Are you looking for ways to boost your proofreading skills? If so, you have to check out these incredible online proofreading courses.
Online proofreading is an amazing way to make some extra cash, whether you’re at home or on the road; working as an online proofreader helped me fund my travels when I lived in Japan for a year. Many proofreaders even make a full-time living off of it!
There’s a plethora of remote proofreading jobs available. However, if you want to be an efficient proofreader that consistently gets paid well to deliver high-quality work, it pays to get some proofreader training.
So, without further ado, these are the 10 best proofreading courses:
Top Online Proofreading Courses
With so many courses available, it can be difficult choosing the right one for you. In order to make things easier, I’ve hand-selected the 10 best editing and proofreading courses online.
And don’t worry, all of these courses let you go at your own pace. So, sit back, relax, and let’s begin your journey to becoming a professional proofreader.
1. Knowadays
Knowadays, (previously known as Proofreading Academy), offers comprehensive online proofreading and editing courses that are easy and digestible.
With one-on-one support from expert tutors and a huge amount of resources at your fingertips, Knowadays offers great courses for both beginner and experienced proofreaders. With its high rating on TrustPilot and numerous student success stories, it’s an excellent option.
They’re CPD (Continuing Professional Development)-certified and they provide students with essential tips for proofreading and finding work, which is often one of the hardest parts of freelancing.
Right now, Knowadays is offering 15% off its Proofreader & Editor Course Bundle. These are great courses for jump-starting your proofreading career, as they come with guaranteed work with their partner company, Proofed!
When I first started out proofreading, I received consistent work at a similar company, and it was instrumental in jump-starting my proofreading career. It’s truly invaluable to receive expert advice and to be given the opportunity to practice your proofreading, skills so I highly recommend Knowadays.
Features of the Knowadays Online Courses
- 13 modules in their Becoming A Proofreader course
- 7 modules in their Becoming An Editor course
- One-on-one feedback and support from their expert tutors
- Short tutorial videos
- Downloadable study materials
- Quizzes, assignments, and a final assessment
- On-demand webinars
- Several invaluable proofreading and editing resources, including checklists and style guides
- Completion certificate sent digitally
- Free trial available
- Guaranteed proofreading work
Topics covered in the Knowadays Bundle Online Course
Some topics in their courses include:
- Proofreading and Editing
- The Basics of Microsoft Word
- Common Spelling Mistakes, Grammar Mistakes, and Punctuation Mistakes
- Academic Proofreading, Referencing, and Citations
- Creative Writing and the Publishing Industry
- Proofreading Business Writing
- Line and Comprehensive Editing
- Editing Academic Writing, Creative Writing, and Business Writing
- Finding Work
Cost of the Knowadays Bundle Online Course
Individually, the Becoming A Proofreader course costs $399 and the Becoming An Editor course costs $499. However, if you purchase the Knowadays Bundle with both courses, you can save 15% and get both courses for $760. You can sign up for their courses here.
They also offer a free trial on their individual courses, so there’s no cost involved to check it out! Learn more here.
2. Proofread Anywhere
If you’re looking for a course filled with the top tips and tricks for freelance proofreaders, you have to check out Proofread Anywhere. It’s one of the best proofreading courses online for aspiring digital nomads and is perfect for proofreaders of all experience levels.
In order to sign up for the course, you’ll first have to sign up for the free introductory proofreader workshop. But with straightforward tips on how to spot common errors, find clients, and avoid popular mistakes, this course is perfect for those dedicated to making money as a proofreader.
It also provides students with tons of resources and worksheets, which is extremely helpful for building up your confidence as a proofreader just starting out.
Features of the Proofread Anywhere Online Course
- 10 training modules
- 80+ lessons
- 23 grammar-specific worksheets
- 7 module quizzes
- 100-question vocabulary quiz
- Short tutorial videos
- 3 case studies
- Access to a community of fellow freelance proofreaders via their private Facebook group
Topics covered in the Proofread Anywhere Online Course
Some topics in their courses include:
- Grammar Refresher
- Sentence Structure
- Spelling and Word Use for Proofreaders
- Punctuation Principles
- Proofreading Methods
- Proofreading Practice
- Types of Proofreading
- Turning Proofreading into a Business
- Finding Clients
- Marketing Basics
Cost of the Proofread Anywhere Online Course
The Ignite | General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course costs $397 and the Ignite Plus | General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course costs $497. You can sign up for their courses by registering for their free online workshop here.
