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Effective Tips for Selecting Proofreading Courses
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Did you know there are various proofreading courses for different purposes? In today’s online world there are so many courses to take, but which one to pick can feel overwhelming and stressful.
You want to select the right one for your needs and get the most out of it. Don’t start overthinking, we’ll walk you through the steps of picking a course that will benefit you.
Table of contents
The Seven Best Proofreading and Editing Courses
1. Proofread Anywhere: General Proofreading: Theory and Practice
Proofread Anywhere was founded by Caitlin Pyle. Caitlin started proofreading after devastatingly being relieved of her job, while she was finding her feet and deciding where she wanted to go next she trained as a coach. She used that training to create her Proofread Anywhere Course to help aspiring proofreaders start and grow their proofreading businesses.
Proofread Anywhere covers a range of topics:
- Proofreading Theory, (understanding the basics of proofreading).
- Proofreading Practice, (practice with real documents to grow your skills).
- Business Skills, (guidance on setting up your business, finding clients, and marketing services).
- Mindset Coaching, (techniques to overcome self-doubt and build confidence).
There are two General Proofreading Courses; one is the General Proofreading: Theory and Practice and the other is the Ignite Plus Course. A few benefits of the plus course include a graded exam by an instructor, and marketing sessions specifically for proofreaders, when you pass you can be added to the Self Publishing School Rolodex which can help you find clients, both courses offer lifetime access to the course and any future updates made to it. The Ignite Plus Course costs $100 (USD) more than the General Proofreading Course.
Price: General Proofreading: Theory and Practice $397 (USD).
Price: Proofread Anywhere Ignite Plus: $497 (USD).
To decide if this course is for you, Proofread Anywhere offers a free workshop with a rundown of the course’s contents. After completing the free seminar, you can receive a $100 discount on her course General Proofreading or Ignite Plus.
2. Edit Republic
Edit Republic has several proofreading and editing courses, founded by Phon Bailie who has over twenty years of experience in the proofreading and editing industry. Phon Bailie started creating courses to help other proofreaders develop their skills. On the Edit Republic website, Phon also offers proofreading workbooks as practice for multiple genres; romance, fantasy and more.
High-Level Proofreading Pro: trains you in basic proofreading skills and advanced techniques. It teaches you how to create a proofreading and copyediting business. The Price for the High-Level Proofreading Pro Course is $245 (USD).
Proofreading 101: is a free course that serves as an introduction to the basics of proofreading.
The Editorial Business Bundle: This course is the most extensive, providing training in proofreading, copyediting, and business strategy. Its price is $497 (USD).
Content Editing Pro: focuses on digital content editing, the price of this proofreading course is $245 (USD).
The Art of Line Editing: This book offers training in line editing and discusses finer editing details. Its price is $297 (USD).
* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe add value to my readers. Thank you for your support.
3. Knowadays
The Knowadays proofreading course has 13 modules and 78 lessons, this course covers essential proofreading skills, style guides etc. There is 24-hour access to tutors and a certificate is available upon completing the course. This proofreading course is currently priced at $499 (USD).
4. Udemy
This proofreading course offers multiple proofreading courses suitable for different levels of proofreaders:
- The Complete Proofreading Course: Editing and Proofreading – This course covers every facet of proofreading, including; writing, editing, punctuation, and communication tactics. This proofreading course is ideal for anyone looking to develop a keen eye for detail while proofreading. This course has about three hours of video content. The price is approximately USD 12.99.
- Proofread Like a Pro – Taught by Dr. Clare Lynch, this course teaches techniques for catching errors, using professional proofreading symbols, and proofreading different documents, it has two hours of video content, and the price is also USD 12.99.
Udemy often offers discounts on these courses so price changes may apply.
5. Skillshare
They are an online learning community that offers thousands of different classes, on a wide range of topics. Skillshare offers a seven-day free trial, they occasionally run promotions where they offer a thirty-day free trial. Otherwise, the subscription is USD 8.95 per month.
