2016 Caitlin Pyle All Rights . · PDF fileOne told me I was trash and that ... naïve to realize it didn’t matter what I’d done or whether I’d ... You could say this is the definitive

© 2016 Caitlin Pyle All Rights Reserved.

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DISCLAIMER

This guide is not personalized, one-on-one advice from a career coach. It is not magical. You will not see any results

from simply reading this guide and doing nothing. Your results depend on the thoughts you think and the actions you take.

Some of the resources within this eBook contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I receive monetary compensation for my referral. You can rest assured I only promote products I actually use and love!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

© Copyright 2016

Caitlin Pyle, BCP Media, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, emailing, uploading, or using any information retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the

author, Caitlin Pyle.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Section 1: 3 Signs a Work-at-Home “Opportunity” is a Big Fat Scam

Success Interview #1: Bookkeeping with Ben Robinson

Section 2: 5 Keys to Building Your Work-at-Home Business

Success Interview #2: Transcription with Janet Shaughnessy

Section 3: 3 Ways to Protect Your Online Business

Success Interview #3: Virtual Assisting with Gina Horkey

Section 4: How to Stay Healthy When You Work 20 Feet from the Refrigerator Success Interview #4: Writing SEO Articles with Yuwanda Black

Section 5: How to Focus When You Work an Arm’s Length from the Remote Control Success Interview #5: Proofreading with Makamae Anahu Miller Section 6: How to Avoid Burnout as a New Freelancer Section 7: The ONE Rule You Should NEVER Break as a Freelancer Appendix A: Other Work-at-Home Options to Consider

Appendix B: Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Work-at-Home Website


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INTRODUCTION

Hi! I’m Caitlin Pyle, and I’ve been working for myself since 2011.

And it wasn’t by choice, either!

You see, in 2011, at age 24, I made some poor choices and broke some rules at my $28,000-a-year desk job... and I got fired.

I’d gotten married just five months earlier, leaving us with my husband’s $34,000-a-year desk job as our sole source of income.

To make matters worse, the management at my company — a smaller, family-owned business — let me go in an almost unbelievably unprofessional way. Three managers sat me down in a room and took turns firing insults at me. One told me I was trash and that I would die alone. One of them even said that I should never have children because “I had no morals.”

These women were all old enough to be my mother. I was too naïve to realize it didn’t matter what I’d done or whether I’d deserved to be fired or not; no one should be spoken to in that way. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.


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Moving On

Getting fired sucked. I felt powerless and was depressed for weeks.

I had little belief in myself that I could survive and, because of the mistakes I’d made at the job I’d just lost, I thought I’d be struggling financially and professionally for the foreseeable future.

I thought I wanted to be a personal trainer, so I enrolled in a four-month-long intensive training to become one. I became one, and I was pretty darn good — only I didn’t like it much.

(I quickly found out that enjoying exercising and teaching it to someone else are two very different things!)

Even though I got fired from my job, that job taught me valuable skills I could use to work from anywhere: proofreading. And not just any kind of proofreading, but proofreading transcripts for court reporters. I worked in a court reporting agency, and the woman who fired me had — ironically — given me my first transcript to proofread about two years prior. She had unknowingly given me the tools I needed to blow that popsicle stand… and survive.


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Rising from the Ashes

See, I’d actually started proofreading for court reporters before I got fired. I worked in transcript production, where proofreading was paramount, and I had started up a side hustle proofreading for a few of our agency’s court reporters after work. I was making an extra $500 or so a month with just two part-time clients.

While I was in personal training school, I proofread for those two clients just to help pay the bills. I had no idea it could morph into anything more than a side hustle. But that’s exactly what happened.

As I got more into personal training and teaching fitness classes — and realizing I didn’t really enjoy having to “report for duty” in the same place at the same time each week — I started to add to my side hustle more and more. By September of 2012, I’d built up my income to $1,300 per month, and by December that same year, I was earning over $4,000 a month just with my “side hustle.”

I continued proofreading as my main hustle with personal training as my side hustle for the next two years. In that time, I taught several people how to proofread transcripts. After seeing them succeed, a light bulb went on in my head — hey, what if I can teach this to more side hustlers?


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And that’s the short version of how Proofread Anywhere began.

Why I Wrote The Work-at-Home Survival Guide

The Work-At-Home Survival Guide is a comprehensive collection of what I’ve learned over the last several years. It’s not the definitive guide to proofreading, even though that’s my passion. You could say this is the definitive guide to dodging potholes as a new freelancer.

It’s also intended to motivate the heck out of you. I shared my, erm, colorful getting-fired story with you because I want you to know: IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!

This guide will answer very common questions such as:

• How can you tell if an “opportunity” is just a scam?

• How do you stay focused and healthy when there are so many distractions?

• What are the most rewarding ways to work from home?

• How do you stay organized?

• How do you protect yourself as a business owner?

• How do you set up a website for your business?


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Freelancing vs. Telecommuting

To be clear, this guide is not about telecommuting. Telecommuting is where you work remotely as an employee for a company. If you’re a telecommuter, you can still benefit from many of the tips found in this guide, but the purpose of the information here is to help you build something for yourself — not help you build something for someone else.

(Chances are if you’re reading this book, you’re tired of spending your time building something for someone else.)

I’ve also seen a lot of crap out there, and I’ve heard from a lot of friends and acquaintances who’ve had experience trying to get a “home business” up and running. The kind of business this guide is designed to help you start is one in which you are the boss; you make the rules; and you (and your family) reap the benefits.

NO MLM

This guide is also not about multi-level marketing (MLM).

I don’t want to knock people who love it, but I do want to be honest about it — the only way most people will ever have hope of making real money at MLM is if they recruit a bunch of other people to sell the same product underneath them. And the


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people above them (the “upline”) are always going to reap more benefits than they will.

MLM is constant selling. If you’ve ever had a friend get into selling an MLM product, then you know what happens: their entire world becomes about selling that product to anyone and everyone. A simple lunch date isn’t so simple anymore; your best girlfriend wants to discuss an “opportunity” with you.

It’s awkward. And it’s exhausting, especially for people like me who hate one-on-one sales and marketing.

What Successful “Work-at-Homers” All Have in Common

I’ve identified five of what I have found to be the best ways to work from home: proofreading, transcribing, writing, virtual assisting, and bookkeeping (in no particular order).

To introduce you to all five of these options, I’ve interviewed seasoned professionals in each industry and asked them the most pertinent questions about the work, the demand, the pay, the skills required, and how best to get started. You’ll see these “success interviews” labeled as such and dispersed throughout the guide.

You’ll notice all five of the interviewees have something in common. They haven’t bought rights to sell an MLM product; they aren’t peddling an envelope-stuffing scam. No, they’ve worked hard and have taken the time to develop in-demand


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skills they can use anytime, anywhere to make money. They’re not dependent on how many people are below them or how well they do; their income is solely dependent on the actions they take.

That may be scary for some people — but I’d like to challenge you to see it as a motivator. It’s empowering: YOU are in complete control of your own success.

It really means the only way to fail is to give up. Knowledge and skills are game changers.

I encourage you to read through each interview — even if you’re not particularly interested in the type of work they do — and reap what you can from them. Keep an open mind and allow yourself to be inspired. These folks are showing you what’s possible and giving you answers, resources, and real steps you can take to make it happen for yourself.

To succeed in working at home, you HAVE to be a hard worker. There’s nothing easy about working from home. It’s one of the hardest things to do — especially working 15 feet from the refrigerator and knowing the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy is waiting for you in your Hulu queue. Hopefully this guide will make it a bit easier.

I hope you enjoy The Work-at-Home Survival Guide. If you have any questions about anything in it, feel free to shoot me an email: [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


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SECTION 1: 3 Signs a Work-at-Home “Opportunity” is a

Big Fat Scam

The Internet is rife with scammers preying on the elderly, stay-at-home moms, the unemployed, and… well, pretty much anyone!

We’ve heard a lot of stories from students who’ve dealt with work-at-home scams. If you don’t see ’em coming, they can really burn you! There are so many work-from-home scams — and scammers — that it’s downright hard to see the good stuff hiding in the gigantic sea of garbage.

Here are the ones that really get under my skin:

• “Email processing” — it puts a new spin on envelope stuffing. You pay $25 to learn how to post the same ad you responded to and get other people to pay you $25. It’s ridiculous. When I see this posted by someone I know, I always jump to the comments immediately to let them know what a crock it is. Call me crazy, but I’m just being a good friend.

• “Home typing” — another “selling nothing” scam. You pay money and receive a disk and a set of instructions telling you to create similar ads to get people to pay you for the same instructions!!


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• “Just Call This 1-900 Number For More Information…” — this one is the worst! There is no real opportunity. The 1-900 numbers make their money by getting you — and keeping you — on the phone!

So other than the obviousness of the above three known work-from-home scams, how can you know something’s a scam? How can you separate the facts from the crap? Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Sign #1: They make lofty promises.

It’s often a sure sign of a scam when a program guarantees you’ll make money by purchasing their program. With my proofreading course — and the courses of my “teacher friends” — while I do guarantee you’ll have all the tools, resources, practice, and support you’ll need to work as a proofreader, I will never, ever put a blanket guarantee you’ll earn money simply by taking the course.

That’s the key.

Taking a course — any course, for that matter — will never automagically turn you into an overnight money-making success. I’m not a wizard. Building a career working from home is bona fide hard work, and anyone promising you the opposite of that is probably trying to get your money in the slickest way possible. Stay away.


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Sign #2: You attempt to make contact with them… and you

hear nothing back.

If you’re considering work-from-home training or opportunity of any sort, whether it’s an eBook, a course, or even some kind of franchise, make sure you get to know the person behind the product.

Before purchasing, always send an email or make a call (if possible) to the person in charge. I actually ask people to email me if they have questions or just want to tell me “Hi!” — and I get tons of emails each day from people who are just floored by this. But to me, it’s part of the job (my favorite part, actually!). My door is open, and anyone trying to sell you something as pivotal as an online course should always be available to help.

So if you email someone selling something and you don’t get an answer, there is the possibility your email went to spam. Still, look the person up on Facebook, find them on LinkedIn, whatever you need to do, but get in touch with them. They should make contacting them very easy, too — if it’s hard or impossible to find a contact form, that’s not a good sign. If you email several times with no response, that’s likewise not a good sign of a professional person behind the snazzy website.


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Sign #3: They claim EVERYONE can benefit from their

program or product.

Working at home isn’t for everyone. It’s hard work.

If you’re on a website that tells you working from home is everyone’s ticket to everlasting life or freedom, get off that site! Scammers prey on people by painting their product to be the perfect picture of the easy way out; they want you to believe it’s the magic pill.

On the other hand, if you find a site that’s up front with what they offer, includes actual warnings and “disqualifiers” (i.e. “You know you’re not a good fit for this if…” or “You actually have to work to be successful” statements), and clearly isn’t trying to hide anything, you’ve likely landed on something worthwhile.

Verify you aren’t being promised the moon (Sign #1), and check to see if your emails will get answered (Sign #2) — then move forward if you feel good about it.

To Sum It Up:

While Internet scams are everywhere, there are worthwhile opportunities, too. Knowing what to look for to determine whether something is a scam is critical to avoiding heartbreak and wasted cash — and it’s super helpful in identifying legitimate work-at-home information as well.


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As I just mentioned, working from home is HARD. To be successful at it, you need actual skills, and you have to be willing to put in some time to build skills if you don’t already have them. Otherwise you’re looking for a shortcut that just isn’t there.

