What’s the difference between freelancing and in-house proofreading roles? That’s a good question! Well, a freelance proofreader works independently and offers services to clients on a project-by-project basis. In contrast, an in-house proofreader works for a company or organization to perform proofreading tasks.
In each case, the role is essential to ensure the quality and accuracy of all written content and documents produced by individuals and businesses.
However, some argue that freelancing gives you more flexibility and autonomy. I can vouch for that since I have been working freelance for almost ten years. But, others say that in-house employment provides more benefits and stability, which is an important consideration in these uncertain economic times.
In this quick guide, I present a balanced assessment of the pros and cons of freelancing as a proofreader versus working in-house. I delve into comparing the work environment and culture and examine the skills and qualifications you need to succeed in this industry.
Additionally, I provide tips on marketing your freelance services, building a client base, and establishing credibility in the field. So, after reading this article, you’ll be able to decide which realm is the right fit for you.
Freelancer vs. In-House—Which Career Option Is Best for You?
Working freelance or in-house has its boons and banes. So, in the following sections, I will dissect the pros and cons of each to help you decide which option is best for you.
Pros and Cons of Freelancing as a Proofreader
There are several pros and cons to working as a freelance proofreader.
- Freelancing offers a flexible working schedule. You can set your own working hours and work anywhere, which is great for those with personal and family commitments.
- You can decide what projects to take on, allowing you to focus on your specific expertise or areas of interest.
- When you work as a freelancer, you’ll likely work on a diverse range of projects across different subjects in various industry sectors.
- You can potentially earn more as a freelancer than you would as an in-house employee. However, it depends on your client base, expertise, and experience.
- Freelancers meet a variety of clients and professionals, presenting valuable networking opportunities that could secure long-term contracts or referrals.
- Freelance income can be somewhat sporadic and inconsistent, and the expression “feast or famine” applies. That can make it tricky to budget and plan financially.
- If you work freelance, you must find clients, market your services, and negotiate contracts. Much of that time is not billable and demands a lot of hours and hard work until you become established.
- Working freelance is quite a lonely occupation, and that can be difficult if you’re used to the social interactions of a traditional workplace.
- Freelancing often means juggling multiple projects simultaneously or coping with lean periods of little to no work, which can be very stressful.
- In addition to proofreading work, you must handle administrative tasks, including invoicing, record keeping, and client communication. These tasks are time-consuming and can sometimes leave you short on billable hours.
- Most freelancers don’t receive sick pay, retirement contributions, or health insurance, so you’re responsible for those.
Pros and Cons of In-House Employment as a Proofreader
Working as an in-house proofreader also has its own set of pros and cons.
- The biggest advantage of in-house employment is its stability in terms of income and job security. You’ll enjoy a steady paycheck and benefits, including paid vacations, health insurance, and retirement plans.
- In-house positions usually have regular hours, giving employees a predictable workday rather than the irregular hours common for freelancers.
- Working in an office environment provides more opportunities to interact and collaborate with colleagues.
- A corporate setting usually offers access to specialized software and other resources to help in your proofreading work.
- Many companies provide full training and opportunities for career advancement, enabling you to develop your skills and progress in your role.
- In-house proofreading often demands you to work set hours and adhere to workplace policies, offering less flexibility than freelancing, which won’t suit you if you value autonomy and prefer to work on your own terms.
- Working in-house often means focusing on a particular type of content and a specific industry, which can lead to monotony and even narrower skill sets over time.
- When you work in-house, you have less control over your workload, as your supervisors allocate assignments and deadlines.
- In-house employment typically requires commuting to a physical office location, which can be time-consuming and costly.
- In-house proofreaders often interact less directly with clients, meaning fewer opportunities to build client relationships and receive feedback firsthand.
Comparison of Work Environment and Culture
As you’ve read above, there are pros and cons to working as a freelancer and an in-house proofreader.
When it comes to the work environment and culture, freelancers typically enjoy more freedom since they can work remotely, often from the comfort of their own homes. That gives unlimited flexibility in setting a schedule to suit their lifestyle and managing their workload, which is why I love freelancing.
That autonomy means you can choose what projects you undertake, negotiate rates, and tailor your work to fit with your commitments and personal preferences. However, that freedom means you work alone without the daily interaction and camaraderie you find in traditional office settings. That said, you must still network to build client relationships and increase professional connections.
