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Can you tell us a bit about the nature of your business?

I set up Ultimate Proof Publishing Services in 2004, to provide proofreading, copy-editing and copywriting services, primarily via our website (www.ultimateproof.co.uk), throughout the UK and Europe.

At first I picked up any job that came my way… my first ever paid job was creating a CV of all things, but it got the business off the ground. Today, I’m in a position to focus my company’s services on two core client bases: businesses and independent authors, both areas complementing my expertise and experience. With a strong client base and regular work, I now employ a small network of professional freelancers to support the workload.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a freelancer.

My first job was as a proofreader for a computer training company – which in hindsight was a perfect start, as not only did I hone my proofreading skills but I had in-depth, free computer training in all the common Office applications of the time.

I went on to work for a design and advertising agency – starting out in production control and working my way to account management for some exciting accounts such as KP and Coca-Cola Schweppes (as it was), and then Publications Manager for the company’s in-house tourism and corporate titles. It was full on and fun, and helped me further develop my skills and experience in all aspects of business: being organised and self-motivated, project and client management, understanding how to run a business (working to a profit, generating new business, dealing with suppliers and clients, etc). Proofreading, editing and writing were key parts of each role I held.

I then became a Publications Officer in a public sector organisation, which involved producing around 100 titles a year. I’d always like the idea of being my own boss and had often looked into working for myself, so with the organisation I was working for undergoing major staff changes, I decided to use the opportunity to set up on my own in 2004. The business grew year on year and Ultimate Proof went Limited in 2010, and we’ve not looked back since!

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

There are many practical things I enjoy about running my own business, but the very fact that it is my own business, that it’s successful and that I’ve so many clients who come back to me time and again is what really motivates me. There’s nothing like the feeling of having helped a client with getting their copy up to a professional standard and then becoming their ‘go-to editor’ for future jobs.

What are the downsides to working for yourself, if any, and how do you overcome them?

I’ve listed quite a few areas here classed as downsides, but each one has an upside to it! I don’t believe I have ever regretted becoming self-employed, and only wish I had the confidence to do it sooner!

No sick or holiday pay – once you become self-employed you’ll find you’re rarely too ill to work, working for yourself kicks all those duvet days into touch! Mind you, now I’m not in public work spaces so often, I catch far fewer bugs anyway. Similarly, the days you’re not working, you’re not earning, so when you pay for a holiday you have to factor in the cost of xx days’ unpaid leave too. But, because you’re ‘the boss’, you can take holidays when it suits you and your schedule.

Long, long hours – in the early days, I worked all hours to get the business off the ground; now that it’s more established, it’s not quite so crazy and I have most of my evenings and weekends back. But if an urgent job comes in then it’s got to be done, regardless. I often get a rush of emails around 4pm on a Friday, all with Monday morning deadlines. Having said that, I am far more productive than I was when employed (no cake-related office distractions I expect), and I’m able to work much more efficiently than I did when I first started out.

Being supplier side – I’ve been on both sides of the account – client and supplier – and it is certainly easier to be in the client’s seat. Now, as a supplier, I have to ensure my clients are happy and deal with any issues promptly – that’s everything from queries with a job to chasing late payments. I am solely responsible for making things happen!

Irregular income – this isn’t so much a concern these days, as I have a good number of regular jobs coming through, but I can’t take any regular job for granted. I have sometimes missed the regular pay packet at the end of the month, but, on the plus side, I love the fact that my earning potential is much higher and that I’ve earned every penny of it, for me.

Working alone – proofreading is an isolating job. To work efficiently, you need peace and quiet. There’s also no one to chat to about work, so it’s important to network with like-minded people and make time to get away from the desk and the house regularly.

How do you go about promoting your business/finding clients?

I’ve pretty much tried everything over the years, but I’ve settled on listing on relevant online directories like Find a proofreader and FreeIndex, and using my website and social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to attract new business and keep in touch with clients. The key is to be where your potential clients will be looking for help, and that means being visible online.

