Dear WordCount answers your questions about writing, blogging or working as a freelancer. Got a question? Send it to me at wordcountfreelance@gmail.com.
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Dear WordCount:
I am looking for a proofreader/editor. I write career-type articles that may appear anywhere, so I’m not sure the standard by which they might be judged. Since I’m dyslexic I also need things like my website, etc., done. Can you tell me if you know anyone out there who charges by the word? I’m new to this so it’s hard for me to compute what it will cost. — CB
Dear CB:
I am not a professional proofreader, so I don’t have first-hand advice to share. However, a quick Internet search revealed a variety of rates offered by professional proofreaders. Some include:
- Per hour. The Editorial Freelancers Association lists common editorial rates of $30 to $35 an hour for proofreading, based on a proofreader’s ability to cover 9 to 13 manuscript pages an hour. That’s higher than statistics from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows the median hourly wage for proofreaders is $15.76.
- Per project. According to answers that LinkedIn members left to the question “How much would you pay for a good copy editor?” proofreaders and copy editors often charge by the project. (Sorry, since LinkedIn killed its Answers section, I can no longer link back to that conversation thread).
- Per page. Compass Rose Horizons, an editing services company, charges $2.25 to $12 per page, with a page equaling 250 words. The range depends on how much proofreading, copyediting or rewriting is involved.
I’d also add that the price you’d pay a proofreader, or that a proof reader would charge, could depend on the type of copy being edited or proofed. Proofreading business, scientific or technical copy may cost more.
What you’ll pay also depends on the standard by which the copy would be measured. Does it need to be AP style, MLA or something else? You could also expect to pay more if you’d like the proofreader to also catch any grammatical errors or fact check your copy.
If you’re already using a virtual assistant, he or she might be able to do this work for you. I hire a virtual assistant for a few hours of work a month, and while I don’t I use her for proofreading, I know that she regularly provides proofreading work for at least one other freelancer, and I’ve heard from the VA that the other writer swears by her work.
Create a Proofreading RFP
If you’re looking to hire a proofreader for a specific project, create a request for proposal (RFP) that includes:
- A detailed explanation of the required work
- A separate list of extras that you’d like them to do if it doesn’t cost too much.
Make the RFP a list, outline, chart or something else that’s simple enough to limit to 1 page. Then you’ve got something you can circulate to prospective proofreader/contractors. Ask them to bid on the work on an hourly basis or as a flat fee covering a set number of hours. If you’ve separated your must-haves from your want-to-haves, you’ll be able to see what you can afford. It might also help you with budgeting, so if you can only afford X work now, you can build the rest into your monthly, quarterly or yearly budget.
Hiring a writer, editor or proofreader is just like hiring any other contractor you’d work with, so you need to take a similar approach to penciling out the expense. Smart freelancers do the same thing when they’re deciding whether to take a job.
[Flickr photo by Unhindered by Talent]
Love this – thanks, Michelle.
CB,
Our company provides both proofreading and copyediting services. We focus on providing services for businesses and professionals. Our rates are per page and vary depending upon the turnaround time you need and the service level. One important thing to consider though is that our prices are based on 500 words per page. Try us out. We guarantee our work. Our website is http://www.proofreadnow.com.
Conni
Conni: Appreciate the input, thanks.
MVR
Great info … one comment. Proofreading is different than editing, I believe. Many times I’ll edit a piece for a client with an eye not just to grammar and construction, but also for flow of the piece and even fact-checking. Make sure you know what you’re getting!
Thanks Kathy. And as someone who works as an editor and writer, I agree, editing — copyediting, line editing, developmental editing – is much different from proofreading.
Michelle
How is copy editing differ from
line editing
developmental editing and proofreading ?
I firmly believe that good proofreaders are BORN, not made. It’s a talent, not a skill. If you find a good one, hang on to him or her. This is especially important for you because of your dyslexia. (My son is dyslexic and I know that people make certain assumptions about dyslexia — most of which are WRONG. It has nothing to do with intelligence. Or writing ability. Your brain is simply wired differently.)
I’m not dyslexic but I’m a terrible proofreader. As a result, I’ve developed all sorts of “tricks” for self-proofing. But whenever I’m doing anything really important, I always hire a proofreader. Right now it costs me about $30/hour. Most proofreaders will give you an estimate if you give them a portion of the copy and then tell them how many pages or words the final product will be.
Here are some suggestions for avoiding the kinds of mistakes that good proofreaders will catch: http://www.publicationcoach.com/my-big-fat-mea-culpa/
Good luck.
Editing is different from proofreading. Thanks for the advice!
Most people looking for proofreading are also expecting some basic editing for sentence structure and clarity. Many online proofreading services will provide both proofreading and basic editing as a combined service. Rates for these services will typically depend on the skill of the editors as well as the turnaround time and length of the document.
I am the owner of ProofreadingPal, and we actually use two proofreaders on every document. We do not compete on price. We compete on quality. Our rates are higher than most services, but our customers are willing to pay higher rates for two professional editors decreases the chance of errors slipping through the cracks.
Brian: Thanks for sharing how ProofreadingPal works; having two proofreaders go through a manuscript or story sounds like a smart way to go.
Michelle
Great, Informative Post, like this one must be maintained so I’ll put this one on my bookmark list of Professional Proofreading Services. Thanks for this wonderful post and hoping to post more of this. Have Great Day.
It isn’t a straight forward process always working out what to charge someone. All projects and papers are very different in terms of how heavy one needs to proof or edit, how long a document is, and obviously how many hours it might take to do thoroughly.
Thanks for a good post.
Kind regards
Kirstie Anders