Becoming A Proofreader

There are no hidden surprises with our guaranteed work offer.

If you pass Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor with a distinction score (at least 80%) in each final assignment, we’ll offer you the chance to take up a 10-document work trial with our partner company, Proofed – one of the world’s leading proofreading and editing services. If you successfully pass this paid trial, you’ll gain access to the wider Proofed platform and be able to accept bigger and better-paying documents. As you build confidence and experience, you may also be invited to take on specialist work with business clients, further boosting your earning potential.

And if you don’t score 80% first time, it’s no problem. You can purchase additional attempts, and you’ll receive ample support from our friendly tutor team along the way.

The short answer is yes! While it’s easy to think that AI tools would render proofreaders unnecessary, this isn’t the case.

We’ve even experimented with asking ChatGPT to correct a document, and the result would not have met a client’s expectations!

AI is very handy for pulling together information on a subject, but it can’t see the big picture and can make logical errors. The output of a typical AI prompt tends to be dry, repetitive, and basic (funnily enough, it needs a good editor!). And in the same way that Word’s grammar checker often gets things wrong, there are too many rules at play in a long, complex sentence for an AI model to pick apart and evaluate the different elements; furthermore, you’d never catch it using semicolons.

So rather than AI being a threat to the industry, it may actually be a boon! With many companies using AI tools to draft content, there’s a real need for skilled professionals to review, refine, and correct that content to make it fit for purpose. And with Becoming A Proofreader, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be one of those essential professionals.

Becoming A Proofreader is made up of 13 comprehensive modules, each focusing on a different aspect of proofreading. You can progress through the course at your own pace and return to completed modules for a refresher whenever you like.

As well as informative written content, each module includes interactive elements such as videos, try-it-yourself exercises, and quizzes. These are designed for you to test your skills as you work your way through the course, and they help highlight any areas you might want to revisit. But don’t worry, none of these count toward your final grade!

When you reach the final module, we’ll guide you through some key revision areas and provide you with a mock assignment. This is a great opportunity for you to try out your skills and see the kinds of edits you should be making in a document. The mock test isn’t marked by a tutor, but it comes with our edited version and a set of notes so you can review your work.

When you’re ready, you can then progress to the final assignment! This consists of two proofreading tests, on which you’ll receive detailed tutor feedback. You can take as long as you need to complete the tests, and you are encouraged to refer back to the course while you work. If you score 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you’ll be offered the opportunity to undertake a 10-document paid work trial as a freelance proofreader with Proofed. And if you don’t pass the first time, don’t panic! You can purchase additional attempts.

In Becoming A Proofreader, we cover the main subjects professional proofreaders are likely to work in. Creative, business, and academic writing are all included. If you’re just starting out, we recommend gaining experience in all areas before you decide to focus on a particular type of writing.

At Knowadays, our courses have always been based on the need for editing and proofreading in a digital world. We recognize that most clients work on a computer with internet access and need documents to be proofread immediately.

We don’t teach the use of proofreading symbols as most proofreaders today are unlikely to use them. There may be some customers who prefer the traditional methods of proofreading, but most work will be done digitally.

One of the great things about learning with Knowadays is that you get to set the pace. When you buy one of our courses, you get lifetime access. This means you can get started whenever you want, and you can take as little or as much time as you need.

Yes, there are two versions of the course! You will be assigned the US version as standard, but if you would prefer the UK version instead, you can email us at [email protected] and we will make the switch for you. Both versions teach you the nuances of US and UK English so you’ll be able to proofread in either dialect.

Before making any kind of career change, we recommend asking yourself three questions:

What do I enjoy doing? What skills do I possess or would I be willing to learn? What would make me happy career-wise?

A career in proofreading might be for you if:

• You enjoy reading, writing, and learning about the English language
• You have great attention to detail and often spot errors in written material
• You have good time management, technology, and organizational skills (or would be willing to develop them!)
• You want a career that is flexible, rewarding, varied, and always teaching you new things

We know there are a lot of different options out there, and weighing them up can be a daunting task.

One of the best ways to see if a course is right for you is to give it a go, which is precisely why you can take two lessons from the course for free. You can get a feel for learning with Knowadays by exploring our example modules, complete with interactive activities and quizzes.

It’s also worth asking yourself:

1.  Does the course cover the fundamentals?
2. Does it include practical exercises to test your skills?
3. Do you get access to learning support?
4. Does the course have good reviews?
5. Do you get a certification?

When you learn with Knowadays, the answer to all of these questions is yes! Plus we’ve been recognized as the Editorial Training Provider Of The Year (UK) in the 2023 Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards.

If you think of the editing process as a timeline, copy editing happens toward the end – after developmental and line editing have been finished but before the final proofread:

Developmental editing ➜ Line/stylistic editing ➜ Copy editing ➜ Proofreading

A copy editor’s role is to ensure that words, sentences, and paragraphs work together to properly express the author’s ideas while maintaining the author’s voice.

