Can Anyone Help Me Earn Via Transcriptions?

Tanglewood001

Don't worry, I don't type everything in caps

I'm in a bit of a strait financially and have thought about turning my hand to typing/transcribing handwritten documents and/or manuscripts from my home in order to make a little extra cash. I can do about 75-85wpm and plenty of free time in the evenings. All I need to know is how I can get started.

That's where you canny ladies and gents come in. I was wondering, if anyone else has actually been able to make any money doing this, how you were able to actually find the work and get the ball rolling? Any advice is welcome.

Cheers!

bonsibabe

Hi Tanglewood

I know exactly how you feel. I'm in the position that my DH lost his job and thankfully got another but 90% of his wages are eaten up by petrol costs of getting to and from work, and his earnings are 75% less than what he previously earned.

I've put an advert on gumtree advertising my services which are pretty much the same as yours. I'm off to the local post office on monday to see if they will let me put up a card or notice of some sort.

I'm hoping that by using a number of different avenues, I can earn enough money to pay the debts that we took on when hubby was in his previous jobs, that way saving us from going down a road we don't want to think about!

Good luck to you, I hope you find some extra work.

D x

docij

If you can manage an initial outlay, I would suggest you buy a digital voice recorder and transcribing machine. That way, you can read the copy into the recorder and then use the foot pedal and head phones to make typing up much easier - that is unless you are a really good copy typist, in which case you wouldn't need to do that.

Alternatively you can ask clients to record their scripts onto CD, download them into your computer and then use the transcribing pedal.

Your difficulty is that, as most students can now type and many have laptops, you are less likely to get uni work. That said, some university researchers look for transcribers for their PhD interviews so you could advertise in post graduate departments.

Good luck

The_Edible_Dormouse

You could always look at some of the virtual PA sites and such for help. I transcribe from home, but I can't really give much advice on finding work, as I really only have the one client at present, and I temped for them for years first.

There's also www.getafreelancer.com, but you'll be up against people willing to work - literally - for pennies. I pitched for a couple of jobs just out of interest's sake in a slightly quieter week, and got both - however, they both then offered an hourly rate precisely half what they'd advertised!

As for digital equipment, the best program on the market that I've come across is free, and is called ExpressScribe. You can download this - a quick Google will find it. Then your only outlay is a pedal.

Best of luck - I really hope you make a go of this.

ED