The fastest way to ruin your reputation with a potential employer is to say you can do something when you really can’t do it (yet). So save yourself the embarrassment and make sure you learn the ropes properly.

Success Interview #1: Bookkeeping with Ben

Robinson

I’m the chief blogger over at ProofreadAnywhere.com — a dedicated WORD nerd — but you’d be surprised by the number of emails I receive from folks who ask if they can use their proofreading prowess for numbers and still be successful in proofreading transcripts.

The truth is, yes, you can, but you’d need to read a ton of words, too, so your sharp eye for words still needs to be very sharp.

But if your eagle eye is not sharp for words, and you’re hanging on thinking, “Proofreading would be a great fit

https://proofreadanywhere.com/


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for me, if only it were numbers instead of words! — there’s still hope for your work-at-home dream!

I interviewed my friend Ben Robinson, a CPA from Arkansas, who’s had tremendous results training people how to start a bookkeeping business from home from the ground up.

Eagle eyes are paramount in this kind of business, too, and we here at Proofread Anywhere deem it an excellent alternative opportunity for folks with mad proofreading skills… for numbers.

I asked Ben several questions to help us understand what he does and how he does it — plus help you decide if a bookkeeping business may be a good fit for you. It just might be! I’d love to see as many people as possible start their own businesses from home using their eagle eye — whether it’s for words or numbers!

Tell us a little about yourself and

your background, Ben.

I am a CPA by trade — which, of course, means the life of every party. For 14 years, I owned CPA firms where we helped business owners with their bookkeeping, accounting and tax needs. In

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/learn-to-be-a-bookkeeper




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January 2015, I sold my firm to focus on the next phase of my professional career which, now, is helping people start and grow their own successful bookkeeping business.

What’s your favorite part about your job now? AND — how much money can be made doing bookkeeping from home?

One of my favorite things about helping people start a bookkeeping business is that I get to play a small role in helping them create freedom. Of course, money plays a big part in creating freedom in our lives. With a virtual bookkeeping business run from home, you can earn a part- or full-time income.

I teach students how to make a net profit, per client, of $250 per month at a minimum. Average client work takes from 3-4 hours per month for this style of client. This means an hourly equivalent of more than $60. Now, this isn’t the case for most traditional bookkeepers. In fact, you need to make sure to work as efficiently as you can to earn this kind of money. You have to follow a proven plan to earn this kind of money. The bottom line, however, is that whether you want to earn a few hundred or a few thousand, you can do it with your own virtual bookkeeping business.

How flexible is this kind of work (for stay-at-home moms,

digital nomads, etc.)?

This is very flexible work when it’s done the right way. In a traditional bookkeeping model, the flexibility is almost non-




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existent. Most traditional bookkeepers travel to their clients’ offices and are at the beck and call of their clients — what a waste of time, right?! However, in a virtual bookkeeping business model, all of these old rules are tossed out. This enables you to have almost complete control over your schedule. A virtual, in-home bookkeeping business can be one of the most flexible businesses available. A lot of my students are stay-at-home moms, some with infants. They can complete their work during naptime, lunch time or bedtime… it’s their decision. Of course, you do have some obligations — such as communicating with clients — that can usually only be done during the workday, depending on the client. However, the bulk of the work is 100% flexible.

Is it really possible to start this kind of business from scratch?

Absolutely! And, I actually prefer that my students have no prior experience with bookkeeping. You see, to date, I’ve trained more than 800 people to become great bookkeepers (hey, I am a CPA, so I have to keep track of numbers, right?). The bookkeepers that perform well and go on to start and grow successful bookkeeping businesses have no prior experience. They build their businesses from the ground up. It is a simple business model. Every business is required to do bookkeeping. It is not a hard sell to potential clients. However, even though it is simple, it isn’t always easy. It requires a lot of work like any successful business — especially on the front end. However, your hard work pays off in spades as you


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create the life of your dreams: near-complete freedom and flexibility.

Tell us more about your build-a-bookkeeping-business course.

Why might a bookkeeping business be a good fit for people

with eagle eyes?

To be a bookkeeper, you’ve got to have a crazy eye for details. If something’s wrong, you’ve got to pick it out! If something’s not adding up or is just missing, will you notice? It’s the same thing with proofreading a legal transcript — your entire job is searching for errors and making sure everything is in the proper place. And that’s great fun for a lot of people.

Our flagship training — Bookkeeper Business Blueprint — is a turnkey program. It’s one of a kind in that you learn 1) bookkeeping knowledge, 2) how to run your business in an effective and efficient manner, and 3) how to become a client magnet — even if sales and marketing terrify you. Having said that, there are some qualities that someone needs to have before they make the decision to become a great bookkeeper. In the first session of our free, 3-part training, I walk students through the qualities and character traits they need to have to make sure they’re set up for success as a bookkeeper. Not everyone is cut out to be a great bookkeeper, so I’m keen to help people determine whether they are or aren’t.

Caitlin’s Final Thoughts on Bookkeeping




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Yep — just like proofreading isn’t right for everyone, neither is bookkeeping, and I love that Ben is open about that fact. Eagle eyes truly do come in all shapes and sizes, and if words aren’t for you, I’m happy to point you in the direction of something more your style.

I also really dig how Ben’s program includes not just how to do the work, but how to GET the work, too. I’m big on that here at Proofread Anywhere — who cares how good you are at something if you don’t know how to get clients, right? Ben’s full program covers it all. I’d recommend starting with the free 3-part training to see if it’s a good fit for you.





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SECTION 2: 5 Keys to Building Your Work-at-Home

Business

You can earn money as a freelancer, but you need to know there’s no trick or magic pill to growing your work-at-home business.

There is plenty of hard work and dedication, though. I’ve never met anyone who said it wasn’t worth it, so if you’re one of the few who are willing to earn their own success, keep reading.

To really grow a proofreading business, you need more than just great proofreading skills. That’s why we teach our students not just how to do the work, but how to get the work, too — because being successful involves so much more than hanging a sign on the door that says “PROOFREADER.” Anyone who tells you otherwise probably isn’t growing a successful business.

It’s the same for any other type of business or skills. Amazing violinists don’t become amazing overnight.

So what do you need to grow? I’ve narrowed it down to five “keys” — check ’em out!


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Key #1: Always Be Learning

You need to commit to being a lifelong learner.

We are ALL works in progress, and despite how old you are and how much experience you have, no one knows it all. When you work with words, too, things aren’t always black and white.

For example, great proofreaders know that language evolves and punctuation rules can change. To have an edge, we need to be on top of those changes. Read books, invest in courses and seminars, follow blogs, visit forums — anything you can get your hands on to improve your skills and knowledge will help you grow.

Personally, I think excellent word skills are an asset to ANY work-at-home job. We’re always communicating with people, right? As you will read in the interview with Gina Horkey about virtual assisting, I’ve done a lot of hiring myself — and nothing turns me off more than people who say they can punctuate sentences… when they can’t.

BOOKS are an excellent, low-cost way to keep learning! Here are some of my favorites lately:

• The Best Punctuation Book, Period. (June Casagrande) — excellent tool for understanding the differences between sets of punctuation rules in different industries. It does not go into punctuation for court

http://amzn.to/1Z5YSXg


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reporters; however, it does shed light on the fact that punctuation is an art, and *GASP* no one knows everything about it.

• The Elephants of Style: A Trunkload of Tips on the Big Issues and Gray Areas of Contemporary American English (Bill Walsh) — I love this book for the same reason I love the one above: it acknowledges the gray areas!! There’s a reason English classes in school are now called Language Arts (and not Language Sciences).

• A Dash of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation (Noah Lukeman) — I love how this book, again, likens punctuation to art: in particular, a symphony! Lukeman has a knack for helping punctuation make sense in people’s heads, and I especially recommend his book to anyone who struggles with the less common punctuation marks, such as the dash or semicolon.

Key #2: Get Up to Speed with Marketing

Marketing is an ever-evolving beast. What works one year may not work great the next year. What works in one industry will flounder in another. That’s just life, and we’ve got to grow and change with it if we don’t want to be left behind.

http://amzn.to/1JuwTP5



http://amzn.to/1Z6169g


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Social media is the most modern tool we have for marketing… but it’s not as simple as just getting on Facebook.

For business marketing, LinkedIn is actually the best social media platform for growing your business — proofreading or otherwise. If I had to pick just one social media platform to grow my business, it would be LinkedIn. Fellow super-nerd Melonie Dodaro (author of the #1 best-selling social media book The LinkedIn Code) is my go-to guru for mastering LinkedIn. In fact, when I took Melonie’s master class I learned four major mistakes I was making on my LinkedIn profile. FOUR! It physically hurts to think about how that may have stunted my business growth. But thanks to Melonie, they’re fixed, and my profile’s working like a well-oiled machine. I learned so much from the training, we introduced a brand new monster of a lesson on LinkedIn to our intensive course!

Your Marketing Mindset

It’s not just the social media stuff that makes your business grow — it’s your own outlook, too. Having a giving attitude vs. a taking attitude when it comes to your business will make a noticeable difference in your business growth. A taking attitude (which you don’t want) means your primary focus is on YOU: how to get work, how to make money, how to find more clients — all those verbs I underlined are very “you”-focused. If you make your marketing effort client-focused and adopt a giving attitude, your primary focus would be how to serve your

http://linkedin.com/

http://amzn.to/1Z63DQF

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/melonie-dodaro


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clients, how to help them become better, and how to provide a better experience. See the difference? All client-focused verbs.

This means when you’re writing content on your LinkedIn profile and/or website, make sure your language focuses more on the benefits your potential customers/clients would experience by working with you — not on what you can do for them. The focus is always on them.

Key #3: Build Your Web Presence

Cold, hard truth: IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS, YOU NEED A WEBSITE.

Funny story: I stumbled across a freelance job board recently that actually forbids people from posting links to their websites within the board because “it’s an unfair advantage to people who don’t have websites.”

I was like, um…

NO.

If you want to grow a business, there are no excuses for not having a real website. It’s not hard, and it’s not expensive to build a good-looking one. A website adds credibility to your business and to you as a professional. In the online world we live in, it’s really become a common courtesy to have a web presence.


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Do you have to pay for it?

Technically, no.

You can build free websites that have subdomains (like caitlintheproofreader.wordpress.com), but bear in mind: these are free for a reason. The subdomain does detract from the professional look, plus you’re left with a very visible ad for the website builder on your page: two things that, for a very reasonable cost per year, can be gone completely. In fact, a real domain costs between just $6 and $15 per year to own and hosting is between $4 and $8 per month — that’s less than the cost of a meal at McDonald’s! And in a market where it pays to stand out, I’ll take all the credibility boost I can get. I recommend Bluehost for web hosting and domains. Their 24/7 customer service rocks, and I LOVE the easy website builder.

Use a Step-by-Step Guide

Check out our easy, step-by-step guide to building a professional website on the cheap — it’s Appendix B at the end.

Key #4: Plan for Success… Literally

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/build-a-website




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Well, it’s true! One thing I’m really working hard on this year is to be more mindful about my goals each day. Every day, I’m making it a point to determine one reasonably achievable task to accomplish in that day.

Some examples of my “reasonably achievable tasks” are:

• Read 100 pages before two o’clock

• Write 1,000 words for a new article

• Create 3 new images for the blog

• Film a new tutorial video for the course

Assigning myself just one of these tasks a day helps me avoid becoming a workaholic — there’s no reason I need to force myself to do all four of those tasks in one day. Doing too much too fast can negatively affect my mood and my work quality. If I’m in the zone and I can do all four tasks in one day, great. If I can’t, I’m not going to beat myself up.

