How to Get Experience as a Freelance Proofreader
So you've set yourself up as a freelance proofreader. You have your red pen and reference books at the ready. All you need is your first client. And there's the rub...
One problem facing all new proofreaders when they start out is that most clients want freelances who are experienced -- but how do you gain that essential experience in the first place when you are new to the proofreading game?
One solution is to do some free or low-cost proofreading work for local charities, community groups, residents' associations, PTAs, and so on. Write to a range of such organizations offering your services. Explain that you are a freelance proofreader looking to obtain additional references and testimonials, so as a special offer you are willing to offer them your services for free.
As well as writing directly to such organizations, there may be intermediaries who can put you in touch with a range of non-profit groups. Volunteer centers, also called volunteer bureaux in Britain, can put would-be volunteers in touch with non-profit organizations in their area who can make use of their services. In England you can find your nearest local volunteer bureau from their national website at http://www.volunteering.org.uk. In the USA, a nationwide list of volunteer centers can be found at http://www.pointsoflight.org.
Explain that you wish to offer your professional services free of charge to benefit your community and improve your employability. It should not take long to find someone who wants your help.
Once you have found an organization you can work for, it is best to agree a specific job and/or length of work in advance. To be fair to the organization, you should try to avoid having them become too dependent on you and then leaving them in the lurch when paid work starts coming in.
Obviously, then, you will give the work your best efforts, even though you are not being paid for it. After a reasonable period of time -- give it at least a month -- you can reasonably ask for a testimonial. This can be used to support any applications you make for paid work in future. Although it is probably best to ask the organization not to mention in their testimonial that you worked for them free of charge!
One problem facing all new proofreaders when they start out is that most clients want freelances who are experienced -- but how do you gain that essential experience in the first place when you are new to the proofreading game?
One solution is to do some free or low-cost proofreading work for local charities, community groups, residents' associations, PTAs, and so on. Write to a range of such organizations offering your services. Explain that you are a freelance proofreader looking to obtain additional references and testimonials, so as a special offer you are willing to offer them your services for free.
As well as writing directly to such organizations, there may be intermediaries who can put you in touch with a range of non-profit groups. Volunteer centers, also called volunteer bureaux in Britain, can put would-be volunteers in touch with non-profit organizations in their area who can make use of their services. In England you can find your nearest local volunteer bureau from their national website at http://www.volunteering.org.uk. In the USA, a nationwide list of volunteer centers can be found at http://www.pointsoflight.org.
Explain that you wish to offer your professional services free of charge to benefit your community and improve your employability. It should not take long to find someone who wants your help.
Once you have found an organization you can work for, it is best to agree a specific job and/or length of work in advance. To be fair to the organization, you should try to avoid having them become too dependent on you and then leaving them in the lurch when paid work starts coming in.
Obviously, then, you will give the work your best efforts, even though you are not being paid for it. After a reasonable period of time -- give it at least a month -- you can reasonably ask for a testimonial. This can be used to support any applications you make for paid work in future. Although it is probably best to ask the organization not to mention in their testimonial that you worked for them free of charge!