Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
WRITING TO EARN
These days, a lot of people pound the pavement looking for jobs, only to be disappointed by the end of the day. But for those who love writing and have the writing chops, it's not hard to make a decent income online as a writer. There are many opportunities for writers in the world wide web. Here are some ways to earn by writing:
1) LOOK FOR AN ONLINE WRITING JOB - If you go to websites like oDesk, GetAFreelancer and ELance, there are plenty of job listings for writers. You can be a ghostwriter or a web content writer. If you have specialized knowledge (for instance, knowledge in computers, software, etc.), you can be a technical writer. Here are some sub-categories of online writing jobs:
2) BLOG - There several ways to earn by blogging. The most common way is to post advertisements on your blog so that you earn when people click on them (PPC) or when they purchase items via the link on your blog (affiliate marketing). You can also sell advertising spaces on your blog, but you can only do that if your blog has a high traffic.
You can also sign up for accounts at websites like Pay Per Post, Smorty and Social Spark where companies pay you to write blog entries to promote their products or services.
3) WRITE ARTICLES - Ever heard of "bum marketing?" It is a marketing method said to be so easy that even a bum can do it. Actually, there is hard work involved, but your efforts will pay off if you persevere and do things the right way. Bum marketing is also known as article marketing which involves finding a profitable niche (a target market), finding affiliate programs which has products that your market is interested in, writing articles relevant to your niche and embedding affiliate links within those articles. When your readers click the links and buy the products, you earn. I will discuss bum marketing in a separate post which is coming soon. My point here is you can use articles to market affiliate products and earn money from commissions.
But there are also sites like Helium, Associated Content and Triond that pay for every article that you submit or the traffic that your articles generate.
4) WRITE ACADEMIC PAPERS - Do you always get A's or B's in your term papers and theses? Do you have good Internet research skills and some solid background on certain fields of knowledge? If so, you can be paid to write academic papers. There are students who need a lot of help.
Here are some sites that offer academic writing jobs. Honestly, I haven't signed up for an account in any of these sites so I recommend caution to those who would like to sign up:
5) WRITE LETTERS - I'm sure that many of us have written letters before such as letters of application and resignation, recommendation, etc. You can actually earn from those letters. With a few tweaks, somebody else could use it. Or you can write custom letters to suit specific needs. For more information, go to Letter Rep by clicking here.
There are many more ways to earn by using your writing skills. Writing is a skill worth developing and honing. It takes a lot practice to be able to write well, but the pay-off is tremendous.
1) LOOK FOR AN ONLINE WRITING JOB - If you go to websites like oDesk, GetAFreelancer and ELance, there are plenty of job listings for writers. You can be a ghostwriter or a web content writer. If you have specialized knowledge (for instance, knowledge in computers, software, etc.), you can be a technical writer. Here are some sub-categories of online writing jobs:
- Technical Writing
- Website Content
- Business Plans
- Blog / Article Writing
- Copywriting / Editing
- Translation
2) BLOG - There several ways to earn by blogging. The most common way is to post advertisements on your blog so that you earn when people click on them (PPC) or when they purchase items via the link on your blog (affiliate marketing). You can also sell advertising spaces on your blog, but you can only do that if your blog has a high traffic.
You can also sign up for accounts at websites like Pay Per Post, Smorty and Social Spark where companies pay you to write blog entries to promote their products or services.
3) WRITE ARTICLES - Ever heard of "bum marketing?" It is a marketing method said to be so easy that even a bum can do it. Actually, there is hard work involved, but your efforts will pay off if you persevere and do things the right way. Bum marketing is also known as article marketing which involves finding a profitable niche (a target market), finding affiliate programs which has products that your market is interested in, writing articles relevant to your niche and embedding affiliate links within those articles. When your readers click the links and buy the products, you earn. I will discuss bum marketing in a separate post which is coming soon. My point here is you can use articles to market affiliate products and earn money from commissions.
But there are also sites like Helium, Associated Content and Triond that pay for every article that you submit or the traffic that your articles generate.
4) WRITE ACADEMIC PAPERS - Do you always get A's or B's in your term papers and theses? Do you have good Internet research skills and some solid background on certain fields of knowledge? If so, you can be paid to write academic papers. There are students who need a lot of help.
