One of the best places to begin finding potential clients is from your past work experience. If you choose to do business transcription and have worked in offices do you see a need that your service could fill for one of your previous employers? Did you leave on good terms? (The same questions would apply in the medical or legal field.) If so, you could approach these places either in person, by phone, letter, or all three. Contact them and let them know the benefits your business can provide. Some of the benefits a company has when hiring an independent contractor are:
No need to hire or train additional permanent or temporary office staff.
No need to pay employee benefits, payroll taxes or any other costs associated with having an employee, such as sick time, holiday pay, etc.
Pay only as needed, no paying a full-time office person during slow periods.
No need to buy office equipment or provide office space.
Your next form of advertising would be to create a brochure, letter, or flyer that can be mailed to all potential clients in your area based on your chosen field. Some different ideas would be:
Business – Accountants, Financial Services, Stockbrokers
Medical - Doctor's Offices, Dentist Offices, Hospitals
Legal – Attorneys, Court System, Paralegals
Also you could contact area colleges to assist with typing term papers, resumes, etc.
Be sure to get quality business cards and exchange them with others wherever possible. Join your local Chamber of Commerce as a good marketing venue. Always ask for one of their business cards in return. This shows genuine interest in what they do and may even prove to be a possible contact person in the future. (You never know where your leads may come from.)
Another way to get new clients would be advertising in local newspapers and on the Internet. It’s definitely worthwhile to consider setting up a simple website that you can show on your business cards, in the paper, or all over the World Wide Web that tells all about your business and how to contact you.
The final chapter lists resources that I have found to be valuable with my transcription business or my life in general. They include links to the site where I purchased my Start/Stop software and foot pedal to transcribe voice files right over the Internet, and where to find Dictaphones for your clients (have the client buy it from you or directly from the company, or have them rent it from you on a monthly basis). I have also included links on other companies that hire transcribers to work for them via the Internet.
As a final word, please remember that this is a business just like any other. You’ll need to pay your taxes, advertise, and market yourself and your business like crazy in the beginning to get those first few clients. You’ll need to maintain professional, prompt, and accurate turnaround to keep your clients happy and keep them referring others to you.
I wish you much success in your new business and in life, and I hope that I have met my goal in bringing you the information you were seeking.
