Proofread Anywhere Review: Specialize in Court Transcript Proofreading to Earn More
When you read emails, books, news reports, or notices on grocery store bulletin boards, do the misspellings leap out at you? Do you cringe when you see “it’s” used where “its” belongs? How about when people confuse things like your/you’re or their/there/they’re? If you can relate, a career in proofreading might be perfect for you. Sound like something you’d love to do for extra income? Maybe even a living wage? Read on! My in-depth Proofread Anywhere review is a great place to start.
Right now, you might be wondering if you could earn enough with general proofreading to meet your work-from-home income goals and make it worth it to invest in online training for this career. That’s a valid concern. No one but you can assess your goals and whether this option is a realistic way to meet them. However, there is a way to maximize your potential earnings from proofreading.
As in most fields, specialists earn more than generalists.
How Can This Course Help?
What does this mean for proofreaders? In brief, that court transcript proofreaders earn more than those who do general proofreading work. According to this Grammarist post, general proofreaders charge an average of $.13 – $.16 per page. By contrast, this post lists the rates of court transcript reporters as between $.35 – $.65 per page.
The caveat? To access that additional earning power, you will need specialized training, because court transcript proofreading isn’t the same as general proofreading. You’ll need to learn how to work in the formats court reporters and other legal professionals need, for one thing. Ethics are a huge part of this business, as well. Also, since you will be proofreading the spoken word, usually as legal testimony, you won’t be able to correct any of the grammatical errors of the speakers themselves. Regardless of how deeply you know what someone should have said, you must meticulously resist your impulse to essentially “put words into their mouths.”
Proofread Anywhere’s Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice can get you ready to do just that, as well as giving you a very strong grounding in all the other aspects of the business. It also includes an additional course for graduates that prepares you to market and run your new transcript proofreading business.
This Proofread Anywhere review lets you look into the pricing, pros and cons of the course, what you will find inside, how the lessons are presented, and who this course is best for. (Hint: if you don’t have an “eagle eye” for spelling and punctuation errors and a good grasp of grammar, this probably isn’t the course or career for you).
Exciting Course Update: In July, Proofread Anywhere added a unit focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to both of their courses.
This new material will give you the knowledge and skills to leverage the power of AI in your proofreading business. You’ll also learn the best AI tools for proofreaders, pros and cons of AI, and more.
Name: Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice
Website: ProofreadAnywhere.com
Creator: Caitlin Pyle
Free Resources or Training: Free 7-day E-course
Proofread Anywhere Review of Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice; An Introduction
Proofread Anywhere creator Caitlin Pyle started proofreading court transcripts more or less by accident. She soon realized that this side service paid better than her day job. As she took on more transcript proofreading work, she learned how to make the process time-efficient, how to put her work into a format her clients appreciated, and other techniques that made her a sought-after court transcript proofreader. She eventually found she could make a full-time income proofreading transcripts only part-time.
Caitlin was generous about sharing her knowledge with others. She put together a short course – an eBook and a companion practice transcript. So many people sent her questions and requests for further help that she developed a full-fledged course that teaches everything you need to know about court transcription proofreading.
She launched the online version of this intensive transcript proofreading course in February 2015. Proofread Anywhere’s transcription proofreading course began as a self-assessed program. It’s since developed into a manually graded course with quizzes, exams with feedback, and a certificate for those who pass the final examination.
Along with the extensive and extremely thorough course materials, you’ll receive student support via email and three Facebook groups: one general, one for graduates, and a final group for those working through the fifty practice transcripts.
This was the first course I added to my affiliates list. It led to Anywhere and Anytime Careers being the site it is today.
“What's In It For Me?“
With Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice, as long as you have good proofreading skills and a willingness to invest yourself and work hard at the course materials, you can learn how to offer this in-demand niche service to court reporters and lawyers. You don't need experience. Caitlin doesn’t promise it will be easy – only that this course will guide you through building the knowledge base you need to succeed. You will learn a sought-after skill, how to market it, and how to make your own business with it. Every detail is included.
Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice Course in a Nutshell
First, the pros and cons of the course:
Pros
- The course is self-paced
- It provides you with a real career
- You have lifetime access to the course material and support
- The course allows you to start a business and work from anywhere
- Prompt support is available as needed via email or Facebook group
- Every detail is covered, from getting started to getting and keeping clients
- You can start out knowing nothing about proofreading or court transcription
- There is an active Facebook group full of useful discussions and information
- You can start making an income soon after successfully completing the course
- The course provides top-notch resources for the student who takes advantage
- This course contains abundant practice material and graded testing/evaluation
- Client referrals through email and the Proofread Anywhere graduate directory
- The course is rigorous enough to prepare you for a career as a professional transcript proofreader
- You don't need an English degree, just a good knowledge of the language and the ability to spot errors or inconsistencies
- You start the course in a supportive community of other students and proofreaders, and finish as part of a network of proficient transcript proofreaders
Cons
- It takes a lot of hard work to get through the course
- The additional marketing course is lighter in content than the theory and practice course
- While the training is thorough, if you don't already have a decent understanding of grammar and an eye for detail, you probably won't do well – it's definitely not for everybody
- Some of the rules and style preferences are particular to court reporting – if you're well versed in another style of proofreading, the shift can be challenging (though not impossible!)
- It takes time to build up speed (without sacrificing accuracy) and build a client base that lets you achieve a full-time income
My Proofread Anywhere Review: An Overview of the Course
Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice is a self-paced online course that teaches all aspects of court transcript proofreading. The course covers the spelling, grammar, and punctuation you need to know; how the transcript proofreading process works; and the technology you’ll need to learn. It also shows you how to get and interact with clients and handle your billing and accounting once you start your business.
Caitlin uses text-based lessons supplemented by videos, articles, and screencast demos to teach you the skills you need to become a transcript proofreader. In addition, there are worksheets and fifty annotated practice transcripts to sharpen these skills along the way.
You must pass multiple graded quizzes in order to move on to the next section of the course. This lets you know what areas you need to work on to be sure your skills are solid.
At the end of the course, you can take a final exam to earn certification and access to the marketing course and graduates’ Facebook group. This exam isn’t easy; however, you may retake it if you don’t pass the first time (after the second attempt, you can retry for a $50.00 fee). There is also a tutoring program available to assist you in preparing for the exam.
The general Proofread Anywhere students’ Facebook group is full of useful discussions and interesting information. The group is active, with constant dialog. You can go there for support if you get stuck on something in the course material. There are also two more specialized groups to assist those working on the practice transcripts and for graduates to discuss business concerns.
Other Things to Know….
The full course generally takes two to four months to complete depending on how much time you put into it. Lifetime access to the course and the Facebook group memberships for which you are eligible are included in your tuition price.
Though you don’t need previous legal knowledge to succeed in this course, you do need commitment and hard work. This course provides you with all the tools you need to become a successful court transcript proofreader, but you must supply the dedication – in the course, and in your eventual career.
Want to know more about the course content? Read the Court Transcript Proofreading Course Syllabus and Objectives for more detailed information.
Proofread Anywhere Review: Who Is (and Isn’t) This Course For?
Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice is for stay-at-home moms, retired people, or anyone who:
- Has good language skills
- Wants to work online part-time or full-time
- Is willing to study hard and learn new skills
- Is looking for a real work-from-home career that pays well
- Seeks the flexibility to work around their own personal schedule
- Notices details like misspellings, punctuation, and grammatical errors
A note: If you are a stay-at-home mom (or dad) with only an hour or so a day to spare, you will find it hard to succeed in this career. Two to three hours a day (not necessarily all at once) is more realistic.
Read what moms who have taken the course have to say about creating a proofreading career from home.
This course is definitely not for those trying to make a quick buck without doing much work. The job takes hard work and attention – you can make money soon after completing the course, assuming you put in the effort to get it.
It is not worth it for those who don’t have good language skills to start out with. You may be able to study and practice enough to compensate to a degree. Accuracy and speed are vital, since you get paid by the page. If you spend much time checking or looking up things, you won’t gain much financially.
My Proofread Anywhere Review: Checking Out the Course’s Tools & Training
Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice is divided into two separate courses: Theory and Practices and Marketing/Client Communication. Caitlin uses comprehensive text supplemented by videos, screencast demos, content articles, and printable reference handouts to teach the basic content. Worksheets, quizzes, and annotated practice transcripts (PTs) help you sharpen your skills as you proceed through the course.
The PTs are a valuable and essential teaching tool. They give you a great deal of practical experience, and each includes annotation so you can verify your work and correct your mistakes. Without them, the course would be hollow, and you might lack confidence in your ability to actually do the work. Moreover, the marketing module would be little use to you, since you can’t effectively market a skill you don’t have!
