Let’s get straight to the point… we all need to earn money.
Money is how we put roofs over our heads and feed our families.
But YOUR needs are not going to be enough to convince a potential client to fork over their hard-earned cash…
They need to know what value you’re going to provide for THEM… what problems you’re going to solve for THEM… how you can help THEM.
When you switch your mindset from what you need to what the client needs, you’ll find marketing your business so. much. easier.
Darcy has this mindset. This work-at-home dad started proofreading part-time because he loves helping authors produce inspirational works by ensuring their content is as error-free as possible.
Check out his story below!
Q: Hi, Darcy! Tell us a little about your background. What did your life look like before you crossed paths with PA?
I had been working at a full-time job while proofreading and editing as a part-time gig, and I was looking to go full-time with my proofreading/editing business.
Q: When did you start proofreading, and what made you decide to learn how to proofread?
I had volunteered as a proofreader and editor for many years but began doing it as a business in January 2017. I made this decision because I loved helping authors produce something inspirational, and my way of doing so was to ensure it was error-free.
Q: Your mindset = perfection! Helping other people solve their problems is what it’s all about. What was the most challenging part in getting started?
Getting clients. When I started my business back in 2017, it took me several months before I was getting clients with any sort of regularity.
Q: What was the most valuable thing you learned during the course?
There wasn’t any one specific thing that stood out to me as most valuable. I think the value came in the fact that all the information was available in one place.
Q: How long did it take you to find your first client? And how many clients do you have now?
I took the course after I had already started my business, so I had landed several clients prior to the course. The number of clients I have now is definitely a lot more than before the course. I am currently working with eight clients and am talking with two potential clients that appear close to hiring me. My income for September will be $5,260 (and I’m only proofreading part-time!)
Q: Wow! That’s impressive! How long did it take you to recoup your investment?
I already had clients before I took the course, but I found a new client within a month of completing the course that covered the cost of the course.
Here’s what some of Darcy’s happy clients have to say!
Q: What advice would you give anyone thinking about enrolling in the course to learn how to proofread? Is it worth the money?
I think that if someone is looking to learn to proofread and is just getting started, then it is definitely worth the money.
Q: What does your life look like now as a working freelance proofreader and work-at-home dad?
I am on the verge of quitting my full-time job and taking on proofreading and editing full-time. This will give me the flexibility and freedom to spend time with my wife and four children, so I am super excited!
Q: Congratulations! Freedom is one of the top goals many of my students have, and it’s so awesome that you’ve achieved it. Anything else you’d like to share with the PA community?
If you are willing to learn and are motivated to help people, then you can be successful in this course and in your proofreading business.
Our Take
Well said, Darcy! If you use your skills to solve a problem your clients have and provide value to them, then you will be successful. By focusing on helping his clients solve their problems, Darcy is now on the verge of solving his own problems — making sure he has the freedom and flexibility to earn enough money to provide for his family without sacrificing time with them.
Your Turn
If you want to help authors produce inspirational content too, then check out my free workshop to learn how to get started!
I am curious as to how your program works. Do you find potential clients for people in your program?
I was a proof reader while an undergrad student at Mizzou(University of Missouri-Columbia) for the University School of Journalism's Free Press office. I have an undergraduate degree in English from them with an emphasis on composition/linguistics.
I've thought of doing this type of work again as it can be done from home.
We offer a course that trains you how to become a freelance proofreader then we teach you active marketing strategies to promote yourself online to prospective clients and provide you with a long list of online resources to find proofreading jobs. There are over one MILLION books published every single year, and that’s just in the U.S! Now add to that magazines (both paper and online), web copy, sales copy, eBooks, transcripts, resumes, blogs, newspapers, and more that all need proofreaders! We have a Facebook graduate group where you can find support, discuss marketing strategies, and learn tips and tricks for running your business effectively. We give you all of the tools to succeed, but it’s up to you to use them!