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Proofreading and editing
Proofreading and editing can be done from home for clients who need clear, accurate writing. You will need to build your skills, agree each job’s scope and deadline, and find clients; earnings are not guaranteed.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- You check and improve writing for clients.
- Agree what you will change and when you will finish.
- Practise first and show a short sample.
- Ask clients for a sample before you set a price.
- Work can be irregular, so income is not certain.
Who it suits
It may suit careful readers who enjoy improving writing, can meet deadlines and are comfortable working independently. It is useful to be patient, organised and willing to check details closely.
People pay for help making writing clearer, more consistent and easier to read. Careful editing can save clients time, but you need to agree exactly what each job includes.
Step by step
- Choose your editing service and limits. Decide whether you will proofread, copyedit or focus on a type of writing. Write down what you will change, such as spelling and consistency, and what you will not do, such as major rewriting. About 30-60 minutes.
- Practise on writing you may edit. Use your own writing or work you have permission to edit. Check spelling, punctuation, consistency, clarity and formatting, then compare your edited version with the original. About 1-2 hours.
- Learn your software’s review tools. Practise using track changes, comments and document comparison in your word-processing software. Try leaving clear comments and questions that explain what the writer needs to decide. About 1-2 hours.
- Create a short, safe sample. Show a small before-and-after example of your approach. Use your own writing or get permission to use someone else’s work, and remove personal details. About 1-2 hours.
- Assess the job before you quote. Ask to see the document or a representative sample. Clarify its length, format, language style, deadline and the level of editing needed before estimating the work. About 15-30 minutes per enquiry.
- Agree the job in writing. Record what the job includes, what the client will receive and when you will deliver it. Agree how you will handle extra work or changes to the brief. About 15-30 minutes per job.
- Prepare a simple service page. Describe your service, the kinds of writing you work on and how clients can request a quote. Include your preferred contact method and the information you need to assess a job. About 1-3 hours.
- Contact possible clients. Try writers, community groups or small businesses that may need editing. Keep a record of who you contacted and follow up politely, without sending repeated messages. About 20-40 minutes per session.
- Check the final version carefully. Use a checklist and read the final version slowly. Read it aloud as well, and, if possible, ask another person to review your process or sample. About Allow time based on document length; do not rush.
Your first 15 minutes
Make one short before-and-after editing sample, then ask three people who write for work or study to tell you what is clear and useful about it.
The money
Estimate the time and complexity of each document, then agree a clear price and what it includes before starting. CIEP’s suggested minimum hourly rates from 1 March 2026 are £31.92 for proofreading and £37.11 for copyediting; these are for trained editorial professionals with some experience, are not guaranteed or typical earnings, and the page does not specify the country they apply to. <a href="https://www.ciep.uk/knowledge-hub/suggested-minimum-rates.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CIEP</a>
Example only: In one week, two small jobs at £45 each bring in £90; subtract £10 for costs, leaving £80 before tax. In Ireland, two small jobs at €50 each bring in €100; subtract €12 for costs, leaving €88 before tax. These sample prices and costs are not typical earnings.
The rules
There’s no specific licence for proofreading or editing. Check the tax, data-protection and business-name rules where you work. If you’re unsure, ask the relevant authority.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Trading income and tax. The first £1,000 a year of trading income is covered by the trading allowance. This is your gross income before expenses. Tell HMRC if you earn more than this. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the tax year ends. GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK
- Personal data. You may handle confidential client documents or personal details. Agree how you’ll receive, store and return files safely. Use the ICO self-assessment tool to check whether your business needs to pay a data-protection fee. There isn’t one rule for every sole trader. If you’re unsure, check with the ICO. ICO
- Northern Ireland support. If you’re in Northern Ireland, Go Succeed offers free start-up advice. Mid Ulster District Council
- Paid promotional posts. If you publish paid or affiliate promotional content, label it clearly. For example, use “Ad”. ASA
- Insurance and client terms. Consider professional indemnity and cyber insurance. Put the agreed work, deadline and payment terms in writing. If you need advice about consumer rights or client terms, ask an appropriate source.
Ireland
- Tax return route. If you’re a PAYE worker, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those thresholds, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. Revenue
- Self-employed tax. If you’re self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI and USC under self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October. Check with Revenue or an accountant to see how the rules apply to you. Citizens Information
- Business name. If you trade under a business name other than your own, register that name with the CRO. Online registration costs €20. Companies Registration Office
- Personal data. Keep client documents secure. Agree how you’ll receive, store and return them. Check with the Data Protection Commission about your duties for the personal information you handle.
- Paid promotional posts. If you publish commercial or paid promotional content, label it clearly. The guidance says to use “#Ad” and to label it if in doubt. CCPC
- Insurance and client terms. Consider professional indemnity and cyber insurance. Put the agreed work, deadline and payment terms in writing. If you need advice about consumer rights or client terms, ask an appropriate source.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Starting work before agreeing exactly what is included.
- Quoting before seeing a sample or understanding the deadline.
- Accepting a short deadline without time for careful checks.
- Using a client document in a sample without permission or removing personal details.
- Relying only on automated spelling or grammar suggestions.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.