Proofread Anywhere Review: A Student’s Honest Review

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Are you a huge word nerd who loves finding spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in writing? Have you considered working as a freelance proofreader? If so, and if you’re anything like me, you will want to feel like you’re properly trained before you set up your proofreading business. Here’s my honest review of Proofread Anywhere’s General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ course as a graduate of the course.

But first, let me explain why I chose to pursue proofreading as a work-from-home opportunity.

Why Did I Become a Proofreader?

I started proofreading as part of my former day job. At first, I didn’t think I’d be any good at it, but it turned out to be a perfect fit. I get a real sense of satisfaction from being able to find and fix errors.

When I moved from Ireland to Canada in March 2017, I decided that I didn’t want to get an office job. The freedom of working from home was beckoning, but I wasn’t sure how to make that dream a reality.

I did some brainstorming about my skills to see what I could turn into a work-from-home opportunity. Proofreading and copyediting had been the highlight of my old job, so it was a no-brainer when it came to deciding what I wanted to do to earn a living in Canada.

Related reading: The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up a Freelance Proofreading Business

Why Did I Choose Proofread Anywhere?

I’m one of those people who like to have training and qualifications behind them before claiming they can do something well. The Proofread Anywhere General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ course sounded perfect as it promised lots of proofreading practice, marketing information, and a graded exam to verify my skills.

I loved that the course was completely online and self-paced. Although, I flew through it because I was so excited to get started on becoming a professional proofreader. It took me about 30 days to complete the course, but I worked on it almost every day during that time.

I was skeptical at first because I’d never done an online course before or a course not run by a traditional school or college. I worried it would be a scam. So, like you, I googled “Proofread Anywhere reviews.” Because the General Proofreading course was brand new at the time, there weren’t really any reviews about that course. However, the course sounded so good that I decided to take a chance and go for it.

In recent years, I’ve seen the question “Is Proofread Anywhere a scam?” come up in Facebook groups. In my experience, no, it’s not a scam. The course takes a decent amount of time to go through, and it’s not easy. It takes quite a bit of work to pass the exam. If you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll get a lot out of this course.

Jen, another Proofread Anywhere student, backs me up on this. She says she has honed her scam filter over the years, but that when she came across Proofread Anywhere, it was clear from the outset that proofreading wouldn’t be easy money, and that if you want to be successful, you have to work hard at it. That’s so true, but it’s worth it because proofreading is a fulfilling job if it’s something you enjoy.

Check out Jen’s review on YouTube.

How Is the General Proofreading Course Organized?

There are two levels of the course that you can purchase: Ignite and Ignite Plus.

Ignite includes lifetime access to the general proofreading course.

Ignite Plus includes lifetime access to the course as well as the following:

• a graded exam,
• a certificate of completion,
• a listing on the Hire a Proofreader job board, and
• membership of a private graduate marketing mastermind Facebook group.

I highly recommend choosing Ignite Plus. The extra benefits are definitely worth the money!

The Course Is Broken Up into 14 Modules: 

Note: These details are correct at time of writing. Please do your own research before you purchase to learn what the course includes.

Module 1: Introduction to General Proofreading

• Welcome to the Course
• Why Proofread + Who Hires a Proofreader
• Skills Needed to Be an Excellent General Proofreader
• What a General Proofreader Does and Doesn’t Do
• Module Quiz
• BONUS: Mindset Booster eBooks

Module 2: Grammar Refresher

• Skills Workbook
• Types of Errors
• Grammar Myths and Common Grammar Mistakes
• Parts of Speech
• Pronouns
• Contractions and Possessives
• Verb Forms

Module 3: Sentence Structure

• Subjects and Predicates
• Sentence Fragments + Run-On Sentences
• Agreement in Person and Number
• Order of Adjectives
• Adverbial Phrase vs. Participial Phrase
• “Which” vs. “That” and Dangling Modifiers

Module 4: Spelling and Word Use for Proofreaders

• Common Typos
• Commonly Misused Words
• Numbers
• American and British Spelling Variations
• Capitalization

Module 5: Punctuation Principles

• Common Punctuation Mistakes
• Apostrophes
• Hyphenated and Compound Words
• En vs. Em Dash
• Commas and Semicolons
• Quotation Marks and Italics
• American and British Punctuation Differences
• Vocabulary Quiz

Module 6: Proofreading Methods

• Proofreading Methods: Pen and Paper
• Proofreading Methods: PDF
• Proofreading Methods: Microsoft Word
• Advanced Formatting in Microsoft Word
• Proofreading Methods: Google Docs
• Style in Proofreading
• Module Quiz

