Enrollment is now closed, but you can still get started with the self-paced course!

Learn more!

How would you like a
proofreading business where you…

  • Work whenever, wherever you want?
  • Work with clients who appreciate you?
  • Have consistent work to be either part-time or full-time?
  • 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 consistent work to be either part-time or full-time?
  • 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… 

  • 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 kids 
  • 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! 

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…

Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader

Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader is specifically designed to teach you exactly what you need to know to proofread transcripts, manage your business, and get clients so you can live your life on your terms.

By the end of this course, you will know how to… 

  • 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?

Work directly with myself and a small group of students inside Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader. The course includes video + written course material, as well as detailed assignments so you can apply what you learned and build your skills. 

Interact inside the private community with myself and your coursemates so you have the support you need to stay on track.

AND join myself and your proofreading peers for live Zoom meetups and Q&As during and after the course. Get your questions answered live, brainstorm together, and build relationships.

Each phase of the course is broken down into step-by-step lessons so you know exactly what to do to get your business launched in a matter of weeks!

Weeks 1-6

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

Week 1: Introduction to transcript proofreading
  • The types of CRs you can work with
  • The life of a transcript
  • The types of transcripts you can proofread
  • What your job as a transcript proofreader is
  • Common legal terms + definitions you need to know
  • Name your transcript proofreading business
  • Create your business email
  • Create your business page
  • Form your business entity
  • Live Zoom meetup + Q&A
Week 2: Grammar, software, and how to proofread
  • The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders
  • Devices to proofread on
  • Proofreading styles + software
  • How to use your proofreading software
  • How to research like a pro
  • Working with CR preferences
  • The anatomy of a transcript
  • How to proofread transcripts
  • Common annotations and what they mean
  • Proofreading tips
  • Transcript confidentiality
  • Live Zoom meetup + Q&A
Weeks 3-5: Proofreading practice
  • Confidentiality 
  • Practice proofreading transcripts
  • Feedback on practice transcripts (LIVE course)
  • Live Zoom meetups + Q&As
Week 6: Grammar and transcript exams
  • Grammar exam
  • Transcript exam

Weeks 7-8

Phase 2: Turn your Skills into Bills

How to manage your business and get clients so you can have the proofreading business you want

After you’ve passed your exam, it’s time to learn how to build your business and get clients!

Your support doesn’t end after week 8! Get continued support inside the private community from myself and your peers to help you to continue growing and loving your proofreading business month after month, year after year.

 

Week 7: Setting up and managing your proofreading business
  • Taxes and your business bank account
  • Insurance
  • Rates and turnaround time
  • Setting up payment methods and your invoicing software
  • Invoice terms
  • Onboarding a new CR
  • A proofreader’s job from start to finish
  • Conduct and communication with your CRs
  • Staying organized
  • Managing your workload
  • Scheduling your proofing time
  • Taking time off
  • Live Zoom meetup + Q&A
Week 8 and beyond: How to get CRs as clients
  • Focus on the CR
  • Infusing value into your business
  • Your skills, experience, interests + a secret ingredient
  • Help statement
  • Tagline
  • Info sheet
  • Email signature
  • Marketing online to get CRs
  • Posting and commenting online in groups and boards
  • Responding to a request for a proofreader post
  • How to write a killer connection letter
  • Best places to market online
  • Unique ideas to market offline
  • Referrals
  • Posting to your Facebook page
  • Good Facebook page posting guidelines
  • Final marketing thoughts 
  • Graduate directory
  • Live Zoom meetup + Q&A

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 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. 

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!

Why do you need special training to be a transcript proofreader?

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 verbatim written word, you proofread transcripts for readability. Sometimes the grammar is all over the place but you can’t change what’s said since it’s verbatim! 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 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!

“I am glad you are doing that…I get asked for the name of a good proofreader all the time.  ‘Good’ proofreaders like you are hard to find!” 

“That’s so cool! …it’s SO hugely important that great proofers (like you! <3 )  pick up on and notice those little things for us…that’s great you’re training proofers on this!!! You go, girl.”

“That sounds so fun! Good for you!”

“That is great and much needed…I think it’s fabulous! Any way I can help I will.”

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!

Ready to get started?

Live Course

Enrollment is closed until Q4.

Perfect for students who want an extra level of accountability and structure to stay on track, thrive on feedback, or want a more personalized approach to success.

