If you’ve written your book and it’s fully completed; stop and think again! Like every author, if you want to make sure your book becomes the next bestseller and a favorite of your target readers then don’t skip proofreading!
Your book can only become perfect and flawless after a professional proofreads it. As an author, you’d always want the best proofreading and editing services. However, the question is; do you hire one of the best proofreading companies or affordable freelancers? We understand the confusion!
Your worries stop right here! In this blog, we will be looking at the differences, pros, and cons of hiring one of the online proofreading companies or freelance proofreaders.
At the end of the day, whichever option you pick, just make sure they get rid of grammar errors, typos, or inconsistencies. The best choice depends on your goals, budget, and deadlines.
So, should you hire a freelancer or go with companies that offer proofreading? Let’s find out together!
What Do Proofreading Companies Offer?
Just as the name suggests, proofreading companies offer you editors who proofread and edit your rough draft to convert it into a book that’s ready to publish. Companies actually have an entire, structured team of editors and proofreaders who are highly experienced and follow strict quality standards set by the head(s) of the company.
With a proper and famous company, you will always get someone who has experience in your genre.
Benefits of Proofreading Companies
- Consistency & Accuracy: Every company follows a proper proofreading process with multiple reviews which ensures your book has zero errors.
- Qualified Editors: Companies hire proofreaders who are certified and have years of experience in the field of proofreading.
- Customer Support: A company doesn’t shy away from multiple revisions and also offers you support against all queries .
- Scalability: If you’ve got multiple books, then hiring a proofreading company is the best for you.
Drawbacks of Proofreading Companies
- Cost: One of the main drawbacks of hiring proofreading companies is that the cost of the services will be very high.
- Long Turnaround Time: Since companies handle multiple projects at once, their turnaround time for revisions will be longer. However, at SpineAuthors you will not face this!
What Do Freelance Proofreaders Offer?
Freelancers are individuals who are independent proofreading professionals. They provide proofreading services directly to authors and they don’t have teams of multiple people like a company. You can get freelance proofreaders online very easily.
Benefits of Freelancers
- Affordability: Freelancers are individuals which means their proofreading services aren’t expensive at all
- Direct Communication: You can directly talk to the freelancer who is handling your book.
- Flexibility: Some freelancers can accommodate tight deadlines.
Drawbacks of Freelance Proofreaders
- Work Quality: Sadly, you cannot trust every freelancer to offer the same quality of work. The work quality depends on the individual.
- Unreliable for Bigger Projects: You can’t rely on a single freelancer to handle multiple projects at once, which means you’ll need to hire multiple freelancers which will result in different quality of every book.
The Key Differences of Proofreading Companies vs. Freelancers
Here’s a quick comparison:
Proofreading Companies
- Quality Assurance: Multiple reviewers & strict processes
- Cost: Higher
- Support: Dedicated team
- Turnaround Time: Longer due to multiple steps
- Accountability: High
Freelancers
- Quality Assurance: Depends on individual skills
- Cost: Lower
- Support: Limited
- Turnaround Time: Faster (sometimes)
- Accountability: Varies
Which Option Is Right for Authors?
If you’re writing your first book and have a limited budget, a skilled freelancer might be a good fit.
But if you’re planning to self-publish professionally or approach traditional publishers, investing in proofreading companies can ensure your manuscript meets industry standards.
When to Choose Proofreading Companies
- You want top-tier quality and multiple reviews.
- You need guarantees and customer support.
- You’re working on a large-scale project or series.
When to Choose Freelancers
- You’re on a tight budget.
- You prefer direct communication.
- You need a quick turnaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do proofreading businesses proofread for clients online?
As a full-fledged ghostwriting company, our proofreading process is very simple. After the contract is signed and we receive the manuscript from the client; we start by picking the editor based on the genre of your book. The editor then starts proofreading your book, removing all errors, and the book is then returned to you. The contract ends once you’re happy with the proofreading services from SpineAuthors.
2. Is a proofreading company more expensive than a freelancer?
Yes, proofreading companies are more costly than a freelancer; however, at SpineAuthors we try our best to work around your budget. Contact us today for a pocket-friendly quote!
2. Can freelancers deliver the same quality as proofreading companies?
Yes, it is possible that a freelancer will deliver the same quality as a proofreading company; however, that is a hit and miss situation. If you’re lucky you’ll find a great freelance proofreader, if not then your book quality will be in trouble. Wanna make sure your book is up to the mark? Contact SpineAuthors today!
3. How do proofreading companies ensure quality?
As a proofreading company, they have a reputation to take care of which is why they make sure to hire editors and proofreaders with proven experience, great references, and an amazing portfolio. Rest assured, you will always find great editors and proofreaders at SpineAuthors.
4. Which option is better for self-published authors?
If you want a professional finish that will help you build a strong author brand, then always go for proofreading companies because they are ideal. However, if you want all of that on a budget, then freelancers are the way to go.
5. Do proofreading companies offer additional services?
Yes! Proofreading companies do offer other services as well. At SpineAuthors, you can get ghostwriting, editing, book formatting service, book publishing service and even PR publication service for your book! All these services can be taken individually and as an all-in-one package at a very cheap price!
Final Thoughts
Both freelancers and proofreading companies can deliver excellent results but your choice depends on your priorities. If quality, accountability, and reliability matter most, proofreading companies are the safer bet. If you value budget-friendliness and flexibility, freelancers may work for you.