How to Get Hired as a Freelance Proofreader
When I first started freelancing, one of my earliest gigs was doing freelance proofreading for indie book authors. It was a low-lift way to get my foot in the door — a type of work that drew on my strengths with language but didn’t require the deep creative energy of developmental editing or ghostwriting.
That’s the appeal of freelance proofreading jobs: they let you work with words without draining your creative well.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a novelist looking for steady income, or just someone who genuinely enjoys catching grammatical slip-ups and polishing prose, remote proofreading jobs offer a flexible path into the world of freelance work. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get started, how to build your portfolio, and where to find the best freelance proofreading jobs — including on my own writing job board.
Remote Proofreading Jobs: What They Are and Who They’re For
Remote proofreading jobs involve checking written material for surface-level errors: typos, punctuation issues, formatting inconsistencies, and style discrepancies. You’re not restructuring a narrative or rewriting clunky paragraphs — you’re offering that final layer of polish.
This kind of work is ideal if:
You’re a writer with sharp instincts for grammar and spelling
You want a freelance role that’s less creatively intensive
You find joy in nitpicky details and clean copy
You’re curious about publishing but not ready to commit to a full edit
And because the work is remote, it’s easy to fit around your own schedule or creative projects.
How Can I Get Started as a Freelance Remote Proofreader?
One of the biggest questions I hear from aspiring freelancers is: How can I get started as a freelance remote proofreader?
Here’s where to begin:
1. Build a Simple Proofreading Portfolio
Even if you don’t have past clients, you can create before-and-after samples using your own writing or public domain texts — The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is supposedly riddled with errors, and you’d be doing him a favor beyond the grave as Twain himself was famously critical of sloppy printers and typesetters — which adds a meta-layer of irony. :)
Highlight your ability to catch small errors and explain your changes when appropriate.
💡 Want help building your portfolio? I’ve taught an entire class on how to do this — it’s available here for paid subscribers in my ClassStack archive on Substack.
2. Brush Up on Style Guides
A good proofreader knows the difference between AP, Chicago, and MLA — and when to use each. Start with The Elements of Style by Strunk and White (one of my favorites!), but also seek out more recent guides that reflect current usage. The more formats you’re familiar with (books, blogs, websites, academic papers), the more versatile you’ll be.
3. Be Ready to Move Quickly
Because freelance proofreading jobs are competitive, timing matters. Many job listings get flooded with applicants within the first hour. That’s why I share leads in real-time in my Substack Subscriber Chat — so my community can be among the first to apply.
Where to Find Freelance Proofreading Jobs (Including Book Proofreading Jobs)
Many people who land on my writing job board are specifically looking for freelance proofreading jobs in publishing — and especially book proofreading.
As the self-publishing industry grows, more authors are hiring independent proofreaders to catch final errors before going to print. That means new opportunities are opening up every week for freelance proofreaders who specialize in books.
Here’s where to find remote proofreading jobs:
My Substack Writing Job Board. I curate fresh, high-paying freelance writing and proofreading jobs multiple times per week. Paid subscribers also get access to featured job listings and my online classes.
Freelance Marketplaces. Sites like Upwork and Reedsy sometimes list proofreading jobs, though rates can vary.
Small Presses and Indie Authors. Many are looking for proofreaders and post on forums, Facebook groups, or even Reddit.
Final Tip: Make Yourself Findable
In addition to applying for freelance proofreading jobs, make it easy for clients to come to you. That means:
Publishing your portfolio online
Including testimonials if you have them to build social proof
Having a clear list of services and pricing that are optimized with keywords that search engines will pick up on
Staying active in writer and editor online communities
Proofreading might be a quiet kind of freelancing — but it’s just as important (and lucrative!) as other niches.
Ready to Land Remote Proofreading Jobs?
If you want curated freelance proofreading jobs delivered straight to your inbox — including book gigs, blog projects, and editing opportunities — join my writing job board on Substack.
You’ll get:
Real-time job alerts via the Subscriber Chat
Weekly curated listings of high-paying freelance writing and proofreading jobs
Access to my classes, including how to build your portfolio
👉 Subscribe and start applying before the best gigs get scooped up.
Every job you don’t see is a missed opportunity — and I’m here to help you catch them early.
