Editing Copy: Copy Editor's Role and Earnings In 2024

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Editing Copy?

You don't need much investment to become a professional copy editor.

Many employers hire copy editors with no certifications or a degree if they have relevant experience.

If you worked as a copywriter and a prospective employer likes your portfolio, they will likely give you a shot in the editing game.

That said, getting hired at a reputable company might require getting an education in a relevant field.

A bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or creative writing is strongly preferred.

However, depending on the college, a bachelor's degree can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so if that sounds like too much, you can opt for a copy editing course from an accredited university.

These are in the $500 to $2,000 range and will get you a copy editing and proofreading certificate.

Both are often bundled together because of the similarity regarding mechanical editing.

And unless you intend to work on manuscript editing, which is done “offline,” you should also familiarize yourself with digital editing software, such as Google Docs, Grammarly, and Hemingway tool.

Where Can You Find Copy Editing Gigs?

Here are some different ways of finding work in the copy editing niche:

Where to Independently Find Copy Editing Gigs

The best way to find work on your own is to research the best companies that hire copy editors online.

If it's an established business, it'll likely have a job board with all kinds of work.

You can also contact smaller companies that often have a "Work for us" section on their websites.

Or if you already know someone working in the company, you can ask them first.

Lastly, if you don't have any luck with this method, you can try networking on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Reach out to independent business owners, CEOs, and other copy editors and writers to ask if they have any openings.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Copy Editing Gigs

A faster and more reliable way to find full-time or freelance editing jobs is to check job platforms and freelance websites.

You can find everything from odd jobs to serious employment on these websites.

Here are some of our favorite websites for finding copy editing work:

• LinkedIn: LinkedIn is perfect for finding serious copy editing work in your area besides remote work.
• Indeed: Indeed has one of the largest job databases of any platform, and there are plenty of editing projects in the book publishing industry on there, too.
• Upwork: Upwork is made for people looking for editing jobs from home, as it’s aimed toward freelancers who can copy edit all types of texts.
• ProBlogger: Although it's a smaller website, the job quality is excellent, and the focus is exclusively on writing and editing.

Why You Should Consider Editing Copy As a Side Hustle

Here's why you should start providing your editing and proofreading services:

• Flexibility: Content marketing agencies typically operate remotely, and many allow for a flexible schedule.
• Growth opportunity: Editing someone else's work can be an excellent way to improve your writing skills and “borrow” cool tricks from pro writers.
• Exciting work: Spending all day reading and editing entertaining topics doesn't even feel like a job.

Problems With Editing Copy for Money

Copy editing is a fun job for those who love to sit in front of a computer with a cup of coffee.

Still, it has some significant drawbacks that we can't ignore:

• Pressure and stress: Employers hire copy editors to ensure all content they publish is 100% error-free. These high expectations can be hard to meet, especially when working with tight deadlines.
• Desk job: The copy editing process inevitably involves working on your computer or laptop, which leads to eye strain and posture issues.
• Lonely work environment: If you're a social butterfly or feel more comfortable working with others, copy editing sometimes feels lonely and isolating.