Freelancer Interview: Cindy Snyder

Cindy Snyder

I first connected with Cindy through a mutual connection on LinkedIn when I was looking for an additional transcriptionist. She is now also an account manager on my social media management team. Here is my interview with Cindy.

When did you start your freelance business?

I started working as a freelancer early 2013.

Why did you choose to work from home?

I became permanently disabled around New Year’s of 2012. I knew I’d never be able to work an in-person job again and I wanted to be able to contribute to the household income. I started researching what I could do from home. I started out slow and as my health improved I was able to take on more clients and expand into different areas.

What advice would you give those who want to work from home?

I’d tell them to thoroughly do their research beforehand and make sure it is something they can really commit to because it is very hard work! It is also highly rewarding and I’d definitely encourage them to go for it. Just be aware of exactly what you’re getting yourself into.

What resources have helped you in your business?

There were a couple of forums and websites that were helpful and in the beginning I got most of my work through freelance sites such as Guru and Elance. 

Share something about yourself.

My hobbies are reading, writing, watching movies, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends.

Links to online profiles:

Elance: https://www.elance.com/s/csnyder83/

Guru: http://www.guru.com/freelancers/cindy-snyder

I’ve also recently written a book about freelancing which you can find at all the major retailers. The social media page for it is https://www.facebook.com/pages/CJ-Snyder/918229991574263.

Success Story: Kathy Andrews, Live Transcriptionist!

Last August we held a workshop in Vancouver British Columbia where we met attendee, Kathy Andrews. Kathy had found our workshop online and registered since she wanted to start her virtual assistant business. We’ve kept in touch over the past year by email and calls. Today we received this email from Kathy:

Hi Sue & Joel,

Just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for the encouragement you gave me last year when you were in Vancouver and the few months after when I was so unsure.

I have just landed my first “big” contract.  It is for a business coaching firm in San Jose.  We got together because of a LinkedIn VA discussion.  They were asking if it was possible for their meetings to be transcribed live.  All of the VAs that answered said, no, you had to record it first.  They said their meetings could not be recorded.  Then I came on and said it could be transcribed live.  I did a test run for them to show how it could work and we are now working together several times a week.

I never would have had the courage to go to these forums let alone say I could do it if it was not for the encouragement you had given to me.

Again, thanks, and enjoy your nomad life.

Kathy Andrews

Kathy told us the company was looking for 80% accuracy and she got 90% so they were very impressed! And as Joel told her, “Real-time transcription has to be nearly unique. In cases where there’s a need, you probably have NO competition!”

We’re glad to have been a part of helping Kathy succeed as a transcriptionist. Visit Kathy’s website at http://andrewsvirtualtranscripts.com/