How to make up editing/proofreading samples for portfolio

[seejanewrite]

Hey everyone!

I would like to put some editing and proofreading samples in my portfolio.  I don't have any examples of my own.  What is the best way of going about making up samples?  Do I just randomly pick an article off the Internet and correct grammar/spelling/clarity?  Since it is already on the Internet, is it okay to make it a portfolio item (screenshots of before and after)?  

Just looking for the best way to get more diverse things into my profile.  So far all of my items are creative writing samples.

Thanks!

[prestonhunter]

Rather than just finding things on the Internet (which you don't necessarily have the right to use), I would advise you to do other things, including:

- Writing your own problematic samples, that you proofread and correct yourself

- Hiring freelancers - particularly non-writers or non-native English speakers - to write short pieces in response to a prompt, which you can then correct.

- Asking friends and family to write pieces that you can correct

[seejanewrite]

Fantastic ideas, Preston.  Thank you!

[ezz_youssef]

Hi preston and thanks for your advice.

I took your advice but what I received from my friends was just 1 CV and 2 essays. Do you think this enough for my portfolio and I can now start posting bids? 

And if it's not enough, what are other legal ways to get proofreading samples for my portfolio?

[f219a04e]

Thank you Preston for these tips

[iaabraham]

I was going to suggest finding badly written texts online and proofreading/editing them in a document with tracked changes, but Preston's absolutely right.

One of the samples I used when first starting out was my cousin's personal statement that I edited for her. Another sample was free proofreading work that I did for a nonprofit.

But it doesn't really matter if you don't actually plan to offer proofreading and editing as a service, and nothing on your profile indicates that you do. What's wrong with sticking to writing samples if you're a writer -- are you planning to take on rewriting jobs or something similar?

[seejanewrite]

I guess I am trying to find my niche.  Writing is my true love, but I am really good at proofreading and editing.  I've done a lot for friend in the past (condensing something, correcting spelling and grammar, etc).  I want to send proposals for editing and proofreading in addition to writing, but just not sure if anyone would hire me without examples.

[yeasir_arafat_13]

Becky,

As writing is your niche, then make some samples of your writing and put them on your portfolio. 

[petra_r]

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Yeasir A wrote:

Becky,

As writing is your niche, then make some samples of your writing and put them on your portfolio. 

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She already has plenty of those. If you had bothered to read her post, you would have seen that she wants to put samples for editing / proofreading in her portfolio.

[nicolaplowman]

I thought his advise was nice.

[iaabraham]

Becky, it was the exact same with me! Writing is my main passion, and that's what I started doing here, but I ended up focusing on proofreading & editing ...  I find that it's easier work and usually pays better.

So, follow Preston's advice, then go for it 🙂 Maybe you'll end up prioritizing editing instead of writing, like me.

[seejanewrite]

Isabelle,

Did you make up editing/proofreading samples (like what Preston is suggesting) for your profile?

[petra_r]

Do you know any fellow writers who would let you play with some of their work without the friendship suffering?

[iaabraham]

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Becky B wrote:

I guess I am trying to find my niche.  Writing is my true love, but I am really good at proofreading and editing.  I've done a lot for friend in the past (condensing something, correcting spelling and grammar, etc).  I want to send proposals for editing and proofreading in addition to writing, but just not sure if anyone would hire me without examples.

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No ... I had done free proofreading and editing (for family, nonprofits, etc. like mentioned above) when I was a student and the years after, so I already had some stuff to start off my portfolio ...

BUT, I must mention that I got my first proofreading and editing job on Upwork without any portfolio samples. The person who gave me a chance had (presumably) seen my good reviews for transcriptions, so she hired me. You have a nice review, so that's a good start.

I don't know what Upwork's like for a newbie these days, as I don't get much new work through the site, so it will help if you have something in your portfolio. Preston's and Petra's advice is good -- I can't suggest any better. Apart from that, once you've decided that you are going to apply for jobs in this area, you have to mention something about proofreading/editing in your title and/or overview, otherwise I think a client would more likely go with someone who focuses on only proofreading & editing and states  that on their profile.

[luce-neidert]

Let's say this is a joke, OK?

I would copy some of the profiles on Upwork, whithout the names of the freelancers, of course. and correct them.

I know, this is very bad taste....

[jr-translation]

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Luce N wrote:

Let's say this is a joke, OK?

I would copy some of the profiles on Upwork, whithout the names of the freelancers, of course. and correct them.

I know, this is very bad taste....

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Thanks, Luce. I did not dare to suggest that.

[prachi163]

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Abid Ismail K wrote:

I guess I am trying to find my niche.  Writing is my true love, but I am really good at proofreading and editing.  I've done a lot for friend in the past (condensing something, correcting spelling and grammar, etc).  I want to send proposals for editing and proofreading in addition to writing, but just not sure if anyone would hire me without examples.

Corrected copy 

I guess I am trying to find my niche. Writing is my true love, but I am really good at proofreading and editing.  I've done a lot for my friends in the past (condensing something, correcting spelling and grammar, etc).  I want to send proposals for editing and proofreading in addition to writing, but am just not sure if anyone would hire me without examples.

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Did you just copy this to your profile as a sample? 

[petra_r]

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Abid Ismail K wrote:

(deleted because it wasn't his to post or correct)

Corrected copy 

(deleted because it wasn't his to post or correct)

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More plagiarism. You can't just steal text and publish it and mess with it. What is wrong with you???

[c147982d]

I need some samples of my proofreading work.

How do I get samples?

[7da58c2c]

In a similar situation  here,  but glad to learn from the advice  given to you. 

[g_ujah]

I am also facing same challenge but i believe the advise given above would help out.

[7972013a]

Thanks 😊