 Starting a proofreading business can be both exciting and daunting. As a proofreader, you’ll need more than just a proofreading course to set you one your way; you'll need tools that help you maintain high standards of accuracy, manage your projects efficiently, and communicate effectively with your clients. Luckily, there's a wealth of free software available that can help you get started without breaking the bank. Here’s a rundown of some of the best free tools for aspiring proofreaders.
Hemingway Editor Hemingway Editor is a free online tool that highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and adverbs, helping you create clear and concise content. It provides a readability score and suggests simpler alternatives for complicated words or phrases. This tool is particularly useful for ensuring that the text you’re proofreading is not only grammatically correct but also easy to read. LibreOffice LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a powerful word processor, Writer, which is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents. LibreOffice Writer offers robust spell check and grammar check tools, along with advanced formatting options, making it a versatile choice for proofreaders who need to handle a variety of document types. Google Docs Google Docs is a cloud-based word processor that allows for real-time collaboration and sharing. Its built-in spelling and grammar check features are constantly improving, and the ability to leave comments and suggestions makes it easy to communicate changes with clients. Plus, the fact that it’s accessible from any device with an internet connection adds a layer of flexibility to your workflow. Trello Trello is a project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organize your proofreading tasks. You can create a board for each client, use lists to represent different stages of the proofreading process, and add cards for individual documents or sections. Trello’s intuitive interface and integration with other tools like Google Drive make it a valuable resource for keeping track of deadlines and project progress. Asana Asana is another excellent project management tool that’s free for teams of up to 15 members. It offers a variety of features, including task assignments, due dates, project timelines, and more. Asana can help you stay on top of your workload, ensuring that you meet client deadlines and manage your proofreading business efficiently. Slack Slack is a communication platform that can streamline your interactions with clients and collaborators. Its free plan offers essential features like direct messaging, file sharing, and integration with other tools you might be using. Slack helps centralize your communications, making it easier to keep track of client requests and feedback. PDFescape PDFescape is a free online PDF editor that allows you to edit, annotate, and fill out PDF documents. As many proofreading projects come in PDF format, this tool can be invaluable for marking up documents and providing clear feedback to your clients without the need for expensive software. Wave Accounting Keeping your finances in order is crucial for any business, and proofreading is no different. Wave Accounting is a free accounting software aimed at start-ups and small businesses. It offers features including expense tracking, invoicing and financial reporting. Wave Accounting provides an simple-to-use platform to handle all your bookkeeping requirements. Conclusion Equipping yourself with the right tools is crucial when starting a proofreading business. The free software listed above can help you maintain high standards of accuracy, manage your projects effectively, and communicate seamlessly with your clients. By leveraging these resources, you can streamline your workflow and focus on delivering excellent proofreading services. Happy proofreading! If you've got what it takes to start a proofreading career, why not check out The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course. Click here to find out more.
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“I am one of those many fools who paid a huge amount of money for a useless course. This book... has opened so many doors for me. I now look on Mike as my mentor as I embark on a career. Thank you Mike.” Emma Steel, Proofreader and International Structural Editor. “ I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am so glad that I decided to take it... the whole experience was invaluable. My proofreading service is now well established and your course played no small part in getting it off the ground.” Hache L. Jones, Proofreader. “I'd just like to thank you first of all for writing such a great, straight forward eBook, and then going above and beyond what I would even expect as a customer by providing us, completely free of charge, updated versions months later!” Rachel Gee, Trainee Proofreader. “What can I say? Worth every penny and then some! God Bless! This a fabulous course.” Teresa Richardson, Proofreader. “As someone who has effectively been proofreading for thirty years, I found Mike’s No-Nonsense Proofreading Course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of this discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the ideal starting point, and much more besides.” Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader. Blog AuthorMy name's Mike Sellars and I'm an experienced proofreader and the author of The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course. Click here to find out more about me. 
The No-Nonsense Proofreading CourseA Fraction of the Cost of Other Proofreading Courses NOTE: Stock is currently limited to 10 per day, so we can continue to deliver exceptional after-sales service, answer queries and provide open-door support. Credit card and PayPal payments accepted. “As someone who has been proofreading for 30 years, I found Mike’s course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of the discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it.” Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader. Still want to find out more? Click here. Proofreading Categories
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