Each Thursday, I highlight a work-from-home job opportunity.
Position: Medical Transcriptionist
Education: Proper training in medical coding and transcriptions required, usually through an approved American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) school. Visit the AAMT website for a list.
Skills: The ability to master the complex coding and transcriptions of the medical field.
Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that job opportunities for this field will be good for those certified in medical transcriptions. “Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow by 11 percent from 2008 to 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for medical transcription services will continue to be spurred by a growing and aging population,” according to the BLS. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers: The BLS found that around 36 percent of medical transcriptionists worked in hospitals and that 23 percent worked in doctor’s offices. “Others worked for business support services; medical and diagnostic laboratories; outpatient care centers; offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists; and offices of audiologists,” according to the BLS.
Preparation: You will need to brush up on your medical transcription skills if you have been out of the workplace for a while. Take a refresher course. Become a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) or a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT).
Get your foot in the door: Check out local physician offices and hospitals to see about work-from-home opportunities. Offer to do an hour’s work for free.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Voice Mail
The second way you can market your home-based business is your voice mail message. The outgoing message of your answering machine and/or voice mail system can promote your business when you're not able to answer the phone.
If you're like me and your home number and business number are one and the same, combine the two with a short message. For example, my answering machine and voice mail messages say, "You've reached the Hamakers and the home office of Sarah Hamaker, freelance writer and editor. We're not able to come to the phone right now, so please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible."
Provide additional information about your product or services if applicable, such as if you're accepting new clients or have a special running currently.
Also train your children to answer the phone in a professional manner, such as, "Hello, this is the Hamakers. How may I help you?" Then to also ask, politely, "Who is calling, please?"
Teach your children what information is needed when taking messages, such as name, time and date of call, phone number to return the call, and reason for calling.
Voice mail messages and phone etiquette can help promote your home-based business for free.
Until next time,
Sarah
If you're like me and your home number and business number are one and the same, combine the two with a short message. For example, my answering machine and voice mail messages say, "You've reached the Hamakers and the home office of Sarah Hamaker, freelance writer and editor. We're not able to come to the phone right now, so please leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible."
Provide additional information about your product or services if applicable, such as if you're accepting new clients or have a special running currently.
Also train your children to answer the phone in a professional manner, such as, "Hello, this is the Hamakers. How may I help you?" Then to also ask, politely, "Who is calling, please?"
Teach your children what information is needed when taking messages, such as name, time and date of call, phone number to return the call, and reason for calling.
Voice mail messages and phone etiquette can help promote your home-based business for free.
Until next time,
Sarah
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Virtual Customer Service Agent
Each Thursday, I will highlight a work-from-home opportunity.
Position: Virtual Customer Service Agent
Education: No formal education required, although some companies offer preferences to candidates holding bachelor's degrees.
Skills: The ability to process inbound customer calls for companies and expertise in customer service.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on location and skill set. Posted hourly rates range from between $8 and $15, which is tied to your experience, accounts handled and call volume. Most companies require a minimum of 20 hours a week.
Possible employers: Companies like Custom Loyalty Concepts, Alpine Access, LiveOps, Arise, Working Solutions, Accolade Support, West at Home, ACD Direct and HirePoint.
Preparation: You will reliable high-speed Internet access, a landline, and a working computer. Practice talking in a pleasant voice, such as smiling when saying your greeting. Also make sure your office is in a quiet location, as you need to be able to work without distractions. Consider taking an online course in customer service if you have no direct experience, i.e., a job in retail or one that required interaction with customers.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above sites to see what specific requirements are needed. Ask about a trial period to see if this job is a good fit.
Until next time,
Sarah
Position: Virtual Customer Service Agent
Education: No formal education required, although some companies offer preferences to candidates holding bachelor's degrees.
Skills: The ability to process inbound customer calls for companies and expertise in customer service.
Job outlook: Varies, depending on location and skill set. Posted hourly rates range from between $8 and $15, which is tied to your experience, accounts handled and call volume. Most companies require a minimum of 20 hours a week.
Possible employers: Companies like Custom Loyalty Concepts, Alpine Access, LiveOps, Arise, Working Solutions, Accolade Support, West at Home, ACD Direct and HirePoint.
Preparation: You will reliable high-speed Internet access, a landline, and a working computer. Practice talking in a pleasant voice, such as smiling when saying your greeting. Also make sure your office is in a quiet location, as you need to be able to work without distractions. Consider taking an online course in customer service if you have no direct experience, i.e., a job in retail or one that required interaction with customers.
Get your foot in the door: Visit the above sites to see what specific requirements are needed. Ask about a trial period to see if this job is a good fit.
Until next time,
Sarah
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
February At Home News
This month's At Home News takes a close look at tutoring as a work-from-home job. Darcy Acquavella has been a private tutor for more than 10 years, working 10 to 15 hours per week helping students of all ages excel in schoolwork.
Click on the newsletter tab for more info on how to sign up to receive my free, monthly e-newsletter to learn more about working from home.
Until next time,
Sarah
Click on the newsletter tab for more info on how to sign up to receive my free, monthly e-newsletter to learn more about working from home.
Until next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Marketing Your Home-Based Business: Website
Figuring out a marketing plan for your home-based business can be difficult. Over the 10 Tuesdays, I will tackle one marketing tool for promoting at-home businesses.
The first marketing tool is developing a website for your business. No matter what product or service you are selling or making, you need a website. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does have to be accessible. Having a site hidden away under an obscure name will not help promote your business.
Buy as close a domain name as possible to your business name. If you conduct business under your name, use that. If it's a combination of your name and a business name, buy that. But make the domain name as simple as possible in order to capitalize on search engines searches. GoDaddy.com and Network Solutions are popular website that register domain names.
There are many sites that allow you to build your website at reasonable costs. If your budget allows, hire a professional to design your site.
On your website, clearly state who you are in terms of your business. What do you sell? Where can visitors find your products or services? How can they contact you? Ensure that information is easily accessible on your website.
Get your website URL out there. Use it in the signature of your email and put it on your business cards. Make sure every purchase has something with your website URL on it, like a receipt.
Having a website can be an easy way to promote your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
The first marketing tool is developing a website for your business. No matter what product or service you are selling or making, you need a website. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does have to be accessible. Having a site hidden away under an obscure name will not help promote your business.
Buy as close a domain name as possible to your business name. If you conduct business under your name, use that. If it's a combination of your name and a business name, buy that. But make the domain name as simple as possible in order to capitalize on search engines searches. GoDaddy.com and Network Solutions are popular website that register domain names.
There are many sites that allow you to build your website at reasonable costs. If your budget allows, hire a professional to design your site.
On your website, clearly state who you are in terms of your business. What do you sell? Where can visitors find your products or services? How can they contact you? Ensure that information is easily accessible on your website.
Get your website URL out there. Use it in the signature of your email and put it on your business cards. Make sure every purchase has something with your website URL on it, like a receipt.
Having a website can be an easy way to promote your business.
Until next time,
Sarah
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