Module 7: Proofreading Practice

• Work through 40 practice essays to hone your skills

Module 8: Types of Proofreading

• Academic Proofreading
• Blog/Podcast Show Notes Proofreading
• Business Writing Proofreading
• Creative Writing Proofreading

Module 9: Turning Proofreading into a Business

• Setting Up Your Business Website (with BONUS Checklist)
• Writing Your Résumé
• Set Your Rates
• Taxes and Incorporating Your Proofreading Business
• Build Your Experience with Project Gutenberg
• Module Quiz

Module 10: Finding Clients

• Proofreading and Freelance Associations
• Social Media Basics
• Online Marketplaces to Find Proofreading Work
• Leveraging Online Profiles to Attract Ideal Clients

Module 11: Marketing Basics

• Blogging Your Way to More Clients
• Effective Proposal Writing
• Avoiding Scammers
• Don’t Expect Clients to Just Come to You
• Active vs. Passive Marketing
• Module Quiz

Module 12: Understanding AI

• Introduction to AI
• AI and Proofreading
• AI Tools
• Advantages and Disadvantages of AI
• AI FAQs
• BONUS: Creating Marketing Copy with AI

Module 13: Your Workflow

• Starting Off on the Right Foot
• Working with Client Preferences
• A Proofreader’s Relationship with Other Editors on the Project
• Billing with FreshBooks
• Developing Your Reputation
• Module Quiz

Module 14: Getting the Most out of the Freelancing Life

• Organizing Your Time to Avoid Burnout
• A Day in the Life of a Proofreader
• Gaining Confidence
• Case studies of three successful course graduates
• Module Quiz
• BONUS: Money Mindset Transformation

Module 15: Ignite Plus Exam (for Ignite Plus students only)

• A hand-graded exam to test your knowledge of what you’ve learned in the course

BONUS: Introduction to Transcript Proofreading

• Welcome to Transcript Proofreading: Theory & Practice
• The Perks (and Profits) of Proofreading Transcripts
• Skills You Need to Proofread Transcripts
• Understanding Your Future Clients
• Why Punctuation Matters More than Grammar in Transcripts
• Word Skills Pre-Test
• Enrolling in the Full Course

The real meat of the course is in the proofreading practice module. There are 40 practice essays for you to work through and apply the lessons you’ve learned from the course. There are annotated versions provided so you can see the changes another proofreader would have made and track your progress.

Another huge plus for the Proofread Anywhere course is that it doesn’t just teach you how to proofread; you also learn how to start your proofreading business, how to create a website, how to set your rates, and how to market your business to find clients.

Here’s the best part: the course was actually upgraded recently, and they added even more value to an already valuable course.

General Proofreading: Theory and Practice Now Includes

• 80+ lessons in 13 modules
• 8 grammar-specific worksheets
• Bonus resource guides for all types of service-provider markets
• 40+ real-life example jobs
• Student workbook and syllabus
• Private community to meet other students and ask questions
• 8 module quizzes
• 100-question in-depth vocabulary quiz
• 3 case studies
• New and updated lessons

Bonuses Included with the Course

Both the Ignite and Ignite Plus options also come with several bonuses.

Books:

• Look Better in Writing Handbook of Commonly Misused (and Abused!) Words — a 57-page guide of commonly confused words plus a 100-question workbook to help you master how to use these words correctly.
• The Ultimate Freelancer Tax Guide — a guide to help you understand the tax implications of setting up your own business.
• The Mindset Mastery Guide — a guide to help you get into the right mindset by overcoming imposter syndrome, letting go of the past, and getting over your fear of getting clients.
• 5 Mindset Shifts for Goal-Crushing Confidence — more mindset shifts to help you get the confidence to go after your dreams.

Super Bonuses:

• Free access to Level 1 Beginner Basecamp of the Transcript Proofreading course. This course teaches you how to proofread legal transcripts for court reporters.
• Free access to the Money Mindset Transformation workshop and workbook. This course is designed to change how you think about money so you can overcome your money blocks.

What Are the Benefits of This Course?

There are numerous benefits and that’s why I wrote this general proofreading course review! I have gotten so much more out of it than I thought possible.

Teaches You How to Use Your Resources

One of the most valuable things I learned is how many amazing resources there are to help you get started. The course pointed me in the right direction toward the best books, reference guides, and software to use. Some of the annotated versions of the worksheets and essays provide Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) rule numbers, which I found extremely useful because it helped me familiarize myself with the resource I use the most in my new career. 

Includes an Active Student Facebook Group

Without learning how to use my resources and getting tips from other students in the Facebook student and graduate groups, it would have taken me so much longer to figure out difficult grammar or punctuation issues or to figure out how to set up my website.

