Thanks for stopping by to read my Proofread Anywhere review. The benefits of more time and fewer expenses make the work-at-home lifestyle worth it. But, as you probably know, it’s not easy to get started. And it can be scary…
There are countless courses that promise to make it easier, and Proofread Anywhere is one of them. Is it a scam though?
I’ll get into that… as well as what it teaches, how much it costs, and more importantly… dig into the Proofread Anywhere reviews and summarize what people are saying.
Disclaimer:
This Proofread Anywhere review has been researched and reviewed with information and testimonials that are available online in the public domain. Any conclusions drawn by myself are opinions.
What Is Proofread Anywhere?
Proofread Anywhere is an online proofreading course created by Caitlyn Pyle, who is also co-owner of theworkanywherelife.com with her husband Ben.
Caitlyn had been helping proofreaders since 2007 and in 2014 created an eBook she sold on her website. Sales of her book grew, but her readers were sending her lists of questions that although she was happy to answer… were taking a lot of time.
It turned out to be an opportunity.
To save time and get in front of those questions, she expanded her eBook into a complete course and in 2015 launched Proofread Anywhere.
By the end of 2015 her course had brought in more than $575,000 and needless to say, her life had changed forever. Today you can find her featured in publications such as Fortune, BusinessInsider and FastCompany.
Is Proofread Anywhere a Scam?
No. Proofread Anywhere is not a scam… but it's a fair question.
When it comes to making money online and working at home, people get suspicious and their defenses go up. And for good reason…
First… it’s because working from home sounds too good to be true… and most of us are conditioned to believe, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
Second… there’s a lot of scams out there, which give the entire make-money-online industry a bad name.
You may run into people who have taken Caitlyn's course and didn’t get from it what they had hoped for… but Proofread Anywhere is the real deal and it’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to work from home in the proofreading industry.
Whether it's because of health, young ones at home, or you just want less stress in your life… earning an income from home is what you want.
Can Proofread Anywhere show you how to get it?
If you haven't already, I recommend attending Caitlyn's free 76-minute Workshop that shows you how to turn your passion for reading into a proofreading business.
How Does It Work?
It’s probably safe to say, since you’re reading this, you already have a good idea how proofreading works.
One common misconception is that proofreading is similar to editing, but that's not entirely accurate.
It’s true, any errors you find will require editing… but editing typically involves cutting out entire chunks of text, rearranging, and even re-writing entire sections before the project reaches you.
As a proofreader, you apply the finishing touch…
You'll comb through the nearly-finished document looking for things like spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
It goes without saying that a good proofreader must have a strong eye for details.
Proofread Anywhere Reviews and Complaints
It would be great to say that everyone who has ever purchased Proofread Anywhere loved it and recommends it, but like any program or course, the reviews are mixed.
Positive Reviews
The good news is that the majority of reviews are encouraging, and people have a lot of good things to say about Proofread Anywhere. Most common are…
- Caitlyn’s course is more than a “nuts and bolts” type course. It’s a marketing course that shows you how to find work, set up your own business, and earn higher rates.
- When completed the course gives you more confidence in yourself, and your ability to manage a work-at-home career.
- Caitlyn stays in constant contact with her students though email.
Proofread Anywhere Complaints
It’s not all good news though… Proofread Anywhere has some complaints…
- No refunds once you log in. The claim here is that once you log in you’ve gained access to proprietary information.
- Errors in the course material… which wouldn’t be an issue for most courses, but… it’s a course on “proofreading” so…
- Everything you learn can be found online for free (this complaint I take exception to).
It’s true… just about anything you’d like to learn can be found online for free, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make sense of it or put into practice.
When I built my first website years ago, the everything is free online mentality was my way of thinking. I refused to pay a single cent to learn something online.
So… I pieced together information from multiple sources including various blogs, YouTube videos, and free tutorials. It took me a couple weeks of full days, and a lot of frustration to build that website.
A few years later I decided to pay for a how to make money online course that also included training on how to build a website. It was clear and precise, and with all of the information in a step-by-step format… my second website was up and running in less than half an hour.
Today, when it comes to courses, I don’t think twice about paying someone to teach me… and most good courses come with one-on-one help from someone with experience.
