Everything that happens in the civil or criminal court systems needs a copy in hard documentation. The information is either recorded or dictated in courtrooms, deposition hearings and in less official settings. The information may include pleading, testimony, reviews of administrative hearings and interrogatories. Attorneys dictate this information onto a tape or a digital voice processing system. Legal transcriptionists then transfer this information from recorded data into hard documentation.

Job Description

In addition to preparing legal documentation from both recorded and written form, legal transcriptionists may draft and file legal documents, calendar and track deadlines, assist attorneys to prepare for trials, use computers and other software as well references to research and document law to prepare or transcribe the documents involved; they also organize and maintain client files. Legal transcriptionits are sometimes under the pressure of deadlines.

They work for corporations, attorneys, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies. There is a growing demand for government legal transcriptionists.

Legal transcriptionists generally work under these three categories:

Traditional employment

They work for law firms, agencies or other companies on a salary, per hour, per page, or per line basis for internet dictation clients.

Specialization

Many legal transcriptionists specialize in various types of laws, criminal, real estate, family, business and personal injury.

Freelance

They work under the supervision of an attorney but they operate their own business and provide services to attorneys on a contractual basis.

Requirements

Basic requirements for legal transcriptionists are very good typing speed, accuracy and well developed communication skills. As well, they must be detail orientated and be able to work under pressure. Knowledge in computer operations and applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), WordPerfect, Microsoft Outlook 2003 and DocsOpen 3.9.6 is a must. In order for a legal transcriptionist to be successful in a home based business they need to have the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships. In addition to these general requirements legal transcriptionists should meet the education requirements needed to compete in this job market. A legal transcription degree or an associate’s degree of applied science is what’s accepted these days. Courses can be taken in community colleges and online. They include instruction in machine shorthand, keyboarding, English, word processing, law, legal terminology, legal transcription, office communication skills, office procedures, integrated office systems and judicial reporting procedures.

The demand for legal transcriptionists is high and is predicted to increase. Regardless of this vast market however, there is still plenty of competition. A successful legal transcriptionist will need to have thorough training, all the necessary qualifications and proper marketing techniques, especially if you want to set up your own transcribing business. You will have to make contacts within the firms you are assigned and then inform them that you are available for independent contract work.

Earnings

The annual income for legal transcriptionits is $30,000-$36,000. Some however, make about $50,000 a year. Legal transcriptionists who work on freelance basis can make more or less than this. The amount of money you will make depends on your skills, and marketing techniques.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Any career that is financially and professionally uncertain raises some eyebrows and creates worry. Freelance writing sits near the top of uncertain careers. However, there are countless out there who will cross the treacherous fields of writing in order to make a living doing what they love, and feel are good at. But the world of writing/publishing is in constant evolution, and publishing is taking on new ground which changes the way writers make their living.

If freelance writers want to increase their chances of success in the writing game they may want to form a deeper bond with their computers. Not just for producing works but submitting and looking for clients. Online writing is increasing, and smart writers are using the internet to form and build their writing careers.

If you, like so many others, pay little attention to the internet when it comes to actually getting published you may want to consider the following advantages to writing for the online market.

For starters email saves time and makes communication between writers, editors and publishers much easier. Writers who don’t at least have an email address will be left behind in the writing/publishing world, this is not say that print media is ancient history but email makes communication faster and easier.

Less competition

Popularity of the internet is still relatively new. They are fewer writers competing for markets on the internet. It’s a great time to start branding yourself and your skills. Online publications are also more open to working with new writers. The internet allows you access to a number of smaller markets that give you experience and exposure. Exposure is the lifeblood for freelance writers and publications online can help you accumulate clips.

Exposure

Regular print publications circulation is limited to the number of copies printed, which is limited by the publications budget. An online publication has a much larger potential audience. Anyone from anywhere in the world with internet connection can access the content. This can lead to invitations to write articles for other publications and some companies/organizations may request reprint rights for these pieces for conference handouts, newsletters and magazines.

Shorter turn around time

Many online writers report a shorter turn around response time when making quires and submissions as well as shorter editorial lead time.

Shelf life

An article sold to a print publication has a shelf life of a few months at max. On line however, your article can be on a website for a much longer period of time, since publications usually keep archives available.