Here are some sites that offer academic writing jobs. Honestly, I haven't signed up for an account in any of these sites so I recommend caution to those who would like to sign up:
5) WRITE LETTERS - I'm sure that many of us have written letters before such as letters of application and resignation, recommendation, etc. You can actually earn from those letters. With a few tweaks, somebody else could use it. Or you can write custom letters to suit specific needs. For more information, go to Letter Rep by clicking here.
There are many more ways to earn by using your writing skills. Writing is a skill worth developing and honing. It takes a lot practice to be able to write well, but the pay-off is tremendous.
GET RID OF THE MOUSE! (For MS Word Users)
Nope, I don't mean that kind that squeaks and gnaws at just about anything. I'm talking about that the seemingly indispensable computer accessory that looks a bit like the furry pest, minus the fur and the ears.
OK. The mouse does make our lives easier when we're using our computers and we can't totally do without the mouse. But relying on the mouse most of the time can slow you down. For my part, I don't want to take my hands off the computer keyboard when I'm working. The less I use the mouse, the better. And I hate anything that closely resembles that pesky rodent. I can only love the mice in cartoonlandia -- Mickey Mouse, Jerry of "Tom and Jerry," Speedy Gonzales, etc. (OK, I've got to admit, the mouse on the picture is cute.)
Here are some shortcut keys that will make you less dependent on your computer mouse when using MS Word (Some of these shortcuts work in other applications, too.):
CTRL + A - Selects all text and graphics.
CTRL + B - Emboldens the text (makes them boldface, that is).
CTRL + C - Copies the text.
CTRL + D - Shows the Font Window (use the Tab Key to move around).
CTRL + E - Aligns the text to the center of the page.
CTRL + F - Shows the Find Window.
CTRL + G - Shows the Goto Window.
CTRL + H - Shows the Find and Replace Window (perfect when you need to correct a misspelling that occurs multiple times in the text).
CTRL + I - Italicizes the text.
CTRL + J - Justifies the paragraph.
CTRL + K - Shows the hyperlink window.
CTRL + L - Aligns the paragraph to the left.
CTRL + M - Increases indentation of the whole paragraph.
CTRL + N - Opens a new document.
CTRL + O - Opens a saved document (Use the Tab Key and the Arrow Keys to move around).
CTRL + P - Shows the Print Window.
CTRL + Q - Decreases the indentation of the whole paragraph.
CTRL + R - Aligns the paragraph to the right.
CTRL + S - Saves the document.
CTRL + T - Hanging indent.
CTRL + U - Underscores or underlines the selected text.
CTRL + V - Paste.
CTRL + W - Exit. Brings up the dialog box that asks if you want to save the document.
CTRL + X - Cuts the selected text.
CTRL + Y - Redo.
CTRL + Z - Undo.
YOU CAN DO THE FOLLOWING WITHOUT USING A MOUSE:
To Select Text:
To select one character at a time, simply hold down the Shift Key while pressing one of the Arrow Keys, depending on the direction you want to go.
To select one word at a time, hold down the CTRL Key and the Shift Key at the same time while pressing the Arrow Key.
To select a whole line, place the cursor at the beginning of the line. Hold down the Shift Key and press the End Key. Alternatively, if the cursor is already at the end of the line, just hold down the Shift Key and press the Home Key instead.
To Change the Case of a Text: Select the text first, then
hold down the Shift Key while pressing the F3 key repeatedly until you get the desired case (UPPERCASE, lowercase, Title Case).
To Delete the Word at the Right Side of the Cursor: Hold down the CTRL Key and press the Del Key.
To Delete the Word at the Left Side of the Cursor: Hold down the CTRL Key and press the Backspace Key.
To Move the Cursor from One Word to Another: Hold down the CTRL Key and press the appropriate Arrow Key.
To Navigate from Window to Window: Hold down the Alt Key and press Tab a few times until you get to the desired window.
To Show the Desktop: Press the Window Key (the key with the Windows Logo) and the Letter D.
These are but a few of the shortcut keys that I know, but these are the ones that I usually use. These shortcut keys might also come in handy when your mouse suddenly conks out on you. Using them will save you a lot of time. (Read: Time is money.)
To remember them, you just have to use them constantly.
So long Mickey! Adios Speedy! Bye-bye Jerry!
WANT MY JOB?
