tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118952702024-03-13T23:41:01.755+02:00Transcription and Typing Services JohannesburgTypewrite Transcription and Typing Services CC <hr>
WE SPECIALISE IN TRANSCRIPTION, TYPING, PROOFREADING AND ALL OTHER BUSINESS ADMIN SERVICES! <hr>AVAILABLE TO WORK DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD - WISHING A PEACEFUL FESTIVE SEASON TO ALL<hr>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-43215123343445659352020-05-21T12:40:00.001+02:002020-05-21T12:40:03.690+02:00AMF Typing Services - Advertising and Social Media<a href="https://amftyping.co.za/advertising/">AMF Typing Services - Advertising and Social Media</a>: I would like to invite you to advertise on my website. Standard Advertising on AMF Typing Website, AMF Typing Blog and AMF Typing Social Media Platforms.<br />
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<br />
Anyway, as some of you probably know, TAVASA (Transcriptionists and VAs of South Africa forum) has moved to a WhatsApp group and is now very active and busy. (<a href="https://chat.whatsapp.com/CkZ1tfDwVazLr8KxFvJFPu">Click this link to join</a>!)<br />
<br />
Recently we had an interesting discussion regarding rates, and what to charge, pertaining to transcription and typing.<br />
<br />
It's never an easy question to answer.<br />
<br />
With all this in mind, I have this basic formula (I must be more sciencey than I thought!)<br />
<br />
1) Figure out what you need to earn in an hour. I think R250 is a fair hourly rate.<br />
2) Figure out how long you're going to need to do the job. (It's worth asking the client for samples, timelines, etc, etc).<br />
3) Decide if you are going to outsource your work or do it all yourself.<br />
4) Does the job COST you anything - ie are you paying a lot for data, petrol, rental, etc.<br />
<br />
So, loosely, a good quality audio of one hour should take about 3 hours to transcribe. All things being equal, R750 per audio hour is then a fair rate to charge. The same applies to typing. If you get a job in, calculate how long it's going to take you. You can even type out a page to see how long it takes. Then work out how many pages you can do in an hour. Say you can do 8 in an hour, and given you need to make R200 in an hour, R25 per page is a good rate to charge. You can also keep these as your set rates and have a rate card so that you're prepared when a client contacts you.<br />
<br />
Don't overcharge or under charge. Neither is good for the industry.<br />
<br />
Hope this is helpful.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image result for how much is it" src="https://www.easypacelearning.com/design/images/calculate.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-43250332013979626482018-11-13T00:16:00.001+02:002018-11-13T00:16:25.237+02:00Reviews and advertising Hi all. If you'd like me to try out your transcription software or industry related products or services and review it here on my site, please <a href="mailto:gaynor@typewritetranscription.co.za">drop me a line here.</a> I've been in the industry since 2005, and worked in related positions since 1996, so I'm quite experienced and qualified for this.<br />
<br />
Please put 'product/service' review in the subject line.<br />
<br />
I'm looking for any sorts of services or products like headphones, keyboards, chairs, software, you name it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I also offer advertising on all my sites (this one, T<a href="http://www.typewritetranscription.co.za/">ypewrite Transcription</a> and <a href="http://www.popspeaking.com/">Popspeaking</a> and my audience is transcribers, students, and those interested in our industry as a whole. Please get in touch because this is beneficial to you.<br />
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<script data-counter="top" data-url="www.typewritetranscription.blogspot.com" type="IN/Share"></script><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-32238257572584272152018-06-10T13:08:00.002+02:002018-06-10T13:08:16.164+02:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 19.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; text-transform: uppercase;">HOW TO CREATE A GOOD QUALITY
RECORDING FOR TRANSCRIPTION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 19.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
clear recording is vitally important when obtaining transcripts as it impacts
on the quality of the transcript. Quality, speed, and accuracy of audio
transcription depend hugely on the clarity of the audio used for transcription.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here
are some tips which will help you achieve this result. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background
Noise<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Record in a quiet place. Try to be
alone a quiet place while recording; and if you are at work ask your staff and
colleagues not to disturb you. Coffee shops are NOT great places to record. Try to keep away from traffic sounds which
generally add to the background noise. A soundproof room is a good idea; but if
this is not available you can place things like heavy curtains, furniture and
carpets to absorb noise. If, however, a noise DOES occur, please repeat what
was said during the interview. Please record
one minute of silence before the interview begins. This will allow the
transcriber to identify and cut out ambient sound using their software. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Multiple
Voices<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If there is more than one person in the
room while recording, make sure that they
