When I proofread your document in Word, I will use Track Changes. This means that you will be able to see every change I’ve made. You can then decide whether to accept the changes I’ve suggested, or reject them. If the reason for my change isn’t obvious, I’ll leave a comment so that you can understand why I’ve suggested it.

Track Changes is really easy to use. This link provides some helpful information (including a video) if you’re not sure how to use it. If you only need to know how to review the changes I’ve suggested, you don’t need to read through everything – just scroll down to ‘Review each tracked change in sequence’. When you have finished, you may wish to delete all of my comments – the instructions for doing this are towards the end of the guide.

You may be wondering whether it is worth paying someone (me!) to proofread your document. Here are some examples that show why I think it’s almost always worth it!

• In a proofread of a conference flyer, I highlighted that the name of a key speaker was spelt in two different ways. The timetable showed a discrepancy that may have affected the schedule for the whole day. These errors could have been very embarrassing for the client.

• In a magazine proofread, I noticed that two clues were missing from a crossword!

• I regularly proofread a community newsletter that has multiple contributors – and therefore multiple opportunities for errors to creep in! I check spelling, grammar and punctuation. I also check that adverts are displayed as intended (I occasionally find that images have been cropped and information lost). Hyperlinks are not always keyed correctly, so I carefully proofread these too. I also carry out a separate check to ensure that days and dates of events tie up. The result is a newsletter that readers enjoy and that advertisers are keen to support.

• When proofreading Word documents, I often find a variety of errors. These include: two spaces after a full stop (I was trained to type this way too, but these days it is generally considered a no-no!); missing/misplaced apostrophes; and inconsistent use of capitals and hyphens. Mistakes like these can make great writing seem sloppy and unprofessional. I work through the document a number of times, each time checking for something different. On my final read-through, I read it aloud to myself – I sound daft, but it helps to ensure that the text makes sense and is as error-free as possible!

A professional proofread can save you from potential embarrassment and costly damage to your business/reputation. It really is worth it!

If you have any questions, or would like to request a (free) sample proofread, please contact me at hello@lynnebaybut.com

The process is simple …

Send me an email (hello@lynnebaybut.com) with some information about your project. I’ll need to know the subject, format (Word or PDF), total number of words and your deadline. If you’re happy to attach your document at this stage, that’s great – I can then set to work providing you with a sample proofread and a quote.

Rest assured that I will always be completely honest with you. If the subject is one that I don’t feel qualified to proofread (I’m no scientist or mathematician!), or if I won’t have time to proofread it to a high standard, I won’t offer to do the work for you.

I will do a (free!) sample proofread of a section of your document. If the document is in Word, I’ll use Track Changes. If it’s a PDF, I’ll use the comment tools to mark up my suggested changes. I’ll email the sample to you, together with a quote.

If you’re happy with my proofread and the quote, let me know and I will book you in! If you have any further questions at this point, or are unsure about anything, please do ask.

I will proofread your document and return it to you by the agreed deadline. My invoice is then payable by bank transfer within 30 days.

(And why is it worth investing in a professional proofreader?)

Proofreading is more than a quick check for any typos. As a professional proofreader, I can help you to produce the best possible version of your text, so that your readers get the best possible impression of you and your work.

It’s almost impossible for anyone to proofread their own work. We all see what we think we have written and not what is actually on the page! I won’t simply check your spelling, grammar and punctuation; I will also check for consistency and accuracy throughout your document. For example, I’ll check that you have been consistent in terms of spellings, hyphenation and capitalisation, that you haven’t contradicted yourself, and that any images are clearly labelled and in the right place!

If you’d like to find out more about proofreading – and whether you need a proofreader or a copy-editor – take a look at the factsheet produced by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.