Some people have actually told me that they want my job. That's because I don't have to get dressed and wear makeup to go to work. I don't have to worry about transportation and getting late for work since my work station is but a few steps from my bed.
And best of all, I don't have a degree, but I make more money than most college graduates here do. So how much do I earn? Suffice it to say that I earn more than most office employees in my province. I pay all the bills at home. And I do have some money left over to buy some of the things I want -- like this laptop that I'm using right now.
As I have mentioned before, I've been a transcriptionist for two years now. I started working as a medical transcriptionist in 2007 for a medical transcription firm in Manila, but I came home and decided to work at home. I was able to find a job through Craigslist. I've been a media/business transcriptionist since August of 2007 and so far, I'm happy with my job although I'm planning to shift to web development because I'd like to try something new.
What exactly is transcription? Wikipedia defines it as "the conversion of spoken words into written language." If I were to be asked what I do for a living, I'd say that, essentially, I just type what I hear. But for some, it may not be as easy as it sounds. It requires certain skills and knowledge which are as follows:
1) GOOD LANGUAGE SKILLS -- This includes a good grasp of English grammar, the ability to listen and perceive nuances of pronunciation, and basic knowledge of the rules of punctuation and style.
2) BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS -- One does not have to be a computer genius to be a transcriptionist. A basic proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Internet research will do.
3) GOOD TYPING SKILLS -- Most people say that transcription is not about knowing how to type well. But for me, speed and accuracy in typing is essential if you would like to be a productive transcriptionist. Simply put, the faster you type, the more transcripts you produce in a day and the more you produce, the more you earn.
4) SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE -- Transcription necessitates the ability to understand what is being said through context clues. In other words, a transcriptionist needs to know what is being talked about in order to correctly transcribe what is being said by the speaker. For instance, a medical transcriptionist has to be familiar with medical terms and drugs' generic names and brands and has to study the basic concepts of anatomy and physiology in order to be able to transcribe doctors' reports accurately. Legal transcriptionists have to be familiar with the legal terms, especially the Latin ones. Even media transcriptionists like me have to be familiar with the names (especially the pronunciation and spelling) of TV personalities like George Stephanopoulos (whew!) and Lola Ogunnaike.
Now, for more information on how to develop the three skills that I mentioned above and for free resources online, read my previous post, "Basic Skills that Every Online Professional Should Have." You can read that post by clicking here.
As for specialized knowledge, you need to determine in what area or field of transcription you are well-suited for. Some graduates and students of medicine and nursing get into medical transcription. Law students and graduates may work as legal transcriptionists. Wide readers and erstwhile couch potatoes like me are well-suited for media transcription. You may take up special courses like I did. I studied medical transcription for six months.
Aside from a computer and an Internet connection, what else does a transcriptionist need to have?
1) A GOOD WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE -- I use MS Word, but alternatively, you can use Writer, a free word processor from Open Office. It's free and it's compatible with MS Word. To download the Open Office suite, click here.
2) A TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE -- A transcription software is a program that plays back sound files. The best transcription software I have ever used so far is Express Scribe. Other transcription softwares make the speaker sound like Darth Vader when you slow down the speed. Not Express Scribe -- you can adjust the speed without affecting the pitch of the speaker's voice. And did I mention that it's free? To download Express Scribe, click here.
However, as a media transcriptionist, I transcribe video files. Sometimes, there are captions that I need to type. Express Scribe can only play the sound in video files. I have not tried any free video transcription software. I use StartStop which was provided by the transcription company that I work for.
Beware: Some transcription "firms" promise to train you for free and guarantee you a job, but they will actually charge you an astronomical price for the transcription software (like $600). I almost got duped; fortunately, my uncle didn't lend me money for the software. Why pay when you can get one for free?
3) A HEADSET -- Actually, a pair of good earphones or headphones will do. Sometimes, I use my MP3 player's earphones.
4) A FOOT PEDAL -- You can actually do without this one -- if you're just practicing. Anything that the foot pedal can do, the mouse can also do. Express Scribe allows the use of "Hot Keys" -- F keys that have the same function as a foot pedal. However, if you would like to be a productive transcriptionist and earn more and would like to concentrate better on what you're transcribing, then you should get one.