The course also provides an action plan to start getting clients. This includes scripts, strategies, and practice ideas. Both the Theory and Practice and Marketing/Client Communication courses wrap up with a section on Mindset (the same content for both). This will help you spot the obstacles you may face along the way and prepare to deal with them before they become stumbling blocks.
In addition to the course material, there is a collection of useful blog articles on Caitlin’s site, Proofread Anywhere.com. These posts are beneficial for students and prospective students. They range from mindset tips and interviews to nitty-gritty details of how to use language in your transcript proofreading.
What’s the Support Like for This Proofread Anywhere Course?
There is solid support available for Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice. All students have lifetime access to a private Facebook group. It stays quite active with ongoing discussions, helpful reference sites, and moral support. Since both course graduates and current students participate, it’s quite a dynamic environment in which to learn! According to the videos from course graduates included in the introductory module, many students claim this as their favorite aspect of their training.
There are also two additional groups for more specialized support.
- The PT Study Hall group is for students who are working through the practice transcripts. You’ ll be able to access this group when you’re ready to begin the PTs. It can be a valuable resource if you get stuck or just need moral support from others facing the same problems.
- The PA Graduate Huddle is, as the name suggests, for course graduates. Once you’ve passed your final exam and transcript, this group will be open for you. Here, members bounce ideas around, refer clients to each other if they have a vacation or other time when they are unavailable, and help each other work through client challenges. It's especially helpful for new graduates, who may have many marketing questions.
Your questions are answered quickly in each of these groups. You’ll also see the practical side of working with court reporters and the issues others encounter in their businesses.
In addition to the groups, students or graduates who need support about their purchase, access, or billing issues can reach the Proofread Anywhere team by email.
Proofread Anywhere Review: What Educational Qualifications and Skills Do I Need For This Course?
You don’t need to meet any specific educational qualifications to enroll in and succeed at Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice. However, it is vital that you have these essential skills:
- Attention to detail
- Ability to concentrate, possibly for extended periods
- Willingness to work hard to learn a new skill (you'll need to forget what you think you know about proofreading)
- Excellent (native) English language skills (it will be very difficult to learn the idioms and dialects if you aren’t a native speaker)
- Facility in spotting errors or inconsistencies, or at least to know a potential error when you see one so you can look it up to verify
Additional requirements include some equipment and reference supplies, including:
- An email address
- A proofreading app (iAnnotate or other)
- A computer (or, if you want a truly anywhere and anytime career, a tablet, preferably an iPad)
- If you choose to do court transcript proofreading as a serious career, you will eventually want to buy your own reference books
What Does Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice Cost?
The payment structure for this course used to be quite complicated, with each level charged separately. Recently,, the course went on a limited-time sale for a one-time payment of $397.
Here's what you get for your tuition:
- Email and group support
- Graded self-assessment quizzes (you can take these as many times as you want)
- Two attempts at the midterm and final exams; you can purchase additional exams for $50 each
- Access to tutoring for the midterm and final exams (various session packages and pricing to meet a variety of needs)
- Lifetime access to all course materials and the Facebook groups (with the two more specialized groups opening as you qualify for them)
On checkout, you will have an option to add The Comma Bootcamp Workbook for an additional $17. If you choose this bonus offer, the price of the course will be $414 total. This add-on will help you practice your way to comma mastery, so you can handle any comma-rich assignments that come your way, confidently!
If you’re interested in court transcript proofreading, but not yet ready or able to commit to the price of the full course, Proofread Anywhere offers a free 7-day mini-course. In this introductory version, you will learn some basic proofreading and marketing tips.
They also have a free workshop on general proofreading for those looking for a career as a proofreader without learning all the legal stuff.
Proofread Anywhere Review Conclusion: Is Proofread Anywhere Legitimate?
I know that most people who read this Proofread Anywhere review will be wondering: Is Proofread Anywhere legitimate? Below is my opinion on the course.
If you’re interested in pursuing transcript proofreading as a career from home, we recommend this course. It is thorough, current, and provides rigorous practical training and examination that assure you, and all graduates, possess the skills you need to succeed. Additionally, a secondary course offers practical advice and actions to set you up for marketing and client communication ease. There is also a mindset module to help you through the places where you may get in your own way without realizing it.
Not only is the course material exhaustive, but the support is top-notch. With the active Facebook groups and prompt email support from the Proofread Anywhere team, you are covered.
Verdict: It is definitely a legitimate anywhere (and possibly anytime) course and career.
Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice can equip you with all the tools and experience you need to create a well-paying, in-demand part- or full-time business from home, the park, or wherever you please.
