If you’re thinking about becoming a proofreader or editor, it’s probably one of the biggest questions on your mind. I also wondered about this when I first made this career decision.
The short answer is no, you don’t.
Despite what the editors of old may tell you, you don’t need an English, Journaling, Publishing, or Creative Writing degree to be a good editor. Yes, they are helpful but not necessary.
The main things you need are a computer, a reliable internet connection, a quiet place to work, and a passion for books and reading.
How to Gain Knowledge Before Starting
However, I advise against you just jumping in without any knowledge. That will set you up for failure and create unhappy clients. Luckily, there are many places where you can take courses on proofreading and editing.
Online Courses
Websites like Udemy, Edit Republic, and Reedsy offer great resources. I have taken courses on each platform and have been quite satisfied with them.
Those courses include The Art of Line Editing (Edit Republic), Proofreading Like a Pro, Editing Mastery: How to Edit Writing to Perfection, How to Become a Freelance Editor: Make Money Copy Editing Online (Udemy), and Story Editing for Authors (Reedsy).
I’ve taken other courses as well, but I recommend these to you. Plus, you can add the certificates that come with these courses to your profile pages and boost your credibility as an editor, even if you are new.
Books
For those of you who prefer reading over listening to online lectures, there are many books about editing you can buy in-store or online.
My favorites are Starting Your Career as a Freelance Editor by Mary Embree, All About Copyediting: 55 Easy Steps to Improve Your Novel by K.J. Heritage, The Editor’s Companion by Steve Dunham, and believe it or not, Proofreading and Copyediting for Dummies.
And there are many more books to read, not to mention articles, pins on Pinterest (a great place to find stuff), and blog posts.
Online Groups
I also recommend joining editing groups and making connections on social media, especially places like Facebook and LinkedIn, to gain knowledge and support from others like you.
If you take and/or read any of these resources and get advice from fellow freelance editors, I know you will have a good foundation for when you begin searching for editing gigs online.
Wrapping Up
So, all in all, while you don’t need a fancy college degree to edit written content, taking courses and reading books will boost your knowledge and overall credibility.
Until next time!
Message me if you have comments, ideas for posts, or want to collaborate on a piece!
Do you have content that needs editing?