What to Do When You Can’t Afford a Proofreader

affordable proofreading

If you have been searching around for a proofreader lately, you may have found that many are outside your budget (like, waaaaay outside). At the same time, knowing that you’re human and all, you understand that you need someone with even a little expertise and experience to look over your work to make sure it’s as clean as possible. Here are some cost-effective alternatives to hiring a proofreader that can work for you as long as you’re willing to put in a little bit of elbow grease and time.

Be Part of the Proofreader’s Marketing

Showing off your skills when it comes to proofreading can be difficult. You can stage some markups, but it’s not quite the same as being able to show someone what that last Toni Morrison book looked like before and after the proofreader got their hands on it. Try asking the proofreader if they would be willing to take on your project with the understanding that they can use your original, error-laden text as part of their marketing for their business. They still may not proofread your work for nothing, but you may be able to work out a significant discount, or at least a flexible payment plan.

 

Recruit Volunteers

If you are a Volo Press Proofer reading this, you know what’s coming!

Another option for lower cost proofreading is simply to recruit avid readers who can help review your work for mistakes. All I did was put up a Craigslist ad and I had over 10 people sign up within about a week. You could ask friends and family members (the ones that don’t kiss your ass just because they know you) and co-workers as well. You’d be surprised–I know I was–at how many people are not just willing, but excited to help you with your project. Don’t underestimate the kindness of strangers!

And while I mail printed manuscripts to my crew, you could also email a digital version to them, or share a Google Doc with them and let everyone read and comment throughout the day. If you have a little bit of money to offer them, I’m sure they would appreciate it. I have so many, there’s no way I could pay them all more than, say, a dollar! But I do my best to offer my Proofers a worry-free experience by giving them everything they need to complete the project without them having to buy their own tools (i.e., an extra envelope, return postage, a highlighter, and a red pen that are theirs to keep), offering prizes for various project-related accomplishments (such as a quick turnaround or finding the biggest mistakes in the piece), and making sure that I credit them in each book. Play around with these ideas until you find something that works for you.

 

DIY Proofreading

It’s not impossible to do your own proofreading, it just usually isn’t as effective as having someone else look at your work. This is because, psychologically, you always understand what you meant to say because you’re the one who wrote it. This means that it’s easy for things like missing words and commas in strange places to slip right past you. However, when someone without your brain reviews a piece, it is a lot easier for them to spot certain kinds of errors.

If you think you really have no other option than to proofread your own work, there are a couple of ways you can make that endeavor more successful.

One method it to read aloud. When you have to read the words out loud, you’re more likely to catch when a passage is unclear or a word that you used in a sentence doesn’t quite fit.

The other is to read at about half your normal pace. Slowing down makes it a little easier to find the mistakes you would normally miss because you’re reading too fast.

One more strategy is to read the piece multiple times. I usually try to take at least a 48-hour break between readings. I’ve found that stepping away from a piece allows me to come back to it with eyes that are more fresh.

Of course, the triple threat is always the best. If you read your piece slowly and aloud at least twice, no one can fault you for whatever mistakes do slip through the cracks. These methods take a level of patience and commitment that would drive most people up the wall. But, being the literature freaks we are, it’s a labor of love that we gladly engaged in.

 

If you are ready to do any or all of these, kudos to you and good luck! If I just stressed you out by telling you what it might take to side-step hiring a proofreader, I’m always available to help with your blog posts, dissertations, resumes, or novels. Visit my proofreading page to learn more about proofreading at a penny per word!

Happy writing!

Category: Literary Lifestyle, Product Recommendation, Writing | 1 Comment on What to Do When You Can’t Afford a Proofreader

Upgrade Your Business: Hire a Ghostwriter

Hire a ghostwriter for your business

On any given day, there are millions (if not billions) of book ideas floating around in people’s brains. Unfortunately, they’re not always popping up in the mind of someone who loves to write, has the time to write, or has the skills to write well. Fortunately, there are people who will write your book for you: Ghostwriters.