Interested in learning more about this course? Read my interview with course creator Caitlin Pyle or check out the course details on the site.
If you have any questions about this course or our Proofread Anywhere review, fire away! If you’ve taken or are now taking this course, we’d love to hear about your experiences! Drop us a line below!
I notice there have been no posts since 2017. Are you no longer affiliated with or active in Proofread Anywhere. I have not been able to find many negative reviews about this online course. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. One review claims the information is outdated and has many errors and inconsistencies in the provided materials. Has this been fixed/updated? Is the information provided on proofreading rules, iPad use, iAnnotate app, 2018 payrate, and how to find clients all up to date or is it all still the same information from 2015?
I am a medical transcriptionist and I am very interested in getting into Transcripts Proofreading because I have had a hand/arm injury that prevents me from typing as quickly/accurately as I used to. But I really don’t want to pay for outdated information/materials.
Thank you
Happy to have a fresh post, Keri! I received a lot of posts and questions when I was on the top of the first page of Google. But since my position dropped down, I haven’t received any.
I am still affiliated with Proofread Anywhere and to the best of my knowledge the course continues to be a good one. I haven’t seen any such complaints in the FB group, though I’m not in there a lot. I updated the review in June, changing outdated information and confirming that the other information I was providing was accurate. Caitlin and her team have always been helpful in this way.
In any case, I’ve sent out a few emails to graduates of the course who helped me in the beginning with their opinions and feedback on their own experiences with the course. So I’ll let you know if I find out any other helpful information.
Given your situation, proofreading does sound like it would be more practical for you. Are you particular to work on court transcripts? If not, Caitlin’s course on general proofreading is also quite good.
Hope this helps,
Good news, Keri!
The Transcript Proofreading course has been updated many times in the last few years. The updates include more practice transcripts, new word skills test, updated social media marketing training, a new unit about Facebook, updated methods of proofreading, updated info about iAnnotate, more ways to mark up transcripts, etc.
From what I gathered, there are few complaints about the course.
Let me know if there are other specific details you need,
Robin
If this helps Keri, here is the latest revised edition of the course syllabus and objectives. (I just updated it in the review as well.)
Hope you are finding what you need,
Robin
EDIT: I just updated the course syllabus and objectives again. So it is accurate as of November 2022.
I’m seriously considering taking the proofread anywhere course. I found your review through a Google search. Of all the reviews I’ve read yours is the most thorough, detailed and informative. I’ve also gained a lot of information from reading the conversations in the comments. Thank you for this detailed review. I’ve already completed the free 7-day course and I am going to sign up for the first part of the course soon.
I have been doing a lot of research on this course and the legal transcript proofreaders. I think it is something I can do well if I get proper training. I’ve always been very detail-oriented. I’m a fast reader and I notice errors in various texts all the time.
I like that Caitlyn Pyle and many of her former students are realistic and honest about the possible benefits of this course. It makes me believe that it not a scam.
Thanks again for your review and the great discussion it created.
I’m happy you found it useful and informative, Shani – that’s my aim! 🙂
It does sound like it could be a good match for you.
All the best,
Robin
From the comments I’ve read here, it looks like a lot of people do like the course. I would be interested though, if some of the moms who took the course more than a year ago (like Kellan and Keisa who wrote some of the early comments on this review) still find that it works for them. I mean, is it a realistic long term option for stay-at-home moms?
Last I heard, Keisa was still at it. I haven’t heard from Kellan in a while. A number of the graduates of the course are work-from-home moms who are continuing to use their proofreading skills to supplement their family income.
Robin
I catch typos and notice mistakes all the time, I love to read and have a pretty good grasp of grammar. But I detest Facebook which appears to be the main source for support for this course. Will I get the support I need just using email and the forum?
My guess, Kimberly, is that you will probably get your answers through the forum and email, but the process will not be as easy and quick. I correspond with a number of the graduates to keep this review up-to-date and some who have that same feeling have expressed that they resisted the Facebook group for as long as they possibly could. But looking back, they wished they would have joined sooner. It would have saved them a LOT of frustration. The Facebook group is alive, vibrant and active – you can ask a question from a real job and have an answer five minutes later from three different people.
Hope that helps you decide,
Robin
It really is a fantastic course! I was skeptical in the beginning, but I read as much as I could find about it, including the testimonials from graduates of the course, and I decided to take the plunge and find out if it would work for me as well. I joined in May of 2015 before the course really exploded, but I’ve gone back and completed most of what’s been added since I earned my certificate. (I’m still working on finishing when I have time in between proofreading jobs!) The course was great to begin with, but Caitlin has added SO MUCH quality content that it really is worth every penny.