stay calm while you are recording. Do not let people speak at once, and ask
people to identify themselves before they speak. It's also important to make
sure that the listener understands what is being said. If everyone talks at
once, the transcript will suffer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">External
Microphones<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use good quality microphones,
preferably, external microphones for better recording quality. These
microphones are good at recording even very small sounds so keep away from
external noise and chatter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pace
of speech<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ensure that you speak steadily and
comfortably and in a consistent tone. So, if you have a habit of speaking quickly,
please speak slowly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trial
Recordings<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 22.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s a great idea to do a trial run
before the actual interview. Go to the place where you’re going to record and
make a recording of about five minutes. Have a listen to it and if there is any
major noise or interference you can make plans to correct this. You can also
send it to your transcriptionist for comment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> T</span><a class="twitter-share-button" data-via="TypewriteSA" href="https://twitter.com/share">weet</a>
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Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-49794057942487535222018-01-16T13:04:00.001+02:002018-01-16T13:04:33.908+02:00Doggie Journal | AMF Typing Services (Est 2001)<a href="https://amftyping.co.za/doggie-journal/">Doggie Journal | AMF Typing Services (Est 2001)</a><br />
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<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
Who is the person behind Typewrite Transcription and Typing Services CC?</div>
<a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Gran-and-I--150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gran and I (1975)" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-818 size-thumbnail" height="150" src="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Gran-and-I--150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
Gaynor Paynter – a short bio<br />
<br />
I was born on the 21<sup>st</sup> of March 1975 in Kensington, South
Africa, and, with the exception of a few years after I was married in
1996, I’ve lived here my whole life.<br />
I went to school at Leicester Road Primary School and Jeppe Girls
High where I matriculated in 1992 with a university exemption and half
colours for chess (I was the captain of the chess team and was on the
tennis team too).<br />
<br />
After studying graphic design for a year, I decided it wasn’t for me
and did a secretarial diploma at the then Germiston Technical College
(in which I obtained a distinction in Information Processing, a fancy
name for typing).<br />
<br />
I
always had an entrepreneurial flair. During school I sold artwork
through advertising in the Top 40 Music Magazine, for R5 a piece! (Lots
of drawings of Michael Jackson were done at the time!) I also worked
part time in the local Checkers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Me-in-the-park-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="At Rhodes Park in Kensington about 1988" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-819 size-thumbnail" height="150" src="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Me-in-the-park-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a><strong>A lot of firsts</strong><br />
<br />
My first full time job was at a company called KMI in Heriotdale in
1995 where I did reception and admin – and where I was exposed to
transcribing for the very first time, transcribing notes made by one of
my bosses on a small microcassette recorder!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Damian-and-I-300x154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Damian and I 2012" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-817 size-medium" height="154" src="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Damian-and-I-300x154.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
In
1996 I married my first, only, and still current husband, Damian, and
my first son, Andrew, came along in 1998. During this time the
development of technology was moving fast. Our first cellphone was the
Nokia 2110 and it was an amazing phone which we shared. The very first
time I went on the internet was in KMI’s showroom, during a lunch break
(I surreptitiously snuck in to go on to say I’d been on!)<br />
<br />
<strong>Getting older and getting experience</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Andrew-6-300x223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My babies Andrew and Brandon about 2002" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-815 size-medium" height="223" src="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Andrew-6-300x223.jpg" width="300" /></a>The company ran into some difficulty and I was retrenched in the year
2000. I advertised to do typing work and did some temp jobs. I then
fell pregnant with my second son, Brandon – but one employer took me on
‘semi permanently which became permanent’ – at a recruitment company,
where I prepared CVs and interviewed candidates.<br />
<br />
<strong> The birth of Typewrite</strong><br />
<br />
By 2005, the internet had progressed enough for me to ‘birth’
Typewrite Transcription and Typing Services CC. For three months, I
worked at the recruitment company during the day, and on Typewrite by
