Thursday, January 24, 2013

Transcription for Beginners

I realized that there were plenty of transcription jobs out there but I honestly thought that they were medical transcription, and even though I have a degree in Medical Assisting, you need a special certification for medical transcription.

While searching for ways to earn an income from home, I came across some transcription opportunities for beginners. Many of them might like for you to have some transcription experience but many do not require experience. These companies need transcription of various audio files including interviews, voice mails, focus groups, and other things. I only had a small amount of transcription experience from years ago but I thought it would be something I could do.

I came across a list of transcription companies that hire with no experience at realwaystoearnmoneyonline. They also give a brief review of each company so that you know what you are getting into.

Before you begin applying for these transcription jobs, here are a few tips. First of all, download Express Scribe (google it, it's free to download). This program works great for transcribing audio files.  You can slow the audio down and rewind with the touch of a button. It may be tricky at first but once you get used to which buttons control it, you will move pretty quickly. A few companies require a foot pedal but not all.

Another thing to keep in mind: most transcription companies want you to transcribe a short audio file for your application. If you are new to transcribing, this can become quite time consuming. Also, most of these companies have a specific way that they want their files formatted and of course, each one is different. This takes time to read through their format styles and rules. I had one company respond saying that my transcription was great but I needed to change some of the formatting and send it back. *sigh* Honestly, I think the transcription part should be the main focus when applying for a company and the formatting can be tweeked once the applicant is hired. It is all very time consuming.

I applied at probably 8 different transcription companies and got a response from 3 or 4 (many of them say that it can take up to 2 weeks). Just a heads up, this is one of the responses I got:


Notice the waiting period? Yeah, 470 days!! 

I think transcription can be a great income generator, especially after gaining a little bit of experience. One company I read pays 90 cents per word. Per word! I type 90 wpm, so add that up! The only reason I haven't gone on with the application process is that I acquired another job outside of the home beginning next week however, I am still keeping transcription in the back of my mind in case this job doesn't work out. 

Anyone have any transcription experience to tell us about??



Friday, January 18, 2013

More Samples and Freebies January 2013

Oh yes, my mailbox has been getting filled up again with all of these great samples!




This includes free address labels, bumper stickers, energy drops, lotions, shampoos, and more. This does not include the pile of free magazines I have! 

Have you received any good freebies lately??

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Arise - Work From Home and Lose Money!

I have been researching various ways that you can work full time (or part time, whatever you choose) from home by contracting with other business. I know that there are a lot of people doing this kind of work on a daily basis and earning as much as they would if they were working outside of the home, without having to pay for gas and child expenses. I also know that there are a lot of money hungry people out there that milk honest people for their money by promising a work at home job that pays a lot of money. The research I am doing is to find out WHO is legit and WHO is not. There are literally hundreds of companies out there offering work at home jobs and it has taken me hours to look through them. I'm going to start with Arise. They are the first company that I have had first hand experience with.

While researching Arise, I found mostly negative reviews. Many, many people claimed that the companies that work with Arise will charge an insane amount of money upfront, promising that the money will be reimbursed in your first few paychecks. These companies promise anywhere from $25 - $30 an hour to do easy work. Once you pay the money and begin working, it won't be long until they conjure up a reason to let you go, and then you are out a job and the upfront costs that you paid.

On the other hand, I heard a few people say that they did pay some upfront costs but they were currently working through Arise, making anywhere from $9 to $12 an hour. So is it worth taking the chance on Arise? Well, here is my experience with them. These are various parts of a conversation I had with someone wanting to contract work with me....

2:38:47 PM  
office.work7: We are currently looking for staff to work from home as a Accounting Clerk. Working hours are flexible. You will be getting a one-week training period with your training supervisor online. She will be training to use the specific software you will need to work with as a data entry clerk or an administrative clerk/Medical Biller.
2:40:25 PM  
workathome420: Ok, I do have some medical knowledge, btw
2:41:22 PM  
office.work7: This position is currently only available online as a work-from-home job. This means that everything is being taken care of online from a remote access point. Eventually, you will be able to choose whether or not you want to continue working from home or work in the office. Working hours are flexible and when working from home, you have the benefit of choosing where you want to do your work. For example, one may choose to work using a wireless internet connection right on the beach!
2:42:44 PM  
workathome420: great!
2:43:25 PM  
office.work7: The pay rate is $30per hour and training is $25per hour. Our employees are payed every Friday via direct deposit or pay check. Working part-time is a minimum of 20 hours per week and full-time is a minimum of 40 hours weekly.

The job includes benefits such as health, dental, life, and AD&D insurance, employee wellness and 401k plans. All holidays are paid and employees enjoy generous company discounts.
2:44:06 PM  
workathome420: ok, sounds good so far
 8:53:48 AM office.work7: Basically,NOTE:This company is looking for a 16 team data entry/Medical biller worker.The most efficient workers from this 16 teams will be promoted to the company office,earn$63,0000 per annual given a car and a house,at the end of the year,this will be 4 efficient workers from the 16 teams.10% taxes will be deducted from your salary monthly by the company.
9:11:33 AM  office.work7:
The company will provide you with an HP laptop with a fast and reliable internet connection. Your W-4 form will be arriving shortly with the other working materials you need to start earning money with our company. You will be required to purchase the software you will be working with and the company will have you reimbursed for your order. You will need to place an order with a certified vendor and trusted third-party company who will then have the programs installed free of charge on your company laptop. It will be sent to you via overnight shipping from FedEx.9:12:31 AM  workathome420: ok9:14:17 AM  office.work7: Initially, the software will cost $450 but you will also be trained by your supervisor on how to navigate the programs. Note that you will also be paid during training and for all hours that you work. Also note that you will be reimbursed for this investment. The credit will arrive with your first paycheck. Our employees are paid once a week every Friday. You will need to purchase the software from the shipping agent who we have been conducting business with for years. The only payment method accepted is by Money Gram/Money order which is check. Once you have placed your order, the package will be shipped to you via FedEx overnight delivery.