Another thing I’m doing is using the Dailygreatness Business Planner. What I love about this particular planner is that it’s helping me get real with myself about what I want to happen with my business, and it guides me in determining the action steps I need to take to get there. Of course, it keeps me organized too. I actually almost didn’t buy it because it’s $45, BUT I have to say I’m glad I did, because I’m 100% convinced

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/business-planner

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/business-planner


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that directly because of it, I’ve more than made that in return. And of course, it’s tax deductible.

What About Accounting?

Not only did I used to use Excel to create my invoices manually, I also used to be terrible at tracking expenses (as in, it didn’t happen!). Now, I have my credit card and business checking account attached to my FreshBooks account, so that makes it a ton easier, and I create all my invoices there as well. It’s cut down on the time I used to spend tracking down clients for payments, too, because it allows clients to pay online with just a few clicks. Yes, there are fees attached to that, but the fees are tax deductible and I get paid faster — so it’s worth it.

We’ll get into more accounting stuff a little later, too — namely, the three biggest mistakes to avoid as a freelancer when it comes to accounting and taxes!

Key #5: Don’t underestimate the power of business cards.

They’re not old school! Business cards are your in-person vehicle for getting people to your website. If you attend trade shows, business meetings, or are just visiting with someone whom you identify as a potential client, having your business cards on hand could be the difference between gaining that client or letting them slip away.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/freshbooks



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You don’t need to spend a ton of valuable time having your business cards created and then having to pick them up! Simply create them online and have them delivered to your house using a company such as Deluxe Business Services.

If you really want to get your name out there locally, don’t be afraid to drive around and drop the cards off at relevant businesses to market yourself and your services. Don’t forget the entrances to many big box stores, where you can tack a few business cards to the cork boards and walls.

Success Interview #2: Transcription with

Janet Shaughnessy

My friend Janet Shaughnessy is the queen of all things transcription. She has some excellent advice to share with us based on firsthand experience throughout her years in the industry — and her recommendations on how you can become a transcriptionist.

Several of my Proofread Anywhere students have also taken her transcription courses and have been thrilled with the quality of her instruction.

Let’s dig into this interview from Janet and let her tell us what transcription is really all about!

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/deluxe-business-services


https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/transcribe-anywhere


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Janet, tell us a little about yourself

and how you got started in

transcription.

Actually, I learned shorthand and typing in high school. So now you know I’m not exactly a kid, ha! I don’t think younger people today even know what shorthand is. Anyway, I learned the skill, and in the

beginning years of my work life, I used it “live,” which means I would be in the same room with the person or persons speaking, writing down in shorthand everything that was said. Then I would type it up on a typewriter using Wite-Out and carbon copies! Talk about old school.

Fast forward some years, and shorthand was replaced with recorded audio. Then computers were added. I eventually became a medical transcriptionist. I had experience in insurance and law as well.

When my husband became disabled and unable to work, I couldn’t keep up with the demands of my 50-60 hour-a-week job and take care of him. I was paid well as an office manager at an employee benefits company, but I was unhappy and overworked, to say the least. I knew that there had to be something I could do from home, and it occurred to me that my transcription skills would transfer well. I was right! I applied and tested with a company and was hired as a medical


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transcriptionist right away. I also took on general transcription work. Legal transcription was added later.

What is the difference between general transcription and

legal transcription?

General transcription is the practice of transcribing from audio and video files for all different types of industries (other than legal and medical). These might include academia, marketing, interviews, filmmakers, and authors, among others.

Legal transcription requires all of the skills necessary as a general transcriptionist with the added knowledge of legal terminology and documentation.

Recommended Reading: General Transcription vs. Medical Transcription

What’s your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?

My absolute favorite part of my business is the flexibility of my schedule. I can choose when, where, and how much I will work.

My least favorite part of my job is a boring gig. LOL. Let’s face it, we all have different interests. If something is too “tech-y,” I lose interest. Sometimes, we have to deal with poor-quality audio and/or speakers who either aren’t properly mic’d or have hard-to-understand accents. Those jobs are always a challenge.

https://transcribeanywhere.com/general-transcription-vs-medical-transcription-whats-the-difference/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere

https://transcribeanywhere.com/general-transcription-vs-medical-transcription-whats-the-difference/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere


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How flexible is this type of work? Is it ideal for parents, as a

side gig, digital nomads, etc.?

This type of work is all about flexibility! I would say it’s the ideal setup for anyone who either can’t or no longer wants to be in the rat race of Corporate America. Being a remote worker gives you the ability to set your own schedule to suit your needs, whether they be family obligations or another full-time or part-time job.

What’s the demand like for transcription worldwide? What

kinds of companies are looking for transcriptionists? Is the

demand expected to increase in the next decade?

With the proliferation of video, the demand for transcription is definitely on the rise. If you’re online at all, you know that video is everywhere! All of that video needs to be turned into a written document to be used for marketing, training, blog or website content, eBooks… the list is endless. Companies of all kinds use transcriptionists. Some are big production companies and others are small mom-and-pop businesses. The demand for qualified transcriptionists will continue to rise.

Recommended Reading: this People Who Use Transcriptionists blog post series

https://transcribeanywhere.com/category/transcription-blog/people-who-use-transcriptionists/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere


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Besides patience, what else is required to be successful in

this type of business?

A qualified transcriptionist is not just a good typist; however, that is certainly one of the skills needed. He or she must also possess excellent English grammar and punctuation skills, have a very good ear, the ability to sit for long periods of time, a commitment to excellence, and be self-motivated.

Recommended Reading: 7 Myths About Becoming a General Transcriptionist

What’s the earning potential for this type of work?

This is going to seem like a very wide range, but it’s between $15 – $60 per hour. The rate varies depending on demographic area, difficulty of a particular job, and turnaround time. There are various ways that transcriptionists charge for their services. I prefer the “per audio minute” method, but some may charge by the hour, by the line, or by the page. All of this is discussed in my intensive multimedia training courses.

Recommended Reading: What It’s Like to Be a Transcription Success: Expert Interview with Caren Stewart of Lady of Letters, Inc.

https://transcribeanywhere.com/7-myths-about-becoming-a-general-transcriptionist/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere

https://transcribeanywhere.com/7-myths-about-becoming-a-general-transcriptionist/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere


https://transcribeanywhere.com/what-its-like-to-be-a-transcription-success-expert-interview-with-caren-stewart-of-lady-of-letters-inc/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere





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Who is not a good fit for transcription? For those who are a

good fit, how would you recommend they get started?

Someone who is not self-motivated, who is not a perfectionist (to a degree), or who is physically incapable of sitting for long periods would not be a good fit for transcription.

Some training is definitely required. Transcription isn’t difficult, but it is a skill to be learned. I’d say it’s similar to learning to play a musical instrument, but the learning curve is much shorter.

There’s much more to transcription than simple typing skills. I’ve learned the hard way not to hire anyone without testing them first and, now, I only hire people who have completed my courses. There was frustration, when I was first growing my business, with people who seemed so promising at first and would completely let me down by either turning in really shoddy work or, worse, turning in nothing at all. I have confidence when someone has completed my courses that they’re ready and able to produce transcripts that are as perfect as humanly possible. I always strive to exceed my customer's’ expectations, and I expect the same from the transcriptionists who work for me.

Recommended Reading: The Top 3 Reasons People Fail at Transcription Work



https://transcribeanywhere.com/the-top-3-reasons-people-fail-at-transcription/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere

https://transcribeanywhere.com/the-top-3-reasons-people-fail-at-transcription/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere


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And… I never hire anyone who doesn’t speak American English as a first language. There is a lot of outsourcing going on in the transcription world and, although they can undercut our rates, their transcripts cannot match us in accuracy. I’ve had customers who tried that route, but came back because of their disappointment with the quality of the work they received.

Recommended Reading: How This Podcaster Uses General Transcriptionists — and Why He Doesn’t Outsource to Save Money

Caitlin’s Final Thoughts on Transcription

I think transcription is a fabulous and a useful add-on to proofreading. Not all transcriptionists can proofread, but if a proofreader can transcribe, you become a double-edged sword in the work-at-home world!

Similar to our free intro course here on Proofread Anywhere, Janet also offers a free mini-course to learn about a career in transcription. It’s a perfect way to dig into the world of transcription before you take the leap into the full course.

Oh, and I’m so impressed Janet mastered the real shorthand. That stuff ain’t easy!

https://transcribeanywhere.com/how-this-podcaster-uses-general-transcriptionists-and-why-he-doesnt-outsource-to-save-money/?ap_id=proofreadanywhere



https://proofreadanywhere.com/sign-up/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/free-transcription-mini-course


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SECTION 3: 3 Ways to Protect Your Online Business

As a freelancer, it’s up to you to get your business organized, noticed by the right people, and protected should any situation ever arise from a legal standpoint.

It’s smart to do the things on this list ahead of time, too — so your attention isn’t divided between getting clients and figuring out how to get organized or how to recover from a legal blunder you could’ve avoided. That way, once you’re up and running, you don’t need to spend time fixing problems! You can focus your valuable energy on growing your business — instead of rescuing it!

#1: Keep Your Business Finances Separate and Organized

Any CPA worth their weight will tell you to open up a separate bank account for business finances. Then you can connect that account with cloud accounting software.

Don’t get caught up in using spreadsheets for your business invoices and expenses. Using spreadsheets for your business accounting is inefficient. Instead, keep your business finances organized by using a service like FreshBooks — you can connect your bank account and have your expenses automatically imported into your books. You can also attach a photo of each receipt using the iPhone or iPad app.



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FreshBooks can send professional invoices to your clients so they can pay you for your services with just a few clicks. It can also help you keep all of your business finances separate from your personal finances easily. This will save a tremendous amount of time and headache during tax season.

#2: Crisis-Proof Your Computer

What would you do if your computer was stolen? Or you spilled coffee and ruined the hard drive? Accidentally opened the wrong link from your friend whose email was hacked with a virus? Any and all of your hard work could be lost in the abyss of the Internet… forever.

Terrifying, right?

Not if you use cloud storage for all your files!

Dropbox is a simple online “cloud” storage site that allows you to upload your files from anywhere and to share them with anyone. You can save files from one device and then access them from any other device, which is especially helpful if you need to go out of town or are away for the day.

Carbonite is another helpful (and potentially lifesaving!) tool you can use to back up your personal or business data. It will


https://dropbox.com/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/carbonite


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automatically protect your freelance business by backing up any of your files — from your work documents to your personal photos — and continuously keep them safe from hackers and other computer malfunctions.

If viruses or Internet security is your concern (and it should be!), AVG Technologies can help keep your computer clean and running smoothly and efficiently. Protect your PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device from malicious attacks and be alerted to spyware and viruses before you click on those email links. And Mac users — don’t learn the hard way like me: Macs can absolutely be infected with spyware!

#3: Consider Getting Incorporated

Incorporating as an LLC is cheap and quick, and it limits your liability in case someone tries to sue you (which, unfortunately is all too common these days). You may think that your business is safe from legal action, but in the sue-happy world we live in, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lawyers can be difficult to get in touch with and very expensive, so you may be interested in looking into other options such as LegalZoom. LegalZoom is very affordable and helps to make complicated legal processes easier and more understandable. LLC creation starts at only $149 and will help

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/avg

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/legal-zoom


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you protect your assets from your business liabilities. IncFile is another great option to look into. They can help you create an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or a Non-Profit for as low as $49. They can also act as the registered agent for your business entity which will help you save time and limit how much of your personal information is available to third parties.