Proofread Anywhere Courses
Proofreading is not for everyone, so Caitlyn offers a free workshop, as well as a 7-day free course that will help you decide if it’s for you. The 7-day course includes videos, case studies, printable content and templates.
There are two full courses offered; General Proofreading – Theory and Practice, and Transcript Proofreading – Theory and Practice.
It’s important to know that these are not something you can knock off in a weekend. They are comprehensive, and you can expect to spend 1 – 4 months getting through them (depending on the which one you take).
General Proofreading – Theory and Practice
Module 1: Introduction to General Proofreading
Provides an overview of the skills a successful proofreader needs, who is looking for a proofreader and the differences between editing, copyediting and proofreading.
- Why Proofread?
- Skills Needed to Be an Excellent General Proofreader
- Who Needs a Proofreader?
- What a General Proofreader Does (and Doesn't) Do
- Terms Commonly (but incorrectly) used in Proofreading
- Editing at a Proofreading Rate
Module 2: Get into the Proofreading Mindset
Discusses the many types of markets you can specialize in, and teaches industry terminology.
- Proofreading Niches
- Proofreader Lingo
Module 3: Proofreading Basics
Goes over the most common errors you must keep an eye out for. This module also includes practice worksheets so you can put your new skills to the test.
- Types of Errors
- Capitalization
- Apostrophes
- Hyphens
- Commas and Semicolons
- Quotation Marks
- Subject and Verb Agreement
- Noun and Pronoun Agreement
- Commonly Misused Words
- American and British Spelling Variations
Module 4: Proofreading Methods and Practice
There are four different types of proofreading methods taught in this module, with in-depth lessons on how you can use them to your advantage.
- Proofreading Methods
- Proofreading Practice
Module 5: Turning Proofreading into a Business
Being a skilled proofreader is not enough. Here you’ll learn how to build your freelance business… which includes things like creating your website and résumé, understanding rates, taxes, how to pitch clients and so on…
- Creating a Website
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up Your Business Website
- Writing Your Résumé
- Setting Your Rates
- Taxes and Incorporating Your Proofreading Business
- Building on Your Proofreading Experience
Module 6: Looking for Jobs
Learn the many ways you can land proofreading clients.
- Proofreading and Freelance Associations
- Social Media
- Social Media Dos and Don'ts
- Blogging
- Online Marketplaces
- Online Profiles
- Writing a Proposal
- Avoiding Scammers
- Don’t Expect Clients to Just Come to You
Module 7: Once You Get the Job
What do you do once you’ve landed a job? In this module you’ll learn how to work with your client’s preferences and develop relationships with editors. You’ll also learn how to bill your clients.
- Starting Off on the Right Foot
- Working with Client Preferences
- A Proofreader’s Relationship with Other Editors on the Project
- How to Bill Your Clients
- Your Reputation
- Asking for Testimonials
Module 8: Getting the Most Out of the Freelancing Life
Learn how to structure your day and build the confidence to succeed.
- Organizing Your Time to Avoid Burnout
- A Day in the Life of a Proofreader
- Gaining Confidence
Module 9: Ignite Plus Exam *(accessible to Ignite Plus students only)
The hand-graded exam evaluates students for aptitude and competence in the practice of general proofreading.
Bonus Module: The Money Mindset Transformation
Learn seven Iife-changing concepts in this Money Mindset Transformation workshop and workbook.
Transcript Proofreading – Theory and Practice
SECTION 1: Theory
Learn the theory of transcript proofreading. This section includes the process of transcript production, the complex role of a court reporter, and in-depth training on punctuation specific to transcription.
