How much would you pay for...
By NewbieHelper
@NewbieHelper (308)
Canada
July 12, 2007 1:46am CST
Okay people, how much would you all pay me to spend ONE DAY working with editing as many typos, grammatical errors and the like at myLot...
(of course, this is hypothetical...)
But seriously, I run across SO MANY text mistakes (and I make my own, too) that I'm seriously beginning to think that I'm working to hard at other 'online opportunities' when I really should be offering my services as a proof reader.
I am hoping this thread generates some discussion about what people think are good prices, 'cos I'm not just 'thinking about it anymore' - I'm starting to plan...
I've checked out a few "Pro-Editing" and "Proofreading" services both online and offline...and the money for that kind of work is EXCELLENT...except - the places I'm browsing to online are not all 'professional,' I understand...but I believe I could help (for a much lowered fee than I saw at the 'pro' sites) some beginning bloggers and pay-per-click site admins, etc.
What are your thoughts on this?
I know that many people in small online biz - or who are trying to make money like we're doing now - by 'posting' - are not incredibly wealthy people...but if I helped make the text on their homepages, blogs, newsletters more professional, wouldn't this greatly increase other peoples' chances of promoting a more professional face?
I'm just tryin' to figure out what kind of fees or prices to set up - then I'll put up a webpage or blog and start mentioning these in a few forums that I visit.
I would greatly value some myLot member opinions on this, however, 'cos I do see a lot of fine posts, too - a lot of neat, creative ideas - and everyone here (well, almost everyone) seems to be really helpful about money-making suggestions here. I'm hoping a few members will give me an honest opinion here.
Thanks for thinking about this, thanks for reading.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I do not know much about the professional sites and how much to charge. I do think it is a good idea for someone looking to present something in a more professional manner. I usually spell quite well, and I have a passion for writing. However, I do make mistakes on Mylot or other sites of the like. I may not proof read my own response, etc as well as if I were submitting it on a professional level. The problem here in Mylot is that you have many people from all over the world. English may not be their first or even second language. There is going to be many errors in spelling, grammar, etc. I am in no way saying you are like this, but I really dislike when people bully others about their spelling, etc in forums like this. No one is perfect and there is no spell check readily available here. I do have typos quite frequently, and if I considered this "work", then maybe I would be a little more careful. Mylot for me is fun and interesting. I find learning about different people and cultures fun. I hope you can get your business off the ground, but I suggest targeting a more professional base of people and/or forums.
@NewbieHelper (308)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
misheleen73,
Thanks for your feedback.
I agree - myLot is for 'fun' and is an interesting place to chat. I'll just remind anyone reading that:
myLot is IN NO WAY a target for the work I would want to do. I would not try to gain a 'client' from myLot, and I think I already stated that. I was just opening a topic, hoping for some feedback about the idea of offering proof reading services (NOT HERE, BUT) elsewhere on the web.
I wasn't really asking "Do You Think I Write well enough on myLot to do this work" or anything like that. I already know that if I were to submit 'samples' of myLot posts, these would be a veritable JOKE to anyone needing a proof reader.
I also make typos and type differently in my Instant Message programs, I write in 'code' and partial shorthand that only I can understand when I take notes in classes. Even my handwriting, when I make a shopping list, is NEVER DONE in proper and formal English...
But I am not going to be showing my shopping list, Sociology, Linguistics, or Latin class notes, IM messages, myLot 'blurbs' or anything like this to anyone that I would speak to about proof reading.
I was hoping for more 'brainstorming' ideas, actually.
Like:
* How would one communicate with someone in such a proof reading situation as I have proposed
--through email? IMs? Skype? Only through webcam setups so that I can see who I am talking with and likewise for the other person?
--would suggested corrections best be sent in "Editpad" or 'Notepad,' a 'Word' document - or send as an HTML document, etc...
Stuff like that
I'm worried that I will need to know a lot more about Website Creation or something to do this.
I actually already DO EDIT some friends' blogs already and it has been suggested that I learn to make some money at this because it is actual work, is time-consuming, and is a 'service.'
@NewbieHelper (308)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
Yes, definitely a lot of things to consider.
'RTF' format was mentioned. I have RTF-capable programs - but doesn't RTF format the characters in a certain way that might be kind of proprietary (the person opening the document I send has to have RTF specifically)? I was just thinking that in plain 'notepad' most things transfer directly, so the 'client' could directly copy and paste from that (or make changes first within the document, then paste to their blog or site).