What about Taxes?

Many new freelancers ask how much they should save out of their net pay (after expenses) for their estimated tax payments. The rule of thumb is 25-30%. This figure may vary with your income, state in which you live, etc. It’s always best to check with a CPA and/or to consider an updated guide to assist you step-by-step with answers to more detailed questions. Estimated taxes — both Federal and State — can be easily paid online using the EFTPS system. I know paying estimated taxes can seem like a pain, but setting it up on autopilot really does take the worry out of it.

Oh, and if you’re not sure how much you’re going to make in the first year, I’d still send in something each quarter — even just $100 or so. That will help you have grounds to avoid any underpayment penalties :-)

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/incfile

http://amzn.to/1TKIIng

https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/


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Success Interview #3: Virtual Assisting with

Gina Horkey

I’m thrilled to include an interview with Gina Horkey of Horkey Handbook in this book for two reasons:

1) I like Gina, and

2) I know firsthand the value an amazing virtual assistant can bring to a business — because I have NINE virtual assistants of my own that help me run ProofreadAnywhere.com!

I’m the instructor for a very intensive course here on the site (with lots of intense students), but I’ve also got a long list of obligations to fulfill on other projects I’m working on: I work with Janet over at TranscribeAnywhere.com, I teach people how to build online courses, I do consulting work, and I’m a proofreader and I’m a blogger for my busy blog. Bloggedy-blog-blog-blog.

There comes a point in your business when you just can’t do it all yourself anymore, especially if you want to grow — this is where having a competent person — a clone, so to speak — to help you accomplish your everyday tasks becomes essential to being able to grow your business. If you don’t have help, you end up just spinning your wheels and getting pulled in 50 different directions every day. You get into bed at night and

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/horkey-handbook-2

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/horkey-handbook-2


https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofreading-course-proofreading-transcripts-for-court-reporters/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofread-anywhere-reviews-from-facebook/



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wonder, “What the heck did I do all day? I worked all day, but nothing got done!”

I’ve definitely had days like that.

Managing a course, doing your social media, doing all the blogging yourself, and somehow finding time to get in a few home workouts each week is a lot of work for one person — especially if that person is also a wife and/or a mom. A virtual assistant who knows how to write well, who can mimic pretty much everything I do, can easily take care of a bunch of smaller tasks for me — then I can focus on the things only I can do in my business. That is so valuable to me as a business owner!

I actually had my own experience in needing to hire a new VA just recently! When I was looking for a virtual assistant, I was super specific about what I was looking for in that assistant. I needed someone who was just as quick to respond to email as I am, who knew how to use WordPress, who understood blogging in general, and who knew how to properly punctuate sentences. When you run a proofreading blog, that last one is extra important — unless you want to get torn to shreds by your readers! When I started looking, I literally advertised that I was “looking for a clone.”

(Yes, I found one!)

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/daily-burn



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In addition to this new VA, I also have several people who help me do other things in my business, such as…

• grade tests and quizzes (yep, a human actually does this!)

• help me answer simple emails and prioritize my inbox

• create and send out custom Certificates of Completion for course graduates

• write guest posts for the blog

• create new and/or improved reference tools within the course content

• design new and challenging worksheets for our punctuation module

ALL of those tasks need to get done, but I simply don’t have time to do it all myself!

So I’m living proof there are crazy-busy business people out there who are in need of some extra help.

How to Make Money As a Virtual Assistant

If you want to learn how you can provide a few or many of these in-demand services yourself, that’s where Gina Horkey comes in. Just like I help people start freelance businesses as proofreaders, Gina helps people build the skills they need to become a super-valuable virtual assistant.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/how-to-become-a-virtual-assistant


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I asked Gina some burning, relevant questions about her work as a successful virtual assistant herself and the course she teaches to help others to learn how to make money as a virtual assistant.

Hey, Gina! Thanks for joining

me for an interview. So…

what’s a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

A virtual assistant is someone that contracts with businesses or individuals to do work virtually that they don’t have the desire or capacity to do themselves.

What kind of tasks?

The types of tasks can vary greatly, from email or social media management to editing and formatting blog posts to customer service — the sky’s really the limit. As a part of the course, we came up with 125 services you can offer as a VA and get paid for — and even that’s not all-inclusive.

Basically, anything that you can do to further someone’s business along, make it more efficient, or increase its profitability is a skill you could market.


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Wow! I know I have found extreme value in several of my

virtual assistants in just my first year in my business. So what

kind of skills do you need to become a virtual assistant?

I think a good VA should be proactive, a good listener, naturally curious, and have a decent command of the web and online business.

Being type-A and über-organized certainly doesn’t hurt. If you have a willingness to learn new things and support successful entrepreneurs or small businesses, all of the other skills can be gained over time with the right training and access to tools or software.

Can you share what kinds of people hire VAs?

I think the perfect candidate to hire a VA is a small business owner (brick and mortar or otherwise) who is looking to expand but doesn’t want or need to hire a part- or full-time employee on-site.

Online solopreneurs have made a great niche for me personally, because they are used to contracting virtually and typically don’t have a need or interest in hiring an employee or managing staff.


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Hey! I’m a solopreneur. How do we benefit by hiring

contractors?

The big benefit to them is that as a contractor, they don’t have to pay you vacation or sick time, benefits, provide a workspace or equipment for you, or be responsible for paying employment taxes.

Is this kind of gig lucrative? What kind of money can be made

as a virtual assistant?

From the limited research that exists, the average North American VA charges between $35-$50/hr. This is still a fairly new field, and of course it’s dependent on your skill set, expertise, and the types of clients you’re going after.

From my community, I see people charging anywhere from $15-$80 per hour or more. Personally, I started offering my services for $34/hr (my equivalent salary at the time), and I have since shifted to a retainer model (rather than hourly), which equates to probably almost triple that.

The best way I’ve found to position yourself as a VA is as an investment — not an expense. For example, let’s say your client bills out at $100/hr and pays you $25/hr. If you save your client 10 hours per week, that’s $3,000 per month more in their pocket (or time back with their family).

http://expertvatraining.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-starting-a-virtual-assistant-home-based-business/

http://expertvatraining.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-starting-a-virtual-assistant-home-based-business/


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I totally agree; my VAs are all amazing investments. So how

flexible is this kind of work?

Very flexible. Technically, since you’re a contractor and NOT an employee, you dictate how and when you get your work done. Now, that could vary client by client, if they need you to man phones or a chat line or something.

If you don’t want to have to be available during certain times, that’s your prerogative. And as long as that expectation is set from the beginning with your clients, it’s a non-issue. Many people (myself included) start by adding their first VA client as a side hustle to their day job.

So in essence, you could fit a part-time VA job around your full-time regular one. This could be for as long as you want in order to just earn extra money, or it could be until you built up your business big enough to where you could turn in your notice at your day job if that’s your goal.

The beauty of it all is that it’s up to you!

I know many of my proofreading students have started adding

transcription and other virtual assisting tasks to their work-

at-home arsenal. It can be tough to juggle multiple things.

How do you manage your daily tasks?

For my two main clients, I set expectations that I’ll do email management once in the morning and once before the


47

workday is done. Sometimes it’s really early morning and sometimes it’s late morning. Sometimes it’s early afternoon and sometimes it’s late evening. It all depends on that day’s schedule, and because the expectation is that I pop in there twice per day (vs. at set times), it works for all parties involved.

So for someone interested in breaking into this field, what’s

the best way to get started as a VA?

Well, if you wanted, you could figure it out on your own like I did.

Or if you want a step-by-step approach to starting and growing a new VA business, you could enroll in 30 Days or Less to Virtual Assistant Success.

I definitely see value in knowing what to do before you try to

do it. Crashing and burning is NOT COOL. What does the

course include?

The course will teach you:

• what types of services you can offer

• how to set your rates

• hourly billing vs. a retainer model (and how to move from one to another)




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• how to find clients

• case studies on how others have been successful

• and much, much more!

Caitlin’s Final Thoughts on Virtual Assisting

Starting at just $99, Gina's course is a tremendous value for people who want to expand their work-at-home arsenal by providing virtual assistant services. I already blabbed a lot at the beginning of this interview about how essential and valuable virtual assistants are to busy bloggers and business people — I currently have nine virtual assistants performing various tasks, and I’d be LOST without them! But what I like most about what Gina offers is that she takes all the guesswork out of getting started and finding clients.



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SECTION 4: How to Stay Healthy When You Work 20 Feet

from the Refrigerator

It used to surprise me when I'd receive emails from folks asking me what I do in the mornings before working, or how I stay in shape since I'm always traveling nowadays. I was like ... Why do you want to know that?

Then it hit me.

DUH!

I'm training people to start their own businesses — it needs to come full circle if I'm going to do that. Being a successful business owner isn't just about doing great work and getting loyal clients — it also has to do with your mindset and how you make it a point to start your day off for success.

So here are three ways I do that:

1: I start my mornings off well. (Well, I TRY to.)

Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom.com is a regular promoter of PA — and we love her for it! She's even received thank-you emails from students who've taken my course! Without her, some of our most successful students wouldn't be where they are today.

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/category/student-spotlight/


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Crystal's the master of many things, one of which is optimizing your day to feel good about it when it's over. I had the privilege of being the final set of eyes to edit her latest handbook for her new 14-day course, Make Over Your Mornings — WOW! I will admit, I initially agreed to do it to help a fellow blogger out and thought HEY, this'll be an interesting read, but I didn't expect the material to actually help me. It rocked my world. For $17, you get 14 fantastic, professional video lessons + a workbook (which was proofread and edited by yours truly!).

Another great life-changing resource for "making over" your mornings is the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

2: I MOVE!

Since May of 2014, I've been working out with Suzanne Bowen from SuzanneBowenFitness.com!

Her workouts are gentle, effective, and my sit-all-day legs and bum have never looked better. The best part is you can do all of her workouts BAREFOOT.

I pay just $80 per year to stream over 300 workouts in Suzanne's ever-expanding library. It's like Christmas when she puts a new workout into the library. Suzanne's workouts focus on control, feel-good cardio (including super-healthy intervals), functional movement, balance, and burn :-) They range from 5 minutes to 45 minutes in length. My favorites are the 15-20

https://gr161.isrefer.com/go/MYM/caitlinpyle/




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http://www.suzannebowenfitness.com/


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minute workouts! It always surprises me how much Suzanne can pack into 15 minutes.

BONUS TIP! Train With a Team of Professionals — At Home!

Who has time to actually go to the gym anymore? Not me! With Daily Burn, you can train with a professional right in the comfort of your own home. Stream workouts on any device and have them tailored to your specific needs. I get my butt kicked and didn't even have to leave the living room!

Real-World Health Tips from Real-World Work-at-Homers

• Devise a "potty workout" each time you go to the bathroom, and do some exercises like squats or simple wall push-ups.

• Keep your teeth brushed and gum or mints handy to avoid snacking.

• Plan your meals and snacks to prevent grazing.

• Always have water within reach.

• Manage your time well! Multitasking can lead to unnecessary trips to the fridge. Block out your work time and commit to it.

• Seek accountability! Having someone hold you accountable can help you keep your focus on your work and off the fridge.



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• Set up “move it” reminders on your phone or iPad to remind you to get up and MOVE! Even 10 minutes of exercise can change your whole day!

• Take small 1-minute exercise breaks throughout the day. See how many sit-ups you can fit into 60 seconds. You’d be surprised!