 

You Get to Focus on Your Business

I can tell you as confidently as the next small business owner that owning and maintaining any business venture is not the easiest thing in the world. I’m lucky that most of my business transactions take place while I’m sitting at a computer in the comfort of my home. However, many businesses still have physical locations that must be stocked, promoted, insured, cleaned, maintained, and secured. When you’re in charge of all that, when in the world would you have time to write a book about your ancient methods for getting stains out of carpets or your philosophy on high-fidelity recruiting?

The answer for many is “I don’t.”

You Hire a Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter takes your concept and turns it into a finished book. You’ll need to have an initial conversation regarding pay, project length, book content, style, and other parameters. After that, there will be occasional phone calls or emails related to the progress of the book. Depending upon the length of the book and what other projects the writer is working on, you could have you book finished in as little as 30 days. Compare this to someone who sneaks in a few hundred words on the back of a meeting agenda once a week and takes years to even write enough content to fill a book. A ghostwriter is a faster means to a finished product.

 

You Continue Living Your Life

Because the ghostwriter you hired is handling about 98% of the heavy lifting, you can still run your business, spend time with your family, and enjoy outings with friends–all while your book is being written in the background. Think of how surprised everyone you know will be when they realize that you have produced a book–your name on the cover and everything!–and they don’t remember you having to lock yourself in the basement for six months to get it done. They’ve still had the benefit of your company at home and your management at work. Everybody wins!

 

Use Your Book to Grow Your Business

Not only do you now have a new product to market and sell to your current customers, you may have turned other people on to your business by “writing” a book.

Let’s say Joan loves to read. At the doctor’s office one day, she picks up a copy of your book, Vitreous China: A Resilient Plumber’s Tale of Overcoming Anxiety,  in the waiting room. As she starts to read, she finds herself relating to a lot of what you went through. She decides to download the eBook version so she can finish it at home. Once she’s done with the book (keep in mind that you just made money off of that download), she sees that your plumbing business is just a few miles from where she works. She decides to visit, she’s greeted by you or a member of your helpful staff, and you’ve just gained yourself a new, lifelong customer.

It’s not always fancy slogans, sparkling signage, or low prices that cause someone to want to do business with us. Many times it’s about forming some sort of social connection with our customers. When we do that, regardless of what our prices or marketing methods look like, we’re more likely to gain loyal customers who will brings us even more business through word-of-mouth.

Beyond the Covers

Just like people don’t all always read printed copy, ghostwriters aren’t restricted to writing just whole books. A writer can help you with your company newsletter, invoice formatting, web page copy, and blog posts. Ordering regularly from a few writers helps you maintain consistency when you’re requesting articles for your business’ blog. It also allows the writers you get work from to become increasingly familiar with the choice of topics and style of writing that your readers enjoy.

There’s No Excuse for Waiting

Reach out to a writer today. You may know some in your circle of friends, your staff, or your family. If not, visit Volo Press Services for the support you need to help you and your business prosper like never before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category: Product Recommendation, Self-publishing, Volo Press Products, Writing | 1 Comment on Upgrade Your Business: Hire a Ghostwriter

The Genician: Pre-preorder Now!

A genetic genius’ invention can save the life most important to him or destroy the entire country. 

Kamal Burman is the most prolific and brilliant geneticist in medical history. He has developed the ability to clone a human and product a mature copy in as little as six months without side-effects or deformities. Even though Kamal’s intent is to use this technological breakthrough to save the life of his ailing younger sister, Vasa, his financial backing has come from a group of investors who demand that his research take a more sinister direction.

Kamal must find a way to save his sister and keep his cloning methods out of the wrong hands, all while uncovering the true intentions of his financial supports.

From T. L. Curtis (Feign and Show Her) comes another thrilling story you won’t be able to put down until the very last word. 

 

Click here to pre-preorder your print copy of The Genician now!

 

Category: Books, Events, Literary Lifestyle, Product Recommendation, Volo Press Products | Comments Off on The Genician: Pre-preorder Now!