How to Find Freelance Editing Jobs That Pay

by James Sowers | Last Updated:  March 26, 2021

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If you fancy a job as an editor but would like to work on your own schedule and set your own pay, starting a freelance career is a great option – but you do need more than a computer and a positive attitude. To be a successful freelance editor, you also need clients.

Today, I’m going to help you find freelance editing jobs that pay by telling you exactly how to reach clients and set up a system that works for you.

The First Step to Success: Finding Your Base

With any freelance career, you have an uphill battle when it comes to building your clientele. You are going to have far better luck finding editing projects when you advertise your services on a website or app that centers around connecting freelancers to clients.

There are quite a few places online to set up shop, so to speak, where people come to you with job offers for remote work instead of you having to scour the internet for proofreading and editing jobs that may not even be legitimate.

Let’s talk about a few of these sites and what they have to offer.

Upwork

Source: upwork.com

One of the most popular sites for finding freelance editing jobs is Upwork. This service is free to use and there are many benefits to take advantage of, including:

Freelancer

Source: freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is very similar to Upwork in its layout and options for work but the difference lies in what you have to give the site in return.

Upwork is entirely free to use and you get a set amount of bid points per month to submit proposals for projects. Freelancer requires an upfront membership fee to use their service. There are a few plans that can give you more freedom on the site, depending on how your freelancing business grows.

This isn’t all bad, though! This competitive membership allows you to bid for more projects than others and to feature more of your work and skills, making you more visible to potential clients.

If you enjoy this competitive business model and don’t mind spending a little money to earn a lot more, then Freelancer would be a great option for you!

Getting Hired: Advertising Your Services

Once you find a platform that works for your needs, the next step to getting paid is advertising yourself! Freelance sites like those mentioned above allow you to build a professional profile once you have created an account.

There are a few key pieces of information that you should put on your freelancer profile if you want to be noticed by paying customers. They are:

Professional Photo

Source: canva.com

Getting a visual representation of someone you are interacting with is important because first impressions are everything. If you look like a slob or you’re dressed inappropriately, it tells your would-be employer that you are incapable of handling the responsibilities of the job.

Being a freelance editor means you don’t meet others face to face in most cases. This can be one drawback of the job. In a traditional interview, you would meet the person you hope to work with; it allows them to judge you not only by your personality but by your appearance. It’s a huge part of the hiring process.

Because this need for a good first impression does not go away when you work remotely, you need a professional photo for your profile. For the best profile picture, you should:

Pay Rate

Source: canva.com

While the pay you expect for remote work can be negotiated based on individual projects you take on, it’s important that you set your typical hourly rate immediately. This indicates to future clients that you know what your skills are worth and that you are confident in your ability to do the job correctly.

Be sure to set your hourly rate to a reasonable amount. Don’t sell yourself short but don’t set higher-than-average rates unless you are experienced and in high-demand. A good starting rate for an editor is $20 per hour.

Skillset

For every job that you could do, there is a skill set you should have that makes you desirable for the position. If you are an editor, you know that your skills vary depending on the type of media that needs editing.

The most obvious thing to do is put down “Editing” as a skill on your list – but don’t stop there! Find skills that match the type of editing that you have to do.

Portfolio and Experience

Before anyone reaches out to you with an offer, they want to know that you are worth talking to. On your freelancer profile, be sure to add any examples of your work and briefly list what you have accomplished in the past. Stick to verifiable work as much as possible. It’s easy to tell people what you have done but it’s easier to get hired if you can prove it.

Think of this profile as your resume. This is your chance to stand out. The more complete and impressive your profile is, the more clients you’ll attract.

The Final Step: Applying to Editing Jobs

Though many people in the future may come to you with job offers, you start getting paid by applying for those already listed. No one knows what you can do yet! Find a listing for a project that you know you can handle well and send a proposal to the person who posted it. The more you do this, the more editing jobs you will inevitably have! Being a freelance editor is rewarding and exciting. You can get paid for doing what you love without ever leaving your house as long as you put your best foot forward and begin your search in the right places! With what you’ve learned here, you will be padding your pockets with cash in no time.

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Meet The Author

Hey there! I'm James Sowers, and I run things around here. My mission is to create 1,000 self-sustaining entrepreneurs...and I'd love for you to be one of them! Have thoughts on this article? Reach out on Twitter and let me know.