How to Become a Proofreader in Canada in 5 Steps

You can get a hint on how to become a proofreader in Canada if you are a reading type. Proofreading is the final stage of writing.

Proofreading is when you carefully go over content with a fine-tooth comb looking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. This helps to turn a final draft into perfectly polished content.

Of course, it is good if you turn your proofreading skills into a profitable business. You would also like to become a general proofreader for you to tackle any document from academic papers to blog posts and even entire e-books. All you need as a general proofreader is to know the common proofreading marks and how to attract clients.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that becoming an online proofreader is one of the most popular ways for people to earn a living online. If you are an avid reader, there are chances for you to become a professional proofreader. This is especially true if you easily catch errors when reading.

Many times, people believe you need an English degree to be a successful proofreader but, it is not always like that. There is hope for people who do not have a degree in English as they pursue the proofreading business.

However, there are different ways to become a successful proofreader. Yes, some of them require a degree. But many others do not require a degree.

To start well in this field, all you need is a Complete Beginner’s Guide to Proofreading Jobs which you can get online.

Who is a Proofreader?

A proofreader ensures that content is free of typographical, grammatical, spelling, punctuation, syntax, formatting and other errors of such nature.

In other words, a proofreader is a person who notices all the hidden errors in a content, essay or write up of any nature.

A proofreader is a valuable asset in the publishing world. Before printing a Magazine or newspaper, there is the process of editing and proofreading that must occur. Pages must be meticulously checked for correct spelling and grammar. Margins and spacing must be adjusted so the content or Article flows smoothly. Also pictures must be placed within the Articles for the flow to look consistent.

Therefore, Proofreaders are very important and often responsible for all these necessary pieces. They remain the people who make publications to be at their best.

Major responsibilities of professional Proofreaders in Canada

As a professional Proofreader in Canada your duties and responsibilities depend solemnly on your place of work and their area of priority. However the following duties are general to all Proofreaders:

Reviewing and editing content for grammar, punctuation, and style
Verifying the accuracy of dates, statistics, and other referenced information.
Verifying whether the content is original and that the author properly cited outside sources.
Completing tasks in alignment with production deadlines
Verifying character count, tone, and ensuring it meets client-provided style guides.
Suggesting edits and making changes using digital commenting and editing tools.
Verifying that a newly formatted document doesn’t contain rendering errors and blunders.
ensuring document or web layout is accurate and meets client expectations and satisfaction.

Proofreading Skills

To become a proofreader in Canada, I certainly need some expertise.

Depending on the nature of a content, a Proofreader may need to have unique and exceptional skills, for example, a website Proofreader may need more computer knowledge than an essay Proofreader.

However, the basis Proofreading skills are listed below:

Writing and editing
Computer proficiency
Attention to detail
Comprehension
Resourcefulness
Multitasking
Time management.

What qualifications do you need to be a Proofreader?

Basically, having a Bachelor’s degree is credit if you want to become a professional proofreader. Popular majors include English, Journalism, and Communications. Though, you can still study in other fields as well, especially if you would like to work on technical or academic content.

Secondly, you should get some proofreading training, which often comes with a certificate.

Sometimes, most of these courses cover more than just the syntax and grammar of the language. Such as the Oxford comma, or how to punctuate dialogue, or how to reference something for academic articles. These are the little things you can Master before you go into the proofreading job.

5 Steps to become a Proofreader in Canada

To become a Proofreader in Canada, you will need to follow step by step guidelines to become a professional in the field.

Step 1. Understand what proofreading is all about

Proofreading is the final stage in the editorial process. It usually comes after structural and copy editing.

A good knowledge of what proofreaders do is necessary for you to get the job right and know the expectations.

Step 2. Choose your Proofreading specialty

Since we are in the modern computer age where Media prevails,there is a wealth of material for Proofreaders to proofread.

However, you can pick any number of Areas to focus on. Inasmuch as the key to getting the job perfect is to find a specific niche.

Your niche is your competitive advantage. So, clients will appreciate expertise in most cases more than a melange of barely related work experiences.

