When I first started posting articles on the internet, I figured I would have to direct my customers and friends to the articles for somebody to read them. I completely underestimated the response I would get! As I started responding to some of the emails, I noticed several of the same questions over and over again. Here are some of the questions.

Question—how much is the initial investment to start my own home based transcription business? Can I buy the equipment from you?
Answer—the financial barrier to entry is low. Assuming you already have access to a computer with an internet connection and a word processor like MS Word, the only real expense is a USB foot pedal and a set of headphones. ExpressScribe.com offers free transcription software. If you get the foot pedal on eBay, you are looking at around $50-$75 as your initial investment. (Use a search on eBay for USB Infinity Foot Pedal). Also, if transcription doesn’t work out for you, then it’s easy to flip the pedal back on eBay to recoup most of your investment. In regards to selling equipment, I am not selling or buying anything at all.

Question—do I need to have a website?
Answer—the answer is yes, but it should not pose a barrier to entry for you. When you are first starting off, you can easily get by without having a website. The goal for my website was to serve as an online business card. Having a website certainly gives you some legitimacy and credibility. There are inexpensive solutions for websites as well. I built my website using the software that my host provided. These types of website builders are included in the price of most hosting packages. Right now I really like HostGator.com. They have amazing customer service and don’t mind a little hand-holding along the way. At first, my website hardly got any hits at all. In fact it took about a full year before I got my first customer directly through my website. I estimate about 10% of my new customers now originate from my website.

Question—what should my very first step be?
Answer—the first thing I recommend is getting the equipment and software and actually start practicing. I strongly recommend doing this before seeking out your first job. It doesn’t have to be trial by fire if you take a few days and practice. By practicing you will learn the degree of difficulty of transcription. You will quickly see if it’s the thing for you. Also, practice gets you in tune with the process. You need to figure out how to send and receive the audio (these files are usually big). You need to become familiar with the software and the equipment. This important step definitely gets you on the right track from the start.

Question—does the customer need to have the same transcription software as me? Does the customer need to record the audio in a certain way?
Answer—no, the customer supplies you with an audio file, usually an mp3 or a .wav file. There is no special software or format they are required to follow. The transcription software works in concert with the foot pedal. You load the audio into the software and then type away.

Question—are you hiring?
Answer—I am a one woman show right now, lol. I started my home based business so I could spend time at home and focus on my family. That’s the best thing about having a home based business for me. I still have to budget my work time, but it’s all done on my terms.

In closing, I hope this short Q&A article answers a few questions. Please continue to send emails with comments, suggestions & questions. I am flattered to have people seeking my advice. Leona.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leona started her home based transcription business, www.infoaces.com, in August 2006. She served in the US Air Force and was awarded a commendation medal for her time during Desert Storm. She has two teenage kids and lives in sunny Arizona.