• Don’t eat unless you’re actually hungry. Dehydration can mask itself as hunger. Staying hydrated can actually keep your hunger at bay.

3: I EAT WELL!

Good nutrition helps me stay focused, too, but I'll be the first to admit: it's usually the first thing to suffer when I get super busy. Before I know it, I'm 10 pounds heavier and not feeling good at all! And I never get enough veggies, y’know? So, a few times a year, I do a reset. My favorite way to do this is with Veestro’s 21-Day Kickstart or a 3-5 day juice cleanse. Then, some or even all of my meals are taken care of for three whole weeks! Especially when I have a few pounds to lose, having all the work done for me is a beautiful thing — it feels next to effortless.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/21-day-kickstarts

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/juice-cleanses


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Success Interview #4: Writing SEO Articles

with Yuwanda Black

I personally really enjoy branching out into other areas of business (blogging, for example!) to keep my interest throughout the workweek.

For this section, I’m interviewing freelance SEO (Search Engine Optimization) writer Yuwanda Black from Inkwell Editorial. Yuwanda is what I call a true professional, and I’m really excited to have her share her expertise with us — and how it’s possible to make money writing SEO articles (not articles about SEO, but articles geared toward helping people optimize their websites for search engines).

Without further ado, let’s get into the next interview.

Yuwanda, tell us a little about

yourself and how you got started in

freelance writing.

Mine was a winding road into freelancing. But basically, I worked for a legal trade publisher in New York City while I was in college. I held various positions; one was as a copy editor. The company started outsourcing work to me (and my

https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofreading-course-isnt-a-good-fit-for-me-what-else-do-you-recommend/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofreading-course-isnt-a-good-fit-for-me-what-else-do-you-recommend/


54

sister, who also worked there at the time. In fact, she got me the job there).

After a year or so of this, we were doing pretty well and my sister left the company to start Inkwell Editorial. A year after she left, I joined her when the company could support two salaries.

Inkwell Editorial started out as an editorial outsource agency. We took on proofreading, copy editing, coding (at the time SGML) and word processing jobs. Our previous employer was our biggest source of projects for the first few months. We also marketed for and landed outsource work from other companies like Random House, McGraw-Hill, Pearson Publishing, etc.

So basically, I got my start as a freelancer by first having a full-time job in publishing, then leaving that to go into business with my sister at Inkwell Editorial. Inkwell has had several rebirths: from editorial outsource agency; to editorial outsource and staffing agency; to now, an online forum for info on editorial freelancing (primarily freelance writing).


Favorite part: Autonomy. Especially now, as I’m at a point where I pick and choose the projects I want to work on. I turn down jobs because I write and self-publish my own line of eBooks, which is where my primary focus is these days.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/how-to-make-money-writing-seo-articles


55

Least favorite: Writing on subjects I don’t really enjoy. But if it pays well and it’s a client I enjoy working with, I just look at it as part of the job.

How flexible is this type of work? Is it ideal for moms, as a

side gig, digital nomads, etc.?

SEO writing is VERY flexible. I’ve worked from everywhere – from a friend’s apartment in Spain; to a roadside bar way up in the hills in Jamaica; to a pizza joint in a Kmart in the U.S. Virgin Islands (it was the only place I could find reliable Internet service); to a Starbucks in New York City.

You can do this type of work as a college student, a single mom, when you’re fully employed, etc. The key is to learn how to set deadlines. For example, if a client says they want five articles and you need three days, just say, “I can have those back to you by Thursday” (if it’s a Monday). Most will say “Okay, that sounds great.”

They don’t care when you work on them, e.g., middle of the night; on your lunch break at your full-time job; while the kids are napping and/or in school; etc. All clients care about is if you can meet the deadline. This is why it’s super important to NEVER miss a deadline.


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It’s funny, as a self-publisher, I miss my self-imposed deadlines all the time. But I pride myself on never missing a client deadline. I think in all the years I’ve been freelancing (since 1993), I’ve missed two or three – and that had to do with Internet outages while I was traveling – which is something else to factor in when you’re quoting deadlines.

One tip: Deliver early where possible. If you say Thursday, then get it to them on Wednesday. You don’t have to do it all the time (or you train them to expect it early), but if you do it 30-50% of the time, it’ll cement for them how reliable you are as a freelancer. These are the types of “intangibles” that make you invaluable to them as opposed to another, for example, “cheaper” writer.

What’s the demand like for SEO articles worldwide? What

kinds of companies are looking for them?

SEO jobs are up nearly 20% from three years ago, and the average SEO salary has doubled. Obviously, that’s great news for the SEO industry. But why is it growing at such a steep rate? One of the main contributing factors is that content marketing is booming; SEO, naturally, grows alongside it. After all, SEO is the craft of getting that content found on organic channels. [Source: [Data] SEO Jobs are Up 18%, and the Average SEO Salary Is Soaring]

According to the survey of US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the freelance content writing industry will grow by 6% until the

http://www.conductor.com/blog/2015/03/seo-jobs-seo-salary-growth/

http://www.conductor.com/blog/2015/03/seo-jobs-seo-salary-growth/


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year 2020. [Source: 2015 B2C Content Marketing Institute Report]

More B2C (business-to-consumer) marketers are challenged with finding trained content marketing professionals this year (32%) than they were last year (10%). 77% of B2C and 86% of B2B (business-to-business) companies use content marketing (ie, some form of SEO content). [Source: 2015 B2C Content Marketing Institute Report]

42% of B2B marketers publish content daily or multiple times per week. [Source: 2015 B2C Content Marketing Institute Report]

59% of B2C marketers say they will increase spending on content marketing within the next 12 months. [Source: 2015 B2C Content Marketing Institute Report]

Bottom line: If salaries are going up, and companies are spending money on it, then it’s working. And most companies don’t have the in-house staff to produce all the content they need, so who do they turn to? Freelance SEO writers.

As for what types of companies need content, if you do business on the web or use the web to cultivate leads and sales, then you need content. I’ve written content for plumbers, tree-cutting services, wedding photographers, wire jewelry makers, computer services companies, limousine service

http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2015_B2C_Research.pdf









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providers, hotels and ski lodges – you name the type of business, and I’ve most likely written content for it.

Again, if you do business on the web – even if you have a brick-and-mortar presence – you need content. Think about it; how do you find a new restaurant, where the cheapest limo service in town is, the new beauty salon that specializes in curly hair, where to buy the best seafood, where to find a charming bed and breakfast? You hit the web – either via your laptop or your iPhone.

FYI, mobile search is HUGE. If you decide to specialize in writing content for mobile devices, that’s pure gold!

Besides a love for writing, what else is required to be

successful in this type of business?

In my opinion, you don’t have to have a love for writing to be a successful freelance SEO writer. I’m not wild about writing, to be honest. What I am wild about is the freedom that working for myself allows me, and the fact that I can earn from anywhere (i.e., I’m not tied to a brick-and-mortar business).

As long as there are websites and blogs (and social media – don’t forget social media writing, which is part of SEO writing!), there’ll be a need for good content, which means my skill set will be forever in demand. That’s what I love about this niche of freelance writing. It’s evergreen – and because I know it and have built a reputation in it, I’m able to earn as much or as little


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as I want. And it’s something anyone can do (with the right information/training).

Besides good writing skills, you need to: (1) learn how to market – and be persistent about it; (2) be self-motivated and organized; (3) learn how to charge appropriately; and (4) be willing to learn new things (i.e., stay up on the constantly evolving field that is SEO).

The fundamentals of SEO are the same, but staying up to date on things like Google’s constant algorithm changes (which can be a pain in the patootie!) are important. I discuss in the eBook how I do this. Again, once you know the fundamentals, it’s super easy.

What’s the earning potential for this type of work?

Literally unlimited. One copywriter who bought the eBook five years ago earned over six figures after his fourth year in business. Another got so busy after a couple of years that she had to hire freelancers (she started part-time and once she went full-time, got busy pretty quickly).

It was easier to land jobs when I started out back in 2007, but I got so busy within the first couple of months that I had to hire writers.




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I once wrote an article entitled “SEO Content Writing: 4 Reasons It’s Possible to Earn A Million Dollars Per Year Writing Web Articles (Really!)”. I wrote it because I really believe that if you want to, you can earn seven figures in this business. Now is that a lofty goal? Heck yeah. But is it feasible? Oh yeah! Especially if you concentrate in high-paying niches like legal and medical, and add on services like social media management, which goes hand in hand with writing SEO content.

Who is not a good fit for the SEO writing business? For those

who are a good fit, how would you recommend they get

started?

If you’re not determined, self-motivated and don’t like learning new things, this business is not for you. NO business is, because that’s what entrepreneurship is.

Someone can teach you the fundamentals (which my eBook does), but there will always, always, always be something that you don’t know the answer to that you’ll have to figure out on your own. So if you need someone to hold your hand, or you’re not comfortable making decisions – and living by them, no matter the outcome – you’ll fall flat on your face as an entrepreneur.

But if you like having the freedom to determine how much you earn; if you don’t mind taking the time to learn the trade and then put that knowledge to use; and if you’re self-motivated, I



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can’t think of another easier, more low-cost business you can start that will allow you to make good money within a reasonably short period of time.

If you already have a computer/laptop and an Internet connection (and the info in the eBook), you’re good to go! That’s really all you need (besides good writing skill and determination) to make a living as an SEO writer. I know because I’ve done it.

I give you my marketing plan, tell you where to look for jobs, cover how much to charge, and so much more in the eBook. In short, I give you everything you need to get started right away. You can be up and going in as little as 24 hours – really! Most take a week or so to get up and going, but you can literally be up and going within a day or two if you want.

Final Thoughts?

I’m American, but right now I’m sitting at an Internet café in Jamaica (Negril) where I currently live full-time. My Internet is out at home (yet again!). Wacky Internet service is one of the prices you pay when you live in the tropics. But I just scooted on down to one of my favorite haunts where I know they have it — which happens to be a restaurant right by the water – and bam, I’m back in business!




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And this is why I love what I do!

SEO writing is not a fad – it’s a real, viable, work-from-home (or anywhere else with Internet) business. It’s a lot of hard work (and don’t let anyone tell you any different), but the rewards are beyond worth it, in my opinion.

Caitlin’s Final Thoughts on SEO Writing

Ah, the entrepreneur life. Yuwanda’s right — SEO writing opportunities are quite literally everywhere. You just need to know how to get started.



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SECTION 5: How to Focus When You Work an Arm’s

Length from the Remote Control

1: I use earbuds or music/noise.

The first thing I do when I find myself in a high-distraction environment is plug in earbuds (or use noise-canceling headphones) with nature/instrumental music that helps me concentrate and not hear lawnmowers outside, pets fighting/playing, my husband rummaging around in the kitchen, etc. I also really like the "Relax Melodies" iPhone app. Brown noise (which is in the paid version) is my favorite, but rain is also good. Some people find "even" noise better to help them remove distractions. I kind of lean toward noise more than music, too. Once I was listening to a nature instrumental station on Pandora, and a beautiful instrumental version of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" (from Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2!) came on and BOOM. Couldn't focus. Had to sing along. Ha!

2: I set a timer.

Another thing I do is set a timer. If I have 150 pages of proofreading I want to get done, I may set a timer for 120 minutes. I will then sit there and read until I have completed those pages.

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I don't always set a timer, but I find it helps when I have an open day ahead of me — take Wednesdays, for example. Wednesdays are my day off. I don't have to leave the house for any reason ... I basically have all day to get my work done. And given the entire day, even if I only had 150 pages, my brain would drag it out to where those 150 pages would literally take all day. If I sat down and focused, it'd only take me two hours. Knowing that, I set the timer to make sure I get other things done and that I have some free time on my day off to do other important things. Like watch 14 straight episodes of Friends on Netflix. Or blog. You know, the usual.