night, all the while with a husband and two little boys.<br />
<br />
The 1<sup>st</sup> of April 2005 was the first ‘official’ day of
Typewrite, although it didn’t come to be registered at CIPRO (now CIPC)
until 2009.<br />
<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Brandon-Inanda-Club-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brandon and I 2016" border="0" class="alignleft wp-image-816 size-medium" height="300" src="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Brandon-Inanda-Club-300x300.jpg" width="300" /></a>Various milestones flag this journey. When I started I still had dial
up internet. I had to soldier on with this for about a month until our
ADSL was installed. You also have to have a back up internet and I’ve
been through various of those, until my current ‘back up’ – my MTN
cellphone. (I’ve had the same number since 1995, by the way!) Services
provided have also grown and diversified – starting out with typing,
adding transcribing, adding proofreading – and just recently, adding
sub-titling.<br />
<br />
<strong>Becoming an author</strong><br />
In 2009 I wrote my e -book <a href="https://typewritetranscription.co.za/e-book/">“Working From Home as a Transcriptionist in South Africa” </a>which
is a great resource for those starting out today – as I found when I
started out, there wasn’t much if anything in the way of support!<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>TAVASA</strong><br />
The same year my friend and colleague Alison Fourie and I founded
TAVASA – the Transcriptionists and Virtual Assistants of South Africa.<br />
<br />
<strong>The future</strong><br />
<br />
Today, going into 2018, the company is still in existence – we’ve
been married 21 years, and those little boys are now 17 and 19. I’ve
had the support of my husband, parents, children – and my two dogs,
Scooter and Shadow. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future
holds.<br />
</div>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IDbaj8bK-7hTatYGBY1ZQOFWqN-him1_2z7IQb_lqrBPypSrZM-qTyA5X7jaJLd1DV2Gnn7xLmUVVwzosqcPCXBAuwLU85byvst7361Yp_gsfGmQ6rw93vYZJ5rx3iluESR8/s1600/proofreading+and+editing+services+south+africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="960" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IDbaj8bK-7hTatYGBY1ZQOFWqN-him1_2z7IQb_lqrBPypSrZM-qTyA5X7jaJLd1DV2Gnn7xLmUVVwzosqcPCXBAuwLU85byvst7361Yp_gsfGmQ6rw93vYZJ5rx3iluESR8/s320/proofreading+and+editing+services+south+africa.jpg" width="320" /></a>The question of who needs a professional editor is one I've come across a number of times. I decided it would be beneficial to post the answer here.<br />
<br />
It's important to note that in this instance I'm referring to a WRITING editor. Not a music or video editor. <br />
<br />
Firstly, a preamble: What is an editor? An editor is more than someone who simply checks your grammar. An editor will make suggestions regarding content (when applicable) and style. He or she will check your formatting and lay the document out for publishing whether it be online, as a thesis or scholarly paper, a magazine article, journal, etc <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqpWjvg2JOnk227y_lfJWsbAvGAq5qZz3w0seMp6apEArMEMTnwjBF29H_IKRL0qP09zVRvkDEO3S173jDe0VKKOIPkVSJDZ2xYO-uliEhvoEQSzIQM7rvlIwki5SUspumk5V/s1600/proofreading+and+editing+johannesburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqpWjvg2JOnk227y_lfJWsbAvGAq5qZz3w0seMp6apEArMEMTnwjBF29H_IKRL0qP09zVRvkDEO3S173jDe0VKKOIPkVSJDZ2xYO-uliEhvoEQSzIQM7rvlIwki5SUspumk5V/s1600/proofreading+and+editing+johannesburg.jpg" /></a>Who needs an editor?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Anyone writing a document for publication - students, authors, business people.</u></b> <br />
<br />
The reason for this is simple. Even though English may be your first language, it's <i><b>very hard to spot your own mistakes. </b></i>And a published document is a representation of you and / or your employer. A published mistake is a slur on your or your employer's reputation. <i><b>It's no discredit to you to admit you've used an editor</b></i> - in fact, anyone who knows this will appreciate your professionalism.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Someone who is writing in a language that is not their first language.</b></u><br />
<br />
It's important to ask a first-language speaker to assist you to check that you've got all the nuances and idiosyncrasies correct. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Someone who doesn't consider language or writing to be their strength.</b></u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78MtUZZxwONWuUBToysWaqN0BFf72SOFV888Eax-5_t0QyWvGgCJrVMC8NuWS2lZzUwJaYLM7u-uNth-8ajZPdjVh936G9zO1ncuijNeWw5zkKG5X5b76BPVETdGOaCG-5Uhk/s1600/proofreading+for+students.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="450" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78MtUZZxwONWuUBToysWaqN0BFf72SOFV888Eax-5_t0QyWvGgCJrVMC8NuWS2lZzUwJaYLM7u-uNth-8ajZPdjVh936G9zO1ncuijNeWw5zkKG5X5b76BPVETdGOaCG-5Uhk/s320/proofreading+for+students.jpg" width="320" /></a>We all have different strengths - I have to hire a plumber or a mechanic, I just can't do those things. Therefore, if you are not confident in your language skills, using them to market your business might not be the best idea. A recent example I've seen is someone advertising Christmas signs. The signs say (for example) "Christmas at the Smith's". It makes me want to ask "what smith? The blacksmith?<br />
<br />