3. Proofread Like a Pro (Udemy)
One of the courses offered on Udemy, Proofread Like a Pro, is a cheap online proofreading class that’s perfect for those seeking a quick tune-up on their proofreading skills.
Taught by a tutor at the University of Cambridge, Proofread Like a Pro is a useful, engaging, and concise class that’ll provide you with the tools to quickly catch grammatical errors and identify common writing mistakes. It’ll really help to increase your confidence and efficiency in proofreading, which was my greatest struggle when I first started out.
This particular course doesn’t cover grammar, spelling, or syntax in that much depth, so it’s not ideal for those who struggle with these areas. However, if you’re looking for the best tips and tricks on proofreading professionally, this could be the course for you.
Features of the Proofread Like a Pro Online Course
- 6 learning modules
- 48 lectures
- Short and concise video tutorials
- 19 proofreading exercises
Topics covered in the Proofread Like a Pro Online Course
- Introduction to proofreading
- Proofreading symbols
- Proofreading text: what to look for
- Proofreading elements other than body text: what to look out for
- Working as a proofreader
Cost of the Proofread Like a Pro Online Course
You can join this course for $99.99 by registering here. You can also access the course by joining Udemy’s monthly membership plan, which gives you access to 8,000+ courses for $16.58 per month.
4. Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar (Udemy)
Another course offered on Udemy, Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar, is the perfect class for new freelance proofreaders.
Filled with great proofreading tips, checklists, and software hacks, this course will help you get more comfortable with grammar and more efficient with your proofreading. Plus, unlike some of the other courses listed in this article, this course also provides the best methods for proofreading translations.
Additionally, the course offers a section on how to find proofreading jobs online, which includes a guide on Upwork, one of the biggest online freelance job platforms. If you’re looking for some training to be a proofreader on Upwork, then I definitely recommend taking a look at this option.
Features of the Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar Online Course
- 7 learning modules
- 31 lectures
- Short and concise video tutorials
- Practice exercises and tests
Topics covered in the Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar Online Course
- Master the Basics of Proofreading
- Punctuation Checklist
- Other Language Mistakes Checklist
- Proofreading Practice Activities
- Proofreading Job Sites & Full Upwork Guide
Cost of the Writing Proofreading Course: Proofread Punctuation & Grammar Online Course
You can join this course for $84.99 by registering here.
5. Grammar and Punctuation (Coursera)
Grammar and Punctuation, offered on Coursera by the University of California, Irvine, is one of the best free online proofreading classes.
Filled with quizzes and hands-on exercises, this course is a great way to review and enhance your grammar and punctuation skills. It also comes with a shareable certificate upon completion which can help you secure clients.
This course is mostly focused on grammar and punctuation and doesn’t really go over efficient ways to proofread or how to secure clients. Nevertheless, this is one of the best free proofreading courses online, and it’s a great way to review your English.
Features of the Grammar and Punctuation Online Course
- 4 learning modules
- 14 video lessons
- 26 readings
- 16 quizzes and practice exercises
Topics covered in the Grammar and Punctuation Online Course
- Verb Tenses and Conjunctions
- Compound and Complex Sentences
- More Commas, Parallel Structure, and Sentence Variety
Cost of the Grammar and Punctuation Online Course
You can join this course for free by registering here.
6. Proofreading Power Basics (Udemy)
For one of the best online proofreading courses that covers the fundamentals of proofreading, I highly recommend taking a look at Proofreading Power Basics on Udemy.
Filled with quizzes and hands-on exercises, this is great for beginner proofreaders wanting to build their confidence. I took a similar course when I first started out, and it really helped me feel comfortable proofreading difficult academic texts.
Keep in mind that this course doesn’t include information on how to find freelance work, however, if you’re looking for a course on how to proofread well, then this might be the one for you.
