proofreading - which course?

[GoingLoopy]

I am thinking about training to be a proofreader and do freelance work from home. there are loads of distance learning and online courses on offer, has anyone done any of the courses? what did you think of it and did you have any success finding work?
Thanks!

hiya, it's definitely possible to do this kind of work as a freelancer but much as i hate to poop on your parade, i don't think the distance courses of the type advertised in the paper will get you any work. You'd be better off doing some kind of professional journalism or sub-editing course at an NUJ-recognised college if you want to get into this kind of thing. Used to work in the media and wouldn't have touched anybody who'd done one of these.

Hi omaoma, thanks for the advice. I don't live in the UK and a distance learning course would be my only option.

hmmm... are you planning to do work in your home country or in the UK? I do know people who successfully write/sub/file copy/design for clients in the UK while living overseas, but they tend to have a track record here before they move. UK media is quite parochial in my experience, people like to put a face to a name, or have you recommended to them.

GoingLoopy, i'm desperately trying to think of other working options for you but i have to say, if i knew of other options for home work i'd be doing them myself!

What sort of client base are you thinking of? Pre-DS I worked in university administration and I now proofread for students, with the majority of my work coming through recommendations from previous colleagues (including PhD students I worked with). I intended to do a course through the SfEP, but I haven't bothered and still get sufficient work (however, I don't work much - don't have any paid childcare so only do a bit of evenings and weekends). I have a professional looking website that my DH designed and I think this helps quite a lot. (Not sure if I am allowed to post a link on here but I trade as Perfect Pages and am based in Durham, if you google that you should find it).

I have also had the odd bit of work through peopleperhour.com, although this is copywriting rather than proofreading. Might be worth a look?