15 Pros and Cons of Being a Proofreader

If you’re interested in becoming a digital nomad, making money while traveling around the world, or just simply searching for ways to make extra cash for your next vacation, then becoming a freelance, online proofreader is the way to go. However, as with any job, there are both pros and cons of being a proofreader.

I first started proofreading professionally while living abroad in Japan, and the extra income allowed me to spend many months backpacking around the entire country, from Okinawa to Hakone, Tokyo, and Kyoto.

While I absolutely love proofreading (and the money and freedom that it affords me), I have a fair bit of experience dealing with the downsides to working as a proofreader. So, if you’re wondering if proofreading is right for you, keep reading; today, I’ll go over the 15 biggest pros and cons of working as a proofreader.

☞ SEE ALSO: How to Become a Proofreader

Pros of Being a Proofreader

First, let’s focus on all of the incredible benefits of being a proofreader. Here is my list of the top nine advantages of working as a freelance, online proofreader:

1. You Can Work from Anywhere

First and foremost, the greatest advantage of working as an online proofreader is that you can do it from anywhere in the world. From a beach in the Caribbean to the mountains of Nepal, all you need to make money as a proofreader is an internet connection and a laptop.

This was the greatest allure for me when I first started out as a professional proofreader; I was looking for a way to make good money without being tied down to a specific location. Proofreading has allowed me to work while visiting countries including Japan, Scotland, Greece, Germany, and more!

2. It’s Easy to Get Started

Another great benefit of becoming a professional proofreader is that it’s surprisingly easy to get started. All you need is an internet connection, access to a laptop, and some basic knowledge of grammar and punctuation, (which most people already have). You don’t even need to invest in any special tools or software, Microsoft Word will do the trick, (although proofreading software can increase your efficiency).

All I had when I first started out as a proofreader was an old laptop and a Microsoft Office subscription, and I was set.

3. You Get to Be Your Own Boss

Another benefit of working as an online proofreader is that you get to be your own boss. Wave goodbye to having to deal with picky, micromanaging…