Features of the Proofreading Power Basics Online Course
- 12 learning modules
- 33 lectures
- Short and concise video tutorials
- Exercises, quizzes, and downloadable resources
Topics covered in the Proofreading Power Basics Online Course
Some topics in this course include:
- Proofreader Expectations
- Grammar Assessment
- Proofreading Tips
- Proofreading Strategies
- Proofreading Marks
- Proofreading for Capitalization
- Proofreading for Numbers
- Proofreading Error Hotspots
- Style Guides
Cost of the Proofreading Power Basics Online Course
You can join this course for $119.99 by registering here.
7. Editing and Proofreading Made Simple (LinkedIn)
For a quick crash course on how to be an effective proofreader, the LinkedIn Learning class, Editing and Proofreading Made Simple, is one of the top online proofreading courses around.
An easily digestible and straightforward course, Editing and Proofreading Made Simple is perfect for beginner proofreaders wanting to learn how to efficiently spot common grammatical mistakes.
This course also provides you with proofreading certification online upon completion, as it comes with a shareable Certificate that you can showcase in your LinkedIn profile.
From my experience as a freelance proofreader, having a certificate really helps you secure new clients as it indicates that you’re a trustworthy and dependable proofreader.
Features of the Editing and Proofreading Made Simple Online Course
- 3 learning modules
- 14 lessons
- 3 quizzes
- 1 exercise file
- Shareable Certificate of Completion
- Short and concise video tutorials
Topics covered in the Editing and Proofreading Made Simple Online Course
- The 5 Keys to Editing and Proofreading
- Examples
- Frequent Mistakes
Cost of the Editing and Proofreading Made Simple Online Course
You can join this course for $24.99 by registering here. You can also access the course by joining LinkedIn Learning’s membership plan which gives you access to 16,000+ courses. The monthly membership plan costs $39.99 per month, and the annual membership plan is charged at $19.99 per month.
8. How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide (Udemy)
If you’re looking for an informative and straightforward course on how to proofread, then you have to check out this Udemy course: How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide.
Perfect for both beginner and experienced proofreaders hoping to enhance their skills, this course provides the best tips, lists, and guides on how to avoid common grammatical errors and proofreading mistakes. And unlike some of the other courses listed here, it goes over how to find errors in design and graphics as well.
Although certainly helpful, this course doesn’t cover how to find and secure clients, which, in my opinion, is one of the harder parts of freelance proofreading.
Features of the How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide Online Course
- 9 learning modules
- 19 lectures
- Short and concise video tutorials
- Practice activity
Topics covered in the How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide Online Course
- Good Habits
- Do these things when you Proofread
- Issues with Words and Punctuation
- Lists and Guides
- Proofreading the Format, Design, Graphics
- Final Tasks People Forget to Do
- You’re Not Alone: Getting Help with Proofreading
Cost of the How to Find & Correct Writing Errors: The Proofreading Guide Online Course
You can join this course for $129.99 by registering here.
Skillshare is a company that offers thousands of incredible classes for freelancers. On Skillshare, one of the best proofreading training courses is the Editing and Proofreading Masterclass | Dominate Writing, Punctuation & Grammar.
A class curated for beginners, this is the perfect crash course for both editing and proofreading. With straightforward explanations on proper grammar, proofreading hacks, and finding work, this class is an excellent way to get started on your proofreading journey.
This class also comes with four projects for you to apply your newfound knowledge to – I know from previous experience that the best way to improve your proofreading is to practice!
Features of the Editing and Proofreading Masterclass Online Course
- 64 lessons
- 4 projects
- 2 courses in 1 (editing and proofreading)
- Short and concise videos
Topics covered in the Editing and Proofreading Masterclass Online Course
Some topics in this course include:
- Niches & Jobs as a Proofreader
- Universal Proofreading Symbols
- Keyboard Shortcuts & English AutoCorrect Software
- Proofreading with Microsoft Word
- 7 Tips for Proofreading Better
- Colons, Semicolons, Full Stops, Commas, Hyphens and Dashes, Apostrophes, Slashes, and Quotation Marks
- Fixing Passive Voice and Misplaced Modifiers
- Academic, Web, & Print Media Proofreading Tests
Cost of the Editing and Proofreading Masterclass Online Course
You can join this class by signing up for Skillshare here. As well as this course, you’ll also have access to thousands of other creative and freelance courses online. The membership costs $32 per month or $168 per year. They also have a free trial period.
