|
HOME
ABOUT
US
SERVICES
RATES
USEFUL
TIPS
CONTACT
US
|
DIGITAL AUDIO and
DICTAPHONE TYPING SERVICES
REEBOK, LITTLE
BRAK RIVER, MOSSEL BAY
& STRAND,
WESTERN CAPE
THINKING OF STARTING
AN ONLINE TYPING SERVICE .........?
As a result of numerous enquiries I
have had over the months since I got my website on the World Wide
Web a year ago, I have decided to share my experience with you. You
may think I'm crazy, but I feel it is important to help one another,
especially with the high unemployment rate as it is today. We need
to create our own opportunities. So here goes.......
-
As with any business, the most
important thing to have is PASSION for whatever business venture
or activity you are wanting to start. This, naturally, goes
for audio typing too. If you don't have it, don't do
it.
-
The other most obvious aspect is,
of course, you must have dictaphone and audio typing experience,
have a good typing speed and spelling ability. Audio typing /
transcription is not an easy job and can sometimes be frustrating
and time consuming, even with experience, especially when the
audio recording is not of a good or clear quality.
-
Should you not have enough typing /
audio transcription experience, I suggest you go on a course and
practice, practice, practice.
-
Also, know your software programmes
/ applications, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, how to do mail
merges, etc.
-
Have a good document filing system.
I create a new folder for each individual client I type for (e.g.
Joe Public) and in that folder I in turn create a new folder for
each month (e.g. March 2009, April 2009 etc.) at the start of each
month. The documents I type for each client during a particular
month I then save in the relevant month's folder. This helps me to
set up my statement for each client at the end of the month,
because I can exactly see for who I typed what. I then also save
the relevant statements in the relevant month's
folder relating to that client. This also helps with finding
documents easily when a client requests a back copy of a
particular document which he / she might have mislaid,
etc.
-
A freelance audio typist / online
typist / work at home typist obviously needs to be equipped to
enable him / her to execute the work before advertising the
services.
-
So, clearly, you will need a
computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer (preferably colour),
application software (Microsoft Office etc.), internet and e-mail
facilities, perhaps a fax machine (or fax2email), ADSL
installation (or other) for 24-hour connection, transcription software
(free software) and hardware (you
must buy the foot pedal, earphones and a dongle). If you wish to
buy your transcription software, click
here. However, feel
free to do your own research on what and where to
buy.
-
You may also wish to get a
conventional dictaphone transcriber (with a foot pedal only, as
the same set of earphones for the transcription software may be
used on this type of transcription equipment - just check the
cable connection from the transcription machine to the earphones)
- click here.
-
Keep up to date with, and informed
about new software.
-
Once you are set up, you are ready
to start advertising your business. There are various ways in
which to advertise your services:
-
advertise in your local
newspaper;
-
inform your previous
employer/s;
-
tell your friends and whoever you
come into contact with;
-
advertise free on the web (one
example is www.gumtree.co.za);
you will need to register (free). This site also
has various options for you to keep your ad at the top of the
listings;
-
design and print pamphlets
or business cards and ask your local chemist, doctor, dentist,
library or shop whether you may leave pamphlets / business
cards with them;
-
do some Web research on outsource
companies and contact them (ensure that they are legit,
they should not require any fees from you
"upfront";
-
or, if you feel adventurous, why
not build your own website. I found
a wonderful book, titled "Step-by-Step Guide to Building
Your Own Website". Click here
for more information.
-
Hopefully, by now you have also got
enough printing paper and ink in your cartridges, and all
your hardware / software function properly.
-
Always remember small jobs could
bring in bigger jobs. It makes me think of the times when I needed
a plumber, for instance, just to look at a leak from a toilet and
to fix the problem. But, do you think they would come? We made an
appointment, but then he never turned up or made excuses for not
having been able to get to me. Some of them only seem to want
the big jobs. However, when one is then asked about a plumber, one
does not recommend the plumber who let you down. Service should
always be your motto. That also means that you should not take on
too much. Be honest and give clients a reasonable time frame
when the work should be ready. Don't be unrealistic. If they
cannot wait until you are able to do their work, then that is
fine...they will find someone else and you will be able to produce
quality work and excellent service. Do not put yourself under
pressure because the quality of your work should be of a high
standard and you do not want to disappoint the client. So do not
make promises you cannot keep.
- Rates: One could charge per
hour for transcription time, i.e. the time it takes you to type
the audio recordings. Note: one hour of audio
recording may take 4 to 6 hours to transcribe / type, depending on
audio quality and whether it is more than one person speaking.
This means, 10-15 minutes of audio recording takes about 1
hour to transcribe / type. On the other hand, one could charge per
minute of audio recording. After some research into rates
structures, I have established that rates vary anywhere from R5,00
to R12,00 per audio minute, i.e. if the audio is 60 minutes long,
your earnings could be (if you charge R5 per audio minute) X 60
minutes = R300 for the typed product. Rates should not be too low.
This is not an easy job and you should not sell yourself short.
But you should also not charge too much, because then you
will chase away potential clients. Try to find a happy
medium.
Now you need to be patient and be
ready for your first client.
I HOPE YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION
USEFUL
(Should you have any further
queries, you are welcome to EMail Me)
I WISH YOU EVERY
SUCCESS!
-
-
Earn money and have fun with Crowdology paid surveys.
-
Legitimate paid surveys with monthly prize
draws.
|