Have a look at my new website, <a href="http://www.checkmywriting.co.za/wmenu.php">Check My Writing</a>. Should you still have questions, or feel that YOU need an editor, <a href="mailto:gaynor@typewritetranscription.co.za">contact me</a>. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0DgbvsFgWznzrka0keggjQ6ncrK4ivurM-WSPYwflMjNAYkFYf7YYOyYBrplI_gagh_C-5K1NA-sITAKe9jWhLG9k9fCPCTO-lBCW9C3LFGcpPPcN43kJXMrjBKtqw0p8zNH/s1600/Warren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0DgbvsFgWznzrka0keggjQ6ncrK4ivurM-WSPYwflMjNAYkFYf7YYOyYBrplI_gagh_C-5K1NA-sITAKe9jWhLG9k9fCPCTO-lBCW9C3LFGcpPPcN43kJXMrjBKtqw0p8zNH/s320/Warren.jpg" width="320" /></a>So, it's been a while since I posted here .... but I met with a friend of mine today who has recently begun working in a start up (they do furniture and woodwork), and being a 'veteran' of being self-employed, I (annoyingly, probably) dished out advice.... but it was a great conversation and got me thinking. There are a number of things I did when I started out, marketing wise and also discipline wise. These things tend to fall by the way side as we go along and sometimes it does us good to remember them and do them again. Also there are things we learn along the way that are good to keep in mind.<br />
<br />
1). Take it one day at a time. Sometimes things can get very overwhelming when you've just started out, you're used to having a salary, and suddenly month end is coming and there's no salary. Try to make plans before you start out and cover a few months' rent, medical aid etc. But spending all your time worrying about tomorrow impacts on how productive you can be today.<br />
<br />
2). Take marketing breaks not tea breaks. This is something my friend and colleague Alison Fourie of <a href="http://amftyping.co.za/">AMF Typing </a>told me. I haven't always followed this, but when I do, my sales esclate.<br />
<br />
3). Set up a <a href="http://www.typewritetranscription.co.za/">website.</a> This may not sound like rocket science, but sometimes people are daunted by the whole idea of a website. The advent of things like WordPress, however, make setting up a site much less daunting than it needs to be. You simply register your domain with a service provider, and go from there. If you have funds available you can also employ a web designer. And something I learned after a while is that it's much better to have an email address with your own domain name than with a generic provider.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFa-6uBy09kHhqMcMSpQ6ra5WVsVMJXhLvn7PvindueJg_GzQiU8XMV_tWiBk7pHunwbhvxgCzmbF7F8lqF6tSCpvN9XjxNBAiUwz1ZTI2JsK6-1HQe4vpE_GqsuuMFjBuJEK/s1600/car+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFa-6uBy09kHhqMcMSpQ6ra5WVsVMJXhLvn7PvindueJg_GzQiU8XMV_tWiBk7pHunwbhvxgCzmbF7F8lqF6tSCpvN9XjxNBAiUwz1ZTI2JsK6-1HQe4vpE_GqsuuMFjBuJEK/s320/car+4.jpg" width="240" /></a>4). Social media. Social media can be a full time job if you do all the things there are available. There are so many outlets. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription/">Facebook</a>,<a href="https://twitter.com/TypewriteSA"> Twitter</a>, Instagram, Pinterest, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/typewritetranscription/">Linked In</a>, Google Plus. My feel is that it's better to stick to a few of these and do them properly than go all out with too many and get none of them right. My personal favourites are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TypewriteSA">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/typewritetranscription/">Linked In. </a>I feel that they all have different benefits. Linked In in particular is a great place to showcase your experience and skills. But make sure that your profile is extensive and detailed otherwise it may work against you. Facebook is simply the most popular platform. And Twitter has a wide open reach which gives you great exposure. <br />
<br />
5). Your work is your reputation. Provide a good quality service and your work will sell itself.<br />
<br />
6). Print and distribute brochures, brand your car, put up posters and signs on community boards and in local libraries. Do everything you can to get your name out there. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-42878988945567832252015-12-29T11:55:00.001+02:002015-12-29T11:55:36.999+02:00Send a file from a cellphone to a computer using Whatsapp<br />
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</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5VCM9ox-i9iQP6lHTwpzD87_gS-H85QrngitUuNoFbdvoMzrzHkjkPAUv-ZfnYkGc1XkwC96Gqx8eJYt9FZWvl8yqnMxek-T5sQiq7KEtaMjkVZyuIogUENNvKnDiPfvAz0Q/s1600/whatsapp+web.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5VCM9ox-i9iQP6lHTwpzD87_gS-H85QrngitUuNoFbdvoMzrzHkjkPAUv-ZfnYkGc1XkwC96Gqx8eJYt9FZWvl8yqnMxek-T5sQiq7KEtaMjkVZyuIogUENNvKnDiPfvAz0Q/s320/whatsapp+web.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More and more people use their smartphones as a means to record and use Whatsapp as a method of communication. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It often happens then that once the recording is done, they wonder how to get the recording sent to the transcriptionist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a climate that is relying more and more on cellular technology (and where cellphones are used to access the internet more than computers are), I thought it would be worthwhile to explain that it is possible to send audio via Whatsapp to a computer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the client has to do is send the file to your cell number as they would normally send a Whatsapp message. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You then do the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Go to settings in your Whatsapp account on your phone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Click Whatsapp Web</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Go to web.whatsapp.com on your computer and scan the QR code</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. You will see your messages on the left hand side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Click on the relevant message and you will be able to download the file. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You obviously need a good internet connection to do this - I recommend wifi for cellphone and ADSL or wifi for computer. </span>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-60549641012884752192015-10-21T10:23:00.000+02:002015-12-29T11:14:06.941+02:00Tips on Audio Recording<br />
