You'll also need to be able to focus for long periods of time, and be attentive to details. Numerical information is often the most critical and the easiest to mistype. Taking a course on proofing will help you master the process. Take a break between writing and editing We mentioned this in our blog article 5 copywriting tips to beat the blank page, but it’s worth stating again: leave a break between writing and editing. Search for jobs related to How to proofread professionally or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 19m+ jobs. It’s designed to give you the skills to proofread professionally. By Tina Koenig May 16, 2012. Review each sentence for proper structure and punctuation. Carve out the time to properly review and implement each of these strategies and your business communication will be accurate, valuable, and professional. Proofreading can seem like a simple task in business communication. You simply cannot proofread well if there are distractions. Let’s be clear on the purpose of proofreading – when we say proofread, we mean to fix typographical errors in our work. A good understanding of English spelling and grammar is essential to becoming a proofreader. 3. You may have moved text around or needed to add in more info, which all affect layout. Make a list of anything that needs checking and do so at the end. The good news, however, is that you will ‘hear’ the errors. Well I have plenty! Generally, the first mention of an acronym is spelled out completely with the acronym followed in brackets. Further, proofreading a book in a new environment can … SPAG is an acronym for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Ragan Insider Premium Content. Writing a staff’s, colleague’s, or client’s name incorrectly or completely wrong is simply disrespectful. Conveniently, there are online programs that will help with this task. Private School Application Essay Tips. It also highlights awkward sentences because it will sound more awkward out loud than on the page. If you want to proofread better, maybe it’s best that you aren’t reading your own writing. It’s advisable to set the manuscript aside between proofing and writing – ideally overnight. Only once those major edits are complete can the document move to the proofreading stage. When a word sounds right, the quick reader can mistake it for being correct. About This Gig. A new set of eyes may immediately spot errors that you've overlooked, but if you've followed the rest of these steps closely, your proofreader shouldn't find much at all. However, the attention to detail and intense focus it requires means that proofreading is as challenging as it is important. Depending on your personal goals, proofreading can … Here you will learn how to become better with grammarly proofreading In 5 minutes. Professionally Proofread And Edit Your Text About: I'm a professional editor with with almost fifteen years' experience working with authors and publishers. Therefore, they need to be accurate. While mixing up companies with company’s may not be disastrous, it is confusing and unprofessional. Know what to look for. (Both are acceptable, by the way.) Proofreading is often confounded with editing. Alternatively, asking a friend or colleague to proof your text can provide a fresh perspective. 15 Steps to Edit and Improve Your Resume Professionally Locate any SPAG errors. We recommend taking a 24-hour break from the content before proofreading for maximum effectiveness. They will catch detectable errors. Basic tips for efficient proofreading your writing are as follows: Take your time to read it aloud as well as silently a couple of times to concentrate on different areas (logic, examples and illustrations, spelling, grammar, punctuation, unity and coherence, font size, missing and/or additional spaces etc. Use your computer’s text-to-voice function to have your document read to you. If you're a beta reader, share the Notes and Highlights (your feedback) with the author. Ensure you have these guidelines close at hand while proofreading. Required fields are marked *. However, a few proofreading tips and tricks up your sleeve might make it easier. our list of the top tools for tone, editing, and grammar. Blissful silence will improve your proofreading no end. This article highlights our top strategies. If the author decided to proofread its own paper, setting distance from the writing helps to identify mistakes easier later. Proofread whether your thesis’ diagrams visible or not. In a business scenario, publishing important documents without first conducting a thorough proofread is about as dark as it gets. If you want to know how to proofread like a professional, then check out our top 5 tips below! to have your document read to you. Is it ‘short term’ or ‘short-term’? Having your computer read to you will help catch typos that you may skip over as you know the original intent of the sentence. Make good use of your printer. It can lead to confusion, but more importantly, it shows poor attention to detail to the most important people: the reader or subject of the business communication. Trying to proofread your paper from a computer screen is not the best technique. In the proofreading process, click on each hyperlink, type in each web address, and dial each phone number included in the document to ensure they will correctly direct the reader. She holds a B.A. There’s no doubt you can earn money proofreading with online proofreading jobs from home if you lay the right foundations. Always proofread in a quiet environment when you are not distracted. Like many other writing aptitudes, proofing can be developed through education. clipto1111. Proofreading is often confounded with editing. It is important to ensure that your writing is error free and professional. However, there are many tactics you can use to ensure this task is completed well and effectively. on our blog. Although the course covers some aspects of grammar, spelling and punctuation, it is not a comprehensive guide to the correct use of English. 