What is your most treasured work-related possession?

It’s got to be my smartphone – what a brilliant invention! When I started out, I had a basic Nokia and an ancient PC. I was able to get work in and deal with clients, but the smartphone means I can respond to enquiries if I’m away from my desk.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working with words?

I joined a running club a few years ago as I found sitting at my desk all day was making me sluggish (and a little podgy!). It’s something I book in the diary at least twice a week and have run a few 10ks and a half marathon since I started. It’s a great way to de-stress and, in fact, sharpens my mind as I can think through things while I run or have a chat with my running buddies. It also balances out my love of baking (and testing!) novelty cookies and cakes. I’m also quite crafty when I want to be and enjoy cross-stitching and knitting, but I know work is really quiet if I have much time for either of those hobbies!

What’s your favourite book?

I think, as an editor, that’s a difficult question to answer quickly, as I read so much and enjoy different books for different reasons.

I don’t have a favourite book as such, but I enjoy reading historical fiction. I love books that have been researched and written to give a believable account of a story from the past; pulling the character out of historical figures and events is an admirable skill. My interest started when I was in my teens with Jean Plaidy’s novels and I’ve always enjoyed anything to do with the monarchy or key historical figures. A book I recall putting down and thinking ‘that was wonderful’ was ‘Katherine’ by Anya Seton, it got me hooked on her novels. Michelle Moran, Margaret Atwood, Phillippa Gregory, and Deborah Swift are all authors whose books I’ve held on to. A book’s got to have substance and depth for me to want to read it (during my precious, free reading time!). In saying that, I like to follow a heavy book with a lighter read, like an autobiography or comedy.

Have you got any advice for aspiring freelancers?

If you’re going into this without previous experience, I’d say don’t give up your day job! Regardless what qualifications you have, being a professional proofreader is something that comes with time and experience. If you have some other money coming in, it means you can relax a bit and spend your proofreading time really honing your skills and service. It’s not as flexible a job as some people might think and if you want to be seen as professional you have to act that way. You can’t miss deadlines and you can’t let people down at the last minute.

I’m often asked about how to get into proofreading and it seems most people literally think they get paid to read books. Running a proofreading business is so much more than that – the proofreading is the fun bit! Most of my clients are businesses which expect a certain standard and level of service. Be sure everything you do is as professional as possible – from the layout of your invoice and email signature to how you respond to clients and being clear about what service you offer – and you won’t go far wrong.

Kelly Owen is a freelance copy-editor and proofreader based in Cheltenham. She is also the Managing Director of Ultimate Proof Ltd. For more information, please visit her website or click here to view her Find a Proofreader listing.

We are excited to announce that we now have a range of dynamic review widgets for advertisers to add to their website!

These widgets display the number of reviews you have received via Find a Proofreader and your average rating – and because they are dynamic, they update automatically every time you receive a new review! Here are three of the sizes you can pick from (there are six altogether):

To access your own range of personalised review widgets, just go to your listing and scroll to the bottom of the sidebar on the right-hand side of the website.

Click on the purple text that says ‘Get your badge now!’ and you will be taken to another page where you can select from six different widgets:

When you’ve decided on a widget that will best suit your website, just copy and paste the code into the relevant space in your website’s html. You may need to ask your web designer to do this for you, if you have one – if not, please get in touch with us at Find a Proofreader and we will be happy to help you.

By displaying a dynamic review badge on your website, you will be able to proudly show off the quality of service you provide!

And for those of you who don’t currently have any reviews on Find a Proofreader, don’t forget that we also have a range of non-dynamic badges too. Click here to see them – and, again, please contact us if you need assistance adding one of these to your website.

Hi, Laura! Please can you tell us a bit about the nature of your freelance business?

Comma Chameleon Proofreading arose from a love of language crossed with the stubborn determination to weed out any and all imperfections – and, I suppose, a cheeky appreciation for Culture-Club-based puns!

