Super stoked (I think I say that all the time…) to have my very own assistant sharing her success story on the blog today! Way back in the day, I was looking for some help with all kinds of businessy stuff — social media, accounting, proofreading my blog posts, etc. and I met Kristin on Upwork (formerly oDesk) and just fell in love. She’s my girl crush. Someone I knew I loved just by reading her writing in an email. I am so lucky to have found her, and WOW does she help me a lot in running my business.
Tell us a little about your background, Kristin!
Gosh, where to start!
In 2014, I decided to quit my job (retail management, previously hospitality management) to travel the world. Yup. True story. I was able to survive on my savings for quite a while, but I knew I was going to need to make money again at some point. I also knew that there was no way I was going back to being a cog in the wheel, so to speak. I thought about the skills I possessed, and which of those skills I could easily leverage into an income that I could maintain on the road. This led me to freelance proofreading (and editing) online.
I met Caitlin when she posted on one of the freelance websites that she needed help proofreading (because she’s such a smart lady, she knows she still needs a proofreader!) her website, and possibly with some other projects she was working on. She’s been my client ever since, and I love seeing the progress of the course, and the success of all the students!
When did you start proofreading transcripts, and what made you decide to learn how to proofread transcripts?
It took me a couple of months to save the money to pay for the course, but I knew I HAD to take it. This was exactly what I was looking for! Freedom, and a consistent form of income that I could do while traveling! (Proofread Anywhere, get it?) I started looking for clients in May of 2015, and haven’t looked back!
What was the most challenging part in getting started?
No challenge really, except for the initial cost of getting started. I knew once I took the course, that I would absolutely dominate this cool little niche in the world of proofreading.
What was/were the most valuable thing(s) you learned during the course?
That I don’t know everything (in spite of my innate inclination to think that I do), and while I’m naturally good at proofreading, I really needed to learn the nitty-gritty details about specifically proofreading legal transcripts.
How long did it take you to find your first client? How many clients do you have now? How much money have you been able to make?
Once I completed the course, I immediately started sending out emails. I signed up for one of the Facebook groups as well. I got my first client within a week, and I can’t remember if it was from the group or from my emails. I have six clients that send me work regularly, and a few that use me for backup when they need it. I got my first client about halfway through May and made about $600 that month. So far in June, I’ve billed $400, 10 days in. I made back the cost of the course in the first two weeks.
What advice would you give anyone thinking about enrolling in the course to proofread transcripts? Is it worth the money?
Caitlin says this about a hundred and fifty-two million times throughout the website, the free 7-day intro course, and the full course itself: you get out of it what you put into it.
This is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. This is a way for you to take a natural skill that you already possess, and turn it into a way to live life on your own terms. If you want to just make some extra cash to put into savings or pay off some debt, then it’s perfect for you. If you want to replace a job that you hate, then it’s perfect for you. If you want to be able to spend more time with your family, then it’s perfect for you.
You HAVE to do the work upfront to market yourself and to get clients. But I promise you, if you do excellent work and go out of your way to make your clients happy, it will absolutely be worth it!
And yes, it is ABSOLUTELY worth the money! Period.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Besides the fact that Caitlin is awesome and is incredibly supportive of all of her students? No, I think I covered most of it! : )
Couldn’t be prouder of you, Kristin!!!
Leave your questions and comments for Kristin below!
Great story! Love hearing success stories.
I have read everyone’s story on this page. I am truly inspired. Yesterday, I was laid off from my job. The timing couldn’t be worse. Stories like these give me hope. Thank you all for sharing. I hope to make a great proofreader someday!
Outstanding experience!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am on SSDI. It is not enough money to live life, only to barely survive it.
I survived lung cancer and I want to live the life I was given.
I pick up mistakes naturely while I read. I read where proofreading could be a possible way of making extra cash and enjoying the satisfaction of what I do.
Any steps in how to begin in the proofreading field would be great as I have trouble in feeling the confidence to not only look forward but to move forward.
Cancer has left me afraid of grasping a future due to the fear if it attacking my body again.
Like I am not capable and will let anyone and everything down if the cancer returns.
I keep to myself to save others. Proofreading would give purpose to my days, without involving personal relationships.
I've always had an eye for good grammer. A push in the right direction and learning more may be just what I need to become a great proofreader.
While giving myself the confidence and tools to live the gift of life I've been given!
Oh geez, then I made my own spoofs in my grammer! Not a good start.