer look at some of the ways you could benefit.
1. Learn Fundamental Proofreading Skills
If you’re new to proofreading, taking an online proofreading course is a great way to build the skills you need to launch your career. A proofreading course will teach you the fundamentals, such as grammar, punctuation, spelling, and basic computer skills. Some, including our Becoming A Proofreader course, also explore ways to find clients and advertise your services.
2. Add Transferable Skills to Your Resume
If you don’t want to make the switch to full-time proofreading straight away (or ever), you’ll gain plenty of transferable skills you can apply to your current career. These include:
- A good grasp of the English language
- Excellent written communication skills
- The ability to manage your own time and schedule
- Experience with various computer programs and pieces of software
All employers value clear communication, accuracy, and good organizational skills, so sharpening your proofreading ability could enhance your current resume and give you a competitive advantage, no matter your career field.
Lisa, a full-time research scientist, proofreads to earn some extra money in her spare time – but she says the skills and knowledge she is developing are also useful in her day job.
3. Get a Certification
Many online proofreading courses offer a certification on completion. Having a certification shows potential clients or employers that your knowledge and skills are up-to-date and that you’re eager to learn. This is especially important if you’re trying to change career but don’t have much experience in your new field.
4. Unlock New Career Opportunities
Training as a proofreader can provide you with many opportunities for career development. You might choose to start proofreading as a side hustle, earning some extra money to supplement your main income. Or you could quit your job and embrace proofreading as a full-time career, giving you a better work-life balance.
You could even decide to set up your own freelance proofreading business and take control of your own career. Knowadays graduate Josiah is working on doing exactly that!
If You Are Already a Proofreader
As well as keeping your skills sharp and contributing to your continuing professional development (CPD), proofreading courses can offer you lots of benefits even if you are already proofreading professionally. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Stay Up-to-Date
It’s important to keep in step with the latest updates and developments in the proofreading industry, no matter how long you’ve been working within it.
Proofreading courses can help you stay on top of:
- New software and editing methods
- Changing professional consensus on language and grammatical rules
- New and updated style guides
Even if you’ve been proofreading for years, like Knowadays graduate Petya, you’ll inevitably find that some aspects of grammar slip your mind or that new technology emerges. A course ensures you’re always operating at the cutting edge.
2. Achieve Your Career Goals
If you’ve already established yourself as a proofreader, your professional goals may include increasing your earning potential, offering more specialized services, or attracting higher-ticket clients. Having a new proofreading qualification under your belt will help you achieve these goals by enabling you to:
- Offer a broader range of services
- Command higher rates for your work
- Build marketing expertise to reach new audiences
- Demonstrate credibility through an official certification
Whether you’re looking to increase your client base or simply earn a higher income, a proofreading course could be the boost your career needs.
3. Boost Your Confidence
Even seasoned proofreaders can experience self-doubt. Luckily, proofreading courses can offer concrete evidence of your talent as a proofreader through assessments, grades, and tutor feedback – as Knowadays graduate Debra discovered. Being able to prove that you’ve taken part in training will also improve your clients’ confidence in your abilities, and it can help you land more work.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re an aspiring proofreader looking to kick-start a new career or an experienced professional keen to keep your skills fresh, an online proofreading course can take your abilities – and your confidence – to the next level.
Our Becoming A Proofreader course is CPD-accredited and self-paced, and it comes with 1:1 support from friendly tutors. You’ll learn how to proofread a variety of documents, from academic papers to business communications, and gain hands-on practice with the latest proofreading tools. Try some free lessons today!
Updated on March 26, 2025
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