Proofreading & Editing Service for Self-Published Authors
Copy-editing and proofreading packages for the growing self-publishing market, sold per word with tiered turnaround.
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Self-publishing keeps growing, and authors need professional polish before release. Typical offers: sample edit, per-word rates and tiered turnaround times. Genre specialisation (romance, crime, fantasy) builds reputation fast. Referrals from cover designers and author communities drive inbound work. Gross margin figures are planning estimates of revenue minus direct costs (materials, consumables, fuel and per-job expenses); they exclude the owner's own labour, so treat them as a guide to job economics rather than take-home pay.
- Starting capital: 800–2500 GBP
- Total starting capital: 1800 GBP
- Setup: 2-3 weeks
- Gross margin: 70-80%
- Business model: Per-word pricing tiers for proofreading, copy-editing and combined packages, with deposits on booking.
- Category: Professional Services
Risks
- Feast and famine: Project work arrives in lumps; a booking pipeline smooths it.
- Rate pressure: Budget marketplaces undercut on price; compete on quality and genre fit.
Costs
- Training — CIEP proofreading and copy-editing courses — 500 GBP
- Software — Style guides, PerfectIt and reference software — 300 GBP
- Marketing — Website with portfolio samples and rates — 400 GBP
- Sales push — CIEP membership and author-community presence — 600 GBP