You’ve just finished writing a blog, an article, a book, an important business document, or report. Whatever it is, you’re pleased with your work and you’re hoping to impress. All you need to do is proofread it to make sure that you have error-free content. You can do this yourself, right? Wrong. It’s almost impossible to proofread your own work because you’ll tend to read what you thought you wrote rather than what you actually wrote. It’s unlikely you’ll pick up all the errors – no matter how many times you read your own work, it’s almost guaranteed that there will still be mistakes. So, can you ask a friend, a colleague, or someone who is good at English to proofread it for you? Maybe. But it’s not a good idea because proofreading done by a layperson is not the same as professional proofreading. Let’s take a look at the benefits of professional proofreading services.
Creating Error-free Content – Benefits of Professional Proofreading
Trained Perfectionism
Professional proofreaders are trained and experienced in picking up details that most people don’t see until they are in the published version. Apart from checking and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting, professional proofreaders are very much like detectives as they hunt down inconsistencies and tiny details with patience, tenacity, and a critical eye. They catch that extra space created after the full stop or period, or the inconsistency in heading styles, size, font, in bullets, in paragraph alignment, and so on.
Language Expertise
Proofreaders are experts when it comes to word choice to ensure flow and clarity. They also pick up the nuances and subtleties of text, tailoring and refining your words, grammar, and punctuation to reflect exactly what you want to say in the best possible way. These are the skills that make your text readable, clear, and unambiguous. They also are sensitive to your choice of words and will pick up on any words that could be seen as biased or offensive. Professional proofreaders will suggest alternatives for you to consider.
Error-free Content
While nobody is perfect, a professional proofreader will come the closest to ensuring that your work is free of embarrassing mistakes and errors that distract your readers from your content. There’s no getting around it – errors in any published document undermine the content as well as the author. The reader may lose trust in the writing and in the writer’s credibility. It’s always worth investing in a safety net, and that’s the proofreader!
Saving you Time and Effort
Proofreading is time consuming, especially if your document is long, technical, and has images, graphs, tables, and footnotes, and a reference list or bibliography. Outsourcing this task saves you time and effort, and you have the peace of mind that you’ll end up with quality, error-free content.
How do you Find a Professional Proofreading Service?
Just as you would when looking for any kind of service, take the time to search for reputable and reliable proofreading companies or freelancers. If you follow these steps, you’ll easily find one that’s the right fit for your needs.
Think About your Requirements
Many proofreaders are specialists so it’s important that you are clear about your specific needs. For example, if you have written an academic paper that needs to follow a certain style guide, such as The Chicago Manual of Style, you’ll need to find a proofreader who is proficient at following that style. If you have written a novel, it’s crucial to find a proofreader who has experience in proofreading fiction. Also, consider any details that may have been of concern to you while writing, such as capitalisation, consistency of spelling and headings, or punctuation.
Visit Proofreading Services Websites
Many proofreading companies offer online proofreading services – it’s a big business! Check their websites and social media pages for reviews, read about the types of proofreading services they offer, and take note of their pricing options for future comparison. But remember, cheaper is not always better! It’s a good idea to ask online proofreading companies if you can see samples of their work, specifically in the genre that is the same or similar to your own.
Research Professional Proofreading Organisations
Many professional proofreading organisations have listings of members available for work, as well as job posting forums, where you can fill in your requirements. Proofreaders who belong to professional organisations will usually be highly qualified and experienced, and it also indicates that they take their profession seriously. Look online for professional proofreading organisations and don’t limit the search to your area. Proofreaders work for anyone in the world, and everywhere in the world.
Ask for Recommendations
Word of mouth is often the best way to find good service providers. Ask friends, family members, and colleagues if they know of a good proofreader, or anyone who has used the services of a proofreader and can recommend their work. Post your request for recommendations on Facebook, LinkedIn, and your local community groups – to anyone whose opinions or endorsements you can trust.
Evaluate Experience, Expertise, and Professionalism
Whether you’re considering an online proofreading services company or a freelance proofreader, always make sure that you’re dealing with experienced professionals. Ask for credentials, qualifications, and testimonials. Check turnaround times (especially important if you have a non-negotiable deadline), confidentiality agreements, and guarantees of a high standard of work.
What it boils down to is that proofreading plays a crucial role in elevating your written work from good to outstanding. If your standards are high and you value professionalism, and polished, error-free content, then professional proofreading is your answer.
WordWise Online Proofreading Course – Learning How to Create Error-free Content
And if you’ve read this and are inspired to become a professional proofreader, check out our gold-standard online proofreading course to find out more.
