Do What You Love: How Candace Became a Transcript Proofreader

“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

It’s a common saying, but is it really true? 

Yes… and no. 

Setting up a new business is HARD. Believe me; it certainly will feel like work when you’re learning how to do the job properly, when you’re trying to create your website, or when you’re struggling to motivate yourself to work…

BUT if you love what you do, the struggles won’t seem so bad. You won’t want to give up at the first sign of trouble if you are truly passionate about what you do.

And it feels damn good making money doing something you love!

Candace was burnt out from her paralegal job. She knew she needed a change, and her love of words and reading means proofreading for court reporters is the perfect fit for her. 

Being a transcript proofreader allows her to keep doing one of her favorite things about her old job — proofreading legal documents!

Read on to find out more about Candace’s story!

Q: Welcome to the blog, Candace! Tell us a little about your background. What did your life look like before you crossed paths with Proofread Anywhere?

I was a litigation paralegal for twenty-seven years. I was burned out, and the stress of the job had affected my health. So I knew I needed to make a change. I’ve always loved words and reading, and this has been a perfect fit for me.

Q: No job is worth sacrificing your health over! I’m glad you found a better fit. When did you start proofreading, and what made you decide to become a transcript proofreader?

I proofread legal documents and medical reports as a paralegal, and it was one of my favorite parts of the job. 

Q: What was the most challenging part of getting started?

Getting past the fear of spending the money on the course and worrying whether I could actually support myself proofreading.

Q: So many people are afraid to invest in themselves, which is a huge shame. It can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. What was the most valuable thing you learned during the course?

Marketing because I had never done any and found it very intimidating. Knowing that marketing was included in the training was a huge factor in my deciding to take the course.

Q: We like to make sure our students have both the skills to do the job and the knowledge of how to market their services to get clients. How long did it take you to find your first client? And how many clients do you have now?

I had my first client within a couple of weeks. I have five clients now, and I’m backup for three others.

Q: That’s awesome! Congratulations! How long did it take you to recoup the cost of the course?

About six weeks.

Q: Not long at all! What advice would you give anyone thinking about enrolling in the course to learn how to proofread? Is it worth the money?

If you’re thinking of having this as your sole income, do the course and start working part-time while you continue with your full-time job. Like a lot of jobs, proofreading seems to be either feast or famine so you need to learn how to manage your money for that. Pay off as many loans or credit cards as you can. This is hard work, and it takes time to build clientele. 

In addition to working your way through the course, join Facebook groups for court reporters, scopists, and proofreaders. Networking is important, and it’s good to get your name out there. Take some of Margie Wakeman Wells’s courses. They are invaluable.

Q: Great advice! Proofreading is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it can be very rewarding if you love proofreading and you’re willing to put the work in to find clients. What does your life look like now as a working freelance proofreader?

I don’t make as much as I did as a paralegal, but I love what I do, and I love working for myself. I love being able to structure my day in a way that works for me. Usually, I’m up and working by 6:30 a.m. because I’m much more of a morning person. 

I’m very introverted and have ADHD so working from home is really a blessing. It’s also a blessing being able to work from anywhere because I’ve been able to be with my parents when they’ve had surgery or hospital stays.

Q: Court transcript proofreading is one of the most suitable jobs for introverts! You’re in good company there. Anything else you’d like to share with the PA community?

Be patient and believe in yourself. This isn’t an easy job, and it takes time to build your clientele and weed out the ones that aren’t right for you, but it’s well worth the work and effort.

Our Take

Wise words, Candace! Proofreading won’t make you super rich, but it could make you super happy — and that’s often the most important thing. Keep up the good work!

Your Turn

Want to do something you love instead of clocking in day in, day out at a job that stresses you out? Learn how to become a transcript proofreader like Candace with our free 7-day email course!