Building Your Client Base: A Guide for Proofreaders

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So, you want to learn how to find clients as a freelance proofreader?

Starting a successful proofreading business is hard and on top of creating the website, marketing on social media, taking a proofreading course and everything else, finding clients is by far the most stressful part. It can feel overwhelming, and time-consuming and you can spiral into a serious case of imposter syndrome.

That’s why I created this post with all the tips and tricks that helped me find my first clients and network with other proofreaders: to help you move forward in your proofreading business.

How to Find Clients for Your Freelance Proofreading Business?

To find clients you will first need to “niche down”. By niching down, you can become an expert in that area, say you only proofread manuscripts or just website content. You can also niche down further by proofreading blog posts on all things travelling, self-care or whatever piques your interest.

Remember, you should enjoy what you are proofreading and not specialise in proofreading romance novels if you hate romance novels.

Another thing you will need as a freelance proofreader is your website. Now, you can use freelancing apps like Fiverr and Upwork however not only do they take a commission from your pay, but not generating any leads to your website can hurt your business in the long run.

If you want to start on a freelancing app and build your client base that is all well and good but at some point, you are going to have to grow your business and find more valuable clients that don’t haggle about the pay or give you poor reviews. Finding valuable well-paying clients is key to a successful and happy business.

Networking:

Networking is also valuable to your business, communicating with like-minded individuals who are also going through or have gone through the same challenges as you makes you feel understood. Other people have had the same struggles and doubts when creating their business, you are not alone.

A great way to network with other proofreaders is through LinkedIn and Facebook. Join relevant groups for proofreading, editing, writing and publishing, where you can engage in discussions, share your insights, and connect with group members.

Another way to network with other proofreaders is by participating in writing and publishing events. Both online and in-person that will network you with other writers and proofreaders.

Ensure you register early and polish your writing if you show a manuscript or book outline. Attend the networking panels and workshops, engage with people, and swap contact info. Lastly, promote your participation on social media and let everyone know you are going. And afterwards, let them know that you went and how you liked it.

Afterwards, you’ll want to stay in contact with the people you meet. You can do this by sending thank you notes, connecting on LinkedIn and continuing any conversations you might have had.

Cold Email Tips:

Now you might be wondering what a cold email is. Well, I’ll tell you. A cold email is an unsolicited email sent to someone who does not have a relationship with the sender. This is a common technique for businesses to network with potential clients, the goal of the email is to establish a connection, introduce a product or service, or request information for a meeting.

To write a successful cold email you will need to:

1. Research your recipient and their needs and tailor your message to address their specific needs.
2. Have a catchy subject line so that you don’t get lost in the majority of the emails, it needs to be short, relevant and intriguing.
3. Personalise the greeting, using their name (if possible), and reference something specific about them.
4. Introduce yourself by briefly explaining who you are and why you reached out.
5. State how you can help them, and what value you are offering.
6. Highlight the benefits of your offer. Include a CTA (call to action) and encourage them to take the next step forward.

Respect their time by keeping the email short and simple. Maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout the email and when you are done, proofread and edit it. If you don’t get a response in a few days, you can send a polite follow-up email to see if they are interested.

Free Workshops

Speaking in free workshops is beneficial as they are similar to having a video portfolio. You can talk to people and showcase your expertise. Everyone hates creating video content, but it does help with engagement and people will feel like they know you.

Marketing to the Right Clients

Depending on your niche, you might want to market towards; authors, publishers, students, web content creators or someone else.

Authors want high-quality content to enhance their reputation and success, and proofreaders are in high demand with them. Authors are also constant writers; if they find a proofreader they like, they will return, leading to recurring work and a strong client base for you.

Working with multiple authors allows you to work with different genres and you can decide what genre you enjoy proofreading the most. Building professional relationships with authors might lead to other opportunities, that include editing, ghostwriting etc.

University students often need to proofread their assignments before submission, as a proofreader this is another group of clients that could be invaluable to your work. Students would have constant work and promote you through word of mouth.