3: I meet my own basic needs.

Before I set the timer, though, I make sure all my, um, human needs are met. That is, I make sure my stomach isn't growling, my throat isn't parched, and that I don't have to pee!

Sometimes I keep easy snacks nearby, like raisins, that I can munch on if I need to. I keep a glass of water nearby as well so I don't need to get up and go to the kitchen for anything — and the refrigerator can’t tempt me.

BONUS TIP! Check Your Eye Health!

It's slightly more difficult to get through the day when you aren't able to, um, see clearly — so if you're getting headaches or having trouble reading, you probably should be wearing glasses. See a doc or make sure your current prescription is


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correct. I've worn glasses since 2010 — it's vital to have glasses that fit correctly and that you enjoy wearing! Coastal.com has cute glasses starting at only $49. I bought some from them over three years ago, and they're still my favorite. I even had the lenses replaced so I could use the same ones when my prescription changed!

4: I turn off all other distractions.

I put my phone on silent. Doing this is especially important if I'm working on a rush job in a two-hour time frame and I can’t have any distractions. If you have banner notifications on your iPad, you can shut those off for the time being, or simply turn off wireless on your iPad for a bit. That may seem counterintuitive if you also want to stay connected, but if you’re already working on a rush or urgent job, it’s not a good idea to take on another one anyway. You can always turn it all back on if you really need to check your email. Of course, you can make your own “rules.” For me, the best time to turn off the wireless is when I’m up late, way past business hours. No need to worry too much about replying immediately at 1:00 in the morning, right? I'm a night owl more and more these days, so I find myself up late finishing transcripts a lot, just 'cause I can. Nice n' quiet... why not?

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/coastal

http://amzn.to/1ULmkIp

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Success Interview #5: Proofreading with

Makamae Anahu Miller

When proofreading was my sole source of business income, I earned $43,000 in a year. Now, that’s not a fortune, and I know that. But it is so much better than $2 per survey, and because working with court reporters allows you to garner repeat clients (as long as you know what you’re doing and can do excellent work), it’s much easier to build sustainable income this way.

A lot of work goes into building a proofreading business in this niche — and a lot of learning, too. Proofreading spoken word isn’t the same as proofreading a term paper or your company’s marketing materials. Grammar doesn’t matter as much as punctuation in transcription proofreading, and this can unnerve some people who consider themselves good at proofreading. It’s unnerving because this type of proofreading isn’t about just spotting errors — it’s also about fully understanding the mechanics of a transcript and how a court reporter’s job works.

I’ve interviewed Makamae Anahu Miller, a graduate of my transcript proofreading course, who has gone on to work in this field as a successful legal transcript proofreader.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofreading-earnings/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/proofreading-earnings/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/why-punctuation-is-more-important-than-grammar-court-reporting/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/why-punctuation-is-more-important-than-grammar-court-reporting/



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Tell us a little about yourself,

Makamae, and how you got

started as a proofreader.

I am a wife and mother who, like many others, wears a lot of hats! I started out in IT as a network engineer before becoming a stay-at-home mom when I began having my children. Six years later, without the same passion and

interest in IT, I took a job in accounts management. After five years with that company and while on maternity leave after giving birth to our next child, I was terminated. Yes, this is highly illegal, and it was a very trying time, but I was relieved to be unburdened from the extremely toxic work environment I was in that had me in a near-constant zombie state.

Home again with a toddler and then an infant, and wanting to remain a stay-at-home mom, I came upon an article online about Proofread Anywhere. As a perfectionist and lifelong lover of words, I’ve always been the go-to writer and proofreader for my family and friends. Possessing an eagle eye for spotting errors anywhere and everywhere, it was truly the perfect fit! I enrolled in the course, worked on it part-time around caring for a newborn and the rest of my family, and graduated after about four months’ time. Even taking a slow approach to marketing myself and working only on a part-time


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basis to start, I had my first two lovely court reporter clients within a month, and the rest, as they say, is history!

How flexible is this type of work? Are you really able to

proofread anywhere?

Yes! With the iAnnotate app on my iPad mini, I am able to easily pick up and go when I need to. With ready access to Wi-Fi Internet connectivity in so many places and the ability to even use my smartphone as a mobile hotspot, my work is very portable.

As a mother of six — yes, six! — being able to work around everything that goes on in the rest of my life is especially important to me. It’s amazing not to have to put my young children in daycare for hours and hours a day. I’m able to nurse my baby whenever needed, and I’m always within arm’s reach to see my children through their milestones and day-to-day life.

I go to great lengths to ensure students have a realistic

understanding and expectation of what the earning potential

is for this type of work — and the hard work that goes into it.

Since graduating and being out there working for your clients,

what are your thoughts in this regard?

Right! There were no illusions of this being a get-rich-quick scheme with little to no work required, which told me that Proofread Anywhere was the real deal from minute one. I also


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appreciate that you pulled no punches about the effort that goes into being successful as a transcript proofreader. What matters most is that the course armed me not only to be a stellar proofreader, but also prepared me for the work of marketing myself, securing clients — and maintaining great working relationships with them, too!

It’s been about seven months now since I graduated from the course and I’ve already earned nearly $6,000! The kicker is that, as I mentioned before, I started off quite conservatively in marketing myself and only proofread on a very part-time basis over the holiday season, so almost $4,000 of that total was earned just in the last few months as I’ve begun to really ramp up to doing this on a more full-time basis.


I really love being in business for myself! I love that I’m doing work that I enjoy, and I’m earning an income doing something I’ve always had a natural aptitude for. That I’m able to work from home, be present for my children, and contribute to my family’s income has been truly wonderful. Because of all that, it’s so much different — and better! — than any traditional job I’ve ever had. My least favorite part of this work is proofreading a transcript whose subject matter is very dry because that can get a little tedious to read. Even then, I’ve never actually been bored


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because another upside is that I’m always learning something new, and I’m constantly being challenged!

Considering the success you’ve had in building your

proofreading business, what would you say it takes for others

to achieve that for themselves?

Well, of course, the work itself definitely requires an eagle eye and an aptitude for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. If you bring that keen eye, detail-oriented nature, and a solid work ethic to the Proofread Anywhere course, success is totally attainable! The nuts and bolts are all covered, plus the “extras” that are actually so very key to ultimately being successful at marketing yourself, doing an excellent job, and providing top-notch service and value to your clients. Once graduating the course, what will serve and guide you to success is confidence in your skill set, determination and openness to always continue learning, an indomitable drive, and a resilient attitude.


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SECTION 6: How to Avoid Burnout as a New Freelancer

Well, you made the leap and ditched the 9-to-5 and “working for the man.” You've printed your business cards and published a stunning, functional website. You've created Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. You've notified your friends and family members about your new venture and hung out your shingle. You've even got a new planner!

Now what?

As the work begins to come in, suddenly you find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed, continually working, and on the verge of the dreaded burnout.

How does this happen? Freelancing is supposed to be, well, freeing, right? What happened to all that free time and stress-free work environment?

Unfortunately, it's common for newbies in the freelancing arena to experience burnout, simply by not following some simple guidelines.

Here are my five top tips to help you avoid burnout:


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Tip #1: Don't be afraid to turn down a job.

No matter how small, how big, how soon it's due, or how much you’ll be paid to do it, if you don’t think you can take it on and do a good job, don’t take it on!

I know starting out on your own with a new business venture is exciting, and I know you want to make a name for yourself. I even know you're a little scared to turn anything down for fear of not generating enough revenue to pay the bills. I’ve been there. But the problem with taking on anything and everything is you will become stressed, overworked, lose sleep, and the work will cut into necessary rest and recreation time. It may become impossible to meet the deadlines for all those jobs taken in at once.

No one can do their best work under those conditions. Isn't that why you left the “rat race” to begin with? And taking on jobs that cost you more in time and energy than you earn is never a good idea. The idea, here, is to make money — not lose money — in a way that benefits your life.

Tip #2: Make allowances for personal or family time.

That old proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” should mean more to freelancers than most 9-to-5ers. Being able to set your own schedule is one of the main privileges of freelancing, and early in the process you may be tempted to simply work, work, work (see Tip #1).


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Making time for family, for fun, for rest, and for personal pursuits is an essential part of creating a positive, healthy work-life balance.

Close that office door when you’re done working for the day to better focus on non-work time. Separating work from home is harder for freelancers, but it's an essential part of avoiding burnout.

Tip #3: Set aside time for “housekeeping” tasks like billing,

bookkeeping, or filing.

Housekeeping has a bad reputation, but everyone enjoys a tidy house.

In business, housekeeping is even more important, especially for a freelancer. Billing equals revenue, which is what will keep your business going. It's important to bill on a regular basis each month — and to bill accurately. Doing so will provide a more reliable, steady cash flow from your clients and help you to plan accordingly. Bookkeeping helps you see where you stand financially at any point in time, and it shows your bottom line of revenue vs. expenses, also known as net income. These numbers provide insight into your financial health, where your funds are coming from, and where the dollars are going – essential information for budding entrepreneurs.



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And, finally, filing keeps your information orderly, your desk tidy, and contributes to peace of mind in the workplace. Having stacks of untidy, unfiled, unsorted documents leaves you feeling disorganized and your work space chaotic. If you have clients meeting with you in your office, your presentation is extremely important. Stay organized and clutter-free for a better ambiance in your office.

Tip #4: Delegate work if it doesn’t suit you!

One of the hallmarks of successful business owners is the delegation of tasks, particularly those for which one has no expertise – like income tax returns. No tax experience? No problem! Go ahead and prepare your own business tax return and see how that works out for you ;-)

It's better to leave that sort of thing to the experts. Yes, you have to pay for it, but it will very likely save you in the long run from headaches later on – like penalties and interest and audits. Oh my!

But that isn't the only delegation you should consider. Take into account your value per hour, and the value of, say, a filing clerk. It costs you more per hour to do filing yourself than it does to hire a teenager to do it for you at minimum wage. Also consider bartering with another freelancer for services, keeping in mind that it should be a value-for-value exchange: Don't trade an hour of your services at $50 for an hour of service at $25.


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The point is, doing everything yourself can be overwhelming (remember the section on hiring virtual assistants?) and lead to burnout. Delegate what you can – and should – and focus your efforts on the real work only you can do.

Tip #5: Plan for gaps in income.

Let's face it: The reality is that work ebbs and flows. You have to plan for “dry spells” where you may not have enough work to cover your basic living expenses. When these occur, what can you do to get by? A back-up plan is better when you have it set up and in place in advance of when you need it. The essential task of creating a business plan must be done prior to setting up shop.

PRO TIP! Check out the amazing budgeting software on YouNeedaBudget.com. It’ll teach you an excellent system for budgeting that makes allowances for variable income.

Perhaps being prepared to offer more than one service to more than one niche of clients would be wise, too — that way you don’t have all your eggs in one basket.

Ultimately, becoming a freelance business owner is an exciting and lucrative way to earn your living, fueled by your passion to do something you love and have a talent for — while allowing you to enjoy life on your own terms. Taking steps to avoid

https://www.youneedabudget.com/


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burnout is an important part of the process. It can suck you in, so watch out! The “freedom” lifestyle of a freelancer can still chain you to your desk if you’re not careful.