Module 1 — Introduction to Transcript Proofreading
- Gain a thorough understanding of the roles and functions of court reporters, scopists, and proofreaders
- Acquire a foundational understanding of how the steno language works
- Understand the skills needed to perform well as a transcript proofreader
- Learn the process of how a transcript becomes a transcript and the role an agency may play in the finished product
Module 2 — The Nuts and Bolts of Transcripts
- Anticipate and recognize the vast array of possible errors that can occur in transcripts
- Become familiar with the vocabulary found in multiple types of proceedings: depositions, EUOs, hearings, trials, interpreted proceedings, and testimony on a variety of topic areas including medical, insurance, product liability, general litigation, among others (includes vocabulary quiz)
- Become well versed in transcript-specific punctuation as laid out in Morson’s English Guide for Court Reporters, Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation, and The Gregg Reference Manual. Includes individual lessons on transcript-relevant capitalization, punctuation usage, and commonly misused or misspelled words and phrases
- Understand general formatting rules in regard to BY: lines, colloquy, Q&A, marking exhibits, and use of parentheticals
- Fully differentiate between uses of American English spelling/punctuation and
- British English spelling/punctuation within transcripts
SECTION 2: Practice
Students focus on the four most widely used methods of transcript markup. After choosing a method, students perform extensive practice on simulation transcripts at various levels of difficulty.
Modules 3 & 4 — Marking Up Transcripts (Four Methods)
- Learn four methods to properly correct transcripts: hard copy, errata, on a computer, and digitally (paperless) using iOS technology. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed at length
- Get comfortable using an iPad equipped with the powerful PDF annotation app iAnnotate
Module 5 — Simulation Transcripts (3,109 pages in 50 simulation transcripts)
- Learn to research proper spelling of people, things, and places within transcripts using a provided notice and other resources, online or otherwise
- Perform a thorough read on each simulation job according to exhaustive proofreading checklist (provided)
- Evaluate personal progress and areas in need of improvement
- Includes punctuation and short transcript quiz (100% score required to continue)
Module 6 — Corresponding Within the Court Reporting Profession
- Communicate effectively, promptly, and professionally with court reporters and agencies regarding issues such as turnaround time (regular and rush), invoicing, vacation time, etc.
- Be fully prepared to meet court reporting professionals’ expectations of proofreaders with outstanding customer service
- Understand the importance of using a customized preference sheet with each reporter, and be able to interpret reporter preferences based on sheet input
Module 7 — Billing and Accounting Procedures, Final Examinations
- Understand billing procedures for work completed, including setting rates, negotiating, and following up on outstanding balances
- Be comfortable operating as a freelancer during tax season
- Be evaluated for aptitude and competence in both the theory and practice of transcript proofreading
Module 8 — Marketing (this module is not accessible until student passes both final examinations with a 90% or higher)
- Learn authentic, personalized marketing methods to connect with potential clients using social media and traditional techniques
- Acquire and polish the skill of overdelivery and exceeding expectations as a proofreader
- Compose a professional résumé to effectively display acquired knowledge and skill
- Learn how to use social media to build a web presence
- Know the dos and don’ts of professional marketing tailored to the court reporting industry
- Includes 25-question marketing concepts quiz
Module 9 — Concluding Lesson
- Learn to identify oneself as a transcript proofreader in order to build confidence in new skills
- Understand the components of a successful freelance business.
Proofread Anywhere Plans and Pricing
7 – Day Introductory e-Course – Free
General Proofreading
Ignite – $497
Ignite Plus – $597 (includes hand-graded exam, certificate, listing in self-publishing schools and membership in the Marketing Mastermind Group)
Transcript Proofreading
$1174 (a 4-level payment plan is offered so you can pay as you go)
Level 1 – Beginner Basecamp ($77) – Access module 1 for 7 days.
Level 2 – Jumpstart ($197) – Adds module 2 for an additional 30 days.
Level 3 – NextSteps ($400) – Adds modules 3 – 5 for an additional 60 days.
Level 4 – Launch and Earn ($500) – Adds modules 6 – 9 with Lifetime access to the entire course.
What I Like About Proofread Anywhere
- Learn at your own pace (unless you choose the 4-level payment plan offered for the Transcript Proofreading course which has limited time access until you reach level 4).
- Goes much further than the mechanics of proofreading and shows you how to set up a business and market yourself.
- If you’re just getting started, Proofread Anywhere can save you years of frustration and learning by trial error.
- As I researched the course I noticed that Caitlyn had responded to several comments in various blog posts. That’s very rare, and good to see that she is active and willing to address people’s concerns.
What I Don’t Like
- Non-refundable once you log in.
- I hate to pick on the price because courses like these can save you a ton of time and money in the long run, as well as help you demand higher rates from the start. But, it is a lot money for some people and the price will be a barrier for many who could really benefit from Proofread Anywere.