For me, the best part about the course is that it is self-paced. I’m a mom with a full-time job, so my plate was already pretty full. In the back of my mind, I had always had the idea of adding to our income with freelance editing of some sort, but until I discovered this course, I really had no idea where to start. I loved that I could work my way through the modules as time allowed, without any outside pressure or deadlines.
Exploded is a good word, Erin! I think the course content has probably doubled since I first reviewed it last year. 🙂
Yes, the self-paced aspect is something that many people have appreciated about the course. And if I may add, the fact that you have lifetime access, thus you were able to take advantage of all the additional material Caitlin added!
I’ve tried to get a number of graduates to give me some cons about the course, but no one has yet given me a real downside!
Robin
Hello Robin,
I was thrilled to come upon this thread. I have been considering the program for quite some time. After significant research I would say, for the most part, I am ready to move forward with the course. However, I do still have one major concern causing me to pause – that being the fact that I feel unsure about the ability to obtain clients/steady work upon completing the course. Is there honestly a significant need for qualified proofreaders in this market? Plainly stated – I have the required time and the desire to put in the work in order to make money…but is the work out there?
Thank you for your insight!
Sara
Yes, Sara, there is definitely work out there. You’d be surprised to know that the demand for court reporters is only increasing – and the demand for more court reporters implies demand for more proofreaders. 🙂 And… from what I’ve understood there aren’t enough great proofreaders at all. I use the word “great” because that is what Caitlin trains her students to be – that is how you get and keep clients.
This is just a very general answer, but if you’d like more detail, head over to the client FAQs on Proofread Anywhere. There are quite a few articles that should answer this question in more depth.
Let me know if this satisfies you,
Robin
As a course grad and part-time proofreader, I can tell you this course is legit. Caitlin is very open about that fact that you will work, HARD, and she’s not kidding. I have a bachelor’s degree in economics, so I know what hard work is. This course is as rigorous as any of the college courses I’ve taken.
That said, I will never be able to proofread full-time like others do, nor will I ever make a thousand bucks a month. It took me a good half year of paid work to make back my investment in the course, iPad, and reference books. That’s okay, though, since I wasn’t looking for a full-time job to begin with. My goal was to pay for our new family van. I’m working hard, but I’m well on my way to doing that. I have never been a fast reader (I tell the facebook proofreaders that I’m like a turtle stampeding through peanut butter) and will never even come close to speed others seem to have, but I have feedback from actual jobs letting me know that I did the job right, and to me, that’s more important. I am proud of what I have accomplished after taking this course.
I had no knowledge of the legal system or court reporting when I began. I have learned a lot, but there is always more to learn. You will not graduate from this course knowing it all, but you will know how to find the answers for your jobs. It’s a classic teach-a-man-to-fish situation. Caitlin will teach you how to fish in the proofreading pond.
Thank you, Crista. It is really good to hear feedback from graduates who have done the course and are using their skills. 🙂
Robin
I love reading and am quite interested in this course. But could you tell me how much you actually have to invest to get started? I mean, besides the cost of the course, what other costs will there be?
It is possible to get started only paying the cost of the course, Patti. Caitlin recommends having an iPAd, but she teaches how to proofread with and without it. And some students do it without one. But… having an iPad with iAnnotate (an app) is much easier and more time efficient.
Additional reference books are not required, but they do help. Caitlin suggests one that is under $100 (for proofreaders). Many of the students and graduates use the Facebook group to get answers from others before they get reference books of their own.
Hope this helps,
Robin
When I first learned about the course, I was just looking for an easy way to work from home. I wasn’t ready to invest my time and money to learn something new, but it always stayed in the back of my mind. After several months, I decided to take the plunge, and I am so glad I did. It has worked out great for me.
Pros:
I could work through the material at my own pace. Be sure to give yourself enough time, particularly if you have a full-time job (and/or kids).
The Facebook group is an undeniable source of support. There are so many experienced proofreaders there, but the best thing is their willingness to help and answer questions.
The training and support are thorough and take you from the technical to the strategic so that you come out ready to work. If you don’t know what a court transcript looks like, you probably won’t be successful as a transcript proofreader. This course addresses the very specific nuances of this niche.