That's why I began the thread here. I know that some formatting puts goofy code and stuff into the documents and certain blog software won't read certain formats. The "notepad" program, however, has nothing fancy, as far as I know. Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong.
I understood the post, as well, that mentioned putting up blogs for other people. This is something that I would like to avoid - at least initially. I would want people to feel that if they don't really like my suggested corrections, they can do as they please and I won't have access to just make the changes anyway. I would be able to make almost any changes I wanted to if I were actually creating the blogs for people. I think this might make some people uncomfortable - especially if we're working on 'creative content' kinds of material.
Well - for now, I'll just keep checking this thread. I have a lot more to think about now, after reading through responses again. In the meantime, I'll keep sorting through these ideas and figure out what parts I would be comfortable with and capable of (like the 'creating blogs for clients' idea).
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I forgot to add this to the last comment.
You should probably add building and editing blogs. It is easy and you might get some clients who are to busy to do it. You can even upload and host them for people. Who knows maybe you will have 20 teenagers building blogs for you in 5 years. You just edit their work.
You are limited by your creativity.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Personally I do not have any misspelled words in my responses or discussions. However you will find certain grammatical errors so I do not sound like a robot.
A common error that can be found anywhere you look is the placement of prepositions. "Where do you work AT?" is the one I encounter most often. I always reply "I don't work at nowhere." LOL They always look at me like I am crazy. But it is obvious that the AT at the end of the sentence is not necessary.
But a lot of people do not care. That is why you will find so much garbage that you would consider an error. Others might consider it character or personality. I consider it lazy to misspell words.
No offense to you but do you know that you have 2 paragraphs that are run on sentences and not actually paragraphs?
How much would you pay someone who put those grammatical errors in print? On top that in an article about proofreading.
I have a motto "Don't do it unless you are going to it right."
@NewbieHelper (308)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
Yep lol - I'm quite aware of my own errors on 'the boards' but I'm not looking to promote myself here, I'm looking for some ideas. I spend 10 and a half months of the year stuck in Chicago, MLA and APA manuals, so I'm not that careful on 'the boards' - where I don't believe that the writing needs to be quite so formal. Just my opinion - and I don't expect everyone to share the opinion.
I appreciate your critique, and I gather that your general opinion is that my idea is a waste of time, since I type 'chatty' here instead of more formal.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Quite the contrary, I do not consider it a waste of time. Editing is very important. As a business owner I will not take a supplier serious if they can not type a complete sentence. They NEED you.
I own a landscaping company specializing in flower bed installation and maintenance. There is a competitor of mine who has this printed on the back of their shirt "We Sew What We Grow." You can call them up an say you want them to make you some quilts. LOL Then give them the pitch. They don't know what the heck they do and who with any kind of brain is going to take them serious?
Also, as I make more money and the company grows I can pay someone to write things for me so I can accomplish other tasks. I am perfectly capable of writing but I might be able to make money while I pay someone else to do it.
I am here to discuss the topic and help you do what you want to do.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I am sorry I can not help you with an hourly fee. That is up to you depending on how your structure your business and taxes.
Taxes are a lot.
@Wolfsbayne (314)
•
17 Jul 07
I think you have a great idea and it is something I have considered in the past, when I was doing my degree I kept seeing adverts for proof reading, editing and typing services and I thought no one would ever use them but now, after seeing so many mistakes, etc I think they are an important service - particularly in the business sector. As a student I constantly look for a way of making money in my own time and I think this is a good way of doing just that, however, I wouldn't have a clue what to charge. Number of words/pages/time spent, etc there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration regarding charging but it is a very good idea and certainly worth investigating further.
@NewbieHelper (308)
• Canada
18 Jul 07
Thank you for commenting, Wolfsbayne,
I was hoping that someone would be able to come up with a suggested 'fee' or 'charge' for such 'services,' and it seems that you're unsure about this point, as well.
I have browsed many proofreading, editing and typing services over the past 2 years myself and I am too shocked at the fees I see there to try and assume those 'prices' myself. I would not charge the amounts that are being posted at most sites I see, and I feel I would be 'robbing' someone to do so. I believe that a great number of those sites are 'scamsites' just like in every other 'field' of money making online. Needless to say, I'm still pretty confused still as to how to go about shaping together a service that I'm sure will be beneficial to a lot of people online. (For a reasonable price).
Thanks for the encouragement - if an idea pops up, later on, please let me know. I will take your suggestion and just keep 'investigating' further!