Interaction with readers

An online market offers much more direct response for readers, in fact online is much more about dialogue. Getting a review directly from a reader can help you to determine your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.

No geographical boundaries

Writers writing for overseas markets through traditional methods must deal with long distance phone call, time difference, postage, hassle and slow surface mail. As an online freelancer you can work in different countries and cities, the only thing you really need is an email address.

Of course nothing is perfect, and online writing has its share of disadvantages as well. For instance, it is possible for just about anyone to post with little effort and money, anyone can get into a public forum and be “published” thus the quality of writing varies greatly. Online markets do not pay as well as print publications yet.

According to Ken Jenk, an online publisher, the reason it doesn’t pay well is because there are not as many paying customers online yet.

However, as the popularity of the internet grows so do the number of paying markets and types of opportunities for writers.

You may have heard of freelance work, but why should you consider it as a work at home option?

Freelance work, also know as freelancing, means that you are hired for a specific project. You are not hired part-time or full-time, you are simply hired to work until the project is done.

Freelance work can be anything from writing to inside sales. The internet offers a number of sources for freelance work.

Web design and web writing are growing markets right now and prove to be very profitable if you have the right skills. But there are many forms of freelance work that you can do from home such as photography, animation, proofreading and translation, and data entry.

Most freelance jobs can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. However, it varies depending on the job or type of work.

Is freelance work right for you?

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I comfortable in a leadership role? Along with being your own boss, you may have to guide or direct some clients when appropriate.

2. Am I decisive?

Being your own boss means it will be up to you to make the decision to ensure your business is a success. Nobody else is responsible for filling out important forms or chasing down a client when payment is overdue.

3. Have I thought through the financial implications of going it alone?

Because you do not have a steady stream of income you may have to develop your business part time while still working your full time job.

4. Am I willing to adapt to different areas

A freelance writer for example, may be asked to write on subjects outside his specialized field or take on jobs in other areas for example writing and editing.

5. Do I have the ability to get on with other people and make new working relationships easily?

Your success will depend heavily on your people skills. Successful freelance are able to network effectively to continue to gain more work for themselves.

6. Can I look for my own freelance work?

While there are agencies out there that provide freelance work, you can greatly increase your income if you can scout your own clients.

If you said yes to most of the above, freelance work may be the perfect career for you.

With freelancing you can find the jobs you want and do them on your schedule. As long as you can meet the deadline you can work whenever you choose.

Tips to get started

1. Research your market

What skills do you have and who would be interested in paying for them. What type of competition do you have?

2. Identify your business goals

What exactly do you want to achieve by being in business. Is it a certain lifestyle or a certain financial target within a specified time span?

3. Write a business plan
Every business, big or small needs a business plan. It will help to focus on the objectives and structure the financial side of your business

4. Set up your company

Since you will be working from home, set up a space in your home that you can use as your office. Keep it organized to maximize efficiency.

You may have been sitting at the computer one day deciding what you want to do with your life. And suddenly, “poof” it comes to you. You want to be a <strong>work at home editor</strong>. Chances are if you’ve ever asked someone, “how do I become an editor?” you might have gotten a blank stare. The truth is, unlike other careers, like becoming doctor, there is no clear certain path to becoming an editor. You just decide, “This is what I want to do” and then begin doing it. There are however, tips to becoming successful in this career.

Job Description

Web editors select, evaluate, describe and organize web sites.

Copy editors edit books for style

Newspaper and magazine editors
•take overall responsibility for the magazine or newspaper
•decide which stories to cover
•assign stories to reporters and writers and advise on how to cover them
•write or assist with news stories, columns or features
•help to prepare reporters’ and writers’ work for publication
•ensure each article’s tone and style is appropriate for the publication
•ensure deadlines are met
•take responsibility for business management
•hire editorial staff
•liaise with advertising and printing staff
•liaise with distributors of the newspaper/magazine
•liaise with people in the community
•train editorial staff
•select photos for publication
•do interviews and other journalist duties
•plan the layout of each issue

Tips to becoming an editor

Read, read, read
It is no secret that editors like to read. They’re not only voracious readers, they are critical as well. They notice things the average reader and/or writer would easily overlook. Grammar gurus, is probably how most people would term an editor. However, editing requires a little more flexibility to language. Just because you know how and when to use an apostrophe doesn’t mean you are an editor. You need have general knowledge on an array of topics and have well developed research skills; this is achieved by reading often.

