How would you like to have a proofreading business where you…
- Work whenever, wherever you want?
- Work with clients who appreciate you?
- Have the opportunity for consistent work?
- Set your own hours?
- Read about real-life crime?
Sound like a dream job?
It’s possible as a transcript proofreader for court reporters!
How would you like to have a proofreading business where you…
- Work whenever, wherever you want?
- Work with clients who appreciate you?
- Have the opportunity for consistent work?
- Set your own hours?
- Read about real-life crime?
Sound like a dream job?
It’s possible as a transcript proofreader for court reporters!
You’re looking for a proofreading job that gives you the freedom to…Â
- Pay off debt
- Treat yourself to splurges (e.g., eat out more, hire a housekeeper or nanny, get a Peloton, start personal training)
- Not have to ever worry how to support yourself if poop ever hits the fan in your life
- Travel whenever you get the itch
- Be home with your kidsÂ
- Forget commutes and work in your comfy clothes
- Contribute to the household income
- Not feel stressed about paying the rent, groceries, or utilities
- Work when you want to — not when a boss tells you you have to show up
- Do something you LOVE to do, not have to do (like the job you’re currently in)
The problem you’re running into is how do you actually proofread transcripts? And then how on earth are you supposed to find clients and manage your business with everything else you have going on in your life?
You have this crazy awesome skill of catching grammar errors everywhere! Seriously, you can’t go anywhere without seeing them!Â
You also love to read mysteries, watch crime shows (anyone else a Law & Order and Dateline fan?), and listen to crime podcasts. You know proofreading transcripts for court reporters would be perfect for you!
But with all the hows and what-ifs, no wonder you haven’t been able to be as successful as you know you can be.
So how do you create that life you want with the proofreading business you’ve only dreamed about until now?
Introducing the brand-new
Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader:
An 8-Week Live Intensive Course
Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader is specifically designed to teach you how to proofread transcripts, manage your business, and get clients so you can live your life on your terms.
By the end of this intensive course, you will know how to…Â
- Proofread transcripts with a high level of skill so you’re confident in you can show up for your clients.
- Set up and manage your new business so you don’t get overwhelmed.
- Find and get consistent clients so you can get paid to do what you love.
What’s inside
Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader:
An 8-Week Live Intensive Course
- 8 weekly live interactive training + Q&A
- Learning center access to written and video course material, live training replays, and actionable assignments each week to apply what you’ve learned and build your businessÂ
- The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders
- The Proofreader’s Social Media Kit
- The Gregg Reference Manual PDFÂ
- Transcript proofreading reference sheetsÂ
- Real-life practice transcripts with answer keys AND court reporter preferencesÂ
- The Transcript Proofreader’s Learning CommunityÂ
- Lifetime access to The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community with ongoing marketing and business management support and guest expert speakers (Phase 2 access)
Weeks 1-5
Phase 1: Build your Skills
Everything you need to know to learn how to proofread transcripts and be the proofreader
court reporters want to work with
Each week contains a video + written course material and assignments to apply what you learned and build your skills.Â
Join me weekly for a live Zoom training session + Q&A on everything you’re learning. Plus interact inside The Transcript Proofreader’s Learning Community with myself and your coursemates.
You’re never alone in this!
Week 1: Introduction to transcript proofreading
- The life of a transcript
- The types of CRs you can work with
- The types of transcripts you can proofread
- What your job as a transcript proofreader is
- Common legal terms + definitions you need to know
- Create your business page
- Assignment
Week 2: Grammar and software
- Common mistakes in transcripts
- Working with CR preferences
- Proofreading software and how to use it
- Grammar review and exam
- Assignment
Week 3: How to proofread transcripts
- What to look for when proofreading
- How to research like a pro
- The anatomy of a transcript
- How to proofread transcripts
- Introduction to practice transcripts
- Assignment
Week 4: Proofreading practic
- Review and feedback on practice transcripts
- Q&A
- Assignment
Week 5: Transcript exam
- Q&A
- Transcript exam
Weeks 6-8
Phase 2: Turn your Skills into Bills
How to manage your business and get clients so you can have the proofreading business you want
You’ve passed your exam and now it’s time to learn how to build your business and get clients! Each week contains a video lesson + written course material and assignments.
Join your coursemates for live Zoom training sessions + Q&A on business management and marketing, and get access to The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community.
Your support doesn’t end after week 8! The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community is your home base to continue receiving support from myself, your peers, and guest speakers to help you to continue growing and loving your proofreading business month after month, year after year.
Week 6: Setting up and managing your business
- Setting up your business
- Rates and invoicing
- Workload management
- A proofreader’s job from start to finish
- Assignment
Week 7: How to get clients, Part 1
- Action-packed marketing steps to get clients and start proofreading
- Assignment
Week 8: How to get clients, Part 2
- Action-packed marketing steps to get clients and start proofreading
- Assignment
How is this intensive course different from other proofreading courses out there?Â
About your instructor
I’m Elizabeth, The Proofreading Business Coach. I’ve proofed in a lot of niches since I started proofreading in 2006, and I can honestly say working with court reporters is the BEST.