In comparison, in-house proofreaders work in a structured office environment, collaborating with supervisors and colleagues. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your relationship with them!
Although they don’t enjoy the autonomy freelancers do, in-house proofreaders benefit from set hours, job security, and a regular wage. However, if you work in-house, you’ll have to face a daily commute to a physical office location.
Skills and Qualifications for Success
To be a successful proofreader, you need a blend of essential skills and qualifications, regardless of whether you work in-house or freelance.
- An excellent command of the English language
- A keen eye for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Proficiency in editing tools
- Familiarity with various style guides
- Effective time management to enable you to meet deadlines and handle multiple projects
- Strong communication skills
- A formal education in English, ideally with strong qualifications
How Can You Find Opportunities and Advance Your Proofreading Career?
Proofreading is an extremely popular career choice these days. But where can you find opportunities to get a foot in the door, and how can you advance your career?
How Can Freelancers Find Opportunities?
Finding opportunities is one of the most challenging aspects of freelancing. Here are some tips for getting your freelance career off the ground that worked for me.
- Develop a professional website to showcase your services. Include client testimonials and a full profile of your experience and specialized areas to attract potential clients.
- Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to network with potential clients and fellow professionals in your field.
- Provide free samples or trial proofreading services to potential clients to show off your skills and the value you can offer.
- Create profiles on freelance platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to showcase your skills, bid on projects, and gain exposure.
- Identify and specialize in specific industries or niches where your expertise can provide added value. If you can position yourself as an expert in a particular field, that will attract clients needing your specialized knowledge.
- If you have the relevant experience, try offering additional services such as editing, formatting, or content creation to make your business stand out from your competitors.
- Take courses, attend workshops, and gain additional certifications to continuously improve your skills and stay current with industry trends and new software tools.
How Can In-House Proofreaders Progress Their Careers?
If you decide to work as an in-house proofreader, there are some important steps you can take to progress your proofreading career.
- Make it a part of your daily routine to look at job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or industry-specific websites for in-house proofreading job openings. You can also check the career pages of companies you’re interested in to see if they’re hiring.
- Consider joining professional associations and organizations, such as the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and American Copy Editors Society (ACES), to view job boards, networking events, and resources specifically tailored to proofreaders and editors.
- Utilize LinkedIn and social media to connect with professionals in your field. There are often discussions with industry influencers that can sometimes uncover job openings and career advancement opportunities.
- Partner with recruitment agencies and headhunters specializing in your industry or niche. These professionals can help you find suitable jobs and career advancement opportunities.
- If you’re already working in-house, watch out for internal job postings and ask colleagues to keep an ear out for any opportunities you might be interested in.
How Can You Transition from a Full-Time In-House Role to Freelancing?
Making the leap from an in-house role to freelancing requires careful consideration. Here are the steps you need to take to transition from in-house to freelancing:
- Decide what niche to specialize in based on your industry experience and the type of work you most enjoy.
- Build an impressive portfolio by creating mock projects in your niche that will impress potential clients.
- Work out how to price your freelance services by researching what others in your niche with your level of experience charge. Remember to factor in the time you spend doing admin work.
- Create profiles, use social media, and build a personal website to market your services.
- Find freelance clients by networking, connecting on social media, pitching potential clients, and submitting proposals.
- Develop your freelance business alongside your other job by working extra hours freelancing. That gives you a good benchmark to test the demand for your services.
- Before you make the transition to full-time freelancing, give your employer notice and leave on good terms.
- Create a routine that works for you. Set aside time for marketing your business, contacting clients, and actually completing projects on time.
Conclusion
In this guide, I’ve explored the differences between freelancing and in-house proofreading roles and highlighted the pros and cons of each option to give you a balanced comparison.
Working as a freelancer gives you autonomy over all aspects of your job. You can work as many hours as you want, choose what assignments to take, and negotiate pay rates directly with your clients. On the downside, you’ll experience periods when work is hard to come by, which can be very stressful. In addition, you must market your services and find work yourself.
If you work in-house, you enjoy job security, income stability, other benefits, access to training courses, and career advancement. However, you will have to endure the daily commute to an office, and your work will be allocated to you.
Before making the leap from in-house to freelancing, consider your desired work-life balance and choose the career path that best aligns with your skills, preferences, and aspirations.