How to Find a Proofreader-Fast

Do you need a proofreadingservice as soon as possible?

For example, do you have to submit your writing – in a finished and polished state to your college, journal, or boss – within 12 hours, 24 hours, or even sooner?

Thanks to the Internet, you can find high-quality editing and proofreading services very rapidly today. Therefore, the short answer to the question of How can I find a proofreader, fast? is simply to follow these steps:

·         Step 1: Google your question

·         Step 2: Consider the first few search results (probably ads)

·         Step 3: Double-check the service provider can meet your deadline

·         Step 4: Order a service

·         Step 5: Ideally, review the work before submitting it

·         Step 6: Check-out their service reviews

Following the above steps will ensure you find a quick proofreading service. However, importantly, it may leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality.

The reason for this is that in today’s market for proofreading services and other writing services, there are two broad problems: first, the problem of overpriced services; and second, the problem of guaranteeing the quality of the work you receive. It’s typically easy to solve one or the other of these problems; however, solving them both together (i.e., finding a high-quality and cost-effective proofreading service) is not as simple.

Therefore, to give the long answer to the question of How can I find a proofreader, fast? let’s consider how to ensure that you receive a service that is both high-quality and cost-effective. To do so, let’s add the following steps to the process shown above:

·         Step 1: Check offline word of mouth

o   For example, recommendations from family and friends or your university/journal

·         Step 2: Check online word of mouth

o   For example, online reviews, press releases, and media reports

·         Step 3: Decide on several possible service providers

o   Try to gain a sense of the available prices and find a competitive price

o   Also, choose between a freelancer and a dedicated online proofreading company

·         Step 4: Double-check your deadline with service providers and receive free samples

o   Ensure the service provider can meet your deadline

o   Receive and evaluate free proofreading samples from your chosen providers

·         Step 5: Order a service 

o   Remember to ensure that the proofreader is a good fit for your project (in terms of experience, expertise, etc.)

·         Step 6: Review the work before submitting it

o   Similar to the shorter version of this process (shown above), you should vet the proofreader’s work after they have provided it

o   If you aren’t satisfied with the work, you should request revisions until you are

The six-step process of finding a high-quality, cost-effective proofreading service is – of course – longer and requires more effort than the earlier five-step process.

Therefore, the shorter approach may be preferable if you’re extremely short on time, but you may have to compromise on both quality and price.