- Unless you create your own course and sell it, proofreading does not have any passive income potential. There are only so many hours in a day, and although there are huge time and cost benefits to working from home… your earning potential is limited.
Final Thoughts
If proofreading is the type of work-at-home career that interests you, then I highly recommend Caitlyn’s course.
Having said that… for some, it’ll be a significant investment and it might take some time before you start making money. For your investment to pay off you must be committed to the entire process and be certain that this is what you want.
For more details and to sign-up for the free workshop you can check out Proofread Anywhere HERE
I am interested in doing this course but I wonder if it covers the differences between US and Australian expectations. Can someone clarify this for me please?
I just did her intro course, though not really a course (terribly long winded.) I did not know if this was legit or not. I ended up on this website, which I am thankful for. Also for all of you who took the time to review her courses and share your experiences. Most helpful. I have some reservations but am probably going to sign up.
I actually found this review when I googled Caitlin Pyle’s “Comma Boot Camp” eBook (I want to go back and buy it to see if I can pick up a few more tricks), and since I had asked myself this question about scams several times before buying the course and several times as I sweated through the course and struggled and doubted, I thought it would be an interesting read.
I’m not at all surprised at your assessment that it is not a scam, because it definitely isn’t. And Caitlin warns people in her sales pitch that it isn’t a get-rich-quick strategy–that it takes a lot of diligent studying, abundant practice, reviewing, researching your weak points, persistent marketing of your business, and hard work. In regards to whether there is competition, yes there is a lot, but I believe that much of it is from proofreaders without qualifications doing substandard, cheap work. It will probably take time to build up a client base, as with any other business. If you know what you’re doing, and you work hard–with helping the client in mind–it will be easier.
I’ve been an English teacher for over 25 years, teaching advanced grammar, spelling, punctuation and academic writing; so part of the grammar and vocabulary came easy to me. But it’s not an easy course. I’ve been at it for three months, and I’m still working through the practice essays and pulling my hair out with my (often silly) oversights with comma use.
Yes, some people said that there are errors in some of the annotations for the corrections, and in the coursework (which has since been corrected). But, I saw the errors right away. Big deal. My online MBA course had errors, too. The course does an excellent job of guiding you through everything you need to be a proofreader, but it can’t be all-encompassing and always 100 percent correct. You’ve got to take the recommended reading, and also do your own research on the finer points. If you don’t know your stuff enough to find a typo or even an omission in some course material, or be willing to read up in the Chicago Manual of Style–the fundamental reference material that you are told to have as a proofreader–well, you’re not going to get very far in this field. I used the course as an introduction, and actually read and underlined and annotated my paper copy of CMOS. Proofreaders have a sharp eye and know how to figure things out.
In business, we know that people who find an unmet need and work hard to fill the void with a helpful service generally do very well for themselves financially. Ms Pyle’s success is really beside the point. There are now moderators in the Facebook group, and they are polite and firm, too, in enforcing group guidelines (generally necessary in a large academic environment). I personally think her General Proofreading course is fairly priced (and I bought it at a discount). Anyone who doesn’t think so will need a lot of self-assurance and extra research as they fumble through CMOS, grammar courses, and endless websites trying to figure out to get smart and become a freelance proofreader on their own. I’ve noticed that the course has a lot of motivation material to help get you into the right head space be a freelancer–that goes beyond expectations for me. My time is more valuable than the money I spent on the course, and to boot I’m walking away with SO MUCH editorial-level knowledge about the English language, which for me is a huge plus. I’ve discovered that I was making mistakes in my use of certain words and in certain punctuation. And, the next time you read your favorite author, trying looking carefully at their use of commas, semi-colons and em-dashes. It’s a hoot!
As for comma usage, it’s inevitable that most students will add and delete commas differently from whoever annotated the answer key. With each practice essay, you get of sense of THAT proofreader’s preference. But commas don’t follow rules, they follow conventions. Conventions are often broken, to improve the flow of a sentence or clarify meaning. Chicago Manual of Style 6.16: “Effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with the goal being ease of reading.” So, don’t expect Caitlin to make you a literary genius with regards to comma placement–there will be differences of opinion and sometimes you’ll be right–not the key. Deal with it. Do your research. Look at common usage in different contexts. Know your stuff and be confident making subjective decisions. And don’t anger the client unnecessary. Is it easy? Definitely not. Will you get better? That depends on you and how hard you work.