Cons:
It’s not for everyone. I think proofreaders are a special bunch. Many of us already knew that we had “eagle eyes” before finding this specific industry. If you don’t have a sharp eye for these types of errors, consider the free course or one of the smaller packages first to get a feel for the type of work this entails.
It is hard work. It took me about six months from start starting the course to landing my first paid job because I have kids and I really wanted to understand the material. I have bought extra resources to supplement what the course offers. There is a definite learning curve in this line of work. The course can’t make that go away, but it can guide you through it.
I am really enjoying my career as a transcript proofreader, and the ability to work from home has been awesome for me.
Thank you, MJ.
It is quite interesting to hear the pros and cons from someone who has actually done it and to know that it is a mom who is saying that it is real career that moms can do from home around their family responsibilities.
Robin
Hi all,
I’ve taken the course before a lot of improvements were made and content was added, and I have still managed to make a nice part-time income. There is a lot to learn, and work is required to be successful. The best part about this line of work is that you can work from home, and the worst part is the feast-or-famine nature of it. If you enjoy reading, can organize yourself, and are willing to study, it is a good investment.
Great to hear some feedback from a course graduate!
Has the feast-or-famine part been a problem? Or it is just a matter of getting used to it and adjusting to it? Have you had too many feasts or famines?
Thank you,
Robin
Hi. It’s an issue that people mention as being part of the work. It can be irritating, but it is what it is. It’s not going to be like a regular job in which you know what hours you’ll be working the coming week. There’s no way to predict it, probably much like any other service-oriented business.
Appreciate your input. 🙂
Thank you,
Robin
Hey, there it’s Alexey. This course looks like something very professional. I liked your review – It gave me all the right information. I honestly think that something that requires hard and consistent work is not a con – It is good, meaning that it will develop a new person 🙂
I like tough things – they make me grow stronger. It’s always good to read about an awesome program. Thanks for the share !
Glad you liked it, Alexey. The course and the subsequent proofreading work definitely takes hard and consistent work. BUT…. you can do the course at your own pace and then you can take on as many clients as you can handle. So it is a win-win situation from my perspective.
There are quite a few work-from-home moms doing it and finding it quite doable. As far as developing a new person, a number of moms have expressed that this course has given them new opportunities, which I guess makes them into new people! That is one way to look at it. 🙂
Robin
I was very happy to come across this site. I’m very interested in this course however I live in Canada. Is there work for this kind of proofreading in Canada or would I have to pursue American clients? Is it possible to live in Canada and have American clients (ie: income tax reporting)?
Thanks,
BJ
Hi BJ,
There is definitely court transcript proofreading work in Canada. There are graduates of the course who are working for both Canadian reporters and US reporters. You would need to talk to an accountant regarding how to do you taxes if you decided to have American clients though – I am no expert on that! 🙂
You can check out this post if you want: https://proofreadanywhere.com/what-if-i-dont-live-in-the-united-states/
Hope this answers your question. If not, let me know.
Robin
For anyone who is wondering if this is a viable option for an income, I want to let you know that it absolutely is. I graduated in August and have been happily working for court reporters ever since. It wasn’t hard to get clients at all, in my experience.
The course is very thorough and ever evolving. Caitlin, the creator, adds new content regularly and is always working to hone and evolve the course. The best part is that students have life-time access. You know what that means? If this course ever becomes accredited, which I think it will inevitably be, we as students will still have access to the new content. That is a fantastic deal.
This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of something at the ground level, receive excellent training, and benefit as it grows. There really isn’t anything to lose for those who really understand you have to work hard, study, and apply what you learn. 🙂
Great points, Katie!
Isn’t this the same as a scopist?
No, it’s not, Cara.
A scopist needs to know steno, and they use the same software a reporter uses to edit the file directly. They use audio as they edit the file. Scopists may or may not be good proofreaders.
Hope this answers your question,
Robin
Once I see court reporters commenting on their experience with these graduates, I may start giving some credence to this. The 100 pages per hour . . . I would NOT hire any proofreader who claims to do that. There is no way — NO WAY — good work can be done at that speed.
Hello,
I agree that there is no way that good work can be done at a regular rate of 100 pages per hour. But I don’t recall making any claim in my review that graduates of this course read 100 pages per hour and I haven’t heard graduates claiming that either. Of course if there was a transcript that was all short questions and yes/no answers, then who knows how fast an experienced proofreader could get through it. But that isn’t the point.
