How do i get into proof reading as a profession?

[Dotsie]

Lovely mners, please can I ask your advice?
I'm currently on mat leave from local library. Earn bugger all, don't work enough hours to get help with childcare via tax credits. Haven't completely done the sums yet, but seriously doubt whether it will be worth returning to work as things stand.
I would love to do something a little more (financially and mentally) rewarding, and was thinking of proof-reading as I have a good eye for detail. The idea of working from home also appeals. However, I have no idea where to start, don't want to do a course only to find it's not recognised by the industry etc.
Can anyone who works in proof-reading or similar industry please tell me how you got started, whether there are courses worth doing and so on? I'd be very grateful for any hints or tips to get me started!
tia!

bump

Someone else was asking about this the other day. I think there's a Society of Proofreaders and Editors (or the other way round) and their website gives details of courses you can do.

You will have to do a course as it's a technical skill with standard procedures etc.

Also, you might want to ask about the money - I don't think it's very lucrative tbh.

Good luck with it

thanks squeaver. don't mind about doing a course, just don't want to do one that's a waste of time and money as not recognised, iyswim.
it's got to be more lucrative than working for the local council tho!!!

hi dotsie
I looked into this recently
squeaver is right about the society, there are a number of professional courses

but I was put off by fact that most work is freelance - seemed difficult to start from scratch without any contacts, esp if outside London/ Oxford/ other large publishing/ editing centres, and income unpredictable.

Don't mean to be negative as think wld be interesting work if can get around these issues!

Hi pendulum,
have just found another thread which also gives the impression that it's a v difficult profession to get into without the right contacts, and the only courses worth doing are from Society for Editors and Proofreaders which are expensive.
Suspect your right about needing to be in the right areas geographically as well. not a reet lot up here in Yorkshire i shouldn't think!
tis a bummer tho, but looks like i'll have to think again re career/occupation.

Proof reading will almost certainly be freelance, not many companies will have a full time person with this job, so if this is something you want to do, then you have to be prepared for that.

Geography isn't a barrier. This sort of work can be done remotely, all you need is a PC and internet connection.

There are some internet companies who advertise freelance contracts for this and other sort of work (anything from data input, copywriting, accounts etc etc...).

I'll have quick scout around Google and post some names.

Really really hard to get work, very competitive, many editors even can't get extra work proofing, am afraid to say

Good luck though

and don't waste your money on any courses

Take a look at People For Business and People Per Hour (sorry don't know how to put URLs in).

My compnay have used them to outsource this sort of job before.

I did a distance learning course in proofreading and I gave up before the end. It was much harder than I expected and very much more dull.

Here's a view from inside publishing (I'm an editor and employ proofreaders regularly).

Most importantly, avoid all those courses you see advertised in the back of the Sunday papers - Chapterhouse etc. Not recognised by the publishing industry and a complete waste of money.

Professional courses take place at Book House, which is the official training centre for the publishing industry (here), but I've a feeling you have to work in publishing in the first place to get in there.

I have to echo dinny and say that it is really really hard to get into. All the proofreaders I use are people who have worked as editors and have then gone freelance. We never use people we haven't tried before.

Sorry to be so negative! However, this is just my experience - there may be plenty of companies that would be interested. Good luck.

mmmm, so true, Botbot

loads of my colleagues would love extra work proofing and can't get it

thanks very much for your input. It's much appreciated. maybe I'd be better off trying editing first from what you say Botbot? Although editing what I'm not sure...?
I had a feeling about the courses tho, which is why I asked for advice before wasting my money!