You can choose your Area of Specialization among the following:

Website pages
Blog posts
Books
Legal documents
Transcripts
Court reports
Essays

All these areas have their specific requirements and formats, therefore, it is preferable to concentrate on one or two for better productivity.

Also, if you work in a publishing company, it is good and beneficial to narrow your focus down to several genres, since they can demand quite different skills. For instance, proofreading a fantasy novel may require sharp attention to the mechanics of an imaginary language.

Likewise, a Proofreader who is working on a non fiction history book will be doing a lot of fact checking.

Step 3. Know your style guided inside out style

Manual guides provide standard guidelines for the writing and formatting of documents. You must learn very appropriately to become a Proofreader in Canada.

However, the style guides you learn are determined by your niche and the types of texts you will work with.

It is good to acquire the following styles:

APA Style, AP Style and, Chicago Style.

If your niche is academic or scholarly in nature, you might also want to consider learning MLA and Turabian Style. Good knowledge of these style guides will help you follow a steady rule whenever you are editing a manuscript.

In addition, you can find handbooks for all these styles in libraries or on the internet. It is very beneficial to the style guide even as an expert in the proofreading field.

Step 4. Take a Proofreading course

Engaging in a Proofreading course is highly recommendable for attachment of a desired height.

You can register for this Courses online and pay much attention to the lessons.

Meanwhile, a course not only gives you a head start on Understanding style guides and grammar rules, it also provides a chance for you to practice Proofreading and get feedback from professionals.

However, each of these Programs offers different things. Some might be more tailored to fiction Proofreading, sometimes, others to legal paperwork.

Some can as well offer more theoretical knowledge, others come with a mentorship program.

You should just find a curriculum that is the best in developing your niche.

Proofreading, just like any other editorial job, will come with its challenges. It’s not uncommon for newcomers to have to deal with low wages, competitive job prospects, and long hours. But if you put your mind to it and really invest in your craft, then making it as a proofreader will be more than worth it in the long run and you shall be among the best Proofreaders in Canada.

Step 5. Search for freelance Proofreading jobs

Since you are well trained in the Proofreading department, you can now find a job. But first, you will understand that beginners in any editorial field will have less access to quality Projects in their desired specialty or genre.

Therefore, Start with smaller offers that come in at the beginning of your Proofreading career, and always be open to opportunities that are peculiar to your choosing specialty.

If you can manage these challengings in the first stage, you will emerge on the other side with the skills and track record to yourself through the rest of your Proofreading career in Canada.

Furthermore, if you feel like working with a publisher or a publication, you will have to follow their editors on Twitter. Managing or production editors will be your point of contact if you are freelance proofreading for a publishing house.

Also, they will often post something when a project becomes available.

Therefore, since most Proofreading jobs are done on a freelance basis. Even publishing companies always look for this source. Economically, you will likely find Proofreading jobs on marketplaces like Reessy or other freelance job sites for you to become a Proofreader in Canada.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much do Proofreaders make in Canada?

Professional Proofreaders make up to $25/ hours on average as of last year. However, this implies that Proofreaders make around $51k a year on average.

More experienced professional Proofreaders can command even higher fees , with top professionals making between $30-$35 per hour.

Are proofreaders in demand in Canada?

Demand for proofreaders in the past five years in Canada has grown as much as 4.25 per cent and it continues till date.

Can proofreading be a full-time job in Canada?

There are several ways you can work as a proofreader in Canada. You can freelance, work in-house, or find full-time remote work. Therefore, it can serve as a full-time job.

How many pages can i proofread in an hour?

Proofreading time depends on the copy. Many factors determine the time consumed such as the style and size of the font, the presence of tables, charts, graphs and the complexity of the subject matter.

However, according to experts, is estimated Proofreading speed ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 words per hour, or 8 to 16 pages per hour.

What do proofreaders check?

Proofreading means carefully checking for errors in a text before it is published or established. It is the very final process of the writing stage, when you fix minor spelling and punctuation mistakes, typographical errors and formatting issues.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, Some companies may look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in language or journalism, but you may not require formal education to start as a freelance proofreader.

However, to become a Proofreader in Canada, you will follow the steps above as a guide towards the actualization of your dream.