You can purchase a foot pedal from Executive Communications Systems, Inc. I believe that Executive Communications Systems is a trustworthy company. The transcription firm that I work for ordered a foot pedal for me last year. I found Executive Communications Systems' website address on the sticker affixed on the underside the footpedal that was sent to me by the transcription firm. It was delivered via FedEx from the U.S. to Kalibo, Aklan, my hometown. It is still in excellent condition; my first foot pedal lasted only 10 months. To buy a foot pedal, click on the banner below.
Transcription requires some basic skills that may be acquired through constant practice. The knowledge part is easy; I studied medical transcription for only six months. Well, I don't even use what I studied because I transcribe news reports. The investment is minimal and may be recouped within months. This could be a lucrative job depending on one's level of skill and productivity. It could be rewarding and it is certainly worth-trying.
To find transcription jobs, go to my resource page titled "JOBS" by clicking here. You will find a list of websites where you can find job postings from people who need transcription services.
Good luck!
Update: Want a transcription job? The company I work for is hiring! Be sure to click on the banner above my blog posts.
And best of all, I don't have a degree, but I make more money than most college graduates here do. So how much do I earn? Suffice it to say that I earn more than most office employees in my province. I pay all the bills at home. And I do have some money left over to buy some of the things I want -- like this laptop that I'm using right now.
As I have mentioned before, I've been a transcriptionist for two years now. I started working as a medical transcriptionist in 2007 for a medical transcription firm in Manila, but I came home and decided to work at home. I was able to find a job through Craigslist. I've been a media/business transcriptionist since August of 2007 and so far, I'm happy with my job although I'm planning to shift to web development because I'd like to try something new.
What exactly is transcription? Wikipedia defines it as "the conversion of spoken words into written language." If I were to be asked what I do for a living, I'd say that, essentially, I just type what I hear. But for some, it may not be as easy as it sounds. It requires certain skills and knowledge which are as follows:
1) GOOD LANGUAGE SKILLS -- This includes a good grasp of English grammar, the ability to listen and perceive nuances of pronunciation, and basic knowledge of the rules of punctuation and style.
2) BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS -- One does not have to be a computer genius to be a transcriptionist. A basic proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Internet research will do.
3) GOOD TYPING SKILLS -- Most people say that transcription is not about knowing how to type well. But for me, speed and accuracy in typing is essential if you would like to be a productive transcriptionist. Simply put, the faster you type, the more transcripts you produce in a day and the more you produce, the more you earn.
4) SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE -- Transcription necessitates the ability to understand what is being said through context clues. In other words, a transcriptionist needs to know what is being talked about in order to correctly transcribe what is being said by the speaker. For instance, a medical transcriptionist has to be familiar with medical terms and drugs' generic names and brands and has to study the basic concepts of anatomy and physiology in order to be able to transcribe doctors' reports accurately. Legal transcriptionists have to be familiar with the legal terms, especially the Latin ones. Even media transcriptionists like me have to be familiar with the names (especially the pronunciation and spelling) of TV personalities like George Stephanopoulos (whew!) and Lola Ogunnaike.
Now, for more information on how to develop the three skills that I mentioned above and for free resources online, read my previous post, "Basic Skills that Every Online Professional Should Have." You can read that post by clicking here.
As for specialized knowledge, you need to determine in what area or field of transcription you are well-suited for. Some graduates and students of medicine and nursing get into medical transcription. Law students and graduates may work as legal transcriptionists. Wide readers and erstwhile couch potatoes like me are well-suited for media transcription. You may take up special courses like I did. I studied medical transcription for six months.
Aside from a computer and an Internet connection, what else does a transcriptionist need to have?
1) A GOOD WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE -- I use MS Word, but alternatively, you can use Writer, a free word processor from Open Office. It's free and it's compatible with MS Word. To download the Open Office suite, click here.
2) A TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE -- A transcription software is a program that plays back sound files. The best transcription software I have ever used so far is Express Scribe. Other transcription softwares make the speaker sound like Darth Vader when you slow down the speed. Not Express Scribe -- you can adjust the speed without affecting the pitch of the speaker's voice. And did I mention that it's free? To download Express Scribe, click here.
However, as a media transcriptionist, I transcribe video files. Sometimes, there are captions that I need to type. Express Scribe can only play the sound in video files. I have not tried any free video transcription software. I use StartStop which was provided by the transcription company that I work for.
