What do freelance proofreaders do?

Freelance proofreaders review and find mistakes and awkward wording in printed or digital materials. Unlike proofreaders who are on staff at a publication or company, freelance proofreaders are hired on a temporary or contract basis. Freelance proofreaders are often employed by newspapers and book publishers to correct initial versions of writings before they printed final copies. Now with digital formats, many proofreaders are hired to read online reviews, blogs, social media updates, and news sites. Large blogs, news sites, and other online forums utilize proofreaders to correct errors and find inconsistencies in writing or content. Some organizations may have freelance proofreaders double as a copy editor, correcting grammar and spelling mistakes as they work and offering suggestions to improve the copy. Freelance proofreaders not only read the text, but they also make sure the layout of the page is readable, and that page elements do not hinder or cover any text.