<br />
<header class="entry-header" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 31.9998px; padding: 0px 82.5313px;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.2308; margin: 0px 0px 1.2308em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 31.9998px;">The way that an audio file is recorded greatly influences the quality of the transcript. There’s no two ways about this and no way around it, no matter how good the transcriptionist. Although there is software that can help clean it up this is both time consuming and not always efficient</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;">.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;">I do not offer recording as a service as it is a speciality on its own, but there are a number of options you as a client who needs something recorded have. The first is to outsource the function and this is probably the most secure, with the best guarantee that you will get a good recording. For this purpose I recommend</span><span style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;"> </span><a href="http://www.amdsolutions.co.za/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 19px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AMD Solutions</a><span style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;"> and if you use their services please let them know that I </span><span style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;">recommended them.</span></span></span></h1>
</header><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; line-height: 31.9998px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 82.5313px 82.5313px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.6842em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/audio_ds-2500__front_left_xl.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="audio_ds-2500__front_left_xl" class="size-medium wp-image-35 alignleft" src="http://typewritetranscription.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/audio_ds-2500__front_left_xl-229x300.jpg" height="300" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0.4211em 1.6842em 1.6842em 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="229" /></a>The second way is to do it yourself. There are a number of ways to do this, and if you talk to the guys at <a href="http://www.maynards.co.za/main-products/olympus-audio-sa" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maynards </a> they will be able to recommend a good recording solution. You can also use your cellphone or laptop using recording software, but you may not be guaranteed a good outcome.</span></div>
<div style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.6842em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are doing your own recording, there are some things to bear in mind to make it as clear as possible.</span></div>
<ol style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.6842em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to record in a quiet place. Loud background noise, while it may not be obvious to you sitting in a restaurant or shopping centre, is very obvious to the transcriptionist trying to make out a particular voice from many in the background.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to minimise distractions such as ringing phones, dogs barking or children making a noise.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there are a variety of speakers, you can ask each speaker to clearly identify and introduce him or herself.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Record a few seconds of ambient noise. This is the room sounds without anybody talking. This allows anyone cleaning up the recording to use that section of recording as a noise sample and use software to remove that type of noise from the recording.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to make sure that all speakers speak directly and clearly into the microphone. If someone is sitting across the table and not speaking into the microphone, that person’s contribution may be lost.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try not to record in the vicinity of loud machinery or activities.</span></li>
<li style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 31.9998px;">Some form of noise is inevitable and expected in transcripts, but much can be avoided.</span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-88037429737605852242015-10-20T16:56:00.003+02:002015-10-20T16:56:30.171+02:00Audacity Noise RemovalI have recently discovered how to clean up audio using the freeware software <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audacity_(audio_editor)">Audacity</a> and I thought I would share it.<br />
<br />
This might not be rocket science to anyone else, but it took me a while to discover.<br />
<br />
When I say this I should point out that it is versions of Audacity before version 2.1.0 that I am referring to. You can talk about being on the slow bus, but I haven't figured out the supposedly much improved 'Noise Reduction' function of later versions.
