In a highly competitive market, proofreaders are well-positioned to expand their income as the skill set needed for proofreading is versatile. There are several ways proofreaders can boost their income by blogging, creating ebooks, and creating content, and it is possible to leverage existing clients to grow your client base.
To learn how to increase your income, continue reading.
1) Leverage the clientele you already have
You have proofreading skills, so it's time to put them to work. As a freelancer, you probably have some regular clients for whom you write frequently. Check out some of the copy you didn't write for them since you're not the only writer they're hiring - most likely you'll find something you can improve.
As a result of your attention to detail and close reading, your copy clients will turn into proofreading clients in no time. You will be getting more work from the same client, which minimizes administrative work for you.
2) Always meet your deadlines
There is an alarmingly high rate of freelancers missing deadlines in this industry. The clients are used to it, whether it's because people have taken on more work than they can handle or misjudged their turnaround time. Taking charge of your deadlines will set you apart, and create lasting relationships. More job opportunities will come your way, and you'll be able to complete more tasks in less time!
Remember that clients are often hesitant to hire proofreaders since they believe they've already completed the project. Proofreading may appear to them as a luxury. It's pointless to keep them waiting in this situation.
3)Make it easy to pay
While a direct bank transfer may be convenient for you, it's also crucial to consider your clients' needs. Clients trust PayPal, and if you accept it as a payment option, some of that trust will rub off on you.
The relationship between the proofreader and the customer is built on trust. After all, they're entrusting you with their effort and placing their trust in your abilities to better the final product. It's about more than simply functionality when it comes to making payment simple; it's about developing a good relationship with your customers.
4) Providing additional services
Most of the clients are used to the conventional proofreading service: they'll get their work back, preferably on time, with a few improvements.
What they aren't familiar with is an excellent service that goes above and beyond.
Spend a little more time informing your customer about the changes you've made so that your work stands out. "By explaining how you've enhanced their work, the value you've provided will be obvious, and clients will be eager to pay," explains Elizabeth Henkle, a proofreader at Paperfellows. "I like to send a small document that I created myself that goes through typical issues and how to solve them - clients will appreciate your effort."
5) Pay attention to the details
Don't take your clients for granted. Give everything you've got to every job, and you'll develop strong client connections that'll lead to additional work. After you've done proofreading a document, use tools like Grammarix, Acacdemized, and Simplegrad to double-check it, ensuring that you're submitting top-notch work every time.
6) Be more diverse
Proofreading skills are quite flexible, so you may vary your revenue in various ways if you wish to increase your income. If you've previously created a text about grammar and frequent errors, you may quickly turn it into an ebook by adding your abilities.
According to Kelly McDougald, a writer at Stateofwriting, "starting a blog about your proofreading can grow your portfolio and offer up new prospects for further writing and content development employment." "Keep an open mind about what you can do with your time - there are so many ways to earn money out there."
7) Request testimonials
Even if you aren't planning to use all of the testimonials right away, ask each client for one. Building a portfolio of client testimonials can help you establish social proof to a large number of potential customers. This will provide you with the credibility that people require in order to establish a business relationship with you.
Also Check: Is it possible to remain passionate about writing while working full-time?
Proofreaders are well-positioned to take advantage of their expertise and increase their earnings in a variety of ways. Maintain an open mind, take advantage of existing client contacts, and expand your network. Your freelance career is only beginning.
