When text needs to be clean, clear, understandable and presentable to the public, proofreading services will make sure copy leaves the correct impression. Error-free text gives an unmistakable message to the reader, while copy riddled with errors can turn away customers and clients quickly.

When dealing with proofreading services, it helps to know about the common verbal coinage of the industry. Managers and business leaders seeking to contract with proofreading agencies can bring themselves up to speed with easy reference pages from online groups focused on how proofreading works. Before contracting with proofreading services, readers can find:

1. Information about types of projects with which proofreading services deal.

2. Help with understanding proofreaders' marks, the tools of the trade for shop or freelance proofreader protocols.

3. Resources on fees and charges for negotiating projects with proofreading agencies for print or online proofreading, medical or legal proofreading or other specialized jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for information about types of projects for proofreading agencies

It helps to see what kind of categories proofreader services establish for their jobs. Learning about areas of proofreading and the key terms involved are critical for getting involved in or utilizing the industry and becoming knowledgeable about the inner working of a proofreading service.

I recommend: Words R U details the main kinds of editing and proofreading services they offer. Click on each of the types of proofreading they offer to learn how Words R U defines each type. This includes dissertations, term papers, grant proposals and more, including ESL proofreading, where proofreader agencies fix grammatical or typographical errors or other aspects of writing by a non-native English speaker. Read about the types of documents you can submit to Proof-Reading.com so you can better understand the difference and the terms used to describe each document.

Find guides to proofreading marks

Another thing managers may want to brush up on is proofreading marks. A classic proofreading agency will use these as part of the review process and often will return documents with these marks on the printed page. Proofreaders' marks are the method of communication developed and used by these professionals over the years and are very helpful to know to improve your understanding of the work being done on your documents.

I recommend: Look for proofreading symbols for paragraph/no paragraph, insert comma/apostrophe, and more at Webster online. Prentice Hall offers an online "Author's Guide" that includes info on proofreading marks.

Understand key terms related to proofreader service fees and charges online

Some sites detail how proofreading agencies arrange for payment for any kind of project. In order to understand the fees, you may need to familiarize yourself with new terms that are otherwise new to you. You can learn about 'per-word fees,' which are often standard, and other one-time charges that can apply to the services you need.

I recommend: Understand proofreading fees basic terms like "per-word fees" and "rush charges" as well as the difference between terms "proofreading" and "copy editing," which are charged differently, at Pencils. For fees and charges on scientific and medical copy writing, which come with their own set of specific terms including "journal submission package," try Blue Pencil Science.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for contracts with proofreading agencies, it helps to know about all of these basics, but an additional tip will help prevent costly misunderstandings. As with any kind of contractor, asking for a final fixed price will stand a buyer in good stead, as hidden fees and charges can add up to a big headache or even a legal mess.