Working for a Company vs. Working Solo

As with many careers, when becoming a proofreader, you have a choice: working for a company vs. working solo.

You might begin by proofreading for friends and then starting your own company, or you might find yourself proofreading as part of your job and take those transferrable skills to the bank. Broadly, though, there are two paths: working for a company or working for yourself.

Neither working for a company nor working solo is necessarily better; it’s a matter of preference, and we can’t tell you what’s best for you. What we can do, however, is look at the pros and cons of each so that you can make an informed choice.

This post will:

• Explain what working for a company means
• Outline the advantages and disadvantages of working as part of a team
• Explain what working for yourself entails
• Outline the advantages and disadvantages of working alone
• Provide an opportunity for you to get started, no matter which path you choose

Working for a Company

There are both advantages and disadvantages to working for a company. Different people will find working for someone else more or less desirable than others.

First of all, there are different kinds of companies. So, you might have a lot of options when deciding if this is the right path for you to choose. 

Some companies are easier to get into than others. For instance, publishing houses do not often advertise proofreading posts. That’s not to say you’ll never get work with companies such as these, but you may need to be proactive and build a reputation first.

Online proofreading companies, meanwhile, are usually looking for new freelancers, but you may need to complete a test and/or have relevant experience and qualifications.

Advantages of Working on a Team

One of the obvious advantages of working for a company is security. Most companies will take care of all the accounting work, leaving you free to just focus on your job. 

Another benefit is that being attached to a company is likely to bring in a higher volume of work more quickly than working alone at the beginning of your career.

Some people, when considering the benefits of working for a company vs. working solo, find the atmosphere of working with a team more desirable. 

That kind of security has a lot of advantages:

1. Consistent paycheck (low financial risk)
2. Set hours (able to enjoy free time when the workday ends)
3. A more social work environment
4. Health insurance and other benefits
5. The potential for promotions and other career development opportunities

Disadvantages of Working on a Team

Once you are on a company’s books, there are several things to consider. The first is that each company will have a certain way of working. Whether you are formally employed or working freelance, you will have to adhere to their rules and follow their processes. 

This might mean doing things in a way that you find counterintuitive, but it is important that you do what’s required, whether you like it or not. To do otherwise would be unprofessional and could damage your reputation.

A company will also either pay you a salary or take a portion of your payment per word rather than allowing you to set your own rates. This may work out as less than you could earn by yourself, depending on your rates and how much work you’re able to find.

Another issue is that, particularly if the company specializes in one thing, you might have to roll with its busy and not-so-busy periods.

Finally, another difference between working for a company vs. working solo is that companies often require you to work set hours in an office, and that is not always a preferable environment for everyone.

Working for Yourself

As a solo freelance proofreader, you set your own rules, choose your rates, and decide when to work and when not to.

You can refuse jobs if they’re lost causes or drop clients if they’re timewasters, but it’s all on you.

Advantages of Working Alone

When working as a freelancer, you can enjoy something sought after by many: freedom. You make all the decisions about how, when, and where you work.

If you do this well, you can build up a solid client base that gives you regular work. This level of freedom is desirable for many, and the advantages include:

1. Control of your rates/wages
2. Flexible schedule
3. Choice of working environment/conditions
4. Autonomy when deciding what work to take on
5. The potential to accumulate wealth

Disadvantages of Working Alone

When considering if you’d rather be working for a company vs. working solo, you need to recognize the disadvantages and possible stress that can be involved in working alone. 

You may have freedom, but you also have all the responsibilities. 

You have to decide whether to pay for your own training. You must create and run your website, attend to your work email, and organize your own schedule. 

You have to go looking for work. If you don’t do this well, you might not be able to get clients. That can lead to a significantly reduced income.

Of course, there is a middle ground. Many proofreaders get by on a mixture of solo freelance work and work with online proofreading companies. In some ways, this offers the best of both worlds: a balance of security and freedom.

Becoming A Proofreader

Only you can decide if it’s better to work for a company vs. working solo. You will need to figure out what fits best with your needs and your life.  Whichever path you choose, our comprehensive courses will take you from a complete beginner to a confident, trained professional.

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