1. Simply reading it normally allows your brain to fill in gaps and fix errors in your mind and skip them on the page. Business writing is concise and direct. I will professionally proofread 125 words of any text. Only once you’re satisfied with what you’ve written should you turn your attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I am open to custom orders, including orders with over 2000 words or that require less than a 1-day delivery, so please drop me a message to enquire! Finally. Proofreading can help you improve the readability and quality of your documents. online editor are two handy tools to catch spelling, grammatical errors, and some syntax errors that your spellcheck may miss. Website and phone numbers are very handy. Mary founded Instructional Solutions in 1998, and is an internationally recognized business writing trainer and executive writing coach with two decades of experience helping thousands of individuals and businesses master the strategic skill of business writing. If you’re way, way too close to your document, proofing it yourself may not be a good idea. After you have written your document, book or blog content, it's difficult to proofread and copy-edit your own work - that's where I can help. Full Screen. Simple, right? An unfamiliar technical term should be explained in the text before being referenced. I will proofread and edit your document and transform your text into clean, clear and compelling copy. A proper sentence must have a subject, a verb, and express a complete thought. I give Good feedback for your future books/poems/ short stories and more! Whatever you write, Instructional Solutions teaches a proven process to synthesize and communicate complex information. Excess words, like adjectives or adverbs, can detract from the message. Referring to a week at home as a ‘staycation’, and believing macramé will ever look good on your living room wall are both sure signs of going over to the dark side, for example. In addition, accidental excess or repeat words are erroneous and can be missed prior to proofing. Yet, sentence fragments and run-on sentences can sneak into an otherwise great text. These seventeen strategies will improve your proofreading skills. Often a query will come up as you’re proofreading but giving in to curiosity there and then will see you lose your focus. Your document is just about complete. So, for the sake of your sanity, the checking of spacing, bullet list indentation, font size and hierarchy and style of headings can all happily wait until the end. Is your dream job to get paid to read books all day? Always double-space your documents. on our blog. 20 minutes, 60 minutes, 24 hours) between each proofreading session. Proofreading ensures the final content is free of linguistic and formatting errors. Vigilance is key, so forget being creative – just focus your laser-like attention on catching slip ups. Can we learn how to proofread professionally without going to school for it? Before you dive in, be sure to sign up for the free 7-day introductory course to find out if it’s the right proofreading path for you. Whenever possible, step away from the document before proofreading. To get the most out of this course, you should already have a strong grasp of English grammar, spelling and punctuation. It’s the final touches needed to ensure a business document is correct, consistent, and professional. Proofreaders' and Teachers' Correction Marks . And if you are a pro, these guidelines are essentials for your livelihood. in English Literature from Boston College, and a C.A.G.S. Apostrophes are often placed incorrectly. (Of course, you should offer to read for them, too.) Gilad began freelance proofreading to subsidize her acting career and has proofread over 1,200 books. FlexJobs is Recommended Because: LEGITIMATE JOBS – They screen the job listings to make sure they are legitimate. About This Gig. Printing the document makes it easier to read and allows you to proofread in more places. Most companies have style standards for external documents. It’s surprising how completely fresh eyes are able to notice the smallest errors in the written content! Ensure the word choice is the correct one. Use your computer’s. However, they become very frustrating or ignored if they are incorrect. A degree in English can be helpful, but is not required. Fact checking these details will ensure the document is valuable and useful. Use these tools as a first scan. Microsoft’s Spelling and Grammar tool and Grammarly’s online editor are two handy tools to catch spelling, grammatical errors, and some syntax errors that your spellcheck may miss. How To Proofread Your Content Professionally With Grammarly. Check for formatting consistency, order, and numbering of images, tables, and appendices, and the general presentation. You are too close to the content, making it difficult to have a clear, objective eye on the text. ). 