If you are interested in reading some comments of some court reporters on these graduates, then go to https://proofreadanywhere.com/# and scroll about two thirds down the page. Below the heading “I’m a Court Reporter. Why Bother Training Proofreaders, and How Can I Know They Really Know How to Proofread?” you will see several comments of court reporters regarding the work of graduates of this course.
I hope this gives a bit of clarity,
Robin
Sorry for the tardy response, but thank you both!
As long as you got your answers Amy, all is well. 🙂
Robin
Hi! I am a WAHM, my boys are 3 and 22 months. I went to school for accounting, have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in it, and have ran my own accounting and tax prep company from home for the last five years. I recently decided that I wanted to focus more on the tax side – it’s my intellectual love, and thus I don’t have a lot to do after May. I was look around for something to do for the rest of the year when I stumbled upon a post on Penny Hoarder about Caitlin and her course. I spent some time researching and emailing with Caitlin – she actually answers all the emails that she receives – and decided to signup for the course.
My kids are used to the insanity that is tax season, so they’re use to playing while I’m working which is how I was able to finish Caitlin’s course in three weeks. The work is not only interesting but challenging. I finished the course about a week ago and am working on the marketing piece now but with the holiday being tomorrow I’m not expecting many replies, much less any work, until next week.
The whole course is great from the curriculum to the community of students. I would, and am, recommending this to my SAHM friends.
Wow, Kellan! You finished the course in three weeks? That is impressive. You must have put a lot of time into it. It sounds like your boys do help you out though. 🙂 It is a convenient occupation for moms who want to fit their job in around family time.
I think you named my favorite aspects of the course – Caitlin’s support, the great curriculum and the student community.
Best of luck!
Robin
Thanks!
I worked on the course about 8-10 hours a day in intervals. The breakdown was 2-3 hours in the morning (my kids take 3-4 hour naps), 2-3 hours in the evening, and then an hour or so before I went to bed. It was intense but worth it.
Sounds good! Now to get clients to fill up your “free study hours!” 😀
Robin
Hi Kellan!
I found Caitlin’s course via Penny Hoarder as well! I have been researching it since then and am on the fence. It’s a lot of money for us right now, but I am encouraged by the fact that you were able to complete the course (and so quickly!) with two children. I have one nine month old, so that is important to me! Just wondering how strongly you would recommend the course and if you have been able to find clients yet?
Amy
Hi Amy,
I’ve contacted Kellan asking her to reply to your questions.
Did you see that there are now several payment options? I don’t know if that would help your decision.
Everyone I know who has taken the plunge hasn’t regretted it.
I don’t know if you saw the FAQ page for stay-at-home moms on Caitlin’s site:
https://proofreadanywhere.com/how-flexible-is-proofreading-for-court-reporters-can-i-work-around-my-kids-schedule/
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Robin
Hi Amy!
I would, and do, strongly recommend the course to my close friends. I think it’s well worth the money, if you dedicate yourself to making it work. I found my first client about two weeks after I finished the course and have done three assignments for her so far. I’m still looking for clients – I took last week off, but I have been getting good pretty responses, which is encouraging. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that this takes work – it takes time to build up to where Caitlin is so you need to have realistic expectations. Hope that helps.
Kellan
Robin,
What a great review. So informative and thorough. Loved the screenshot examples, gives a good feel of what one would be looking at should they take the course. Being an avid reader and former medical transcriptionist, I am always looking for mistakes in grammar and punctuation – would love to give this course a try now that I’ve read your take on it.
This was a wonderful article and I look forward to investigating the rest of your site. Thank you for a job well done!
A new follower,
Traci
Hi Traci,
One nice thing about proofreading transcripts is that you don’t have to worry about the grammar – it is a transcript that has to be preserved as it was said in court. On the other hand there is still plenty to have to look for in terms of spelling, punctuation, format, etc. Many of the graduates have commented that you have some unlearning to do, if you were previously a proofreader. 😀
Please do look around the site,
Robin
Hey Robin,
Wow! Fantastic, detailed review about Caitlin Pyle’s course.
I do love reading, but proofreading is something I could not do. I’m a right brain kinda guy and this seems to lean towards the left brain, the analytical side.
But with that said, this is one heck of a course if someone is into doing proofreading as a part time or full time gig. She seems to have everything covered so you can make a real go of it.
Have to say, not to many online courses do that.
Cheers
Leo
Yes, Leo, Caitlin does seem to have covered all the bases. Her thoroughness has made a great proofreader and she is using those skills to make a great course. And she is still working to improve it so that the graduates really know as much as she does by the end. Pretty neat!
