Conference turris::womannotes-v2

    
    This note was entered as a reply to a previous version of the basenote.
    
    Bonnie J
    comod
    
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CUPCSG::RUSSELL                                      17 lines   6-OCT-1989 17:21
                             -< three suggestions >-
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    Two things immediately come to mind.  
    
    Advertise at all the many local colleges and universities that you do
    thesis typing.  Frequently you can find out from the graduate office
    what is the going rate so you can decide if it's something you want to
    do for the money.
    
    Another possiblility is advertising through PEN, a club for publishers
    editors and authors.  I'm sure many area writers would like to be
    relieved of typing, especially as you have a word processor.
    
    Oh, a third thing -- get in touch with a writing contract agency and
    tell them that you do word processing and corrections.  They may be
    able to throw some work your way. 
    
    I can't help with phone numbers but the phone book would
    be a good start.  Good luck.

    Doctors and lawyers often farm out some of their work.  It helps
    a lot if you have experience with medical/legal terms.
    
    You might want to consider doing more than typing.  There is a market
    for this kind of work.  Some people have started full secretarial
    services.  I was considering something along these lines, although
    it was to be very specialized.
    
    There are several publications giving advise for this sort of thing.
    One standard piece of advise is to get equipment that produces quality
    output.
    
    Bud

    Lisa:
    
    I don't know where you live, and what the area's needs may be, but I
    have an idea or two for you:
    
    When I was living in North Dakota, I was *very* surprised to find that
    a man from Bismarck was importing tapes for medical transcription from
    all over the U.S., farming them out to women at home who transcribed
    the tapes and sent their transcription to him via modem.  He, in turn,
    printed out their work and expressed it back to his clients.  The women
    were happy with the arrangement because they could work at home, *and*
    make more per hour than they could (in ND) outside their homes.  He
    told me that some of his client hospitals were up to 13 weeks behind in
    their transcription.  Of course, with him, they griped if there was
    greater than 4 days turnaround.
    
    I've done considerable medical transcription, and it can be a major
    pain in the patoot, because doctors are not always the most considerate
    or apparently even aware that there is a human being on the other end
    of their priceless prose.  And sometimes the accents are incredible!
    
    I've been considering getting into this business myself from Vermont.
    
    Advice I was given by someone else who did this professionally:  start
    small, target one type of doctor, or type of lawyer (because the
    vocabulary takes some getting used to), send out mailings offering your
    service, but say something about vacation fill-in, or temporary work
    overload so that your letter gets past the mail opener; let them know
    your rates (this woman, in Mass, charged .12 a line for a 65 space pica
    line -- but you could start lower if you wanted), and add as a
    footnote:  P.S.  This letter would cost $*.** to transcribe.
    
    A problem with this approach is that you need transcribers (tapes come
    in 3 different sizes).  And you'd *have* to find a self-respecting way
    to say "I couldn't understand this tape.  Was it in English?"
    
    I'd second the suggestion made that you must have a good printer.  Dot
    matrix will not make it, except for drafts.  What do you intend to do
    about this?  Hewett Pac. makes a good printer, called the Desk Jet, I
    think, that can be found for around $700 and gives copy that looks like
    LN03's but is much cheaper.
    
    If you do underprice your work, don't fret.  Just adjust your rates the
    next time.
    
    Can't you get started on a part-time basis?
    
    Briana

    to elaborate on .3
    
    This service is done all over.  The larger ones even have runners
    to drop off tapes and pick up the result.
    
    I have heard (and believe) that this is not a low stress occupation.
    You meet the deadlines.  Excuses don't cut it.  .3 suggested the
    problems attaining accuracy.  Other things that interfere are of
    no concern.  (all hearsay)
    
    If you eliminate the middle person, you might also eliminate some
    of the stress (or you might be the source of it).
    
    College papers are much less stress, but much less lucrative.
    
    Medical/Legal terminology knowledge is almost a must.  There are
    courses, but I think most people learn this working in an appropriate
    office where they can ask questions.
    
    Have you thought about Desktop Publishing?  There are really lots
    of other ideas.  (I won't offer mine.)  Home Office computing magazine
    has lots of examples.  There are also other magazines and books
    with ideas.  I've gotten books from the library that helped in
    researching my idea.
    
    Bud

    Bud:
    
    Can you give us info on how to order "Home Office Computing" if I got
    the name right?
    
    Briana

    HOME OFFICE Computing is a magazine available on most any magazine
    rack that has a half dozen computer magazines.  They feature several
    people each month with a short blurb of what their business is and
    how much they make at it.  Then there are articles about software,
    equipment, and procedures useful for a home office.  I subscribe.
    
    There are also numerous "Opportunity" magazines that give you an
    idea of a business and offer further information (for more money).
    I have no idea how good the latter are.
    
    If you consider either Medical or Legal work, I just found an ad
    for a Medical or a Legal Dictionary (software).  This is the main
    issue with the experience requirement.  Needless to say, legal
    documents can have NO errors.  Doctors are often also very fussy.
    
    The first thing you should do is research what you think you want
    to do.  Research may lead you in another direction.  It will surely
    give you a better idea of what the business entails and costs. 
    If you need equipment, and you have done proper preparation, you
    may find that a business loan can be had.  There is software that
    would help you write a business plan in magazines and local software
    stores.  Most lenders want to read a believable business plan that
    shows you understand the business and probably have what it takes
    to succeed.
    
    Am I jumping too far ahead?  Do you want a business, or just a part
    time, self employed, extra money maker?
    
    Bud

    re: advertising
    If you have analyzed your market and have at least begun to target
    your clients, then the normal and best way to advertise is to write
    a letter to them.  Use the best paper and envelopes and a high quality
    printer (that you will be using) to SHOW them what you can do.
    
    Just some more thoughts about potential businesses:
    
    Become an expert with Pagemaker or Ventura and offer Desktop
    Publishing.  I would recommend that you go to school to better
    understand this field, but you'd probably find some good money in
    it if you can offer design guidance to your clients.
    
    Typesetting.  I don't know much about this, but I have been steered
    by printers to freelance typesetters who would turn my Wordperfect
    manuscripts into a floppy that would drive their typesetter machines.
    They tell me that the few people doing this are very busy.  But
    again, you would have to know more about it.
    
    This stuff is also fun!  Well I guess I'm easily excited.
    
    Bud