Thank you for your input and advice. Your outlook makes seeing the potential achievable but also realistic.
I have a few concerns on which I would appreciate an honest opinion (unbiased). I am 69 years old and disabled. For many years, I was a medical illustrator. Because I can no longer drive (no feeling in my legs), I must work at home.
My first question: Do you think I will have difficulty getting work strictly because of my age?
Second, with my background, I have done some editing along with medical and scientific illustration. Do you honestly think that investing monetarily in this program will get me further ahead than just setting up a business for proofreading of medical and scientific literature?
You may wonder why I am returning to work at my age. First, I believe your mind needs constant stimulation to retain intelligence. Second, we are about to go through some tough times in the US, and Social Security may not offer enough income to live on. Third, I am just sickened by the errors I see in every form of the written word these days. It is my guess that some of these folks either failed to pick up English in high school and/or college, but they truly believe they’re right and the writer must not know the difference either! So, it seems like a good path to me. This Rolodex you spoke of; is that an entity specifically of that program? I know you can get work on Upwork, Fiverr, local listings. I’m not too worried about credentials as my degrees speak for those. So, sorry for the length of this, but I needed to find out as much as I could about the age issue and the educational needs for someone with my background. Thanks very much for getting back to me. Sandy
Hi Sandra,
I’m in the same age group as you are (I’m 64) and I had a 33 year career in healthcare. I’ve always loved helping people polish up their written words (editing and proofreading), but I’ve never charged a cent! I hope someone answers your question. Perhaps I’ll look at the Facebook page to see if anyone has posted a similar question there.
I thought I’d leave a comment here for anyone considering this program. (Great article, by the way!)
Proofread Anywhere is definitely not a scam, but it can be a bit pricey. The up-front cost is reasonable and is sometimes discounted. However, you should take into consideration costs for things not included, like an iPad, website setup costs, materials, online subscriptions, and other tools you will need or want.
The course’s errors did also put me off a bit. In my opinion, with so many proofreaders going through such a popular course, there is little to no reason for there to be as many errors in the course material as there are. This wouldn’t bother me quite as much if some of the more prominent members would be a bit more willing to accept that this is indeed an issue.
I have not yet finished the course myself but maybe will someday. If you’re willing to put in a lot of effort and some up-front payment, starting your own proofreading business is definitely an option through this program. Just expect it to be hard and maybe sometimes a bit annoying.
Hope this helps!
Is anything in these courses applicable in Pakistan, or have any reviews been submitted by Pakistanies?
I actually signed up for/paid for the course, but was a little discouraged by the “rules” they used for grading the quizzes and tests. There were no concrete rules, it was all subjective and up to the individual admin’s proofreading style. Which means your scores could vary depending on who graded your test. That in itself was a little off-putting.
When Caitlyn’s personal life started leaking into the FB group and all over social media, I began to wonder if the students that graduated from the course might have that follow them around when attempting to get jobs. Caitlyn was actually in the FB group making very rude and inappropriate comments to the students that had paid to take her course. That was the last straw for me. I’m currently trying to find another course offering similar material but am having a hard time. Does anyone know of one?
Just wondering if you’re interested in someone proofreading your review for you? I volunteer! More and more these days, I find articles with words missing, and your review of Caitlyn’s proofreading course has many errors in it, including at least two instances of missing words. If you are affiliated with her, as you say, it seems to me it would be prudent to make sure there are no errors in your review of her course…before you post it.
Hi Bonnie, thanks for your comment and I agree, I probably have some proofreading to get done myself 😀
I know I did some updates here not too long ago but with the amount of writing I do in a day, I’ve become comfortable just hitting the “publish” button, or the “reply” or “send” buttons, lol. I usually give a quick read through before publishing, and you’re right, the nature of this review should have a higher standard… but please don’t let my errors reflect poorly on Caitlyn’s course.
Hello there!
I've just listened to Caitlin's PA webinar and ask if it is still relevant today as it was when first produced in 2014?
I also would like to know whether the PA course would be recognised here in the UK?