I love proofreading and all the freedom and flexibility it lets me have, all while getting to read for a living. But it didn’t happen overnight! I went through a LOT of trial and error as I tried to learn how to get clients and manage my business.Â
There’s no reason for you to have to start from square one like I did! I want you to have the awesome proofing life I have without having to figure it all out on your own. Stand on my shoulders and GO!
What Court Reporters Are Saying
See what some of my CRs had to say when I told them I was launching Learn How To Be a Transcript Proofreader!
It’s busy right now!
With many attorneys now using Zoom to conduct legal proceedings, they are able to fit more appointments in. That means more work for court reporters — which means more work for you! It’s not unusual for me to get 20 files a week (I’m a full-time proofreader. Your workload will vary depending on what you want to work for you.).
There’s work out there for good proofreaders. Court reporters need you!
Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader:
An 8-Week Live Intensive Course
- 8 weekly live interactive training + Q&As (value $1197)
- Learning center access to written and video course material, live training replays, and actionable assignments each week to apply what you’ve learned and build your business (value $997)
- The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders (value $47)
- The Proofreader’s Social Media Kit (value $37)
- The Gregg Reference Manual PDF (value $60)
- Transcript proofreading reference sheetsÂ
- Real-life practice transcripts with answer keys AND court reporter preferencesÂ
- Transcript Proofreader Learning Community (value $547)
- Lifetime access to The Business Building Transcript Proofreader Community with ongoing marketing and business management support and guest expert speakers: Phase 2 access (value $2997)
Value total: $5,882
Phase 1 AND Phase 2 for just $1,594
for 8 weeks of live training, lifetime course access, and ongoing access to business building and marketing support.
Build your Skills
weeks of August 23 – September 20
Everything you need to know to learn how to proofread transcripts and be the proofreader CRs want to work with
You’re in!
Pass the transcript proofreading exam on week 5 and continue on to
Turn Your Skills into Bills
weeks of September 27 – October 11
and BEYOND!
$847
How to manage your business and get clients so you can have the proofreading business you want
PLUS continued support in The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community with your peers, myself, and guest experts to help you keep growing and loving your business for the months and years ahead
>> Enrollment opens after exam is passed on week 5 (week of September 20th). <<
FAQs you should read
What happens when I enroll?
 The 8-week intensive course begins on August 23rd. Once you enroll, you’ll have access to the welcome material and The Transcript Proofreader’s Learning Community. Each week on Monday, your course material + assignments will drop into your Learning Center for you to work on throughout the week. On Wednesdays at 8:00pm central, we’ll meet live on Zoom for the training session and Q&A. Complete your assignments during the week, interact with other proofreaders and me inside the Community — and be ready to have your business started in just 8 weeks.
Who is this good for?
Anyone who gets excited about reading true crime, fixing errors, and creating a business for themselves. Beyond that, the ideal intensive course student is dedicated to showing up for themselves, open to learning, receptive to feedback, loves to research, and isn’t afraid to work hard. They are determined to make this work for them. Those who go above and beyond and are looking to really make this work and make a name for themselves in the CR world will be ready to work with their peers, contribute to group discussions, and bring a positive spirit to the Community.
What do I need for the intensive?
• Internet
• Laptop or iPad
• Proofreading software*
There are other optional resources you can purchase but are not required (additional grammar books/online subscriptions) that I’ll mention inside the intensive course if you decide you want extra resources.
*I’ll cover your options with you inside the course. Pricing ranges from $9.99 to $70 depending on what you prefer to use (I use the $9.99 option but you can pick what works for you!).Â
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment options are credit card and PayPal. PayPal Credit offers a credit option where, when you qualify, you receive 6 months no interest. I suggest this option if you want to create your own no-interest payment plan.
I’m already a proofreader. Do I still need your intensive course?
Even if you already know how to proofread, you’ll need to understand how to proofread transcripts, which is a very specific type of proofreading.
Do I need to know how to proofread before taking this intensive course?
Nope! I’ll teach you how — and you’ll get plenty of practice on real-life practice transcripts (answer keys included!).
What if I can’t attend live?
You’re going to get the most out of this intensive if you show up live as often as possible. If you signed up for night classes at your local university, you’d do your darndest to show up and participate. You’re investing in yourself and your future. Put it on your calendar and show up — it’s eight weeks, you got this! If for some reason you can’t attend live, the sessions will be recorded and uploaded into your Learning Center to watch later.
What is the exam like?
The exam is two parts. The first is a multiple-choice grammar/spelling exam inside The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders. The second is a transcript you will proofread to demonstrate you are comfortable proofing transcripts. I will hand grade the transcript exam and submit it back to you with feedback. You have two attempts to pass the transcript exam. Any additional attempts will involve an extra charge and you will wait to move on to Phase 2Â in the following quarter. This way you can dedicate more time to refining your skills before you start to get clients so you can be confident and prepared!
What if I can’t pass the exam?