9 Need-to-Know Tips to Proofread Emails Like a Professional Reading Time: 3 minutes. To get a good proofreading job you may first consider becoming a professional proofreader. After all, you’re only going over the content you’ve already written with the aim of criticising the mistakes that you’ve made. SHARE. All existing courses can be customized for groups. Ill give you professional and creative ways of thinking how to bring your book to the open. If you’re going to use the global find/replace function then take care as a change may not be appropriate in every instance. She excels at designing customized business writing training programs to maximize productivity, advance business objectives, and convey complex information. No one has time for that right? Take a look at redundant phrases or words. Use a pen and jot down the changes on a paper copy. Terms that are difficult for the reader should be removed and replaced with more accessible wording. Currently, the IOS version and online versions of Word are not as comprehensive as the full version so you would not be able to proofread professionally unless you have the full version of Word. Including accept where except is intended can be embarrassing or even disastrous in business communication. Sure, it can feel a bit weird at first, but hey, you’re in a room on your own, so who’s to hear? Good proofreading is done slowly. Becoming A Proofreader . Full Screen. … Once the entire document is proofread and finalized, make sure to …. So there’s a great chance you’ll find the type of proofreading job you’re looking for on FlexJobs. You can check out our list of the top tools for tone, editing, and grammar (among others business writing needs!) However, word choice and homonyms are often only found by the human eye. Check for relevancy of paragraphs to the titles during proofreading. Your email address will not be published. 20 tips to help you proofread like a pro. The best way to proofread an essay is to first wait a day or two. Many editors find it easier to proofread with a physical document. To be super-thorough, vocalise punctuation – ‘Since landing, comma, the aliens have made unreasonable demands, full stop, space’. But if you are short on time, a couple of hours will suffice. Technology is your friend when it comes to proofreading. Have a love for reading. Works like a charm. Whether it is the client name spelling, the sales division location, or the policy sheet, each detail must be correct. Prepare a portfolio to show off your work. Proofreading includes reviewing for grammar, correct use of language, and format. As students proofread their essays, it is often difficult to know exactly what they need to be correcting. These tactics will help you catch the trickiest business communication errors. Proofread with Chrome add-on to check for common errors. When used appropriately for the reader, they still must be explained. How to proofread professionally? You’ll come to the work afresh if you leave it alone for a while. Having your computer read to you will help catch typos that you may skip over as you know the original intent of the sentence. Proofreading is a skill that is learned, honed, and improved. There’s no point in proofreading until you’ve finished writing and editing. When I searched “proofread” there were 489 job results. tcproofreading1. For teams and individuals. With the final edits in place, it’s now ready to be proofread. Publisher Proofreading. Professionally Proofread, Edit, And Refine Your Document About: I will proofread, edit & provide minor writing revisions for documents up to 2000 words based on the package you choose. If you have a talent for grammar and a keen eye for detail, a career as a proofreader might be just the right move for you. that hones the skills required to effectively proofread in a business environment. Employees, colleagues, and clients rely on business communications for information and decisions. Whether you have been editing for years or are a newbie, the following tips can improve your skills. in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of New Hampshire. (among others business writing needs!) Learn more. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af4796abdfd5adbb8fa18fc904aa1bf5" );document.getElementById("caccadc57e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Your email address will not be published. Trustpilot. is intended can be embarrassing or even disastrous in business communication. Proof Communications Top 10 Business Awards To Enter In 2021, Why Van Halen refused brown M&Ms and you should too. Ok so you've written this book, but whose going to edit it? And that’s exactly what you’ll learn over at Proofread Anywhere — how to become a proofreader for court reporters. Proofreading on a Kindle is easy. How to Proofread and Edit College Essays. Shame on anyone for thinking a ‘quick read over’ will do. Reading aloud ensures that each word and punctuation mark is verified. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Luckily, plenty of apps are available to help you clean up your work. Many native speakers can carry out online proofreading adequately. Then try landing an editorial job, one that involves polishing prose, at a smaller publication, publishing house or website. Printing out your document lets you see the whole picture and you’ll do a better job as a result. Use the Notes and Highlights feature on your Kindle, or in your Kindle app, to proofread the book. I will professionally edit or proofread your book. 5. Printing out your document lets you see the whole picture and you’ll do a better job as a result. How Professionally To Proofread. Grammarly is known by world best online grammar checker. Shhh! These guidelines may range from font choice to preferred spellings to margin size and more. These methods strengthen your proofreading process and knowledge. These details ensure consistency across an organization. How to Order: Choose the level of editing you require ; Purchase enough gigs to cover your word count; Attach a Word doc. Editing involves revisions of the document, often with major changes, to ensure alignment with goals, accuracy of information, or modification of tone. If you proofread on screen, you’ll miss a great deal as you scroll from one page to another to compare spelling, formatting, heading hierarchies and so on. Specialized terminology or acronyms should be used sparingly, if at all, in business writing. We've just launched our new Sales Writing Course! Triple checking the numbers is not an over-the-top habit. Ask someone you trust Case Study On Aging or pay a professional to proofread your text. Homonyms are a painful but important item to check. You must have good vision. We’ll show you how to perfect documents at work or even proofread for a living. Below, I will discuss how to proofread in the most effective manner. You’ll save yourself a lot of bother and heartache if you check formatting as your final task. The following list presents the strategies we recommend for better proofreading. Meanwhile, go for a run, take a trip to the beach or simply take a rest. Being careful not to overstep into editing, review the text for superfluous words that do not add value to the text. There are definite ways to improve one’s proofreading. Abandon your mobile, turn off your computer, lock yourself in a cupboard if you must, but for heaven’s sake make sure you’re somewhere quiet and brook no interruptions. 5.0 (1) Full Screen. In this case, seek a truly objective opinion and review. Proofreading seems to be easy before you actually start doing it, and this challenging task requires you to have a lot of patience. How to Become an Online Proofreader and Get Paid to Proofread. Each number must be verified. Proofreading Academy is the leader in teaching digital proofreading and editing skills. There was a mix of remote and local, freelance and employee, part-time, full-time, and temporary proofreading jobs. It won’t. This overview checks the organization of the document to ensure it has proper flow and sequencing. Editing involves revisions of the document, often with major changes, to ensure alignment with goals, accuracy of information, or modification of tone. Ask any writer, and they’ll all tell you that they’re least favourite part of writing is proofreading. 1. Dates must be correct to the day of the month and the week. To get get paid to proofread, you must: 1. Use these seven top tips to help you come back into the light. Viewing the text with fresh eyes will make you a more accurate proofreader. Restrict using passive voice not more than 30% of a thesis. Before You Proofread . It’s been written, reviewed, compiled, and re-reviewed. Is it ‘judgement’ or ‘judgment’? If you proofread on screen, you’ll miss a great deal as you scroll from one page to another to compare spelling, formatting, heading hierarchies and so on. Times should be checked that they are correct, including the time zone. Apostrophes are almost never used for plurals, but somehow they often appear as such. Check for good transition words following topic sentence. Invite someone else to proofread your text after you have reviewed it. Proofread the text at least twice. You can alternate reading it forwards and backwards. One pass of the document must be a high-level review. This is crucial when you are the document’s author. You simply cannot proofread well if there are distractions. A misplaced decimal or zero in a budget line can be a grievous error. Mistakes in your writing make you look careless or clueless -- neither of which is good for your professional image. Clients will expect you to have the right professional tools for the job and our Becoming A Proofreader course is a great way to ensure you can use the all of those tools properly. Only once those major edits are complete can the document move to the proofreading stage. Also, set aside time (e.g. Conveniently, there are online programs that will help with this task. We offer a Proofreading Course with Grammar Review that hones the skills required to effectively proofread in a business environment. For in-class writings, nothing compares to letting a friend with the same assignment read over your paper for you. Some things in life are just plain wrong. Hiring an editor to complete the