Earn money reading books
- is it a con?

Can you earn money reading books? It sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it? Relaxing, while someone pays you to do something you love.

You have no doubt seen the adverts promising an income in the thousands, once you have completed their training or read their book. The advert probably has many exclamation points in it!!!!!!!

They will promise a list of employers and publishers that are looking for people just like you, to earn money reading books for them and to alert them to any mistakes. All you need to do is send a one time payment for this chance of a lifetime.

Stop!

Often what you would receive for your money is a guide to the proofreading symbols that are used, and some proofreading exercises for you to complete and send back to them for marking. They will then send you a certificate, if you pass.

So how do you become a proofreader?

In fact, very few big publishing houses will be looking to hire inexperienced proofreaders. They are looking for people with genuine qualifications and a proven track record.

However, it is not all doom and gloom! There are other avenues you can take.

Smaller publishers of local newspapers, parish magazines and village newsletters may be a good place to start. Take the time to check a few past issues before contacting them, and mark up any spelling mistakes, errors of punctuation, capitalisation or inconsistencies. If you do not find any, then it is quite possible that they already have a proofreader. When you find a publication that could make use of a proofreader's services then contact them politely mentioning that you have seen a few errors creeping into recent issues. Explain that this could bring down their credibility in the eyes of their readers. Offer to check their next issue for them, for free, so that they can try out your services.

If they are happy with your efforts you could have found your first client. But don't rest on your laurels. Read every piece of literature you can lay your hands on! Leaflets in the doctor's waiting room, direct mail dropped through your letter box, menus in your local take away. They could all lead you to a potential customer.

Another source of potential clients

Don't forget that enormous source of information that you are using right now!

Yes, the Internet.

Not all web sites are produced by big companies, with access to proofreaders and copy editors. Smaller online business owners may not realise that mistakes in their web site's content can prevent visitors from becoming customers. If a word is spelled incorrectly it can show a lack of care and attention, leading visitors to the assumption that other areas of the business may also suffer. The result? A click on the Back button and the visitor goes elsewhere.

If you are happy approaching web site owners directly, offering to check their pages for them, that is great. However, you may be more comfortable using sites such as Get A Freelancer.com where site owners 'in the know' ask you to bid for the job of proofreading for them. The beauty of using such a service is that the financial side of things is normally handled for you, taking away the pain of chasing clients for payment.

In summary

It is possible to earn money reading books, or as a proofreader, but please do not send away lots of money in order to learn how!

More cons to be aware of

We are always looking out for cons and scams that will try to take your hard earned money away from you. Forearmed is fore warned, so be careful of the following...

Internet Business Scam - Don't get sucked in.

Home based business scams to be aware of

Email Scams to steer clear of.