Anyway, it's actually fairly simple when you know how.<br />
<br />
1) Open Audacity.<br />
2) Load your audio file.<br />
3) Select a small section of the file that contains the noise you want to get rid of.<br />
4) Go to the Noise Removal function in the Effects tab.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJoLJVYu-7z5cRMsVWSTSuHrBj30qJpf8aDcUO-QeF8nNPq4mTXB9bHCeX83hOAcXRBCK0ADVy37EDLBHnE2V3zzOVrYxSiYkIoAvJ5rQR8-oeF9yhR3KTU8gggM46WepFppp/s1600/Audacity+NR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJoLJVYu-7z5cRMsVWSTSuHrBj30qJpf8aDcUO-QeF8nNPq4mTXB9bHCeX83hOAcXRBCK0ADVy37EDLBHnE2V3zzOVrYxSiYkIoAvJ5rQR8-oeF9yhR3KTU8gggM46WepFppp/s320/Audacity+NR.png" width="320" /></a></div>
5) Click 'Get Noise Profile' and here it will allow you to get a preview of what your new file will sound like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaf30_nVx5vbA82iW0fs24KOnkTrkZ6daORTpTJoeAmSatV4CgKnxVDJU27Nkkzi6ur93nOY2RLlIk4VgQ5jmlWB6aKlCLOc4aa9H92um61xrjRLA-a5x2kJRnb1c6wPqSefO/s1600/Audacity+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaf30_nVx5vbA82iW0fs24KOnkTrkZ6daORTpTJoeAmSatV4CgKnxVDJU27Nkkzi6ur93nOY2RLlIk4VgQ5jmlWB6aKlCLOc4aa9H92um61xrjRLA-a5x2kJRnb1c6wPqSefO/s320/Audacity+2.png" width="256" /></a></div>
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6) Go back to your file and select the whole thing.<br />
7) Go back to Noise Removal and hit 'remove noise'.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi5ppFWuoTqRUn-Qoh_jPYYY0JeazxgKc6pc7TqRzOKE9lUSgzJv0cPUdj2KrkECRHx3K7EW4ugVuTcKaA4EJkkHqZBSyUYH2YPmWvzpFQ8JcjssRO3OISw7byHVwWe3A_ewc/s1600/Audacity+NR+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi5ppFWuoTqRUn-Qoh_jPYYY0JeazxgKc6pc7TqRzOKE9lUSgzJv0cPUdj2KrkECRHx3K7EW4ugVuTcKaA4EJkkHqZBSyUYH2YPmWvzpFQ8JcjssRO3OISw7byHVwWe3A_ewc/s320/Audacity+NR+2.png" width="203" /></a></div>
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Bob's your uncle! It takes a while to do fairly big files and then to save them as well - but I have achieved some very good results doing this.
It's prudent, if you have any control over how the file is being recorded, to record a few seconds of ambient noise - meaning just room noise without talking. Then, when you get to Audacity, this will be the section you select for your noise profile, and all similar sounding noise will be removed from your file.
Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-67998964470141810732015-05-04T13:27:00.000+02:002015-05-04T13:33:28.074+02:00Why a Transcriptionist is beneficial in the Insurance Industry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28jCDoNqkVHMYQdSsjUEEVGwbjUZ-GIrv_6CU9KYmkzZPFUglTu8H72d-pYk3xwaiuoLV0PU8lSVhH3cP5nz7ne9lM_nE68QPtvSe0_OUc1I6iBEJoW9-bkSHP5G1KqgSH1iD/s1600/insurance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28jCDoNqkVHMYQdSsjUEEVGwbjUZ-GIrv_6CU9KYmkzZPFUglTu8H72d-pYk3xwaiuoLV0PU8lSVhH3cP5nz7ne9lM_nE68QPtvSe0_OUc1I6iBEJoW9-bkSHP5G1KqgSH1iD/s1600/insurance.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The transcription service is relevant and beneficial in just about any industry. Small business owners become stressed with the amount of work load they have and being able to outsource functions saves stress and makes life easier and larger companies can outsource this function in order to streamline their operation. Insurance administration can be a nightmare if you try to handle it on your own. So why not get a professional to help?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you work in the insurance industry, you probably record your phone calls and dictate your reports. If you own your own small business, you probably do the work later on yourself. Both of these can be uploaded and sent to a transcriptionist to type. This is cheaper than having a permanently employed member of staff, and you don't have to worry about overheads like salaries, electricity and equipment. The transcriptionist, as a freelancer or a business owner, takes care of this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because this function may not be your strength, it can also be to your benefit to have someone more proficient at it do it. They will be faster, more efficient, and it will leave you more time to tackle your strength - which is running your business. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This means that by the time you get back to your office, your calls and reports can be ready and waiting for you at your desk. It can be helpful to you if you work at your desk or if you are on site doing assessments. The time you save doing this helps you achieve a faster turn around time and makes you look more efficient in the eyes of your client. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Larger insurance companies, which make use of call centres and other larger groups of staff, can also benefit by using a transcriptionist. All call centre, telephone and admin staff can send out their calls to be transcribed, leaving them free to process calls and handle the administration functions. This leads to a much more stress free environment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All forms of insurance companies and insurance consultants can benefit from this - life insurance, pension, liability insurance, auto insurance, medical insurance or medical aid, property insurance, funeral cover, etc - even pet insurance! - giving you peace of mind to keep customers happy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To summarise, the benefits include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Saving stress</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Making life easier</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Streamlining the operation </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Cost reduction</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Increased efficiency</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://typewritetranscription.co.za/contact-us/">Contact me for a quote on typing and transcription services today. </a></span><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border-style: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-33534332869538578012014-05-19T12:10:00.000+02:002014-05-19T12:10:00.389+02:00S is for Story Pot<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Interview
with Damaria Senne - author of amongst many things the <a href="http://www.damariasenne.blogspot.com/">Story Pot Blog. </a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>Essentially Damaria, who is a long term friend of mine, is my inspiration and mentor when it comes to blogging. D's the writer I wanna be. And it's my pleasure and honour to interview her here today. And so S is for Story Pot. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Damaria Senne Biography<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am/ have been many things: a sister, friend, mother,
partner, aunt, daughter, an activist, journalist, writer, communications
specialist, blogger, publisher, care-giver, homemaker and gardener. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My career objective is to write about the big
adventure that we call life; my stories and other people’s stories; fiction and
non-fiction. The medium and genre may vary depending on publishing requirement.