Beware: Some transcription "firms" promise to train you for free and guarantee you a job, but they will actually charge you an astronomical price for the transcription software (like $600). I almost got duped; fortunately, my uncle didn't lend me money for the software. Why pay when you can get one for free?
3) A HEADSET -- Actually, a pair of good earphones or headphones will do. Sometimes, I use my MP3 player's earphones.
4) A FOOT PEDAL -- You can actually do without this one -- if you're just practicing. Anything that the foot pedal can do, the mouse can also do. Express Scribe allows the use of "Hot Keys" -- F keys that have the same function as a foot pedal. However, if you would like to be a productive transcriptionist and earn more and would like to concentrate better on what you're transcribing, then you should get one.
You can purchase a foot pedal from Executive Communications Systems, Inc. I believe that Executive Communications Systems is a trustworthy company. The transcription firm that I work for ordered a foot pedal for me last year. I found Executive Communications Systems' website address on the sticker affixed on the underside the footpedal that was sent to me by the transcription firm. It was delivered via FedEx from the U.S. to Kalibo, Aklan, my hometown. It is still in excellent condition; my first foot pedal lasted only 10 months. To buy a foot pedal, click on the banner below.
Transcription requires some basic skills that may be acquired through constant practice. The knowledge part is easy; I studied medical transcription for only six months. Well, I don't even use what I studied because I transcribe news reports. The investment is minimal and may be recouped within months. This could be a lucrative job depending on one's level of skill and productivity. It could be rewarding and it is certainly worth-trying.
To find transcription jobs, go to my resource page titled "JOBS" by clicking here. You will find a list of websites where you can find job postings from people who need transcription services.
Good luck!
Update: Want a transcription job? The company I work for is hiring! Be sure to click on the banner above my blog posts.
LEARNING PHP AND MYSQL
I have worked as a transcriptionist for nearly two years now. However, these past few months, I’ve been thinking about a career change. I would like something more challenging, something that requires more creativity and lateral thinking.
A few months ago, Arpee, a 23-year-old web developer, moved into our apartment complex. He’s a great guy, who's very kind and generous — he let my entire family stay in his unit when a big flood came with the typhoon that hit our province last year (Our unit is on the ground floor; his is on the second floor). While we were staying in his unit, he encouraged my sister and me to study PHP and MySQL and showed us where to find resources to help us learn.
I admire this fellow. He was part of the Mambo CMS development team (Mambo is quite well-known among web developers) and now, he works with the Mia CMS development team (CMS is content management system, something that is used to build and maintain websites). He’s a college grad, but he didn’t learn PHP from school — he has a degree in Agricultural Engineering (I don’t think he learned how to develop web applications while taking soil samples). He is largely self-taught and says Google helped him a lot and so did joining discussion forums.
He is married and has a four-year-old daughter (who studies in a private school). His beautiful wife is a housewife who takes such good care of their pretty little girl and keeps their home tidy and clean. He owns a van and they live comfortably on the salary he earns. He earns twice as much as I do, so naturally, I got very interested in web development and since I started studying it, I’ve been hooked ever since.
Want to study PHP and MySQL? Well, first you need to have a working knowledge of HTML (hypertext markup language). HTML is actually very easy and really fun to learn. After learning HTML, you may proceed to PHP and MySQL.
So what do you need to do to learn PHP and MySQL?
1) DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL XAMPP - So what the heck is this? This a open source cross-platform web server package. You're going to need this because if you're going to study PHP and MySQL, you would need an Apache server, a MySQL database and a PHP interpreter. XAMPP has all of these. Don't worry because XAMPP is free. You can download XAMPP from here.
2) SURF THE INTERNET FOR WEBSITES THAT OFFER HELPFUL INFORMATION - There are a lot of web sites that offer tutorials in web development and design. Among the websites I've found very helpful are:
W3 Schools
Tizag
Killer PHP (Would you rather watch videos? Then this site is for you.)
PHP Official Site
HTML Dog (for those who have yet to learn HTML)
3) JOIN ONLINE FORUMS - You may need someone to help you understand some concepts or you may have questions that need to be answered. You'll be surprised that there are many people who are more than willing to help. Here are some online forums that you can join:
PHP Builder Forums
CodingForums.com
PHP Developer's Network
The Official PHP User-Group in the Philippines (Recommended by Arpee. This would be a great site to join if you're a newbie and a Filipino. PHP mavens can answer your questions in Taglish!)
4) DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS OR BUY BOOKS ON PHP AND MYSQL - Books and e-books present information in a more organized and comprehensive manner. They would be good to have for reference and in-depth learning.
These are the books I recommend:
(Click on the images for more info.)
For Newbies in HTML and Web Design:
There are available free e-books all over the Internet. Just Google the terms "free e-books" and "PHP" together. However, from experience, I've found that some of those books are either outdated or not very good, and some files contain viruses and trojans (Be particularly wary of those in .exe and .chm format). They're free, but download at your own risk.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy learning PHP.
A few months ago, Arpee, a 23-year-old web developer, moved into our apartment complex. He’s a great guy, who's very kind and generous — he let my entire family stay in his unit when a big flood came with the typhoon that hit our province last year (Our unit is on the ground floor; his is on the second floor). While we were staying in his unit, he encouraged my sister and me to study PHP and MySQL and showed us where to find resources to help us learn.
I admire this fellow. He was part of the Mambo CMS development team (Mambo is quite well-known among web developers) and now, he works with the Mia CMS development team (CMS is content management system, something that is used to build and maintain websites). He’s a college grad, but he didn’t learn PHP from school — he has a degree in Agricultural Engineering (I don’t think he learned how to develop web applications while taking soil samples). He is largely self-taught and says Google helped him a lot and so did joining discussion forums.
He is married and has a four-year-old daughter (who studies in a private school). His beautiful wife is a housewife who takes such good care of their pretty little girl and keeps their home tidy and clean. He owns a van and they live comfortably on the salary he earns. He earns twice as much as I do, so naturally, I got very interested in web development and since I started studying it, I’ve been hooked ever since.
Want to study PHP and MySQL? Well, first you need to have a working knowledge of HTML (hypertext markup language). HTML is actually very easy and really fun to learn. After learning HTML, you may proceed to PHP and MySQL.
So what do you need to do to learn PHP and MySQL?
1) DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL XAMPP - So what the heck is this? This a open source cross-platform web server package. You're going to need this because if you're going to study PHP and MySQL, you would need an Apache server, a MySQL database and a PHP interpreter. XAMPP has all of these. Don't worry because XAMPP is free. You can download XAMPP from here.
2) SURF THE INTERNET FOR WEBSITES THAT OFFER HELPFUL INFORMATION - There are a lot of web sites that offer tutorials in web development and design. Among the websites I've found very helpful are:
W3 Schools
Tizag
Killer PHP (Would you rather watch videos? Then this site is for you.)
PHP Official Site
HTML Dog (for those who have yet to learn HTML)
3) JOIN ONLINE FORUMS - You may need someone to help you understand some concepts or you may have questions that need to be answered. You'll be surprised that there are many people who are more than willing to help. Here are some online forums that you can join:
PHP Builder Forums
CodingForums.com
PHP Developer's Network
The Official PHP User-Group in the Philippines (Recommended by Arpee. This would be a great site to join if you're a newbie and a Filipino. PHP mavens can answer your questions in Taglish!)
4) DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS OR BUY BOOKS ON PHP AND MYSQL - Books and e-books present information in a more organized and comprehensive manner. They would be good to have for reference and in-depth learning.
These are the books I recommend:
(Click on the images for more info.)
For Newbies in HTML and Web Design:
There are available free e-books all over the Internet. Just Google the terms "free e-books" and "PHP" together. However, from experience, I've found that some of those books are either outdated or not very good, and some files contain viruses and trojans (Be particularly wary of those in .exe and .chm format). They're free, but download at your own risk.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy learning PHP.
HOW ARE YOUR TYPING SKILLS?
Whether you’re a work-at-home employee or a self-employed pro-blogger, your typing skills are some of the best assets that you can have as an online professional. I reiterate: Your typing speed and accuracy are commensurate to your productivity. The faster you type, the more work you can do in a day and the more money you earn.
An online professional needs to have a typing speed of at least 40 wpm (words per minute). If you would like to be a transcriptionist like me, you would need to have a typing speed of 60 wpm. Of course, your accuracy should be no less than 100%.
Are your typing skills below par? Don’t despair. There are hundreds of free typing tutors on the Internet available for download or for use online.