Many thanks for a speedy response.
Hi Jeannie, great question. Yes, Caitlin’s course is still relevant today (I updated the review not too long ago… a couple months if I remember right), and is also good if you’re in the UK since your clients could be anywhere in the world. As I mentioned in the review though, it could take some time before you start making money and there are some questions as to how relevant human proofreading will be in general over the coming years… not just related to Caitlin’s course. There are some interesting artificial intelligence projects going on right now such as GPT-3 which are expected to eventually replace humans for a lot of these types of jobs… although they can’t quite replace us yet 🙂 I expect it’s a few years away still but something to keep in mind.
I found this review *very* helpful! I was getting ready to sign up for "General Proofreading" at 60% off the regular price (with the sale ending in about an hour), which sounds like a good deal for everything it offers, when I decided to do a little research first. This review gave me a lot more information on the course itself (even though I think it's changed a little since this was written), but the keys for were that a) it can take 1-4 months to start making money from taking this course and b) that you can take her 7-day course for free, which sounds like it will provide a fair amount of useful information and maybe enough to at least start a proofreading gig. Thanks much for all this information and the helpful tip! (I did see you're an "affiliate" of Caitlin's business, but with that disclosure, you sound reasonably objective.)
Hello, I am trying to help a friend determine if this class is for real. As I read your review I was thinking that it was from an objective third party. By the time I got to the comments and responses it seems like you work for Caitlyn.
So please clarify that for me then.
Hi George, great question. I don’t work for Caitlyn or for Proofread Anywhere. I am an affiliate though (which you can learn more about from my affiliate disclaimer here) and have reached out them on my readers behalf to help if necessary. Proofread Anywhere is one of the few courses I recommend and therefore feel it’s important to provide assistance if needed.
Hello, I just came across your website today. Seeing that you have a lot of new questions from the past few months, I thought I would try my luck to get a few answers before I consider enrolling in the PA “Transcript Proofreader” course.
From reading the feedback on this course from other websites, I see that it takes about 2 to 4 months to complete the PA “Transcript Proofreader” course on the average (for most people). I was very impressed with some of the people that completed the course in 2 months, so I was wondering, how much time per day or week does one need to work on the course, in order to complete it in 2 months?
Lastly, I don’t know if you have an answer, but I thought I would ask it anyway, since I'm here. Seeing that there is a worldwide pandemic with COVID-19 and so many courthouses in our nation (U.S.A.) working reduced hours and court cases being very backlogged in the courthouses (nowadays), I was wondering are Court Reporters currently receiving enough work to need a Transcript Proofreader currently . . . where a Transcript Proofreader can “still” earn a good income during these COVID-19 times?
That’s a great question Wilson. My guess is that the backlog will eventually create big demand but I’m only speculating.
Rephrasing my questions that evidently weren't acceptable to the moderator. No need to name names or give away any secrets here, but what kind of companies or individuals use your services as a general proofreader? Do you find there is a lot of competition for the work? I'm genuinely not trying to get any privileged information here. I'm just trying to make sure I wouldn't spend more time looking for work than actually doing it. Thank you!
Hi Joanne, my apologies. Your wording was fine. I was updating and moving this site over the last week or so and during that process, the updated version gets built separately before it replaces the old version and traffic gets redirected temporarily to what is essentially a copy of the original. I did notice your comment in the old database along with some others and it’s on my checklist of items to have those migrated over. But again, my apologies.
It’s a great question and I’m also interested in what insights others have to share. As a content creator, I do my own proofreading (and I’m absolutely terrible at it, or at least rushed, just hitting the publish button and moving onto the next thing. I should probably hire someone, lol). So as far as competition for work, I don’t have helpful insight there I’m afraid. As far as the kind of companies and individuals who use proofreading services, any company that produces content. It can be both individual and corporate blog owners, course creators and companies who produce training materials such as safety training for example, government services, individual professionals and small businesses who routinely send out letters and documentation to clients and so on. I think you’ll find most of your work in the online space however, but again, I’m interested to hear if others have some feedback here as well.
Thanks for reaching out Joanne and again, my apologies for your original comment not being published.
Thanks! That's very helpful and sorry if I sounded snarky!!