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SECTION 7: The ONE Rule You Should NEVER Break as a

Freelancer

I’ll get right to it. The cardinal rule of freelancing is this:

ALWAYS REPLY TO EMAIL!

There's a ton of stuff floating around the Internet these days telling you to unplug from email and don't check it more than a few times a day.

Yeah. Don't listen to that.

Those people don't have time-sensitive careers, obviously. OR they’re working at a desk job where they’ll get paid for the hours regardless of whether or not their emails get answered.

As a freelancer — and especially if you’re building your client base — you need to STAY PLUGGED IN! Unless you're on vacation, that is. Then, make sure you tell your clients first, and set up an automatic email reply. You can unplug and enjoy some time to yourself.

If you're trying to build a client base to retain a good solid group of clients so you can make a living working from home on your iPad or your computer, taking forever to respond to email or just never responding could cost you money. The very


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first thing you should do after receiving a new job is reply and confirm receipt of the job. I usually reply with "Got it!" or "Thanks!"

If it's an inquiry on your services, the sooner you can respond, the more likely you'll get the work. Quick response time indicates reliability and professionalism. Don't make your clients wonder.

How can slow response time cost you money? Well, I once took just 30 minutes to respond to an email. I saw it come in but wanted to finish what I was working on first. Well, turns out the email went to me and another proofreader, and it was a $50 rush job. The other proofreader responded before I did, and boom, just like that, I lost a $50 opportunity. It's natural to want to focus on the task at hand, but it could be very beneficial to you and the client if you take a moment to reply to the email.

Now, if you're super busy already, this might not be a big deal... stay focused and finish the job. Try not to let incoming email become a distraction that slows your output (and your bottom line!). Maybe even email your clients that you're swamped so they aren't worried if you don't respond with the usual lightning fast speed they're used to.

Otherwise, if you're trying to earn more money and stay busy as a budding freelancer, the worst thing you can do is leave email unanswered. There've been many instances in my own


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life where I've been looking for something online and I've emailed someone and, because they took days or weeks to email me back, someone else got my business. The same thing can happen here.

Freelancing can be very fast-paced business, so you've got to be on top of your game when it comes to communicating.

That's why I'd recommend not scouting for tons of clients right out of the gate if you're still working a regular job or if you've got a busy home life with kids and whatnot.

If you're going to be unplugged most of the day, yet want to get work, it may not be a good fit to do this type of work. I always recommend to my students to start out slowly. Don’t let dancing dollar signs lure you into burnout (Section 6!) or take on too much that your quality suffers. Bad quality work because you’re rushed or overloaded can actually cause you to lose clients — and income — even though you took on too much in the attempt to make more money.

It’s about working smarter, not harder. I hope the tips in this guide have helped you put systems in place to do just that!


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APPENDIX A: Other Work-at-Home Options to Consider

The five success interviews contained in this guide are my top five best ways to work from home, but here is my “big list” of other work-at-home job ideas for detail-oriented (translation: smart!) people — and links to great training if you’re starting from scratch.

Freelance Writing

Writing is another arena in the work-at-home world where the sky is the limit. Every business in every niche in every part of the world needs good quality writing to communicate with their audiences. Sales video scripts, SEO articles, travel articles, résumés, eBooks — the list goes on! Excellent proofreading skills are also a plus if you get into writing.

Here are some low-cost options to learn how to get started as a work-from-home writer.

30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success (starts at $59): Gina’s 32-lesson freelance writing success course is the most robust course we’ve found so far to help newbies start a freelance writing career. She built her own successful freelance business from scratch in less than six months, and she currently earns $4,000+ per month as a freelancer. Gina’s course includes lifetime access to her

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/freelance-writing-course


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exclusive Facebook group, and the Rockstar package includes TWO 30-minute coaching sessions with Gina herself.

How to Make Money from Your Writing ($149): Eva Shaw, Ph.D. is a full-time working writer of 1,000 articles, essays, and short stories. She’s the ghost or author of 70 books. Eva’s work has been featured in USA Today, San Diego Union Tribune, Shape, Woman’s World, Country Living, Costco Connection, Publisher’s Weekly, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and others. An expert on time management for writers, Eva stays on top of market trends to sell her own work and to help emerging writers focus on quality writing and publication.

Start a Résumé Writing Business ($44.95): Everyone who works needs a résumé — the cool part is you’ve got thousands more people entering the job market every day! If you’re great at making people look good on paper, why not get paid for it? Teena earns $500 – $800 for a résumé and cover letter. Her clients willingly pay this amount for her fabulous work, and Teena teaches you how to duplicate ALL of her processes. Her course is an excellent value, and it also includes loads of free bonuses.

Publish and Sell Your eBooks ($149): This course puts you inside the publishing industry, sharing the tricks of the

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/freelance-writing-course

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/make-money-writing-course

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/start-a-resume-writing-business



https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/publish-and-sell-your-ebooks


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trade used by traditional publishers to make sure their books are in the best position to be found by readers. You’ll learn how to target your reading audience, select bookstores, get your book distributed around the world, and even have your book added to your local library’s virtual shelves.

How to Make Money Writing SEO Articles ($49.95): Yuwanda has been in the freelance writing business since 1993, and she’s helped thousands of people learn how to write SEO articles and build a clientele — all from home.

Travel Writing ($149): In this 6-week course, you’ll learn how to develop the skills of a travel writer. You’ll learn how to translate what is seen, heard, tasted, touched, smelled and felt (intuitively and physically) into publishable articles and books. You’ll understand the writing styles and methods needed to sell material in today’s competitive market.

Grant Writing

Grant Writing (starts at $695): If you’re into the nonprofit sector and love to write, grant writing may be a good option for you. This particular course is downloadable, but is also taught live in colleges and universities across the US. There is a free intro course available as well.


https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/6-week-travel-writing-course

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/grant-writing-course

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/grant-writing-course


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A-to-Z Grant Writing Course ($149 on ed2Go): A budget-friendly, yet still great value option, this 6-week course will equip you with the skills and tools you need to enter the exciting field of grant writing! You’ll learn how to raise needed funds by discovering how and where to look for potential funders who are a good match for your organization. You’ll also learn how to network and develop true partnerships with a variety of funders, how to organize a successful grant writing campaign, and how to put together a complete proposal package.

Become a Grant Writing Consultant ($149): Good grant writing consultants are always in demand. Learn how you can use a basic knowledge of grant or proposal writing to become an expert in the red-hot grant consulting field. Your instructor, Dr. Beverly Browning, is a national grant consulting veteran. In this 6-week course, she will provide you with easy-to-follow instructions you can use to start your own home-based business. The best part? You’ll not only learn what services to offer, you’ll also learn how to find clients and how to set your fees.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/a-to-z-grant-writing-course

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/become-a-grant-writing-consultant


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APPENDIX B A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Work-at-

Home Website

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If you’re attempting to make extra money online by freelancing — ANY kind of freelancing — a website is the best way to carve your presence on the Internet.

An effective website works for you even when you’re asleep. Clients can find the information they want without having to wait for you to return calls or emails (this is particularly good when you work in different time zones than your clients).

Whatever your chosen niche — proofreading, editing, writing, transcribing, reporting, scoping — whatever service you’re looking to provide, you need a [professional-looking] website!

Can I Make Extra Money Online as a Freelancer Without a

Website?

Sure, you can absolutely make it work without a website, but having a website which clearly and professionally showcases the services you provide (and how to contact you) is paramount to building trust with your target market (clients).


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When I first started proofreading, I didn’t have a website, and I wish I did! It hurts to think I could’ve filled in some downtime with extra freelance work from clients who found me online. Not just proofreading work, but copy editing, logo design, writing — all the stuff I love doing!

Take my website, Proofread Anywhere, as an example. I’ve got hundreds of thousands, probably getting close to a million words of content across my blog, courses, and FAQs — and that doesn’t include the hundreds of comment replies on those posts! What if I tried to build my business without any of that? It’d take a crap ton more work to make a name for myself. People would only hear about my services from word of mouth, then I’d have to answer the same questions and explain the complexity of what I do and how I do it to individuals over the phone or via email.

One at a time.

Over and over again.

When you’re trying to build a business, this is not a good use of your time. Websites change all of that.

Other Perks of Having a Website

Besides saving time, websites help you earn people’s trust. By choosing to be visible online, you are automatically more



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accessible and more likely to be hired than people who choose to remain in the shadows of the offline world.

It should be a cinch to find answers and a cinch to contact you. If it’s not, you’ve got some work to do! Fortunately, I’ve put together this super-thorough tutorial. It’s a step-by-step how-to guide on setting up your freelance website.

The guide works for anyone offering any type of freelance service anywhere in the world.

Stick with me throughout this tutorial, okay? You’re going to learn a lot. Take it step by step, and trust me — it’s way easier to build a website nowadays than it used to be. Thank goodness we’re not in 2001 anymore, amiright?!

How to Start Selling Your Freelance Services: A Step-By-Step

Guide to Setting Up Your Website

Step 1: Choose a hosting provider.

A hosting provider is your safe place to park your domain and build your website. You want to choose a good one.

For reliable hosting, my first recommendation is Bluehost.



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Why? Because they really make it a no-brainer for freelancers to build websites. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee, too, so if you don’t like it, you haven’t lost anything.

If you’re in the mood to shop around, here are a few other hosting providers with excellent reputations.

• DreamHost (Get $15 off plus a free domain name with code PROOFREADER)

• InMotion

• HostGator

For the purposes of this tutorial, I’ll be referencing and using screenshots on Bluehost’s system.

Check it out — with Bluehost, you can get a FREE domain and access to a free website builder.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/dreamhost

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/inmotion-hosting

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/hostgator

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/hostgator




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Step 2: Choose a Plan

Bluehost has a host (HA!) of plans to choose from. I recommend the Starter option for your basic freelance website. If you’re going to be using this website to build a gigantic blog with lots of posts, advertising, and visitors, go for the plus or above.


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PRO TIP! Go for the yearly plan, not month-to-month. You get the free domain with the 12-month plan or longer. The 30-day money-back guarantee still applies, and if you decide to cancel before your year is up, you’ll get back any unused months you paid for. So there really is no risk. Paying ahead also means you don’t have to worry about your website being taken down every month if your credit card number changes or gets declined for some reason.

Step 3: Choose a Domain Name

After choosing a plan on Bluehost, you’ll be able to choose your domain name (which is included for FREE in your annual hosting plan) — either a brand new one or you’ll have the option to transfer one you’ve already purchased.

If none of the options you want are available, try adding “proofreader” or “editor” or “scopist” on to the end of your name, as in caitlinpyleproofreader.com (not a real site). You could also use a “.net” or “.biz” domain, BUT just keep in mind






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that most people automatically type in “.com” before even thinking of other endings.

Keep in mind the type of services you’re providing. Many Proofread Anywhere students also offer other services like bookkeeping or virtual assisting, so choosing a domain name with only proofreading in it would be limiting. It’s always a good choice to own your own “name” as a domain.

Once you’ve settled on your domain, don’t wait to buy it. Even if you’re not ready to set up your website right now, you don’t want to risk losing the domain you want.

Why Should I Have a Personalized Domain?

What’s the advantage of a personalized domain over a subdomain (like caitlinpyle.blogspot.com)? Because subdomains are not as polished and professional looking, and if you use a “free site builder” without your own domain, you’ll be left with ads at the bottom of your website. Yes, a free site with tacky ads is better than no site at all, but ads can slow your site down and call into question whether you’re a real business. Purchasing your own domain is so inexpensive (and tax deductible!) — there’s no good reason to not have one.

