Maddy
(Proofreading for Quality of Life)

Freelance proofreading works around your lifestyle, making it a great career choice if health or mobility issues limit your capacity to take on physically demanding work. To see how this can improve your quality of life, we’ve spoken to recent Knowadays graduate Maddy, who is happy to have found a career path that works for her.

Hi, Maddy! What made you consider the Knowadays course?

I have always been my friends and family’s unofficial proofreader, so when I wanted to do it professionally, I researched a lot of different courses. Knowadays was the most in-depth one I found, and I enjoyed the free trial module, so I took the plunge!

What were you doing before you started the course?

I’d been having health issues since January 2020. So, when I was furloughed from my restaurant job, I needed to find less physical work. Proofreading was something I’d always been interested in, though, so it seemed time to give it a try.

Was there anything in the course you found surprising or challenging?

Honestly, I was surprised how much I didn’t know! I thought that having English literature and creative writing degrees would make it a breeze, but parts of it were really tough. I realized that what I had been taught at school, such as using commas to indicate a pause, wasn’t the full story. But the course helped me to get up to speed on all things proofreading!

Have you been self-employed before? How are you finding it?

I have never been self-employed before. I have to say I’m really liking it, although I’m a bit nervous about doing my own taxes for the first time as a self-employed person!

How have you found the transition to working as a freelance proofreader?

It’s been a fairly smooth transition, and I appreciate the guidelines that Proofed provides. I also like that standards are high at Proofed. It gives me confidence in my growing abilities.

How has life changed for you now as a freelance proofreader?

I was diagnosed with endometriosis last year, and a lot of the time I’m in too much pain to be able to do a very physical or social job. Now that I am a proofreader, I can work from home, sat in a comfy chair and close to snacks. I recently turned our tiny spare room into an office, too, which is a huge upgrade from working on the living room sofa! All in all, then, freelance proofreading has improved my quality of life.

“Freelance proofreading has improved my quality of life.“

What is your day-to-day work like? And where do you work?

I usually do a Pilates class from my living room before checking my emails and Proofed for work. I’ve been writing a novel since I finished my creative writing master’s in 2018, and I usually take a document to work on as a break from my own writing.

What do you enjoy most about proofreading?

The variety! Working with Proofed, I get a peek into so many interesting subjects. I love all the humanities, but I also really enjoy proofreading PhD applications. It’s so satisfying to help someone whose work is scientifically ground-breaking, humanitarian, etc.

Are you proofreading elsewhere, in addition to your work at Proofed?

I have a profile on Fiverr to try to drum up more proofreading and writing work. I also get a lot of smaller jobs through word of mouth, such as proofreading/editing people’s websites, etc.

Are you doing any other, non-proofreading, work?

I work about six hours a week in a clothing store. It’s nice to socialize and the discount doesn’t hurt! I am also writing a novel that I started during my creative writing master’s degree.

What do you do when you aren’t proofreading?

I spend most of my free time reading, writing, and cooking. My partner works for a wild food foraging company, so our fridge is often overrun with unusual ingredients.

In the evenings I tend to my adorably grumpy African pygmy hedgehog, Tigothy.

What has been the single best benefit of having done the course?

The course has provided me with a valuable life skill and helped me pivot my career when I needed to. It also gave me something to focus on during England’s first Covid-19 lockdown.

“The course has provided me with a valuable life skill and helped me pivot my career when I needed to.“

Do you have a LinkedIn profile you want to share?

Sure! You can find me on LinkedIn here.

Was the course good value for money?

Definitely! I was also able to pay in three instalments, which was perfect for me, and I now have a valuable skill that will see me through the future.

Becoming A Proofreader

Wondering if freelance proofreading could improve your quality of life, too? If so, check out our courses today, and let us help you set out on an exciting new career path.