Here’s the link to a website that provides a list of typing tutors that are either freeware or shareware:
http://typingsoft.com/all_typing_tutors.htm
Just in case you’re wondering: When I started working, my peak typing speed was just 35 wpm, just enough to get me hired by the call center that I used to work for. By the way, I used the Biblical typing technique (“Seek and you shall find”). When I started out, the customers I talked with often grew impatient because I could not pull up the information that they were asking for right away, and that was because I wasn’t typing fast enough. As a result, my AHT scores (average handling time) went through the roof, which wasn’t a good thing, because they were supposed to be low (A high AHT score means the call center agent always keeps the customers waiting).
I then decided to do something about it. I went to the Sense-lang.org website and used the online free touch-typing tutor. This program, by the way, requires you to paste some text in a text box and then you would have to type the text. What I did was I copied and pasted the text from the emails that I needed to read, and I did this in between calls. I read my emails while I typed them. Talk about multi-tasking!
In a couple of months, my typing speed improved considerably and so did my stats (By “stats,” I mean my evaluation scores). And there were less and less impatient costumers. After a year, I decided to switch to another job. From a call center agent, I became a home-based transcriptionist. I wouldn’t be qualified for this job if my typing speed were less than 60 wpm. Needless to say, I acquired that speed — thanks to that typing tutor at Sense-lang.org.
I just visited the Sense-lang.org website after a long, long time. They now have a typing tutor for the Dvorak keyboard layout. They even have a tutor for the numeric keypad. They also have typing games to which makes learning how to type even more fun.
You can go to Sense-lang.org to check out the typing tutor.
An online professional needs to have a typing speed of at least 40 wpm (words per minute). If you would like to be a transcriptionist like me, you would need to have a typing speed of 60 wpm. Of course, your accuracy should be no less than 100%.
Are your typing skills below par? Don’t despair. There are hundreds of free typing tutors on the Internet available for download or for use online.
Here’s the link to a website that provides a list of typing tutors that are either freeware or shareware:
http://typingsoft.com/all_typing_tutors.htm
Just in case you’re wondering: When I started working, my peak typing speed was just 35 wpm, just enough to get me hired by the call center that I used to work for. By the way, I used the Biblical typing technique (“Seek and you shall find”). When I started out, the customers I talked with often grew impatient because I could not pull up the information that they were asking for right away, and that was because I wasn’t typing fast enough. As a result, my AHT scores (average handling time) went through the roof, which wasn’t a good thing, because they were supposed to be low (A high AHT score means the call center agent always keeps the customers waiting).
I then decided to do something about it. I went to the Sense-lang.org website and used the online free touch-typing tutor. This program, by the way, requires you to paste some text in a text box and then you would have to type the text. What I did was I copied and pasted the text from the emails that I needed to read, and I did this in between calls. I read my emails while I typed them. Talk about multi-tasking!
In a couple of months, my typing speed improved considerably and so did my stats (By “stats,” I mean my evaluation scores). And there were less and less impatient costumers. After a year, I decided to switch to another job. From a call center agent, I became a home-based transcriptionist. I wouldn’t be qualified for this job if my typing speed were less than 60 wpm. Needless to say, I acquired that speed — thanks to that typing tutor at Sense-lang.org.
I just visited the Sense-lang.org website after a long, long time. They now have a typing tutor for the Dvorak keyboard layout. They even have a tutor for the numeric keypad. They also have typing games to which makes learning how to type even more fun.
You can go to Sense-lang.org to check out the typing tutor.
BASIC SKILLS THAT EVERY ONLINE PROFESSIONAL SHOULD HAVE
If you really want to work at home, you need to take stock of the skills that you have. There are a few indispensable skills that an online professional needs to possess. I will be listing these skills and provide links to some sources that can help you develop each skill that I will be mentioning.
COMPUTER SKILLS – I know — this is a no-brainer. An online professional should at least know how to use Microsoft Office, particularly these two applications — MS Word and MS Excel.
There are free tutorials available all over the Internet. You can even go to YouTube and type “Microsoft Word tutorial” or “Microsoft Excel tutorial” in the search box.
If you want to learn more and improve your MS Office skills, there are a lot of free tutorials on the Internet. Here are some websites that you can visit:
TYPING - An online professional needs to have a typing speed of at least 40 words per minute in order to work efficiently. You need to build not only speed, but also accuracy. In fact, accuracy should be prioritized over speed.
