So I have just had a call from a work colleague offering me work proofreading, however the pay offered is $420 an hour, this seems incredibly low to me, whats the average I can expect for this kinda work?
For proofreading its OK for a beginner, I guess. The problem is, you need to find out his definition of “proofreading.” For me, it is spelling and minor grammar. For the majority of Taiwanese here, “proofreading” means the complete editing of totally crap Chinglish that usually requires basically a rewrite (which they will invariably argue is not necessary, but will come down on you like a ton of bricks when their client turns round and says that yes, actually, it IS necessary).
Personally, I won’t touch anything for less than NT$1200/hour. For someone just getting into it for the first time, I wouldn’t accept less than NT$800/hour, unless it really IS purely proofreading, in which case a lower rate would be acceptable.
NT$420 an hour is good for proofreaders who don’t know that however should be preceded by a semicolon; however, if that was just a typo, you should be asking for at least NT$800 if, as sandman says, you’re not having to rewrite appalling writing. Editing calls for higher pay as you have to change so much; proofreading is just checking for typos, generally.
[quote=“Stray Dog”]
NT$420 an hour is good for proofreaders who don’t know that however should be preceded by a semicolon.[/quote]
Other people, however, aren’t quite so sure.
Ha! Got me.
It partly depends on how long this work colleague is expecting the proofreading to take. He/she may think the writing is already very good and just requires a quick check, whereas actually it might require hours of struggle with nearly incomprehensible Chinglish. Ask how many hours he thinks the work should take, then look at it - maybe quickly proofread half a page or so - and see if you agree, more or less. I’m guessing the work will take substantially longer than the colleague is expecting, thus limiting how much you can actually charge. But if it does look like you could do the work in the amount of time the colleague expects, and it is the first time you’ve actually tried this, I would do the work for that hourly rate.
I charge by the source word on the rare occasions I do proofreading (“English polishing”, “editing”, whatever). The rate is figured out to be high enough that I don’t feel exploited if it turns out to be a total re-write, and so that I don’t lose money if the final article turns out to be thousands of words shorter than the original was (I’m charging on the “garbage in”, not the output). If I get a good writer, it’s gravy.
It pays to poofread.
“poofread” indeed!
On a related note, I’ve also read (and tried to avoid marking) a lot of nonsense claiming to be from test-writers. Sadly, they usually just were capable of writing still-testing questions …
As stated earlier, charging by the word count is the way to go. Of course, discussion is required, so with x number of words, include y number of hours of discussion.
At the start, ask for a small, but representative sample. Point out a lower price for poofreading and a higher price for more. Do a free poofreading on the sample. Also do a free high level rewrite/major edit on the same sample - if you’re competent enough to judge that it is required. Then, discuss both levels (and the reasons for different prices) with potential client and let him/her choose.
Doesn’t work for little jobs though - most of those you should do pro bono anyways!
Only if you want to do larger ones for free as well, or if there is considerable social benefit (“guanxi”) to be had for doing them.
[quote=“IYouThem”]
As stated earlier, charging by the word count is the way to go. Do a free poofreading on the sample. Also do a free high level rewrite/major edit on the same sample
Doesn’t work for little jobs though - most of those you should do pro bono anyways![/quote]
Not in my 25 years of experience in the local market. I charge by time, not word count. If they require a “free sample” then I’m out of their league and they’re wasting my time and theirs. I don’t even reply to such requests, usually. And pro bono is a complete no-no in this market, unless you want to be taken for an easy mark. A better way is to do the sample, but bill them for it – let them know, of course, that you’ll be billing them. And NEVER bill for less than an hour of your time, no matter if it is just a sentence or two.
In my experience, charging by the word is easier in terms of human relations. You figure out your per-word rate in advance, figuring that that rate will give you a good hourly income even in the case of a really bad original. The client knows up front how much the job will cost, and can submit estimates or request funding as required. If you luck out and get a good writer, you are making really, really good money. If you get an average writer, you’re still doing okay because you set your rate accordingly.
I do always charge a minimum for any job. There are costs involved with setting a job up, doing the accounting involved, making sure it’s done and delivered and so forth. Again, figure your minimum charge so that it’s no more work than you want to do for that amount of money.
Interesting!
Sandman and Ironlady have (almost) opposite approaches (charge by the hour vs charge by the word) yet I would guess that both approaches have been equally successful - for both Sandman and Ironlady.
Good to see! Makes me think that you can do what you want and still succeed.
So what would I add? Doing business is partially personal and discovering what fits with your personality and success rate is the way to go!
Part of my approach also stems from my social phobia – I’d rather just quote a number and feel like it’s simple math than feel like the client is second-guessing me or dissatisfied about how long it will take or should take or whatever. Sandman, on the other hand, obviously loves to engage with all sorts of people, as we see on the boards each day. 
Also, of course, since I translate a lot, that’s almost always by the word, and as they say, when you have a hammer in your hand, everything looks like a nail to you. 