10. Proofreading Launchpad
Last but not least, Millennial Money Man’s Proofreading Launchpad offers some of the best proofreading training online.
With an easy-to-follow step-by-step program, this is an amazing course that’ll not only teach you how to quickly proofread documents well, but also how to find and secure new clients!
The course comes with six months’ free access to their private community of proofreaders and editors. In my experience as a proofreader, having a community with other freelance proofreaders can be extremely helpful and surprisingly comforting.
Whether you’re stuck on a grammar problem or you want to rant about a demanding client, it’s amazing to find people who can relate and help.
If you’re not sure about the course, you can also check out their Proofreading Clarity free e-book, filled with great tips on how to succeed as a freelance proofreader!
Features of the Proofreading Launchpad Online Course
- 10 learning modules
- 76 concise video lessons
- A proofreader’s toolkit, invoice template, and cheatsheet
- 6 months of free access to the Proofreading Launchpad membership community
Topics Covered in the Proofreading Launchpad Online Course
- So, You Want to Be a Proofreader
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Methods, Marks, & Tools
- Proofreading in Practice
- Client Acquisition
- Building your Proofreading Business
- Getting into the Freelance Flow
- Putting it All Together
Cost of the Proofreading Launchpad Online Course
The Proofreading Launchpad course costs $597 and you can sign up here.
Proofreading Courses Online: FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Knowadays offers the best, most comprehensive courses on proofreading and editing, which also come with a free trial and guaranteed work with their partner company, Proofed. Proofread Anywhere and Proofreading Launchpad are also great courses that give you the tools that you need to find and secure clients, and consistently deliver high-quality edits.
The best way to become a certified proofreader is to take accredited proofreading courses, which you can often find at your local colleges or universities. However, in most cases, you don’t need to be a certified proofreader to make good money from it.
It’s definitely worth it to take a proofreading course. Absolutely! While you may already feel comfortable with your grammar and spelling skills, taking online proofreading courses can provide you with the tools and guides that you need to efficiently proofread complicated documents and pitch yourself as a freelance proofreader.
When I first started out as a freelance proofreader, taking online proofreading courses really helped me build my confidence by allowing me to practice proofreading and recognize which mistakes I made the most – I definitely recommend taking a course.
As a beginner, you can expect to make around $15-$20 per hour, although this varies depending on your rates, how quickly you can proofread a document, and what type of jobs you pick up.
If this seems low to you, don’t worry! As you gain more experience, you can also increase your pay; your rates can increase as you gain more credibility as a proofreader, and you’ll get faster and more efficient with your proofreading, which means you can make more money per hour.
This is another reason why taking proofreading courses can be so helpful for making money long-term; they help you build your proofreading skills and find more clients!
There are many ways to get proofreading jobs. If you take a course through Knowadays, they offer guaranteed work through Proofed. Other options for beginners include finding work on websites like Upwork or FlexJobs. These two websites are huge platforms filled with tons of freelancing opportunities.
There’s always an abundance of proofreading jobs to choose from, however, the nature of proofreading is also quite competitive, and consequently, the pay isn’t always the best.
For more stability, you can also apply to become a regular proofreader at companies such as Scribendi, Scribbr, Proofed, or Proofreading Services. These companies act as the intermediary between you and the clients, so they do all the work in finding clients for you. While it’s easier to find jobs and receive consistent pay, the application process to get accepted as a proofreader can sometimes be difficult.
The time it takes to complete a proofreading course depends on the course and how much effort and time you put into it. Some courses, like the ones found on Skillshare, Udemy, or Coursera, can be completed within a week or less.
The more comprehensive courses, such as Knowadays, Proofread Anywhere, or Proofreading Launchpad, may take you up to a month.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are so many amazing online proofreading courses available to you; from comprehensive guides to cheap crash courses. Each course comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you to decide which course is right for you.
Taking a proofreading course online was a crucial step in my proofreading journey. Not only did it give me a refresher on English grammar and punctuation, but it provided me with the opportunity to practice my proofreading skills. This really helped me feel comfortable and confident to accept proofreading job positions online, so I highly recommend that you take a course (or two!) as well.
Regardless of which course you choose, they can all serve to help you get started as a professional proofreader. So buckle up, get your notebooks ready, and begin your journey to becoming a freelance proofreader.