Robin
Hello Robin, a well done and comprehensive review of the proof reading course. I worked as a free lance court reporter for several years in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. My proofreader saved my reputation many times.
I will never forget a potentially embarrassing error while covering a fast-paced daily transcript trial. I used a stenotype machine and was just getting started with computer translated transcripts. Every time I keyed shorthand for ‘hit and run’, the computer transcribed it as ‘shit and run’. Imagine having that show up repeatedly in the transcript! Funny, yes, but it would have been embarrassing if my trusted proofreader had not been on top of it.
I enjoyed browsing your website and look forward to reading more.
~Jude
Funny now, Jude. 😀
But as you say, not if it had gone further than your proofreader! I’ve heard a few other similarly funny stories from some of the graduates of this proofreading course. Those types of things are always funny after the fact.
Glad you enjoy the site,
Robin
Hello Robin,
Thanks for this eyeopener. Transcript Proofreading sound like a legit way of making money from home. The only negative there is for me, it is in English. An I am not a native English speaker, nor do I control the English language fully. But I will dive into this in my own country, to see if there are opportunities in my own language too.
Greetings, Loes
Hi Loes,
It was an eyeopener for me too. And proofreading without having to correct grammar – that’s neat. Of course there is a ton of other things – spelling, usage, format, etc. The thing I like about this course is that it is all inclusive – Caitlin has really included every single thing you need to know including figuring out how to deal with the one odd thing that hasn’t come up before.
If you do find opportunities in your country, please do come back and post about them later. It would be interesting.
Robin
Hi Robin,
Thanks for your quick reply. I will sure tell you all about it when I have found something similar, if it is in the right price category. The only courses I have found in the Netherlands are way over the top with their fees.
Hope to come back later with good news:) Loes
We will be waiting!
Robin
This sounds like a good way to earn some income from your home computer. I didn’t see anywhere if they actually point you where you can find proofreading jobs?
There is a whole module at the end of the course on how to get clients. In this line of work – court transcription proofreading, if you are a great proofreader, your clients will stay with you for as long as they need a proofreader. So the module on getting clients is at the end of the course.
If you try to get clients before you have mastered the skills of transcription proofreading, you will lose them as soon as you get them. On the other hand, if you prove by your work the first time that you are worth it, you won’t have to keep looking for new clients.
You can read more about getting clients here.
Hope this answers your question, Maureen. 🙂
Robin
Thanks for the quick reply. Much appreciated!
No problem!
Robin
I must be meant for this because your article has a typo — “If your interested in learning more about this course…” It’s you’re. 🙂 Still love your article!
😀 It looks like you must! I’ll correct that right now.
Check out the free course on Caitlin’s site to get more of an idea before you take the plunge. But personally I think it is great for anyone who has the skills and wants the freedom to work on their own schedule.
Thanks!
Robin
Thx, will definitely check it out!
Great! 🙂
Hello, Robin
Transcript Proofreading sounds like a great job for those with a good eye for detail and want to earn a little extra income. This is a very thorough post that will help anyone who is looking for this kind of work 🙂
Thanks for this. Neil
Glad you liked the post, Neil. Eye for detail is a must! 😀 But the great thing is that if you do it well, you can make more the just a little extra income even working just 2 1/2 or 3 hours a day. Pretty neat for those that can do it!
Robin
Maybe I missed it, but what can you get as a return on your invested time by taking the course? What job prospects can this course prepare you for?
To answer the second question first, Sarah: This course prepares you to be a court transcript proofreader – a job which you can do remotely from home.
As far as how much you can make – that totally depends on you: how good you are both in speed and accuracy, how many hours a day you work, how many clients you get and so on. But the creator of the course makes above $40,000 a year working part time. Hope that answers your questions! 🙂
Robin
I’m a stay-at-home mom who just started the course a few weeks ago, and it has been great! I’ve always loved reading and had an eye for all things grammar, but I’m learning so much. Specifically, the course is really preparing me for what it takes to proofread transcripts, which is a little different from general editing or proofreading. Also, I’m enjoying the camaraderie and support, not only from Caitlin, but from other students who are also on this journey; it’s really invaluable. My plan is to complete the training in the next couple of weeks. I’m so looking forward to building a successful business with the knowledge and tools that this course has provided.
That’s good to hear, Keisa. In my opinion, the camaraderie and support here are nearly as important as the course material itself – it is a lot easier to learn and absorb with such a supportive environment. Let us know when you are out there doing it! 🙂
Robin