We’ve got yet another success story from a PA grad today!
It’s Ashley H. from England! She moved to England with her fiancé and was looking for a way to earn an income from anywhere — funny thing is, Ashley’s dream job has always been to be a proofreader!
We always get questions from people living outside the United States wondering if they can still start a proofreading business. The answer is YES! Ashley is just one of our graduates who made it happen!
Tell us a little about your background!
Ever since I was little, I was always obsessed with spelling and grammar. I was in spelling bees, always got 100% on spelling tests in class, and was always correcting other people’s work. I always told my family and friends that proofreading would be my dream job because it’s what I did all the time and I loved it! But I ended up going to university and majoring in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree, but haven’t actually done anything with my degree because I found this and it is what I do full-time!
When did you start proofreading transcripts, and what made you decide to learn how to proofread transcripts?
I started proofreading transcripts on June 24, 2015. And my fiance actually found out about this course while listening to a podcast and told me to check out the website because he knew I had always wanted to do proofreading for a living. I instantly checked out the website, thought it sounded absolutely perfect for me, signed up for the free course, and a few days after that finished I signed up to the full course and loved it! I knew that this course would give me the opportunity to do my dream job so I knew I had to do it!
What was the most challenging part of getting started?
The most challenging part of starting is the money for the course and iPad. We moved to England (where my fiancé is from!) and it was really difficult and took months for me to be able to work here so we were living off one income, but we made it happen because I knew it would be worth it!
What was/were the most valuable thing(s) you learned during the course?
Everything! Seriously, Caitlin teaches you everything you need to know to do this and every single thing you learn is so valuable.
How long did it take you to find your first client? How many clients do you have now?
I got my first client four days after completing the course! And I now have about five clients that give me work consistently. In my first month, I made a little over $1,300 — and I’m on track to earn even more this month!
What advice would you give anyone thinking about enrolling in the course to proofread transcripts? Is it worth the money?
Yes, yes, yes! It is worth the money. Just make sure that it is definitely something you want to do before you enroll. If it is something you want and you’re willing to work hard during and after the course, then it will be worth your money and you WILL make it! I would advise anyone who enjoys proofreading and wants to make good money doing it to take this course!
Anything else you’d like to add about your experience of starting a proofreading business in the UK? Advice?
Don’t give up! I see people all the time that are wanting to give up because it’s been a week or two and they haven’t gotten a client yet. Just keep trying, keep sending out those emails, or try other ways to get clients. And the PA group on Facebook is definitely there to help; they are a group of wonderful people that have been where you are and are always there for one another! Also, you CAN do this if you live in another country as long as you are very good with [American] English grammar and spelling. Sometimes the time difference is a great thing!
What are Ashley’s clients saying?
Just in case you think we’re making the whole thing up (we’re not!), we asked Ashley to send in some screenshots of emails from her actual clients. To protect their privacy, we blocked out their names and blurred any photos. Here’s what they had to say:
Your Turn
Curious about the course Ashley took? Check out our free email course to find out how you can start a transcript proofreading business too — even if you’re outside the United States!
Hi Ashley! I wanted to ask how many hours do you feel you put into that first month of proofreading? I will be keeping my full-time job, I have two small children and am starting this new business venture. I want to replace my current job and the in-between time with two jobs scares me! I know I will need to be proficient, have steady clients and a plan before I leave my current job. I am hoping to hit the ground running just as well as you have! Congrats and best of luck!!
Very inspiring. Great job Ashley! I love hearing the success stories of PA grads! Gives me encouragement to take the leap!
Great work, Ashley! Your enthusiasm is very obvious and uplifting. Congrats on your success!!
Hi Ashley!
Good to hear it’s possible from this side of the pond. I live in Wales and I’m just starting to do this, but my childhood passion with spelling and grammar sounds very similar to yours so fingers crossed!
I feel very encouraged by your success, and I hope you enjoy living here.
Hi Ashley
I was wondering whether the clients you work for are based in the US or the UK and if they are based in the UK, we’re they easy to find?
I was just about to ask the very same question.
This is encouraging!!! I am in an American the U.K., too and I am just starting module 3!!!