I don’t believe in making exams that are impossible to pass if you know what you’re doing — the exam is there to demonstrate you know the practical, real-life skills you’ll need as a proofreader. I’d be doing you and CRs a disservice to teach you how to get jobs if you aren’t ready to get jobs! If you feel like you need extra time before you take the exam or if you struggle to pass after the second attempt, you can take additional time and enroll in next quarter’s Phase 2. You will have plenty of practice material leading up to the exam and support from myself, so plan to apply yourself from day 1, and I’m sure you will do well!
How much money can I make a month?
That depends on the number of clients you have, how busy those clients are, what kind of turnaround time clients request, how many jobs are technical — in other words, there are a lot of variables. On top of that, it’s up to you to decide how active you want to be getting clients. Most prefer to be part-time proofers (or at least start off that way) and can earn $500-$1,500/month. You can grow into a full-time business and make over $4,000/ month.
How fast can I get clients?
That’s up to you! We start building your business in the first week, and after you pass the exam, we start on how to get clients within the seventh week. From there, whenever you want to go get clients is up to you! Everyone’s progress and success rate is different. You could land a client within your first week or never if you never put any work into it.
Do you guarantee I’ll get clients?
I don’t because your success is up to you. I will give you all the training you need to get clients and be successful, and I will have referrals to send your way if you show up and excel. But it’s up to you to apply yourself and actually do the work.
Will you get clients for me?
After you complete the intensive course, I will send referrals your way and ask if you want to cover for me when I go on vacation. I’ll also teach you how and where to find clients. The ongoing access you have to The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community will include guest experts to share their marketing wisdom with you too. It is up to you to apply yourself to learn to be the best proofreader you can be, build a trustworthy business, and go after the opportunities you’re provided. A proactive proofreader is a successful proofreader. Create your own success — I’m here to support you while you do!
Do I need a college degree?
You sure don’t! I’m a college dropout myself and it’s never once been a problem to get clients. Court reporters care about what you know and if you’re trustworthy and easy to work with…not if you have a college degree.
Why all the fuss about getting specifically trained as a transcript proofreader for court reporters?
The court reporting industry is a highly skilled industry. Called the “guardians of the record,” court reporters are responsible for flawlessly transcribing the spoken word of legal proceedings — and it’s their proofreader’s job to help them make sure their transcripts are turn-in ready. Transcripts are unlike any other writing material you may be used to proofreading. Because court reporters take down the written word, you proofread transcripts for readability. It’s a unique skill — but it’s fun! Because court reporters form such a tightly knit community, your reputation is invaluable. Before you head into the industry, you must be trained in proofreading transcripts and understand the court reporting world so you can show up and be an exceptional proofreader.
That’s why your training is so important to set you up for success from day 1.
What if I don’t have time?
I hear you! Life is busy. That’s why I’ve packed everything into 8 short weeks, and I’m focused on teaching you exactly what you need to know. Yes, this will require you to show up and work hard during those 8 weeks, but the investment in yourself will be worth it. I’m here to support you and help you streamline your new business life. You’ll be that much farther ahead if you start now than if you wait another year or five before you act on your goals.Â
How much time do I need each week for the course?
Do you give refunds?
Due to the live + digital nature of the intensive course, the intensive course is yours to keep. There are no refunds. I outlined the intensive course here so you can be confident if this is (or isn’t!) the right fit for you before you enroll. If you have questions beforehand, email me, elizabeth@elizabethjwiegner.com.
How long do I have access?
The live portion of the intensive course is 8 weeks. You have lifetime course access.
What if I don’t live in the US?
Location doesn’t matter! Transcripts are sent digitally, so as long as you have internet to receive and send jobs, you can proofread wherever you want!
What if English isn’t my first language?
It is very, very difficult to proofread transcripts if English is not your first language. That’s because transcripts are the spoken word, and you have to not only understand the English language, you must also understand odd sentence formations and colloquialisms. Transcripts are not formal English by any stretch. You’re the one who understands your command of the English language — be honest with yourself!
Violence makes me queasy. Would this be a good niche for me?
Transcripts are real life, so there are jobs that are brutally graphic and detailed, ranging from murder, molestation, rape, kidnapping, etc. These type of cases come primarily from court reporters who work in criminal court and that’s all they do. You can typically avoid this type of content by working with CRs who work civil cases. You can also add a caveat that you don’t proofread graphic transcripts. If this would be too triggering for you in general though, transcript proofreading is probably not a good fit for you.Â
On the flip side, if you are expecting transcripts to read just like Law & Order, you’ll be surprised too. Even though I’ve read some unforgettable murders, kidnappings, and rapes, I’ve also read countless pages covering construction defects, medical malpractice, car wrecks, divorices, slip-and-falls, property and mineral rights, city suits, expert economists…stuff that is pretty much the opposite of edge-of-your-seat exciting 😀
Can I proofread transcripts and keep my current proofreading/editing business?
Absolutely! There’s not reason you can’t do both. Â
Aren’t there already enough proofreaders out there?
There are proofreaders out there, but there are very few exceptional proofreaders court reporters actually feel confident about working with. Court reporters have reached out to me in frustration trying to find a proofreader they can trust. Job boards frequently have postings for reliable, trained proofreaders. I’m usually buried (even overwhelmed) with work myself. There’s work out there for the truly awesome proofreaders. And that’s who I’m going to help you be.
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