... Oh, and there it is! After spending quite a bit of time conversing with this gentleman and after telling me alll about this wonderful high paying job, he mentions the $450 cost. The software programs that were needed are pretty basic programs, that I'm sure I could have found at a discount or from a friend.. but I was not given that option. I HAD to buy it through his vendor, no one else. .... 
9:15:24 AM  workathome420: well, well I don't have $450 up front
9:15:55 AM  office.work7: Oh Deana i will never come here to take anything from you, the company is here to offer you with a job that will benefit you and your family for good i do understand how you feel about this but i want you to know you are save with this company and you will also have a reimbursement form to fill before you get started with your training tomorrow morning.
9:16:30 AM  workathome420: you don't understand though. i do not have $450.

9:18:27 AM  office.work7: I understand you Deana but i want you to try and get this done right away so your working materials can be shipped out to you right away and remember you will be reimbursed along with your first paycheck with Bonus and i also want to let you know the vendor accept a partial payment at this Time Okay?
9:23:07 AM  workathome420: Depends on how much of a partial payment. I haven't worked in a few months. You didn't tell me about any upfront costs til now
 12:47:00 PM  office.work7: Ok Good i got an e mail from the Vendor as i pleaded to them so you can make a partial payment and i was told you could make a partial payment of $259 and your working materials will be packed and shipped out to you Okay?12:48:10 PM  workathome420: That was nice of you but I still don't have that much upfront.12:49:33 PM  office.work7: Oh I see well how much can you come up with now?12:49:51 PM  office.work7: Maybe i could be off asistance Okay?


11:04:45 AM   workathome420: I am...but I have no money and this seems more and more like a scam just trying to get money
 11:06:21 AM   office.work7: I want you to trust in me on this as we do not run anything as such as scam on here Okay.
11:09:05 AM  office.work7: Once you have had your payment made today your working Materials will be shipped out to you right away and delievered to your home address first thing tomorrow Morning and i will be right here to provide you with the Tracking Clerk?
11:09:14 AM   office.work7: Clear*
11:11:47 AM   workathome420: That would be fine if I had the money
11:17:55 AM   office.work7: I understand Deanna but i want you to try your best to get this funds Okay.

By this time, I was getting very aggravated that this man had wasted soo much of my time and gotten my hopes up. It was quite clear that he was just interested in me paying up front.. so I played a long with it...

10:19:06 AM   office.work7: 10:19:10 AM  
 office.work7: Hello Deanna.
10:19:34 AM   workathome420: hello
10:20:02 AM   office.work7: How are you doing today?
10:20:19 AM   workathome420: just peachy
10:20:37 AM   office.work7: Oh I see well i believe you have gotting the funds?
10:21:12 AM   workathome420: of course
10:21:53 AM   office.work7: Alright are you ready to place your order so your working materials can be shipped out to you right away and delievered to your home Address?
10:24:31 AM   workathome420: sure
10:24:55 AM   office.work7: Alright how much is with you now?
10:26:57 AM   workathome420: 350
10:28:16 AM   office.work7: Alright i believe you have a Money Gram outLet near you now?
10:29:55 AM   workathome420: yes
10:30:35 AM   office.work7: Ok Now i want you to get a pen and a sheet of paper so you can have the vendor's Money Gram payment information written down right away.
10:31:40 AM   workathome420: ok i have one
10:32:07 AM   office.work7: Here is the vendor's Money Gram payment information:
10:32:09 AM   office.work7: Name: Seth Dupree
Address:3480 GolfView Drive, Apt1120
City: Thibodaux
State: Louisiana
Zipcode: 70301
 10:32:12 AM   office.work7: Got it? 
10:33:08 AM   workathome420: ok.. got it
 10:33:18 AM   office.work7: Have you had it written down now? 10:33:34 AM   workathome420: yes id o 10:33:41 AM   office.work7: Ok Good,now how many minute will it take you to proceed to the Money Gram Outlet and have your payment sent out to the vendor and get back to me on here for a payment verification as i will be right here waiting to attend to you? 10:33:56 AM   workathome420: about an hour or so 
office.work7: Alright i the mean time provide me with your Cell once again so i could text you on your way as you proceed. 10:35:00 AM   
workathome420: 567-2

Of course, the number I gave him was not mine, and I have not logged onto my instant messenger since. The sad thing is, I'm sure there are many people who would fall for this because the job sounds great.

You can make your own decision on attempting to obtain work through Arise. As for myself, I'm staying far, far away from them.

Have you had any experience with Arise? Good or bad? Leave a comment and tell us about it!!!


Saturday, January 5, 2013

A Full Time Income from Home?

That didn't last long. My job working outside of the home came to a quick halt 2 days before Christmas (long story which I won't get into here). I am finding myself job hunting again both outside of the home and inside the home. I am now researching ways that you anyone can make a legit income from home. I'm not talking about $10 here, $5 here opportunities. I'm talking about a regular job that you can do at home every day and earn a paycheck the same as if you were working a 9-5 job outside of the home. I will be posting soon on what I find out during my search. Honestly, freelance writing just wasn't cutting it for me. It was taking up too much of my time for a few dollars here and there. I need something that can BE an regular income, and I know many of you are looking for the same thing. I know they are out there, we just have to find them!

If you know of any legit work at home jobs that you can do from home, whether it be customer service, sales, virtual assistants, anything, please leave a comment so that I can look into it further. Also, feel free to share your experiences with various companies (good or bad) with us! In the mean time, keep coming back to see what we find out!!