Ask yourself: would you view Proofread Anywhere as a lesser business if my website was proofreadanywhere.freesite.com? You probably would. Your own “dot com” legitimizes you far more than a subdomain ever will.

https://proofreadanywhere.com/how-to-start-a-bookkeeping-business/


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What if it had ads on it like this in yellow down in the bottom right?

See what I mean? Custom domains are essential to projecting a professional business image.

PRO TIP! With your own hosting and domain, you also get your own email address with your domain — not just a Hotmail, Yahoo, or Gmail address. A real domain email address SCREAMS “I’m a real business!” As you can see in Step 2, unlimited email accounts are included in your hosting plan — you only need one! — and did you know you can use your FREE Gmail account to send and receive with your personalized domain address? See Google’s step-by-step instructions to set this up when you’re ready.


https://support.google.com/mail/answer/22370?hl=en

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/22370?hl=en


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Don’t Be Cheap!

I know it may be tempting to pinch pennies when it comes to this kind of thing, but remember: it’s tax deductible and you’re investing in the professional image of your business. It’s worth it — and if one client stays on your website longer or decides to contact you because of its fast loading time and super-professional look, it’s definitely worth it. I don’t think using a free site with a subdomain (and tacky ads!) is worth the risk of looking cheap or unprofessional. If you’re not sure you’re going to be doing the same type of service forever, be “safe” when choosing your domain, and just go with your name.

Step 4: Enter Your Contact Info

This is an easy step! Don’t worry; they’re not trying to steal your identity! Bluehost is a legit, award-winning hosting company whose very livelihood depends on their clients’ security.



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Step 5: Choose Add-Ons

After you provide your contact info, you’ll have a few options to choose from.

You can stick with the basic hosting package at $3.95/month ($47.40 per year gets you the free domain), or you can choose to add on some extra security features. You don’t pay for them unless you choose them, and I encourage you to click the “More information” button to see if it’s something you feel you need or not. If you’re unsure, just remember these features are always something you can add on later.


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Step 6: Enter Billing Info

This is the payment step. Super easy — just add in your payment info and click “Next”

Step 7: Choose Your Website Builder

Congrats! You just got your domain and hosting. You’ve reached a crossroads! The rest of this tutorial will go over how to install WordPress on your new domain, but Bluehost also has a few other totally free website builders you can use — these website builders do not add tacky ads on your site.

(For the record, my website is built on WordPress and I use the Genesis theme.)


https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/genesis


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Here’s a screenshot of where you’ll need to go once you’re “inside” your hosting account. You’ll need to click “hosting” in the blue bar, then “cPanel” in the bar below it.

Step 8: The SUPER-EASY WordPress Install

WordPress is the bomb. And it’s free (people who say it’s not are probably referring to the need to have a hosting provider and a domain in order to use the WordPress.org system. Just ignore them. Using WordPress on your domain will ALWAYS be free!).


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This is the screen you’ll see right after clicking “Install WordPress” in Step 7 above.

Click start…

then choose your domain from the dropdown…


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… then give your site a title and enter your Admin details.

All of the Admin details can be changed later under Settings → General in your WordPress Dashboard.

Click the box to indicate you’ve read the terms and

conditions, then click “Install Now”.


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This is the screen you’ll see after you click “Install Now”.

That’s it! You’ve got your freelance website up and running!

Wait… What Now?

Once WordPress is installed on your site, the fun begins — now you can start customizing it!!

BUT FIRST… let’s go through some WordPress navigation basics.

Navigating WordPress

Signing in: When you install WordPress in Step 8 above, you’re going to get an email. This email is important! Save it. It contains your unique WordPress login URL which is how you’ll access your site in order to start customizing it.

Adding a New Post or Page: Once you are logged in, you’re in the “Dashboard.” In the left-hand side, mouse over to Pages and choose “Add New”. This process is the same for posts (if


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you choose to blog on your site); just choose Posts and “Add New” instead.

Adding Images: Go to “Media” in your Dashboard area and click “Add New”. To get your image into a post or page, you’ll need to go to that Post or Page and click the “Add Media” button. Make sure your cursor is blinking where you want the image.

Adding Sidebar Stuff: Mouse over to “Appearance” and click “Widgets” — this will allow you to add nifty stuff to the sidebar of your website (more on that later). Don’t worry too much about this stuff yet until you’ve chosen your theme.

Definitely take some time to click around on things on your new WordPress site. “Just do it” isn’t some lame marketing slogan — it’s true! Learn by doing.

Put Up an “Under Construction” Page

While working on your new website, put up an “under construction” or “coming soon” sign to greet any visitors. It can take some time for Google to index your new site, but you don’t want any potential clients or readers to Google your name and find a half-finished site.

To set up a little sign that says “under construction,” just go to Plugins –> Add New in your Dashboard and search for Under Construction. Choose the plugin with the highest star rating and you’ll be good. You can even include a link to your social


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media profiles on your Under Construction page — that way, visitors have an alternate way of getting in touch with you. When you’re ready to share your website with the world, simply deactivate and delete this plugin (to do this, go to Plugins –> Installed Plugins).

Choose a Theme

Now we’re getting to the fun stuff!

Your theme determines what your website actually looks like, and you’ve got a lot of options in this department! Yes, there’s a wide range of free themes, but if you’re serious about this website, the customization and support offered by paid themes can’t be beat. When I first started Proofread Anywhere, I used a free theme, and I didn’t even have the option to upload my own logo!

Currently, on Proofread Anywhere, I use Genesis, which is one of the most widely used WordPress frameworks out there because it’s so easy to use — plus the pre-made “child” themes make it super quick to get a professional looking site. Another popular and ultra-flexible theme is Thesis. I also recommend Elegant Themes, which has a wide selection of gorgeous themes at very reasonable prices. All of these themes come with unlimited support — essential when you’re starting a website.

https://colorlib.com/wp/free-wordpress-themes/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/genesis

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/thesis

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/elegant-themes


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Create a Logo to Use for Your Website and Marketing

If you truly want your website to look professional, it’s worth it to create a custom logo. You can ask your favorite graphic designer or create something yourself with PicMonkey.

The easiest option? Order one on Fiverr.

Use your logo in your emails, your Facebook profile, and of course, your website!

Here’s an example of a classy logo that was made on PicMonkey:

Write Your Page Content

On WordPress, you can easily create “Pages” (remember that “Pages” are different from “Posts,” which are the entries you publish on your blog, if you choose to write one).

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/picmonkey

http://fiverr.com/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/Picmonkey


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Here are some pages you may want to create as a freelancer:

About: The about page is frequently touted as one of the most-viewed pages on blogs, so don’t overlook it. Include a photo and brief bio. Be sure to clearly state what you’re offering. What makes you an expert? How can you help them? Don’t be afraid to let the “real” you shine through — websites are personal, and being weird is cool! Remember this post?

Services: What are you offering? Describe it in detail here. Screenshots or examples of what you can do are also great to include here.

Rates: You can combine this with the Services page or make it its own separate page. Create a table of your services and rates together. Take a screenshot of your table and crop it as needed using a free photo editor. You can even add frames!

Reviews: Are people happy with your work? Awesome! You can create a page or a post with comments enabled in WordPress and invite your clients to leave comments about your work.

Contact: Make it EASY to contact you!! It doesn’t have to be fancy, but avoid putting your full email address on your site because spambots could find and abuse it. To work around that, you can use a plugin to create a contact form, or just write something like “yourname AT yoursite DOT com.”

https://proofreadanywhere.com/why-being-weird-gets-me-more-clients-as-a-proofreader/

https://proofreadanywhere.com/recommends/picmonkey

http://contactform7.com/download/


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PRO TIP! Once you’ve set up all your pages, make sure they’re visible on the home page. If they’re not showing up, you may have to adjust your menus.

Unless you prefer to show off your latest blog posts on the homepage, you will want a “static” homepage, and you’ll need to choose which page you want to be your homepage. Check out this WordPress tutorial on how to set it up properly.

Install Essential Plugins

Plugins expand WordPress’s functionality. They’re especially useful for people like me — the type of people who aren’t so comfortable with the technical stuff but who’ve still managed to set up a self-hosted website. Think of them as apps for your website: they’re free tools you can install to add function to your site.

These are three plugins that will help you maximize your website’s effectiveness — for free!

WP Google Analytics: This plugin tracks the visitors to your site so you can see what people are interested in and how they’re finding you.

WP Super Cache: Caching allows your website to load faster — this makes both your readers and Google happier.

https://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Menu_User_Guide

https://codex.wordpress.org/Creating_a_Static_Front_Page

https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-google-analytics/

https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-super-cache/


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Yoast SEO: If you’re blogging on your freelance website, look into this one. This all-in-one SEO plugin helps you optimize your post content, upping your chances of getting organic traffic from search engines.

Install Useful Widgets

If your blog has a sidebar, you might want to spruce it up with a few widgets, which are the nifty thingamabobs on the right- or left-hand side of your page. There are some widgets built in to WordPress; others you can download as Plugins. My favorite is Image Widget — you can easily upload an image and turn it into a clickable button.

Don’t forget social media icons! Make it easy for your visitors to find and follow you on social media by including links to your profiles in the sidebar. Here’s a basic tutorial for adding custom social media icons.

Consider Purchasing Back up Software

This may not seem like something to be concerned about, but that’s just because you haven’t experienced the sweaty palms and racing heartbeat when you think your site has crashed and you don’t have a backup! All your hard work — gone in an instant.

https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/

https://wordpress.org/plugins/image-widget/

https://en.support.wordpress.com/add-social-media-buttons-to-your-sidebar-or-footer/

https://en.support.wordpress.com/add-social-media-buttons-to-your-sidebar-or-footer/


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Free options to back up your site are out there, and something is better than nothing. More robust backup options include VaultPress, BackupBuddy and blogVault.

Proofread and Promote!

Once you’ve finished your website design and content, make sure you have it proofread for any stray errors — this is especially important in the world of writing, editing, and proofreading! Even a single typo or poor grammar can cost you a client. Don’t skip this step!

Don’t forget to submit your sitemap and URL to Google for indexing.

Put your website address everywhere. This is another big reason you want a personalized domain — caitlinpyle.freewebsitebuilder.com doesn’t look very professional plastered all over your social media or email signature, does it?

Stuck? Get Help!

If you feel super stuck at any point, you’re not alone!

Learning to build a website isn’t rocket science, but if you’re new, it can be like a whole new language. Don’t be afraid to use Bluehost’s around-the-clock support or invest in a low-

https://vaultpress.com/

https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/

https://blogvault.net/

https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/submit-url?pli=1




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cost reference book. Sometimes a little outside help is all you need for this website stuff to “click”

WordPress Design:

• WordPress Web Design for Dummies by Lisa Sabin-Wilson

• WordPress to Go: How to Build a WordPress Site on Your Domain Even if You’re a Complete Beginner by Sarah McHarry

Marketing Help:

• The LinkedIn Code by Melonie Dodaro (or see a free 60-minute webinar)

• 500 Social Media Marketing Tips by Andrew Macarthy

DISCLAIMER: Some of the resources within this eBook contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I receive monetary compensation for my referral. You can rest assured I only promote products I actually use and love!

http://amzn.to/1S72jhR

http://amzn.to/1PxrA4i

http://amzn.to/1PxrA4i

http://amzn.to/1Un0sDa



http://amzn.to/1KAzNgA

Documents

2016 Caitlin Pyle All Rights . · PDF fileOne told me I was trash and that ... naïve to realize it didn’t matter what I’d done or whether I’d ... You could say this is the definitive