No problem Joanne, I didn’t take it that way. I felt bad that your comment got caught in the shuffle 🙂
Is anything in these courses applicable in Canada, or have any reviews been submitted by Canadians?
I am also interested if it works in Canada as there are so many different obdtscles(?).
I’m Canadian, and just purchased the Ignite course a few hours ago. I can’t see any obstacles in securing work or building your own business in this profession.
I keep failing the Vocabulary test. 3 times failed. I’m SO frustrated.
In my profession we also have to pass a vocabulary exam. Many of the younger people in my profession has a problem with it. I believe that is because reading in general is not encouraged as much as it should be. If you wish to b beef up your vocabulary, read classics and anytime you come across a word you don’t know, look it up. There’s no easy road to a strong vocabulary. Exposure is the key.
I just watched the intro to her general proofreading course and signed up for the Ignite Plus option. I am so excited to get started! When it had me create a login, it took me to the proofread anywhere page and there is nothing there (photo attached). I was under the impression I could start immediately. I paid with Paypal and received the confirmation payment email from them, but no email from Caitlin or her company at this point. Feeling nervous my money just got taken-especially after the no refund info (although I haven’t seen any proprietary info because there is nothing in my login screen!) I’ve reached out to her through email and all her social media platforms, but no response as of yet. ??♀️
Hi Karli, I’m going to forward your message to them and see what they say. It sounds like it might be an issue with their email system. I’ll let you know if I get a response.
Jay
Thanks so much for your quick response! I’m stressing out! ?
No problem, the person I keep in contact with there doesn’t deal with customer issues directly but she has always been responsive with me and she can forward it to the right person. I emailed her and shared your information (and comment). I’m not certain she’ll get back to me right away since it is Saturday evening but again, but I’ve always found them very helpful. Please keep in touch and I’ll follow up when I hear something 🙂
Hi Karli, I did get a response and Brittany should be reaching out to you shortly. It looks like it may be a technical issue. They did receive your payment, it just wasn’t showing up in the members area yet. Let me know how it goes if you get a moment 🙂
Jay
Thank you ?
This information is very helpful with my decision!
Hi Shellie, thanks for taking the time to comment and glad it was helpful 🙂
Jay
I don’t know if this will help anyone, but I asked for a refund because I had not logged in nor did I post anything or open an account. Caitlin, said, “No refunds for any reason.” So, for people who are not sure if they want the course, don’t pay until you are sure.
Yes, I mentioned this in the review. I don’t necessarily agree with this policy but I do understand it. This is a challenge for all course creators, and even post secondary schools for that matter (which also don’t offer refunds. At least not that I’m aware of). Once you have the information in hand and copy it down, it would be easy to ask for a refund and do the course on your own. Again, I don’t necessarily agree with the no refund policy and there are a lot of course creators who offer them anyway, but I can see both sides.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
FWIW:
Based on the number of links in this *unbiased* review of Caitlin Pyle’s Proofread Anywhere online course, as well as the affiliate disclosure link at the bottom of this page, it’s obvious the admin of this site is a paid affiliate of the Proofread Anywhere course. In other words, the admin of this site makes money by promoting Caitlin Pyle’s Proofread Anywhere online course – not exactly what most of us consider an unbiased review process.
The admin also reviews all comments before they’re posted so that negative comments can be eliminated – again, not exactly an unbiased review process.
Hi Sheryl, thanks for reading and sharing your opinion. Yes, I do earn money from my website and nowhere do I try to be secretive about it. In fact, I hope it’s obvious.
I recommend many different courses and I don’t base my “unbaised” review from one person’s opinion. I also have a couple hundred products and/or courses I’ve written about that I don’t recommend and don’t provide an affiliate link. But running a site like this that I hope is helpful for others isn’t free so I’m more than happy to accept your donations and remove those affiliate links if you feel that strongly about Caitlin’s course.
Alternatively you can create your own site and write a review of Proofread Anywhere to help others learn more about it… although, for some reason I’m guessing it would not be “unbiased”. From your other comments here it sounds like you’ve got something against Caitlin and the fact she earns money from her course but I’m not sure why, nor have you explained exactly what she has done to offend you. It may be something completely legit and I respect that and you’re more than welcome to share that here.
