Work from Home Editing Service

If you are looking to start a business from your home office, are well versed in the English language, enjoy the power, style and intricacies of the written word and cringe at errors in usage; you may want to consider starting an Editorial Service business.

Future trends support an increasing demand for these kinds of enterprises as the information age has left the launching pad and is now approaching Mach 6. Most experts agree that this phenomenon will eventually reach warp speed.

Every written word, bulletin, pamphlet, treatise, advertisement, screenplay or novel designed for public dissemination will demand a proofreader, indexer, copy or project editor somewhere along the trail. Many companies farm this work out. Others employ in-house staff, but the tasks must be done and that is where your business comes in.

A large part of your work can be accessed through the internet, start-up costs are relatively low and you can set your own schedule even when working on deadline.

If you have little professional editing experience in your former life, you may want to break into the field through copyediting and proofreading. Copyediting is performed after a manuscript or document has left the authors hands and is being prepared for release. Copyeditors check for errors in usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They check facts; make improvements and corrections, check for consistency and other preparatory tasks.

Even the best professional writers are subject to errors with mechanics and usage. An author is usually so involved with their work and conveying the message of their mission that they sometimes overlook smaller things. An objective set of eyes with a red pen and knowledge of standardized techniques will spot these inadvertent blunders, and the author will be glad they did.

Proofreaders perform largely the same tasks as the copyeditor after the title has gone through the copyediting process. They check for typos and misspellings while scanning the copyeditor’s work to ensure nothing has been overlooked.

Indexing is another editorial service to explore. Indexers compile the lists that organize and outline subjects and identify words in the back of books, journals and reference materials. There is also an increasing need for indexing on the web.

Depending on your background and professional experience, you may be able to expand and specialize. There will always be a market for editors of technical journals, business and trade publications, esoteric web and information technology, pamphlets and

Instructional booklets. Editors of screenplays are in high demand but require a great deal of expertise. The same holds true for legal publications.

Promoting your business will require a bit of effort. Some strategies include sending inquires to publishing houses and developing personal contacts. Another is bidding for work on popular websites that post for freelancers. (Hint: Virtual Vocations is a good one.)

You should also establish and maintain a company website. Make it stand out and get it listed on popular search engines. Join editing associations and discussion groups. Get your name out there, do commendable work and establish a positive reputation.

References used in this article:

Sarah Edwards

Posted:Wednesday, September 10, 2008