Copywriter reviews proofreaders...and laments
/All the pages are in for my new website. I'm a terrible proofreader so I've used a proofreader in the past for most projects. So, with my site ready to go, I went to Elance to find a professional proofreader. In 12 hours I had 31 applications/proposals. Now, the way Elance works, you can see all the proposals on one page; you review the proposals and, at first, it's triage...you scan the first few lines of each proposal.
All the proofreaders made the mistake of telling me what's important to them and not working out what's important to me. I detailed what I was looking for in my assignment request...I'm looking for a serious, professional proofreader.
From some of the proposals.
How does being a broadcast journalist make you a professional proofreader? Here's a curious one...My name is XXX, and I'm a former broadcast journalist who now works as a copywriter and editor. This sounds like a simple project for someone with my experience, and I'd be happy to do it for you.
Great experience but how does that help me get my website free of typos? I think it's best if a proposal from a proofreader does NOT include typographical errors...I am an arts administrator and media relations coordinator with ten years of experience in press release writing, event coordination, and fundraising for the largest resident theater company in America.
I would love to help. I have edited multiple websites for spelling, grammar and content. I have an Education degree in English, as well as a Master's degree. Please let me know if I can help you in any way....especially if you say you have a Masters degree...in English.
Introduction: My name is Rishan C. Paul Pillai,33, from Sri Lanka.I am a new provider in the elance.com community.Again...it's NOT good when the proofreader can't proof his own work. And age is totally irrelevant. AND THE WINNER...
I am XXXX, business owner of XXX and I provide copyediting, proofreading, and website content editing and testing services. I am a professionally qualified proofreader and copyeditor and I have 16 years IT experience including software testing.Came across as a professional...even though the software testing isn't something I need.
I rarely bid on Elance work but it was useful and educational to get on the other side of the fence.
The lessons here...
- Get straight to the point in 'quick' copy.
- Be relevant.
- Read what the client wants.