Education
A formal education is required if you want to work in-house at a company. But your degree is not limited to English. You could have a degree in Math and still be qualified. It depends on the company you are looking to work for. For example, having literary writing skills may not fair so well in a corporate setting.

For those looking to become freelance editors, formal education is not absolutely necessary. It helps, but your marketing skills will be a greater asset. If you provide good service, most people are not bothered by your lack of a degree. If you are looking to obtain a degree, some colleges provide programs and courses in publishing and editing. Along with these programs you can also take course in business communication, technical writing, and journalism.

Find a mentor Regardless of how qualified you may be academically, you will want to find an experienced editor that will go through the material with you and share their knowledge of the business. Editing is a competitive market, knowing someone who has experience in the field will help you to understand the industry and how to succeed.

Other requirements
-A good understanding of the processes involved in publishing
-An understanding of their audience and what people want to read
-Knowledge of business management
-Leadership skills
-Communication and people skills -Analytical skills
-Skill in evaluating the quality of written work
-Writing skills
-Knowledge of media law, including defamation.

As well editors need to be organized, responsible, adaptable, motivated, diplomatic and enquiring. They need to be able to work well under pressure and must have good decision-making ability. Editors must also be able to relate to people from different cultures, lifestyles and age groups.

Many of the object and documents we view are put together with the help of desktop publishers. Desktop publishers, who are also referred to as DTP operators, publishing specialists and electronic publishing specialists, format and combine text, photographs, numerical data, charts and other visual graphic elements, in order to create publication-ready material.

Job Description

Desktop publishing projects include: calendars, books, business cards, newsletters, magazines, slides, packaging, tickets, bumper stickers, letterheads, envelops, logos, posters, name tags and websites. There are very few items these days that desktop publishers don’t play a role in when it comes to the creation process. Because of this, employment of desktop publishers is projected to increase.

Desktop publishers are taking over traditional methods of presswork using their computers and software. This allows companies to minimize expenses and improve production rates. It is predicted that a great amount of new positions will be created for desktop publishers in the computer printing and publishing firms.

The jobs for desktop publishers are found mainly in the printing and publishing industries, however, some work “in house” at various firms, educational industries and government agencies. The increase of computer development has made it simpler for one person to set up this business as a freelance professional.

Employers favor workers who have experience in desktop publishing. Although many companies provide on the job training, how much you receive varies with each company. Employers also look for the following requirements and qualities:

-Knowledge in advanced PC or Macintosh computer skills
-Basic to advanced prepress skills
-Understanding printing technology
-Understand the fundamentals of electronics and computers
-Good communication skills
-Hard working
-Courteous
-Strong Attention to detail
-Able to work alone
-Good vision, especially visual acuity
-The ability to focus quickly
-Artistic ability
-Able to work under pressure and flexible

Making yourself employable

Although it is not necessary to hold a degree, it is an advantage. Competition is still fairly low, but as more experience desktop publishers emerge on the scene, the fight to obtain these positions will be more competitive. In order to be among the top earner in this profession you will want to consider getting an associates degree in applied science or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, graphic arts, or graphic communications. Graphic arts programs allow you to learn how to use desktop publishing software but applying such knowledge is typically for someone who is seeking employment in management positions. For those who are looking to become skilled employees in desk top publishing areas you will want to consider a two year associates degree.

Much of knowledge required to become qualified for desktop publishing positions can be obtained through universities, vocational schools, collages or the web. To increase your desirability you should seek out jobs that take advantage of your existing desktop publishing skills. As well, focus on niche markets or specialized desktop publishing projects to grow your new or current home business.

Earnings

Wages and salaries vary for each company. As mentioned above those with more training and experience are likely to earn more. The average annual earnings for desktop publishers in 2007, is 33,000. Self employed desktop publishers can earn anywhere from $1,000-$70,000. Keep in mind that you only make as much as the jobs you are hired to do.