A proofreader focuses on fixing mechanical errors, such as spelling mistakes or typos, grammatical issues, and misused or missing punctuation. You can read more about this in our blog.

Modern digital proofreading can touch upon some elements of copy writing because it’s no longer constrained by the limitations of the printing press. Some clients may not exactly know if they need a proofreader or a copy editor, but our course teaches you all about the remit of each role, plus how to establish the scope of the task before you start.

There’s no need to study anything beforehand. To complete the course, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection and access to a full version of Microsoft Word (2016, 2019, 2021, or 365).

Although you can view the course on smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks, they use a limited version of Microsoft Word that doesn’t include all the necessary tools. Plus, a larger screen size is preferable for study.

Other than that, all you need is the ability to set aside some study time, a little self-discipline, and the desire to learn about all things proofreading!

If English is not your first language, you can still take the course, but please note that passing the final assignment calls for a high-level understanding of written English.

The simple answer is no!

Becoming A Proofreader is designed to cover everything you need to know to start work as a professional proofreader, so you don’t need any qualifications or previous experience. This course is your path from complete beginner to confident, trained professional.

That being said, lots of experienced professionals take Knowadays courses too! If you’re looking to brush up on your existing skills or find new avenues of work, our Becoming A Proofreader course can help you do just that.

Becoming A Proofreader is accredited by CPD – a professional body that certifies excellence in professional development training. CPD-certified courses are rigorously tested by industry experts, which makes them a valuable addition to your resume. When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive a digital certificate via email. This is a great way to showcase your achievements, and it lets potential employers and clients know that your knowledge and skills are up to date.

Our course is $499 (which is cheaper than other proofreading courses out there!). If you’re also interested in learning how to edit, we offer a bundle of two courses for $849, saving you 15% and giving you the opportunity to work with Proofed. Learn more about the bundle here.

Yes! Course purchases will be refunded in full if requested within 14 days of the purchase date (see our terms and conditions).

If you’d like to request a refund, all you need to do is email us at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

You can be anywhere in the world! All you’ll need is a computer (PC or Mac), an internet connection, and a full version of Microsoft Word (2016 or later).

Please note that to work with Proofed, your country of residence must have a tax treaty with the United States Internal Revenue Service and use a currency that’s compatible with Proofed’s payment platform. These countries are listed here.

When you pass both our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses with distinction scores of 80% or higher, you’ll have the chance to begin a 10-document trial period with our partner company, Proofed. You can purchase the two courses together or separately, and the work offer still applies.

Completing only Becoming A Proofreader does not guarantee work with Proofed, but you can still launch an independent career as a professional proofreader!

There is no shortage of demand for proofreaders!

From businesses to academic institutions, publishing houses to nonprofits, all sorts of organizations produce content that requires proofreading. Although some deal with this in-house, there is always a demand for professional freelance proofreaders who can get the job done to a high standard.

Webpages, blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, essays, novels, manuscripts, journal articles, legal documents, medical writing – there is a huge variety of proofreading work available (and that’s not even the full list!).

The rates proofreaders charge can vary significantly based on factors such as:

• How experienced you are
• How complex the job is
• Whether you are working in a specialist subject area
• The type of client

The EFA (US) suggests a minimum hourly rate of $31–$45 (depending on the nature of the project). The CIEP (UK) suggests a minimum hourly rate of £28.65.

When you start out, it is likely you will be earning less than this, as you may need to market your services competitively in order to build up a client base (as well as your confidence and experience!). But as you gain practice and develop your skills, you also gain the ability to charge higher rates.

You can read more about setting rates as a proofreader in our blog.

Definitely! There are lots of factors that influence how much a proofreader can charge, and figures on average income vary depending where you look. However, the figures all have something in common – they show it’s completely possible to make a living proofreading.

Hundreds of Knowadays graduates are doing just that, whether by working for Proofed, signing up with other agencies, or building their own freelance businesses.

As with any career, you have to be willing to put in the work to develop your skills, find clients, and gain experience. But if you do that, you’re sure to succeed!

Plus, as you gain experience, or complete additional training or accreditation, you can raise your rates accordingly.

If you pass your final assignment with a distinction score of 80% or above for this course and Becoming An Editor, you won’t need to worry about finding your first proofreading job. As part of our guaranteed work offer, you’ll have the chance to take up a 10-document paid work trial with our partner company, Proofed, soon after completing the course.

If you’d prefer to source your own clients, or you want to combine working with Proofed with working independently, there are a number of things you can do. Explore our blog to pick up freelance tips and read guidance on how to find proofreading work. And for the practical elements of setting up your own freelance business, check out our Becoming A Freelancer course.

We’re here to help you decide whether Becoming A Proofreader is right for you, and we’ll guide you through your journey if you take the course. Our tutors have been exactly where you are now, and they will make sure you feel taken care of at all times.

Email us your questions at [email protected], or get in touch to ask about scheduling a chat with one of the team.