All I want is that the stories are shared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Interview<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">From the blog: Launched in January 2006, STORYPOT
started as a place for Damaria to showcase her children's stories and talk
about her writing life. She loved the way the blog helped her make new friends,
learn from them and share with them . But, at the back of her mind, there was
always that niggling thought that a blog called Storypot should be about more
than just one writer, cooking up a wide variety of stories and plots. Then
opportunity came knocking and Pam joined her....<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">I've always been quite intrigued by the name <a href="http://www.damariasenne.blogspot.com/">StoryPot. </a>I like it and think it totally works, but why Story Pot as opposed to
Story Site or Story Page?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">As you
know I love food: growing it, tending to it, cooking it and sharing it with my
friends and family. So when I named Storypot, I was saying, this blog is where
I cook up all the stories that I publish. They can be fiction or non-fiction,
for children or adults, for print, radio, TV or online, it doesn’t matter. All
my stories are cooked in this pot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The
ingredients for these stories are all the elements that affect my writing – my
job, friends, family, acquaintances, people I meet online and offline, my
house, garden, the books I read, the movies I watch, the music I listen to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">So my
blog visitors get the behind-the scenes look of the stories as they evolve
(cook), even when I don’t know the story is cooking. Does that make sense?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Do you still collaborate with Pamela Moeng? Chat to
us about that collaboration. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Pam and I
are old friends; sisters really. We met more than 20 years ago when we both
lived in Mmabatho and we became good friends then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">So we’ve
supported each other through career moves, writing projects, family crises,
life really. We chat every day; by email. We share about what we’re working on,
the people we meet, what we read, stuff that bug us… whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">So it
made sense that if I was going to share my blog with anyone, it would be her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">For the
past 18 months or so we’ve been co-writing a course for a client (with other
people). We’ve also tackled some small projects together too. It worked well enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">But we
didn’t work as closely as I had hoped (we worked more in tandem rather than
together). Part of the reason is that I was busy with Mma’s health issues and Pam
has a day job and we both had other projects too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">2014
brings us an opportunity to work on more projects together, and we plan to both
make the time for joint projects that allow us to work more closely together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><a href="http://www.damariasenne.blogspot.com/">Story Pot </a>started as a blog for your own children's
books, but you've got a number of business related and other books for sale on
there. Where do you see the direction of Story Pot going in the future? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">That’s
the question that I have been asking myself lately. Luckily, you asked after I
did have some answers for myself and my readers</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The short
answer is that Storypot is a lifestyle blog, with specific focus on a writer’s
life. You are right that Storypot started out focusing on my children’s
stories, but it turned out that I had more than just children’s stories inside
me. So as I said, readers get the front row seats to watch as the stories I
write develop; they see various elements of the life affecting my writing. Some
of it is clear from the beginning that it’s going to end in a story, some of it
only shows up later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">My
typical audience, I think is made up of mothers/ writers/ bloggers/ gardeners/ homesteaders/people
who share a common interest or cause with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">As to my
desired audience, I want to attract people who can use what I publish. For
example, I would like to attract mothers looking for children’s stories to read
for their kids at bedtime, or bloggers who want to promote their work more in
the media, or small business owners who recognise that being a writer/ blogger
is a business and want to share their learning with me and may teach me a thing
or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">I do hope
that virtual assistants in this blog tour find “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-get-quoted-media-ebook/dp/B007D05IH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331046747&sr=1-2">How to get quoted in the media”</a>to be a very useful tool for their businesses. The one thing to note is that
the ebook focuses on getting positive media coverage without having to spend
money. When you pay, it’s advertising, and not media coverage and not the
subject of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Secondly,
I’m dropping the price of the ebook for the duration of the blog challenge (28
weeks). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Do you have a favourite book that you've written, or
something special about each of them that you'd like to mention?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Waking Up
Grandma</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> is
special to me because I was thinking of my mother as I wrote it. And it’s
contemporary and funny…. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The
message in <b><i><u>The Doll That Grew</u></i></b> stood the test of time. That story
was first published eons ago, and its message is still relevant today. And
that’s not just me saying that because I’m attached to it: last year the
primary school my nephew attends did an end –of- year skit, and guess which
story was adapted for the stage? Yup! <b><i><u>The Doll That Grew!</u></i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-get-quoted-media-ebook/dp/B007D05IH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331046747&sr=1-2">How toget quoted in the media</a></span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> is special to me because I did it with a good friend.