I have a BA in English Literature, English Language and Drama and an MA in Literature, so my strengths lie predominantly within these fields, although I also have qualifications in Psychology and Philosophy of Religion, so am very comfortable with the themes broached and the terminology used in these areas.

I currently focus solely on proofreading, although I may expand into copywriting in future; I have experience of writing a monthly column, as well as maintaining my own Comma Chameleon blog.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a freelancer.

I must admit I did rather fall into the world of freelance proofreading. I used to proofread university assignments for friends and family (they paid me in cake/pizza – what can I say? Chameleons love their carbs!), but hadn’t known how to pursue it as a career.

I was working at an independent screen-printing shop in Birmingham (www.getagripstudio.co.uk) when a musician-cum-freelance-proofreader came to get some T-shirts printed for his concert tour; we got chatting, he offered to recommend me as a proofreader to an editorial company that uses freelancers, and the rest is history! I’ve been slowly but surely growing my business since then.

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

I enjoy the flexibility of being able to set my own working hours around my other obligations, but mostly I really enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling I get when a client is grateful for my help. So many people lack confidence in their writing, but it is great to be able to help them, not only by correcting their mistakes but by offering constructive suggestions and making comments on their work. It is also quite rewarding, when clients return with a new document to be proofread, to see that they have taken my suggestions on board and improved their writing as a result.

What are the downsides to working for yourself, if any, and how do you overcome them?

The risk of procrastination. My pencil case is veritably full to bursting with the promise of fun ways to while away the whole day (who knew building a pen-lid tower could be so rewarding?) and my office space is unwisely full of distractions (note to self: remove ukulele from eye line to avoid temptation to bash out a few [ear-crushingly painful] chords in homage to early-90s grunge. This is bad on so many levels…).

I actually tend to overcome the procrastination issue by giving in to the urges, allowing myself to get distracted for a set time before returning to work, now purged of my inexplicable need to compose a pencil-shavings-based reproduction of the Mona Lisa and free to focus on the task at hand. A clear mind is essential for thorough, detailed proofreading.

How do you go about promoting your business/finding clients?

In addition to appearing on Find a Proofreader, I have a website (www.commachameleonproofreading.co.uk), a Tumblr account (comma-chameleon-proofreading.tumblr.com) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Comma.Chameleon.Proofreading).

What is your most treasured work-related possession?

My mouse! I was without it for a day recently, and having to use the toggle thingamajig on my laptop was a real exercise in frustration. I guess I’m just too old-school for all this new (i.e. post-twentieth-century) technology. Google and the OED are both also infinitely useful.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working with words?

I’m currently learning to play the ukulele. It’s not quite as aurally traumatising as listening to a child demonstrating his new violin, but it’s close. I mostly stick to quieter pursuits involving cake and pottery (although, lately, my attempts on the pottery wheel have resulted in some rather shrill ululations of frustration – and a large pile of botched pots).

What’s your favourite book?

My favourite book is not a literary classic; it is called Each Peach Pear Plum and is a children’s book written by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. My great-grandad read it to me as a child, and I recently passed on a copy (not my original copy, mind – that’s far too precious!) to my niece.

As far as books aimed at the more discerning reader are concerned, while I enjoy the novels of Charlotte Bronte, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, among other classic authors, I am very much a Stephen King fan. Currently on my bedside table are King’s new novel Joyland, George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, and Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Have you got any advice for aspiring freelancers?

Be patient. Building up your business will take time. Don’t underestimate the influence of word of mouth; if a client is happy with your work, their recommendation will go a long way towards their colleagues/friends/classmates choosing to use your services. Likewise, reviews and testimonials are massively influential.

Laura Proudman is a freelance proofreader based in Birmingham. She proofreads and edits for students, businesses and authors and is the owner of Comma Chameleon Proofreading. You can view her Find a Proofreader listing here.