Recently (early 2022), in the Facebook group, the admin has been posting sample sentences and passages to get students thinking about how they would proofread these samples. It’s very interesting to learn how different proofreaders would proofread the same sentence and the logic behind their answers. I love how engaged the group is!

Includes Lifetime Access to the Material

Another great thing about the course is that you get lifetime access. Since I completed the course, the content has tripled! I went back and worked through the new material and learned even more. One example is the new module on Advanced Formatting in Microsoft Word. I consider myself to be an advanced Word user, and even I learned some new tricks. Another example is the addition of a module on AI that was added in 2023. It goes over the function and limitations of various AI tools and discusses how proofreaders will not be replaced by AI yet. It also included a tutorial on how to use ChatGPT to write marketing copy for your business, which I thought was very useful.

Once of my biggest pet peeves about online courses is giving restricted time access. We all have busy lives, and fitting study in around daily life can be difficult. I appreciate that this course is not time limited. 

Includes Lots of Bonuses

The benefits don’t end with the course material. If you pass the exam, you can list on the Hire a Proofreader job board.

Teaches You How to Market Your Proofreading Business

There are two components (at least) to running a successful proofreading business: completing your work to a high standard and putting yourself out there to get clients. Proofread Anywhere shows you how to do both. You’ll learn how to proofread and how to market your business including setting your rates, dealing with clients, using social media, and setting up your website.

Provides Tons of Proofreading Practice

A word of warning: If you’re thinking of signing up for the general proofreading course, you need to be clear about how much work you want to put into it. It isn’t going to teach you every grammar rule ever written. You have to be willing to do your own research as well.

What the course will do is provide enough proofreading practice to allow you to become an excellent proofreader. Getting access to this level of practice would be very difficult on your own.

Any Negatives or Cons to Proofread Anywhere?

There are a few cons to Proofread Anywhere. 

Errors in the Course Material

Sometimes it can feel like the annotated versions of the essays provided are a bit inconsistent. It seems like they might have been corrected by different people. I suppose it’s important to remember that what one person might apply as a rule another person might follow as a guideline.

Of course, there are some genuine errors as well, and that’s understandable because we’re all human, even proofreaders! I found the admin staff to be open to hearing about and fixing any errors students have found. It gets the mind working anyway!

Content Is Mostly Text-Based

I’ve heard some people complain that the course is mostly text-based. For me this isn’t a problem, because text-based is my preferred method of learning. And proofreading is a text-based job, so you may as well get used to it! However, some videos have been added to the course including several motivational-type videos. Having a negative mindset and dealing with imposter syndrome are some of the biggest obstacles new business owners have to face, and the course addresses that so you can learn to have confidence in your abilities. 

Doesn’t Provide In-Depth Grammar Tuition

Proofread Anywhere isn’t a grammar course. It’s a proofreading course. So while the course does touch on grammar rules and shows you what kind of things you need to look for, if you need more grammar help, you’ll need to borrow some grammar books from the library or take a dedicated grammar course.

***Update 2022: I recently logged into the course again to see what has changed (that’s right, you get lifetime access!), and it looks like the grammar section of the course has had a bit of a revamp. They explain different aspects of grammar and include worksheets and answer keys. However, I still think there is more you can learn from a dedicated grammar course.

How Much Does Proofread Anywhere Cost?

The all-important question. At the time of writing in end-2023, I believe the course costs $697 for the Ignite level and $797 for Ignite Plus. It’s worth noting that there is a payment plan through PayPal that you can avail of if you can’t afford to pay the full amount upfront. 

I’ll let you in on a little secret too (which I’m probably not supposed to do!): if you sign up to watch the workshop, you may get offered a $100 scholarship/discount if you sign up within an hour of watching it. You’ll also get added to Proofread Anywhere’s mailing list, and you might receive a discount on the course within a day or two of signing up. So it’s well worth your time watching the workshop! 

The company also has a sale a few times a year, so if you can catch one of those, you’ll save more money. For what it’s worth, I paid almost full-price for the course (got a small discount for watching the workshop), and I got more than my money’s worth from it. 

Are There Any Additional Costs?

You can proofread the essays in Google Docs if you want to, but since Microsoft Word is the most common tool editors and proofreaders use in their work, I recommend you familiarize yourself with it. Google Docs is great, but it can’t compete with Microsoft Word. You can get a monthly subscription for Word for around $10 or less per month.

You will also need some reference books to complete the course. The course is based on The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), so you will need to familiarize yourself with the 17th edition of this style manual to both pass the course and work with authors and writers in North America. You can sign up for a free 30-day subscription to CMOS, which will get you started, but then you will need to pay for it. It costs around $40 per year. You can also purchase the printed book or borrow it from the library.