Editing and Proofreading Masterclass | Dominate Writing, Punctuation & Grammar is taught by Nitay L who has over five years of experience as a proofreader and freelancer. This course has sixty-four lessons that span approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. This course covers proofreading symbols, keyboard shortcuts, spotting and correcting common errors, how to get freelance proofreading jobs on other platforms, editing techniques and more.
6. Coursera
Coursera is part of the Academic English: Writing Specialization. This course has multiple instructors, with 4 modules (each module taking a week if you are studying 5 hours a week), it has a flexible schedule so you can learn at your own pace.
This course acts as a refresher for essential punctuation and grammar rules and the paid version includes peer feedback and quizzes to reinforce learning.
When the course is completed you can achieve a shareable certificate, financial aid is available for those who apply, and it is available in twenty-four languages.
7. Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
The CIEP Proofreading Suite of Courses is designed by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), this course is a suite that consists of three core courses:
Proofreading 1: Introduction – In the introduction, part of the course covers the basics.
Proofreading 2: Headway – The next part builds on the basics and is assessed by a tutor.
Proofreading 3: Progress -Finally, this part of the proofreading course consolidates your proofreading skills, it is also assessed and you still have guidance from a tutor.
Each section costs USD 170 and is based on UK English. Certifications are provided at the end of each course, it is a self-paced proofreading course and it prepares you for a successful career in proofreading.
Choosing The Right Proofreading Course
To decide which proofreading course would be the best for you, think about skill level, learning style, goals, cost and duration.
Skill Level:
Considering skill level is important in deciding which course to take, as beginner courses will first cover the basics before diving into the deeper stuff. Knowing the basics will help you build a strong foundation.
This will also ensure that you won’t be too overwhelmed learning too many complex proofreading rules early on. Choosing a course that aligns with your current skill level will enhance your learning experience and you will achieve your goals more efficiently.
Learning Style:
Considering your learning style is essential; because it directly impacts how effectively you absorb and retain information.
There are Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learners, every person learns differently. Some people need to see pictures and diagrams, others need to hear the lesson and others learn with hands-on experience. Knowing where you fit will help you decide which course will be the best for you.
When you know your learning style you are more likely to remember what you learnt, you won’t struggle and you will be more motivated to continue because you’ll enjoy it.
Goals:
Goals are vital when choosing a course; they help you make informed and effective decisions. By identifying your goals you’ll be able to pick a course that will teach you the skills important to you.
Knowing what you want to achieve will keep you motivated to complete the course. Having goals will help you invest your time and resources wisely, track your progress, and lead to personal satisfaction and achievement.
Cost:
Ensure the course is within your budget, so you don’t strain your finances. Sometimes more expensive courses offer better content, resources, and support.
You can think of the course as a long-term investment as it will advance your career and possibly personal growth. Comparing prices helps you obtain the best value for money. Some courses offer financial aid and others often run promotions.
Duration:
Considering the duration of the proofreading course will help with time management for work-life balance, the completion time and whether it will fit into your already existing schedule.
Proofreading courses with longer durations will give you time to explore the concepts thoroughly before the end of the course. Whereas, shorter courses will be more intense and need more concentrated effort in a shorter time. A longer course builds better consistency, will have more detailed content, and might require more financial planning. However, if you need to learn a skill quickly a short one would be better.
In short, knowing the duration helps you plan accordingly, you can decide how much time and effort is needed.
How to Save for the Chosen Proofreading Course?
To save for your proofreading course you’ll need to have decided what course you want to take, and start budgeting.
Track Expenses
To budget you can first track your expenses, you can do this by writing down your expenses and income, then identify your savings by spotting non-essential expenses that you can cut down on or eliminate, (i.e. unused subscriptions, dining out, streaming services etc.).
Pricing
Then you can set your savings goals by finding out the total cost of the course: including books and materials you may need i.e. a writing style guide based on the course you are taking.
When you know the full cost of the course decide when you need the amount, and when you would like to start the course. Once you have decided you can calculate how much you need to save each month.
