How to Get Experience as a New Freelance Proofreader
So you've set up as a home-based freelance proofreader. You have your red pens and dictionaries at the ready. All you need is your first client. And there's the rub...
One problem facing all new proofreaders when they start out is that clients understandably want freelances who are experienced -- but how do you get that essential experience in the first place when you are new to the proofreading business?
One good answer is to do some free or low-cost proofreading work for local charities, community groups, residents' associations, PTAs, and so on. Write to a number of such organizations offering your services. Explain that you are a professional freelance proofreader looking to obtain additional references and testimonials, so as a special offer you are willing to offer them your services for free.
As well as writing directly to such organizations, there may be intermediaries who can put you in touch with a range of non-profit groups. Volunteer centers, also called volunteer bureaux in Britain, can put would-be volunteers in touch with nonprofit organizations in their area who can make use of their services. In England you can find your nearest local volunteer bureau from their national website at www.volunteering.org.uk. In the US, a nationwide list of volunteer centers can be found at www.pointsoflight.org.
Explain that you wish to offer your professional services free of charge to benefit your community and boost your employability. It should not take long to find someone who wants your assistance.
Once you have found an organization you can work for, it is best to agree a specific job and/or duration of work in advance. To be fair to the organization, you should try to avoid having them become too dependent on you and then leaving them in the lurch when the paid work starts coming in.
Obviously, then, you will give the work your very best efforts, even though you are not being paid for it. After a reasonable period of time -- leave it at least a month -- you can reasonably ask for a testimonial. This can be used to back up any applications you make for paid work in future. Though it is probably best to ask the organization not to mention in their testimonial that you worked for them free of charge!
About the Author: John Hamilton is Course Leader for the Professional Proofreading & Editing Course, the leading correspondence course for freelance proofreaders and editors, run by Maple Academy (UK). For full details see http://www.mapleacademy.com/maple.nsf/Courses/Professional+Proofreading+Course
More articles by John Hamilton
Print Article | Download PDF | 23 views | Jun 23 2008
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