Here’s the link to a website that provides a list of typing tutors that are either freeware or shareware: All The Touch Typing Tutors
COMMUNICATION SKILLS — Good communication skills are essential if you want to land an online job. English is one language that you need to master, unless you’re working with an employer or clients that speak a different language.
There are three communication skills that are worth developing: oral, written and listening. Those who have good oral communication skills can apply as virtual assistants and work-at-home telemarketers, and contact specialists (call center agents or answering service agents). Writing is a good skill to have as there is a huge market for writers online. Good listening skills are vital for transcriptionists and contact specialists.
Here are some websites you can visit that can help you improve on your English grammar:
If you would like to improve your listening skills, I recommend that you listen to podcasts and try to transcribe what you hear. Listening to podcasts will also help you acquire an “ear” for grammar. You will begin to develop that intuitive sense as to whether the sentence you read or hear is grammatically correct or not. One of the nicest things about transcribing podcasts is that you learn about a variety of subjects while you develop two basic skills — typing and listening.
Here are some websites where you can download podcasts for free.
You can download Express Scribe, a free transcription software (the best I have ever used so far) by clicking on this link: Express Scribe
To best way to develop writing skills is to write, write, write. Keep a journal. Show off your writing chops by keeping a blog. Submit content to get-paid-to-write sites.
The best way to be a better speaker is — you guessed it — talk, talk, talk. Join the Toastmasters’ Club nearest you. If English is a second language to you, you can ask someone who is fluent in that language to converse with you in English.
Keep in mind that people are not born with these skills. They are acquired and developed through constant practice. You build confidence through competence — confidence both on your part and your employers' part. So get moving! :)
By the way, here's another website that could help : Skillswise
COMPUTER SKILLS – I know — this is a no-brainer. An online professional should at least know how to use Microsoft Office, particularly these two applications — MS Word and MS Excel.
There are free tutorials available all over the Internet. You can even go to YouTube and type “Microsoft Word tutorial” or “Microsoft Excel tutorial” in the search box.
If you want to learn more and improve your MS Office skills, there are a lot of free tutorials on the Internet. Here are some websites that you can visit:
- Education Online for Computers (with PDF documents available for download)
- Training by Email (for MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook Tutorials)
- Basic Excel Tutorial
- Microsoft Excel 2007 Tutorial Videos
- Excel Tip (for advanced users)
- Microsoft Word 2007 Tutorial Videos
TYPING - An online professional needs to have a typing speed of at least 40 words per minute in order to work efficiently. You need to build not only speed, but also accuracy. In fact, accuracy should be prioritized over speed.
Here’s the link to a website that provides a list of typing tutors that are either freeware or shareware: All The Touch Typing Tutors
COMMUNICATION SKILLS — Good communication skills are essential if you want to land an online job. English is one language that you need to master, unless you’re working with an employer or clients that speak a different language.
There are three communication skills that are worth developing: oral, written and listening. Those who have good oral communication skills can apply as virtual assistants and work-at-home telemarketers, and contact specialists (call center agents or answering service agents). Writing is a good skill to have as there is a huge market for writers online. Good listening skills are vital for transcriptionists and contact specialists.
Here are some websites you can visit that can help you improve on your English grammar:
If you would like to improve your listening skills, I recommend that you listen to podcasts and try to transcribe what you hear. Listening to podcasts will also help you acquire an “ear” for grammar. You will begin to develop that intuitive sense as to whether the sentence you read or hear is grammatically correct or not. One of the nicest things about transcribing podcasts is that you learn about a variety of subjects while you develop two basic skills — typing and listening.
Here are some websites where you can download podcasts for free.
You can download Express Scribe, a free transcription software (the best I have ever used so far) by clicking on this link: Express Scribe
To best way to develop writing skills is to write, write, write. Keep a journal. Show off your writing chops by keeping a blog. Submit content to get-paid-to-write sites.
The best way to be a better speaker is — you guessed it — talk, talk, talk. Join the Toastmasters’ Club nearest you. If English is a second language to you, you can ask someone who is fluent in that language to converse with you in English.
Keep in mind that people are not born with these skills. They are acquired and developed through constant practice. You build confidence through competence — confidence both on your part and your employers' part. So get moving! :)
By the way, here's another website that could help : Skillswise
