When starting a proofreading business, choosing the right niche can be one of the most important decisions you make.

And while being a general proofreader isn’t a bad thing, focusing on a niche can make it easier to find clients and earn more money.

The best way to select a niche is to focus on one or two specific types of documents, subjects, or industries that you’d like to work with. When selecting a niche, prioritize the topics that are more interesting or easier to understand, based on your skillset and prior experience.

Once you have pinpointed your niche, specialize in it—this could help create opportunities for referrals and generate an established and stable client base.

Even if you already have the knack for spotting grammatical errors from a mile away, to become a professional proofreader, it’s important to develop the mindset and skills to succeed.

Accuracy, attention, and speed are critical components of being a successful proofreader. Developing accuracy requires that the proofreader seeks out small details that are often difficult to recognize; these details refer to formatting elements like font type, font size, and the placement of words or phrases within the text. Attention to detail can be developed by not only actively seeking grammar mistakes but by additionally identifying any inconsistencies in general stylistic choices and how they appear throughout a piece of writing. Last but not least, doing this quickly day in and day out can get tedious, so having the tricks to stay motivated and consistent can be tough.

There are a number of free proofreading courses such as Proofread Anywhere, that can help launch your business better and faster than trying to figure it out on your own.

A business entity (also referred to as a business structure) refers to how a business is legally organized to operate. There are four primary business structures to choose from, which include the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each type of entity has its own pros and cons, such as liability exposure, costs, and administrative requirements.

When deciding on which business entity is best for a proofreading business, it normally comes down to the sole proprietorship and Limited Liability Company.

A partnership opens the owners up to unnecessary personal liability because if a partner does something to get the business sued, or runs off with cash from the business, the other partners are personally liable to repay.
 
The corporation can be a good choice to minimize liability risk because it separates the business assets from the owner’s assets. If the corporation is sued or certain business debts can’t be paid back, the owners aren’t personally responsible to repay them. The downside to the corporation is that it is more complicated than all the other entities and requires more administration than the LLC. If you plan on raising a lot of investment though, the corporation is usually the better choice.

That leaves the sole proprietorship and LLC.

The sole proprietorship is the least expensive and easiest entity to start which is appealing. The downside is that the owner is personally liable should anything happen to the business, which is an important consideration. The LLC offers the ability to operate as a sole proprietorship with the liability protection of a corporation. Depending on the state, the cost to form an LLC runs from $40 – $500, which is pretty inexpensive for protecting the owners from business-related lawsuits and certain debts.

Related: Guide to forming your LLC
 

Registering a proofreading business is super easy.

As a sole proprietor, you may be required to register the business name. Also, a business license is rare, but in some cities, even home-based businesses are required to register.

Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state

Setting up an efficient workspace for a proofreading business requires planning and attention to detail. It is important to find a well-lit space that is comfortable and free from distractions. Investing in quality furniture, such as an ergonomic chair, can help you stay healthy and productive while working.

A good filing system should be implemented so that proofreading tasks are easy to track and reference later on.

Keeping your small business and personal finances in separate bank accounts is important to track the income and expenses of your business and identify trends.
 
Many banks offer free business checking accounts, so be sure to find a cost-effective option for your business.

Running a proofreading business can be rewarding, but also highly competitive. It’s essential to have a well thought-out marketing strategy that works for your particular business and appeals to your potential clients.

After identifying your target market, one of the most important things you can do is to ensure that your website is current, clear, easy to use, and contains plenty of relevant information about how you can help your customers. Additionally, it’s a good idea to reach out to other businesses in related fields by forming partnerships or joint ventures – for example, offering package deals on services or promotions. Online marketing should also be utilized as much as possible on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, with engaging posts and consistent branding across all channels.

By utilizing a smart combination of traditional and modern marketing techniques, you can ensure that your proofreading business gets the desired attention from its target audience.