GET PAID TO SPOT MISTAKES

 

PROOFREADING JOBS — GET PAID TO SPOT MISTAKES

 

“If you love correcting grammar, this chapter might just change your life.”

 

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final check before any written content is published. Your job is to spot and fix:

✅ Typos and spelling mistakes

 

✅ Poor grammar and punctuation

 

✅ Inconsistent formatting

 

✅ Awkward phrasing or unclear sentences

 

Think of yourself as the “clean-up crew” for writers, bloggers, students, businesses, and even authors.

 

 Who Needs Proofreaders?

 

You’ll be surprised how many people need this service:

 

Bloggers - Blog posts, articles

 

Students - Assignments, research papers

 

Businesses - Emails, product descriptions

 

Authors - eBooks, novels, memoirs

 

Job Seekers - CVs, cover letters

 

If it’s written, it needs to be proofread.

 

✅ Skills You Need to Get Started

 

You don’t need a degree in English, but you do need:

 

Strong grammar and spelling – For fixing mistakes accurately

 

Attention to detail – For catching even tiny errors

 

Patience – For reading the same thing carefully

 

Basic formatting knowledge – For correcting font size, spacing, etc.

 

If you passed KCSE English or can spot errors when people post online, you can proofread.

 

🛠 Tools That Make It Easier

 

Use these free or cheap tools to proofread faster and better:

 

Grammarly – Automatically catches errors

 

Hemingway Editor – Fixes hard-to-read sentences

 

Google Docs – Makes suggestions as you edit

 

ProWritingAid – Great for deeper grammar checks

 

Let tools help you — but don’t depend on them alone.

 

 Where to Find Proofreading Jobs

 

Here’s where you can begin as a beginner:

 

1. Upwork.com

 

Create a profile titled “Proofreader from Kenya”

 

Bid on jobs with clear proposals and samples

 

Clients often pay $10 to $50+ per project

 

2. Fiverr.com

 

Offer simple services: “I will proofread your blog post for $5”

 

Add bonuses like fast delivery or formatting help

 

3. PeoplePerHour / Freelancer.com

 

Great for getting long-term clients

 

Bid on short and long jobs

 

4. LinkedIn & Facebook

 

Join “Freelance Writing” groups

 

Post about your services (attach a well-written sample)

 

Tip for Kenyan Beginners

 

Start by proofreading for:

 

✅ Friends’ assignments

✅ Church announcements

✅ Local businesses’ social media posts

✅ College student CVs

Use those as samples to build your portfolio.

 

 How Much Can You Earn?

Blog post (500 – 1000 words) - Ksh.300 – Ksh.1,500

Academic paper – Ksh.1,000 to Ksh.3,000+

eBook (10,000+ words) – Ksh.5,000 to Ksh.15,000

CVs / Letters – Ksh.200 – Ksh.1,000

Some Kenyans earn Ksh.30,000 to Ksh.80,000/month just from proofreading part-time.

 

Action Steps

✅ Sign up for Grammarly or Hemingway Editor

✅ Pick a random article and try proofreading it

✅ Create a Google Doc portfolio of 2–3 edited samples

✅ Create a Fiverr or Upwork profile

✅ Offer to proofread for a friend or local business for free/cheap (to gain testimonials)

 

 Real Talk

 

If you’re someone who corrects people’s grammar on WhatsApp or hates typos in church announcements — you’re already halfway there.

 

Don’t sleep on this. Proofreading pays well and opens the door to bigger gigs like editing, copywriting, and content strategy.

 

You’re not just spotting errors. You’re helping people look more professional. And you’re getting paid for it.

Written by

David Njimu 

+254701827087