Telecommuting Job Idea ? Transcription

Working as a transcriptionist is a great way to telecommute or work from home. Transcription simply means that you take spoken word and transcribe it into a written document. The person you are doing the transcription for usually speaks on a tape or records his voice as a digital file and then sends it to you. You simply type what you hear.

Of course there is software and hardware out there that will make the job easier by allowing you to slow down the recording you are transcribing.
Different Types of Transcription Positions

Medical Transcription

Medical transcription is probably the most common and best know type of transcription. Doctors and other medical staff record their comments and notes about a patient. The transcriptionist then transcribes the recording and the written document is added to the patients file.

As a medical transcriptionist you should have a good understanding of medical terminology and their spelling. While a degree or course in medical transcription is not required, especially if you are working for smaller doctors? offices, it does help to gain more lucrative contacts and of course prepares you for the work ahead.

Legal Transcription

Almost everything in legal proceedings is recorded from interviews between attorneys and clients to actual trials. Many of the minor recordings are often outsourced to someone doing transcription from home. You could work for a few lawyers and turn their recordings into written documents that can be added to their client?s files. As with medical transcription, there is quite a bit of specialized terminology, in this case legal lingo that you will come across when doing legal transcription. Previous experience in the field of law, or taking a class or home study course will help prepare you for your work as a legal transcriptionist.

Business

There is an increasing need for transcription in the business world. In addition to the traditional letter dictating work that you can pick up, there is an increasing demand for transcriptionists that will turn teleconferences and online meetings into written documents. It seems that almost any online business owner these days is holding teleseminars or teleconferences these days to communicate with both customers and business partners. While many people appreciate the option of listening to information, there are also quite a few who prefer to read a transcript of the call. You could stay busy just transcribing for a few online business owners, or work as a secretary taking dictations for a few traditional business owners in your area.

If you have good typing skills, transcription may be a great way for you to telecommute. Start with some general business or teleconference type jobs. If transcription is something you enjoy doing, it may be worth your wile to take a class or course to prepare you for medical or legal transcription, both of which require extensive knowledge of special terms in the respective field.
Nell Taliercio is the owner and founder of http://www.TelecommutingMoms.com ? which is a leading resource website with work at home jobs and everything a telecommuting mom would need. Come visit us today!

Job Opportunities for Medical Transcription

Job opportunities for MTs are expected to grow faster than average for the next several years. Health care facilities continue to expand, and employment opportunities should expand with them.

Settings for work in this field are varied. Medical transcription job opportunities include working in hospitals or physician's offices. Government medical facilities provide another option for job seekers. Individuals looking for work in this field can also look in diagnostic laboratories, business support services, and transcription service offices. MT job opportunities can be found anywhere there is medical need.

Medical transcription employment is not restricted to offices. Many transcriptionists work from home. Some work as contracted freelancers and have varied hours. Others work as employees of hospitals or clinics who allow their transcriptionists to telecommute. The internet can be used to receive and send transcription, making it possible to work from any location.

An aging population requires more health care. More health care services coupled with the need for electronic documentation insures continued medical transcription job opportunities.

Pay for medical transcription jobs ranges from approximately $10.00 an hour to about $20.00 per hour. Pay can be based on an hourly rate or a production rate. Some medical transcription jobs are paid an hourly rate with bonuses for high production.

Medical transcription opportunities include the chance for advancement. After gaining experience, transcriptionists can move into editing or consulting. They can also teach.

If you are looking for a career in a growing field that offers the ability to advance or to work from home, consider medical transcription. It's difficult in this day to find careers that are not threatened by layoffs, but the future looks bright with medical transcription. Outsourcing to other countries is expected to be limited in this field, and increasing medical demands will only make these jobs more secure.

For individuals who are independent, career-oriented, and enjoy the medical field, explore medical transcription. It might just be what you've been looking for.

For more information on starting a medical transcription career or making more money as an MT visit www.AskTheMT.com - an informative website dedicated to answering all your medical transcription questions.

10 Effective Tips for Promoting Your Medical Transcription Business

Looking to build your existing MT business or just starting out? These marketing tips will give you some good ideas for finding new clients.

Promotion Letter ? A very effective way of landing accounts. Send out a promotion letter to all your local medical offices describing your services. And follow it up a few days later with a personal phone call.

Freebies and Giveaways ? Give away a certain amount of services for free, such as a free sample transcript or a discount for a certain amount of work. Tell clients about your giveaways in all your advertising material.

Flyers ? Flyers are great for marketing a medical transcription business. Distribute them to doctor?s offices, hospitals, clinics, social workers or any other targeted customers.

Business Cards ? Carry them with you wherever you go and give them out as necessary. Use proper business card etiquette. Always ask for a business card in return and don?t just stick the card in your purse or wallet. Glance at it a few seconds to show the person you are interested in them.

Magnetic Signs ? Place a magnetic sign or bumper sticker on your car. Make it short but effective so people will remember you. Include your website address and/or contact details on it. Remember it will be easier for people to remember a catchy .com website address than a phone number. Not everyone will have pen and paper handy.

Pens or Other Tokens ? Pens, mouse pads, mugs, t-shirts or other small tokens with your business name and details on them is an inexpensive and effective marketing tactic. Pens, mouse pads and mugs work especially well in the MT field. Your business name will be displayed in busy medical offices and hospitals for potential clients to see.

Charitable Acts ? Support a local charity in return for exposure. Choose a medical related charity for targeted exposure, such as cancer awareness or heart charities. You?ll raise funds for needy charities and feel good about yourself in the process.

Ask for Referrals ? Don?t be shy about asking for referrals from current clients. If you?ve provided a good service for them, they will be happy to spread the word about you in return. Ask if they would please pass out some business cards to their colleagues for you.

Network, Network, Network ? Find other local MTs and network with them. The key to network is not to go out with a ?what?s in it for me? mentality. Genuinely make friends and help others wherever you can and people will do the same for you in return.

The Phone Power Hour ? Set aside an hour every day or every few days of uninterrupted time and make this your phone power hour. Pull up a list of local potential customers and start calling them. If you?re a bit nervous at first, write down what you would like to say. Follow up with potential customers you?ve sent letters to or potential marketing partners. Use this hour to expand your networking opportunities as well.

That?s it, 10 easy, affordable and effective ways to start spreading the word about your MT business. With a little practice you?ll be well on your way to finding new clients.

Mila Sidman is an experienced MT and owner of www.AskTheMT.com - an informative website dedicated to answering all your medical transcription questions.