How to Type Manuscripts From Home
Working from home seems like an ideal job for some. The market for at home work, however, can seem incredibly daunting. There are so many areas available it can be hard to know what you are capable of doing. One simple at-home job is to type manuscripts for cash. That only leaves the question of how exactly to go about it. Treat it like a business and you should be well on your way to making money by typing manuscripts at home.
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Instructions
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Before your first Client
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1
Decide your pay rate. Starting with this can help eliminate issues when you start taking clients as the first question they ask is what your rate is. According to PayScale.com in 2010, the average hourly rate for a word processor/typist is about 15 dollars an hour.
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2
Create a contract. Contracts should include a privacy agreement and spaces for you to fill in the necessary information regarding the work you will do. Include information like the length of the piece, the estimated date of completion and estimated price. This way, you have something to refer back to should anything change about your arrangement with your client.
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3
Advertise your services. Since this is a home-based business, you are your own boss. That also means you are your own marketer. It is easy to advertise services over the Internet through sites such as craigslist.org to bring in clients. Design and print fliers you can post in local places, such as coffee shops and libraries advertising your services. Consider contacting your local entrepreneurial center and/or local colleges for possible clients.
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4
Use sites to find clients in need of having their manuscript typed. Craigslist.org also has a section called 'Gigs' available on most of their cities. This may also offer some prospective clientele.
While Working with your Client
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5
Make yourself available. This does not mean answering their calls 24/7, but it does mean being available for them to follow up on the project status and request changes to their manuscript as necessary. In the event changes are made, a new contract may be required, or just a meeting in order to modify the old one.
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6
Work steadily. While some manuscripts may be typed in one session, others may take more. As this is professional work, you do not want to procrastinate until the last minute and turn in hack work. This will damage your reputation and may keep you from getting other clients.
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7
Check the typed manuscript thoroughly. Pre-programmed spell checkers are wonderful functions that should not be overlooked, but can only find words that are actually spelled incorrectly, not used incorrectly. Every manuscript should be examined for accuracy prior to deadline.
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8
Save the manuscript often. Computers crash and when they do, they can take large amounts of data with them causing you heartache and extra work as you redo what was lost. Save and back up the manuscript as often as possible. Since you are likely using your personal computer, take proper precautions against loss caused by others who share the machine.
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9
Turn the manuscript in on time in the format requested. This is true of any project, but it still bears repeating. Turn in the manuscript when it is due, if not sooner. Lateness sours a client's disposition toward you.
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Tips & Warnings
In Section one, you do not have to use both Steps three and four, though it can not hurt anything if you do.
When looking online for clients, be aware that typist is a very different job description from ghostwriter. While they are both typing intensive jobs, a typist essentially transcribes or types directly from something already written. A ghostwriter takes notes/information and turns them into a coherent manuscript.
References
- Photo Credit computer image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
