Heidi
(Finding Flexibility in Freelancing)

After more than a decade working in marketing at English Heritage, Heidi knew how much she enjoyed working with words. When she left that role, she found herself drawn back to the part of the job she’d always found most satisfying: making sure written content was clear, engaging, and fit for purpose. 

Keen to turn that interest into flexible freelance work, Heidi decided to develop her proofreading and editing skills. Read on to find out how that decision helped her launch her freelance business, Copy Perfect.

Hi, Heidi! Can you tell us where you’re from and a bit about your background?

I’m based in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. 

I was working as a Freelance Board Secretary for Shakespeare’s England when I started the Becoming A Proofreader course. Previous to this, my background was in marketing, having worked as Marketing Manager at English Heritage for over a decade. I loved my time working at English Heritage – crafting, editing, and polishing copy for an incredible group of historic places.

Had you done any proofreading or editing before starting your courses?

Yes, it was part of my work. I completed the Chapterhouse Publishing Proofreader Plus Course in October 2020, but prior to this I proofread and edited marketing materials as part of my role as Marketing Manager at English Heritage.

What made you consider a career as a proofreader or editor?

After leaving English Heritage, I realized one of the things I loved most about my job was working with words. I wanted to combine this passion for language with a flexible, freelance career. I wanted a career where I could use my skill set to work with marketing teams and purpose-led brands. I therefore set about honing my copywriting, editing, and proofreading skills. 

How did you decide Knowadays was right for you?

The Becoming A Proofreader course was recommended by someone I met at a local networking group. After researching the course further, it felt like the right fit.

I chose Knowadays because it was a course I could complete remotely. I took the free trial, and I thought it was clear and informative. The quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge as you progress through the course. The option to potentially work with Proofed at the end of the course was also a great incentive.

Can you tell us a bit about your learning process?

It took me roughly 6–9 months to complete my training. I studied part-time from home whilst looking after my young family. I usually worked in two to three hour blocks.

What was your favourite part of the learning experience?

I really enjoyed the format of the course, as it was broken down into very manageable sections with a quiz at the end of each to test your knowledge. The course materials were very clear and informative and the learning platform very easy to use. I also found the tutors to be very helpful and prompt in getting back to any queries. 

This course has really enhanced my skill set and has given me the confidence to work on a variety of different client projects. 

I would definitely consider taking another Knowadays course.

Was there anything you found surprising or particularly tricky?

The course took me longer than expected, but that’s probably because I had to do it part-time. I do think the course is good value for money. 

The final assignment really tests your attention to detail and challenges your approach of when to make changes and when not to. The course also taught me to edit a piece of writing following a logical and consistent approach with a proofreader’s checklist.

Did you go on to work at Proofed? Or did you look for proofreading work elsewhere?

I began my trial period with Proofed in October 2023, but I found it a challenge to complete. I completed two practice documents – I chose these documents because there is no time pressure to complete them (unlike taking documents from the queue, which require a very swift turnaround, which I find very challenging as I generally work between the hours of 9.30am and 3pm). 

I set up my freelance business, Copy Perfect in 2021 – offering proofreading, copyediting, and copywriting services. I completed my course with Knowadays during this time. 

I have worked with a variety of clients over the last five years, including Shakespeare’s England, Staffordshire Network for Mental Health, Travel Counsellors, Zizzi, ASK Italian, and Heal Rewilding.

Do you have a preferred type of document or style of project to work on?

I like to work with marketing teams and purpose-led brands on their marketing materials, including website copy, newsletters, email campaigns, social media posts, blogs, journals, and brochures.

I also have experience in proofreading and editing business documents – I write minutes, edit, and proofread for Shakespeare’s England. I have also proofread and edited business documents such as annual reports for clients.

What do you enjoy most about working as a proofreader and editor?

I love being able to offer my clients a professional yet personable proofreading, copyediting, and copywriting service and to meet them wherever they are in their content journey. It feels great to use my writing skills to benefit marketing teams and purpose-led brands like Heal Rewilding.

How did you find the transition to freelance or remote work?

The transition to working freelance has been a smooth one, as I am able to balance building a freelance business whilst caring for my family. I love the flexibility of a freelance life. 

The only negative is that it gets a little lonely at times; in future, it would be great to work in-house a few days a week at a marketing or creative agency.

Can you tell us about your usual work routine?

I work from my home office. I generally work 9.30am–3pm Monday to Friday during school term time, but I can be flexible around these times, depending on the client project.

What do you enjoy most about freelance work?

I love having control over my own time and the flexibility a freelance life provides. I also love running my own freelance business, as no two days are ever the same, and I get to work with some really lovely people on great projects. I also love the potential that growing a business provides.

Is there anything you’ve found surprising or challenging about freelance work?

The only challenge I would say is finding the right balance between growing my client base whilst working on client projects. And at times it can feel a bit lonely – I miss working in a team and seeing people face-to-face. I am determined to work on my networking to create a group of like-minded freelancers I can bounce ideas off and get support from.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your current freelance working life?

Going freelance has been the best decision I have ever made. Even though it was tough to leave English Heritage and all my lovely friends, setting up my freelance business has meant I have been able to strike a work-life balance and put my family first.

Now that I am beginning to have a little more time, I can focus more on building my freelance business. The first step to doing this has been creating a website for Copy Perfect – one which I am really proud of. My aim is to grow my client base and be able to provide writing support to charities, marketing teams, and other creative, purpose-led brands.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I love to read and meet my sisters at our monthly Sister Book Club. I am also learning to play the piano, but progress is very slow! I also love to go on family walks in the woods with our Labrador – via our amazing local bakery! I also love to be active – swimming, running, and yoga are the perfect ways to relax after being hunched over my laptop.

How has life changed for you since becoming a freelance proofreader and editor?

Setting up my freelance business has meant I have turned an idea into a reality. Becoming a freelance proofreader and editor has enabled me to hone my writing skills and provide a creative service to a variety of clients. I get real job satisfaction from completing a piece of work to a high standard and providing much-needed support to often stretched marketing teams. Being freelance has also given me the flexibility I craved so that I could spend quality time with my family.

Did your Knowadays course help you achieve your goals?

Absolutely. The Becoming A Proofreader course enhanced my proofreading and editing skills and gave me real confidence to tackle a variety of client projects.

What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about taking a Knowadays course?

The Becoming A Proofreader course will hone your proofreading and editing skills and, if you choose, could lead to a career path with Proofed. More than anything, it will give you the confidence to become an accomplished freelancer. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, your work, or your experience with Knowadays?

I’m just really glad I took the course. It gave me real structure and focus, and I was thrilled when I passed with a distinction, as this gave me a real confidence boost!

Do you have a website or LinkedIn profile you’d be happy for us to share?

Yes, my website is www.copyperfect.co.uk.

Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor

Today, Heidi runs her own freelance business, Copy Perfect, where she works with marketing teams and purpose-led brands on writing, proofreading, and editing projects. Going freelance has given her the flexibility to shape a career around the kind of work she finds most meaningful.

Are you hoping to build a flexible freelance career around your love of language? Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses are designed to help you develop practical skills that you can apply to real client work. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your existing experience or start building something new, they can help you take that next step.

Pass both courses with distinction scores of 80% or above, and you’ll be eligible for guaranteed work with our partner company, Proofed.

Buy both courses as a bundle to save 15%.