Open Savings Account
Next, you can open a separate savings account, this will keep your savings separate from the rest of your money and you will have less desire to use that money for something else.
You can also set up an automatic transfer to your new savings account, that way you don’t have to think about it. I like doing that part myself and seeing how much closer I get to my goal every time I transfer money into that account.
Extra Income
To help save for your proofreading course you can earn some extra income by getting a part-time job (if you don’t already have work). And by selling your unused items online etc.
Even if you’re saving towards that goal, keep your eye on when the course goes on discount and decide if you will get a better discount in the future or not, waiting for a good discount will help you save money in the long run, even if you are using a little more than what you have already saved for.
Track Your Progress
Regularly track your progress and adjust your budget to stay on track. Keeping a visual reminder of your goal will help to keep you motivated, something like a picture of your dream job or a vision board of your dream life or your life a year from now. And don’t forget to celebrate small milestones by rewarding yourself. You reached your $300 mark, buy yourself your favourite drink or something you had to cut back on or remove from your life completely to help save for your goal.
Top Budgeting Tools to Help You Save for Your Proofreading Course
There are a few budgeting tools that can help you save money for a proofreading course. Budgeting Apps such as Mint, YNAB, Pocketguard and Every Dollar help by tracking expenses, creating budgets, setting financial goals, showing how much disposable income you have after bills, and providing educational resources to improve your financial habits.
Expensify and Goodbudget are good expense-tracking apps that track receipts, manage expenses, and help plan your spending and savings.
*Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. The tips and strategies shared in this post are based on my personal experiences and what has worked for me in achieving my savings goals. They are intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions or implementing any of the suggestions provided in this post.
Online Financial Planners can help you outline your income, expenses and savings goals. To stay on track with your budgeting goals you will need to set short-term and long-term goals, schedule regular check-ins with yourself, keep a copy of your receipts and records, and keep a visual aid of your goals to keep you motivated.
Mastering Your Financial Goals: When and How to Review Your Budget
You should review your goals often to keep on track and boost your consistency, motivation and discipline.
First, a quick mid-monthly review can help make any small adjustments before the month ends. Also reviewing your income and expenses at the end of each month will help you determine how well you stuck to your budget.
Every quarter, (every three months), is a good time to assess your financial health and re-evaluate your long-term goals. Reviewing your budget at the start of the year will help you set financial goals and plan for the year ahead, at the end of the year you can review your achievements and setbacks which will aid you in making adjustments for your new year.
When you have significant events that affect your life i.e. a new job, moving cities, or a new family member you may need to review and adjust your budget accordingly. And when unexpected payments arise take a moment to review your budget and plan ways to accommodate them.
Why Should I Budget?
Budgeting gives us financial clarity, it helps us understand where our money is coming from and where it is going, it can also show you where you can cut money back on to save more towards your other financial goals.
Budgeting prevents overspending, and reduces the risk of going into debt. Budgeting also reduces financial stress as you have planned where your paycheck will go and that you will have enough left over for certain things. Putting some money away for unexpected payments that may arise is a good idea so that they don’t derail your savings plan.
Strategies for Making Time to Complete Your Course
To find time in our schedules to study a proofreading course, we should prioritize and schedule it into our week and show up to the study sessions like it’s another important appointment. Set manageable goals by breaking down the course into smaller sections and getting each little bit done at a time and soon you’ll be finished the entire course.
If you have busy days, like working full-time and managing your side hustle and hobbies a good time to get some study done is on your lunch breaks, and when you have a quiet night in. If the course has video or audio features you can listen to them while commuting, exercising or doing regular chores. You can also dedicate some time to the weekends when you don’t have distractions and higher flexibility.
When studying, create a focused environment by minimising distractions, and turning off notifications on your phone. You can also tell other people when you are studying, so they don’t accidentally disturb you. Aim for consistency, instead of cramming a lot of study in one session rather have shorter more regular study sessions.
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!
Thank you for reading this post and please feel free to share it or leave a comment with your thoughts.
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