If I had a flood of negative feedback about Proofread Anywhere I would absolutely reassess my review, but I don’t think one or two negative opinions should stop someone who might benefit from Caitlin’s course from even checking it out. If you have concrete reasons that people must avoid Proofread Anywhere I’d be happy to have them published here in the comments section so people can make an educated and yes… unbaised decision. I don’t expect people to only take my opinion but I also hope they don’t judge something negatively based on one bad review either.
A bad review might give them pause and proceed with more caution than they would otherwise, but I’ve seen a lot of people who have bought courses, skip part of it, not complete it, or ignore certain instructions and then go out and say it’s not good and doesn’t work. Just because it doesn’t work for one person who isn’t committed or looks for shortcuts doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone who puts in the required effort and then some.
Thanks again for your opinion, and I have no problem publishing it… but yes, I do review comments here because most are from people promoting their own scams and telling people they can make tens of thousands of dollars a day with fake debit cards or some other scheme. Your opinion is valuable, spam like that is not, so thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Kindest Regards,
Jay
Wow! I found this review incredibly helpful and I’m glad I took the time to read it. It was good to know the entire cost of the transcription course, which I had difficulty finding on Caitlin’s site. It’s definitely helped me to make up my mind about taking a course in proofing.
Hi Victoria, glad you found it helpful 🙂
I just want to say THANK YOU for revealing that others have found fault with the course material! I am not finished with the general course yet. However, it is very discouraging to find so many errors in the practice worksheets/keys. We are supposed to basically adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style guide and I have found instances where the answer keys do not comply with CMOS rules.
I knew going in that you are supposed to use the Facebook group as a resource. Given the security issues FB has had, I am not eager to set up a profile with them. (I’m one of the very few people that are not on FB.) Anyway, that’s the only way you are going to get answers to the things that you get wrong or have confusion about.
I have found the answer keys to be rather inconsistent. It seems obvious to me that various people developed the answer keys. Many of the essays are written so horribly, it is a major struggle just to get through them. So many fragments are deemed complete sentences that it just boggles my mind. I doubt I will ever grasp her thought process regarding comma usage.
I’m hoping I will take more away from the business-building segment. It’s not that I’m not learning anything. I am – especially regarding the many nuances of our language. However, I think Caitlyn needs a proofreader herself. Maybe I should’ve just purchased a CMOS and studied that from cover to cover…
The only issue I take exception to as a graduate of the transcript proofreading course is, if you also want to get into general proofreading and buy her second course, a lot of the material is the same, i.e. how to set up a website, the marketing materials, the grammar and punctuation lessons are similar (and very slimmed down, in my opinion), the bonuses, especially (4 out of 5 of them are the same). She does not currently offer a discount to graduates of one course to the other so she is essentially charging again for a lot of the same material. And she does market the general proofreading course to graduates of the transcript proofreading course if you are on her email list; so it is a bit deceiving. The general proofreading course is terribly overpriced for someone who has already gone through her transcript proofreading course, for sure. There should be a discount for this purpose; otherwise, $497 is a lot to swallow for a lot of the same material. Just food for thought.
Hi Caryn, thank you for your feedback. That’s really valuable information. It sounds like you are happy with the course material, just not that it’s repeated in both courses and marketed to graduates, which is a fair critique. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jay
Hi Caryn,
Are you finding the recent concerns about Caitlin’s personal life interferes with the course material?
Sue,
While I can’t say if recent, publicized events in Caitlin’s personal life have interfered with students taking the courses, I can say that, in my opinion anyway, Caitlin’s recent, unprofessional behavior has severely tarnished her reputation as a businesswoman. It goes to follow that her online courses will lose credibility and graduates of those courses will find their credentials hold less value and may even be a deterrent to potential clients.
This is an interesting point and speaks volumes about the creator of the course and her agenda, which is to make money to support the lavish lifestyle she has created for herself through some excellent marketing of her misleading claims of money-making opportunities in the proofreading biz. Offering discounts would mean less money in her own pocket..
That was my feeling as well, no graduate discount for a next course? Seems greedy.
I’m considering taking the basic one because I have a feeling I’m only going to spring for one and not getting a foundation seems not so bright before specializing. So still pondering.