The Power of a Proofreader!
When your car needs a tune-up do you do it yourself? What about if your roof suddenly springs a leak, would you take matters into your own hands? Are you a ‘let’s get the job done, grab the bull by the horns, I can do it myself type personality?’ Yeah, sure you could probably figure out how to do all of the above, watch a few YouTube videos, read a few online articles or ask a few friends but, is it worth it?
Proofreading 101!
Do you have the ‘guts’ to proofread your own work?
Honestly speaking, proper proofreading requires more than just a basic primary school knowledge of when to use a comma, full stop, or capital letter, it requires the eagle-eyed precision of a perfectionist!
Hiring a ‘good’ proofreader also requires acute attention to detail, time, and patience. For most people, especially writers who are prone to get on a ‘creative’ roll, when it comes to proofreading they couldn’t be bothered! So, that’s why no matter which way you look at it it really does ‘pay’ to have another set of eyes glued to your work.
In my many years of experience, when you’re writing for your business, it all really boils down to one thing and one thing alone, ‘clarity!’ You see, it’s important to keep in mind that the minute your words get blasted out into the public you are no longer a writer but a messenger. Therefore, you want to make sure that your potential customers have a seamless reading experience where run-on sentences, dangling modifiers, or misplaced commas could potentially ruin their reading experience and as such, impede on your overall message.
I must say it pays to hire a well-rounded professional proofreader who knows what they’re doing. Sure you can download the apps and let some program do it for you, but nothing beats ‘the human touch.’ Okay I won’t lie, you WILL have to pay for an expert but I think it’s important to realize that when it comes to business,
‘You have to spend money to make money!’
So where to begin? When you are new to the proofreading scene it can be somewhat daunting, especially when you set out to get ‘bang for your buck!’ So, I’ve complied three very important points potential employers should take into consideration:
- Portfolio
It is important when hiring a proofreader that you see the work they’ve done in the past. Make sure that your potential proofreader showcases a variety of work so that you can get a real sense of the job they’ll do. It’s also important to ask questions such as:
-Is this their day job?
-How do they charge?
-What is their proofreading process like?
- References
As with any potential employee, make sure you ask for a list of references for cross-checking. In addition to written testimonials, you also want to make sure you get phone numbers so that you can personally touch base with past employers who can vouch or discredit the information your potential proofreader has supplied you.
- Rapport
As with any situation in life, relationships are EVERYTHING! Make sure that whatever proofreader you chose you are able to properly gauge their personality and demeanor. Here are some questions to consider asking yourself when you have a potential lined up:
- Are they reliable?
- Do they adhere to timelines?
- Do they understand your vision?
So remember, when it comes to writing it pays to have an eagle-eyed perfectionist scan through your work!