Finally, web content creators are constantly pumping out new content, which means they need proofreading to enhance their writing. Proofreading can also improve SEO and brand reputation. Working with web content creators will grow your ability to work with different writing styles and trends, they will also have various formats i.e. articles, newsletters etc.

Strategies for Locating High-Value Clients for Your Proofreading Business

When looking for clients, you don’t want clients who are unrealistic with deadlines, last-minute changes, have poor communication skills, micromanage, ignore your professional advice, pay late, add more work onto the original agreement without offering higher pay, and are unresponsive. These are all characteristics of a ‘bad client.’

Bad clients try to get as much out of you as possible while offering sh*t rates that are not worth your time, effort and will eventually lead to a mental burnout. I suggest being choosy about who you work with and being okay with saying no if you don’t feel comfortable with a project.

Finding high-value clients that will take you seriously, pay you well for your professionalism, and appreciate your hard work can be difficult, but it is not impossible. And I’m going to tell you how.

Network in Professional Circles:

First, you want to network in professional circles. You can join professional proofreading organizations, similar conferences and workshops, and use social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to join or create groups of proofreaders. You can also attend local writing groups, network with other freelancers, and after meeting new contacts, try and stay connected.

Offer Premium Services:

Next, you can offer premium services. One way to do this is by having specialised expertise (niching down), in your business, this can look like just proofreading legal documents or medical content etc. Offering a fast turnaround time for an extra fee can be helpful for clients who are close to their deadlines, this will build trust that you will get the job done professionally and quickly.

Something you can add to all your services is a detailed report with highlights, writing tips etc. You can also charge extra for this service. Offering client consultations so the client can decide if they want to buy your services before you start proofreading can lead to a higher satisfaction rate on the client’s part.

Offer High-Quality Content:

Creating high-quality content is an efficient way to ensure you have happy clients. Before proofreading the content, it is essential to understand its purpose and the target audience. When you do this, it is easier to decide on tone, style and language. Be very meticulous about the details. Ensure the language is clear and concise. Fact-check everything! Ensure that the language is engaging and will captivate the readers’ attention. After completing the document the first time, it’s best to take a break and come to it with fresh eyes to ensure you haven’t missed anything.

Try Freelance Platforms:

Finally, freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can increase your visibility and give you access to a wide client base. Through the website you get secure payments, and feedback.

Why Specific Customers Matter for Your Business Success

• High-value clients are great for your business, as a client who knows what they want and sees what you are providing in your offer can potentially lead to more sales. This is called having a higher conversion rate, where your writing leads to more sales.
• High-value clients tend to receive more personalised service and attention. By understanding your high-value clients, you can offer tailored experiences that strengthen your client relationships.
• High-value clients are also more likely to be satisfied with your products and services. Loyalty and positive experiences from a high-value client will lead to referrals with more high-value customers.
• High-value clients understand the quality and value of what you are offering. They are willing to pay the premium as they appreciate the enhanced experience of working with you.
• High-value clients bring in major revenue and dedicating time and resources can bring substantial returns. Focusing energy on these clients means prioritising tasks that affect your bottom line.
• Working with high-value clients raises your credibility, potential clients see this as a sign of trustworthiness and reliability.
• Successfully serving high-value clients can give you a sense of fulfilment and pride. Knowing your efforts are appreciated and valued can boost your morale and self-esteem.

Thank you for reading this post and please feel free to share it or leave a comment with your thoughts.

About Me

Hi, I’m Gabby, the founder and lead proofreader at Page Perfect Proofreading. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for language, I’ve spent years helping clients perfect their writing. Whether it’s a college thesis, a business proposal, or a manuscript, I’m dedicated to ensuring your words are clear, accurate, and engaging.

I believe that great writing deserves to be error-free, and I’m here to make that happen. My goal is to provide you with top-quality proofreading that enhances the impact of your message and reflects your hard work. Let’s collaborate to bring your best work forward!