• Learning center access to written and video course material + actionable assignments each week to apply what you’ve learned and build your business (value $1997)

• Real-life practice transcripts with answer keys and court reporter preferences (value $597)

• The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders (value $97)

• The Transcript Proofreader’s Learning Community with direct access to Elizabeth (value $1997)

• The Transcript Proofreader’s Business Building Community in Phase 2 with ongoing marketing and business management support with direct access to Elizabeth (value $4500)

• Personalized graduate directory feature (value $97)

• Live interactive training sessions + Q&As via Zoom in Phase 1 (value $1925)
• Individual feedback on practice transcripts (value $897)

• The Gregg Reference Manual PDF (value $60)

• Live guest expert speaker meetups on Zoom in Phase 2 (value $500)

• Live grad Q&A meetups with Elizabeth in Phase 2 and beyond (value $4997)

TOTAL: $17,664

 >> Enroll in Phase 1 for $997* <<

Enroll in Phase 2 for a second payment of $997 after passing the exam in Week 6.

*Get started for as little as $0! Use PayPal Credit at checkout to create your own payment plan and get 6 months no interest.

Enrollment is now closed for the quarter. 

FAQs you should read

What happens when I enroll?

When you enroll, you will have access to the welcome material and The Transcript Proofreader’s Learning Community. Once the live course begins, your course material + assignments will drop into your Learning Center each week on Monday for you to work on throughout the week. On Thursdays at 7:00pm CT, 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 course a good fit 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 free to $9.99 depending on what you prefer to use (I use the $9.99 option but you can pick what works for you!). 

Do you offer payment plans?

I offer payment options through credit card or PayPal. With PayPal, you can create your own no-interest payment plan through PayPal Credit, which offers 6 months no interest (I’ve used this option myself before and it works great!). Start the course off with as little as $0 down payment through PayPal Credit.

I’m already a proofreader. Do I still need your 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 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 the live portion of the intensive course?

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.

If a live course isn’t your cup of tea and you prefer learning on your own and can keep yourself on track, the self-paced course has your name on it!

What are the exams like?

The grammar exam is a multiple-choice exam covering grammar and spelling rules discussed inside The Grammar Masterclass for Transcript Proofreaders. The transcript exam 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.

As part of the live intensive course, 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 2 in the following class enrollment period. 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 exams?

I don’t believe in making exams that are impossible to pass if you know what you’re doing — the exams are 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 transcript 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 $100, $500, or even $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 be excited to share referrals inside the private business building community 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 as I receive requests for proofreaders and I’ll ask if you want to cover for me when I go on vacation or need time off. 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.

What’s more, with the income potential you can have as a transcript proofreader, you can make similar to the average college graduate a year…with a fraction of the cost and time with Learn How to Be a Transcript Proofreader.

Do you give refunds?

There are no refunds. Due to the digital nature of the course, this course is yours to keep. I outline the course here so you have all the details before you enroll and can make sure it’s the right decision for you. If you have questions beforehand, email me! elizabeth[at]elizabethjwiegner[dot]com

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. 

If you do not feel like you have the availability for the live course but are highly motivated and determined and work well on your own schedule, the self-paced course may be the better fit for you.

How much time do I need each week for the course?
The live sessions will be approximately an hour each (maybe an hour and a half if everyone has lots of questions, but I want to respect everyone’s time since I know life is busy!). And then going through the course material, completing the  assignments throughout the week, and interacting inside the Community can average you anywhere from 5 to 20 hours per week depending on how much time you have and how comfortable you’re feeling with the material. The longer times will be when we get to practice transcripts on weeks 3-5, depending on how long you want to spend practicing proofing. I’ll have lots you can practice with but no requirements on how many to complete — do as many as you need to feel confident!
I work a full-time job/have kids. Will I have time?

Grads from the course include moms and full-time employees, and they’ve done a wonderful job. They’ve made these 8 weeks a priority, put it on the calendar, and made it happen!

Besides the live Zoom session, the rest of the coursework is inside your learning center to access whenever you want during the week to learn + complete the assignments, and then I’m in the community all the time to answer questions as you have them. I know everyone’s schedule is so different and you have a life outside of work and this course, so while it is an intensive and you will have to show up for yourself to make it happen, I put everything and only the things you need to know inside the course to respect your time.

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!

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.

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. 

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.  

How long do I have access?

The live portion of the intensive course with direct, prompt access to me and weekly recordings is 8 weeks. You have access for the lifetime of the course + community.

Why do you have limited seats in your live course?

The live course involves direct access to me not only inside the Community but also with feedback on five of your practice transcripts and on the live meetups. I limit seats so I can give you the personalized time and feedback you and your proofreading business deserve inside the live course.

Testimonials, feedback, and reviews are directly from students. They have not been compensated for their comments. Success/results/income is not guaranteed and can vary from student to student. Transcript proofreading is not a get-rich-quick business. It takes diligence, learning, and showing up for yourself to get the results you want. No course will give you the life you want to have unless you put in the work. Your success is up to you -- I'm here to support you!

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