In addition to CMOS, you’ll need access to a dictionary. You can use Merriam-Webster’s free online dictionary or purchase a hard copy of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

What If I Need Extra Help?

If you’re struggling to grasp some grammar or punctuation rules or you need one-on-one help with the essays, you can sign up for tutoring with a PA grad. Each 30-minute tutoring session is $50 and you can purchase as many as you need. Sometimes just talking a grammar issue out with another proofreader can help cement the knowledge in your brain.

How Long Does It Take to Complete the General Proofreading Course?

It took me around 30 days to finish Proofread Anywhere. However, when I took the course, there was way less content. I also had several hours per day to dedicate to it. These days, with the extra content (including triple the number of essays), I think it would be wise to give yourself two to four months at least to complete the course. It really depends how much time you can dedicate to it.

Is Proofread Anywhere Only for People Based in the US?

Nope! I’m Irish, and I took the course shortly after I moved to Canada. The course is based on US English grammar and punctuation rules and its worksheets and essays are based on CMOS, so it will prepare you well for working with clients who are based in the US or want their documents aligned with US English. However, it’s not that difficult to get up to speed with other styles and dialects of the English language if you have access to other style manuals like New Hart’s Rules, Editing Canadian English, and the AP Stylebook.

Has the Proofread Anywhere General Proofreading Course Changed My Life?

Changed my life might be a bit strong, but I did get a lot out of it! (Update November 2018: I want to revise that statement. The course did change my life. It was the start of my work-at-home journey and directly led to so many opportunities for me to grow my business and earn a full-time income from home.)

I adore working from home and setting my own hours. Don’t get me wrong; when I’m working on a project for a client, it can be very hard work. I have to remind myself to take breaks.

I can’t tell you how happy not spending two hours a day commuting or going to unnecessary meetings makes me though. My time is definitely my own. I can sit outside in the sun and proofread if I want to (and if the weather is cooperating!). I wouldn’t be able to do that at an office job!

I’ve proofread nonfiction books, online course material, website content, blog posts, email newsletters, college essays, and job-hunting documents. I love the variety that comes with proofreading for different people!

Completing this course has also made me want to continue learning new things and gaining new skills. I haven’t felt like doing that for years. I’m devouring grammar books and blogs just for fun to try to learn as much as I can. (Yes, I’m a word nerd and proud of it!)

And in case you’re wondering, yes, I’ve made my money back from the course hundreds of times over at this stage. I have been working as a proofreader since 2017, and my proofreading earnings have been increasing every year.

What about the Course Creator, Caitlin Pyle?

Caitlin Pyle, the course creator, started out as a proofreader for court reporters. After people kept asking her to show them how to earn money as proofreaders, she decided to create her first course, Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice. This course has helped a lot of people earn money from proofreading as a side hustle or full-time freelance business. A couple of years later, Caitlin created a course for general proofreaders for people who would prefer to proofread books and blogs.

In my experience, Caitlin goes above and beyond to create opportunities for her students. What I like most about her is that she doesn’t take any shit. If you’re willing to put the work in and take action, she’ll do her best to make sure that you get the most out of any of her courses. She takes her students’ feedback into account as well and is always adding new content.

At the very least you need to get yourself onto her mailing list because her emails always give me the kick to face my struggles head-on and solve them. Her words are very motivating.

The course is bigger than any one person though, and it’s the content and community that really stood out for me.

As a student of the General Proofreading course, people often ask me if Proofread Anywhere is legit. I’m always happy to give my opinion on the course, but I also thought it would be a good idea for me to interview Caitlin Pyle to get some of those questions answered. Check out the interview here.

Final Thoughts in This Proofread Anywhere Review

People also ask me, “Is Proofread Anywhere worth it?” Short answer: Yes. If you want to learn how to start a proofreading business and earn money from home reading books and articles, then Proofread Anywhere will give you the kick-start you need.

Deciding to do the General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ course is the best decision I’ve made in a long, long time!

Doing the course and starting a proofreading business were only the first steps in my journey. I’ve since added copyediting to my list of services. I’m also a virtual assistant, blogger, and freelance writer. Taking the first step by doing the course opened up so many doors for me and gave me the confidence to put myself out there as a business owner.

Thanks for reading my Proofread Anywhere review. I hope it helps you decide if the course is the right choice for you. If you’re still not quite sure if it’s for you, then check out Proofread Anywhere’s free workshop to learn more about proofreading for a living.

If you’re curious about what it’s like to be a freelance proofreader, then check out my day in the life of a freelance proofreader post!