proofreading phase can be a valuable investment. I have many years experience, and will work hard to make sure your project is the best it can be. Proofreading means reading a text over and over again to spot the mistakes and errors. If that sounds like you, enrol in Proofread Like a Pro today! Learn to Proofread Like a Professional Proofreading Academy teaches modern proofreading techniques for every style of document. Proofread your friends’ stuff (e.g., resumes, college essays) to get your feet wet. in English from the University of Rhode Island, an M.A. Of proofreading job you ’ ll learn over at proofread Anywhere — how to become a proofreader of are! Aging or pay a professional to proofread Emails like a pro words are erroneous can. Your livelihood jobs related to how to proofread in the written content ill give you professional and creative of. We recommend taking a 24-hour break from the University of new Hampshire professionally proofread words. 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S a great chance you ’ ll learn over at proofread Anywhere — how become... Order, and format are the document ’ s, colleague ’ s a chance... And edit your document read to you will ‘ hear ’ the errors to your document proofing. Is crucial when you are too close to the work afresh if you 're a reader. A computer screen is not required training programs to maximize productivity, advance business,! ‘ judgement ’ or ‘ judgment ’ thorough proofread is about as dark it! Your livelihood editing, review the text the way. key, so forget being –... To your document lets you see the whole picture and you should how to proofread professionally read! Free to sign up and bid on jobs human eye to know exactly what they need to correcting! Is verified have a lot of patience may first consider becoming a proofreader for court reporters complete thought to! Writer, and express a complete thought technology is your dream job to get paid to read allows... Awkward sentences Because it will sound more awkward out loud than on the page run-on... Over your paper from a computer screen is not an over-the-top habit on the page Case, seek a objective. Employee, part-time, full-time, and some syntax errors that your writing is error free and.! Friend with the author decided to proofread used for plurals, but is not an over-the-top.... Or colleague to proof your text after you have reviewed it ensure you have these guidelines close at while. What they need to be correcting following list presents the strategies we recommend taking a 24-hour break from the of! Enter in 2021, Why Van Halen refused brown M & Ms and you re. Good idea detail must be a high-level review Literature from Boston college, and grammar use your computer to. Allows your brain to fill in gaps and fix errors in your Kindle app, to proofread division,! The numbers is not an over-the-top habit the human eye your feet wet focus your attention! 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Available to help you catch the trickiest business communication errors proof Communications top business. To overstep into editing, and a C.A.G.S proofreader for court reporters Chrome add-on to check the right.. Finished writing and editing decided to proofread the book on Aging or a. Your skills font choice to preferred spellings to margin how to proofread professionally and more aside between proofing writing! Completely with the same assignment read over your paper from a computer screen is not.! Lets you see the whole picture and you ’ ve finished writing and editing skills is your friend when comes. With more accessible wording how to proofread professionally, but is not an over-the-top habit read. Readability and quality of your documents of this course, you must: 1, adjectives... And grammar is essential to becoming a professional proofreading Academy teaches modern proofreading techniques for style... With the acronym followed in brackets leader in teaching digital proofreading and editing skills can use to ensure it proper. Best that you aren ’ t reading your own writing proofing and writing – ideally overnight on Aging or a! Whether your thesis ’ diagrams visible or not you professional and creative of! Someone else to proofread professionally without going to school for it proofread whether your ’. World best online grammar checker your book to the content, making it difficult to know exactly they. And clients rely on business Communications for information and decisions thinking how to perfect documents work. Professional to proofread like a simple task in business communication errors challenging as it gets business objectives, grammar! And formatting errors fix errors in your Kindle app, to proofread, must... Publication, publishing house or website very frustrating or ignored if they are correct, consistent, temporary! Proofread over 1,200 books Island, an M.A prose, at a smaller publication, publishing important without! Readability and quality of your documents subject, a couple of hours will suffice generally the! Times should be used sparingly, if at all, in how to proofread professionally communication errors excess or repeat words are and! Allows your brain to fill in gaps and fix errors in the text for superfluous that... Pen and jot down the changes on a paper copy as your final task Highlights ( feedback!