Christelle and I worked very closely together – and fought a lot about the
details – but that’s what made it so rewarding. In the end, we brought out the
best in each other. Though there were moments when I would have happily wrung
her neck (because she wouldn’t let me get my way) and she felt the same too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Tselane
and the Giant,</span></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> which I’m releasing through Damaria Senne Media on Amazon in the first
quarter of 2014 is special to me because it brings back warm childhood
memories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">We even
grew up calling my younger brother Boitshoko, yes, he who was named for the
main character in the newly literate adult reader <b><i><u>Boitshoko</u></i></b>
(published by Heinemann SA in 1996), Dingwe, which means Giant, because he
loved the story so much, especially the parts where the Dingwe character talked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">What projects are you currently busy with?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Phew! I
have lots going on. Unfortunately, I have the attention span of a gnat</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> So I have the following tasks in my projects queue:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Publish on stories Amazon</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> – a children’s story (<b><i><u>Tselane
and the Giant</u></i></b>) and a novel (both have been through edits. The cover
of the children’s story is already done; both also need to be proofread)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Finish writing an anthology of children’s stories
with a co-author</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> - We
have some good stories done already, so it’s a matter to adding more and
starting edits. This collection will also be published through Amazon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Update and promote my blogs more aggressively.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> Without the aggressive
marketing, the books won’t sell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">The blogs
that will receive the most attention are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-get-quoted-media-ebook/dp/B007D05IH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331046747&sr=1-2">Storypot</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> (</span><a href="http://damariasenne.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">http://damariasenne.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">)
- The Writing Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><a href="http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com/">Growing Our Food</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> (</span><a href="http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">) –Gardening blog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"><a href="http://freeafricantales.blogspot.com/">Free African Tales</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> (</span><a href="http://freeafricantales.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">http://freeafricantales.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> ) – Where I moved my children’s
stories in 2006 when Storypot changed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Write and submit stories under a pen name.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;"> This is a critical move in my
business, as I want to have less client-based income and more book publishing
based income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">You have another blog, called <a href="http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com/">Growing Our Food</a>. I
love the concept of everyone being self-sustainable. Tell us about that. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">My mother
has diabetes and high blood pressure, and that means that she has to eat a
low-fat, low-salt diet that’s pretty heavy on veggies and fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Additionally,
I’ve always felt overweight and have ulcer. So I had to find a way to feed us
really well and make sure that we have variety enough we don’t get bored with
the healthy meals. This meant either spending a fortune on fresh food or
growing it ourselves. And being the writer and blogger that I am, I had to
document it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">So the
blog reflects my gardening life –
resources I’m reading/watching, what I’m doing in my own garden and the
lessons I’m learning as I go along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Is <a href="http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com/">Growing Our Food</a> a way to try to help the
community and educate people?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">It struck
me very early in the gardening game that many people find it very intimidating.
It looks like complicated, hard work for very little return. And why bother
when you could get fresh, much prettier-looking veggies and herbs from the Food
Lover’s Market?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Me? I
decided I didn’t mind being a serial killer: if I plant it, then kill it,
it’s fine. I’ll just plant again, kill
it again.. until I figure out what I’m doing wrong and fix it. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy
what I couldn’t kill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Turned
out that there were a lot of vegetables and herbs I couldn’t kill. And I wanted
to share that knowledge with people, show them that it was not as hard as they
feared. And it’s very good exercise. Very relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">My hope
it that my blog posts will inspire other people to garden, or try one more time
if their crops fail, and to teach them what they need to do through my
experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">It’s also
a sustainable way to use the resources we have for food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA;">Who is Damaria Senne and what's in the future?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am/ have been many things – a sister, friend,
adoptive mother, partner, aunt, friend, daughter, an activist, journalist,
writer, communications specialist, blogger, publisher, care-giver, homemaker
and gardener. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m a mass of contradictions. I operate best when
I’m solitary, but love people. I’m somewhat shy but laugh loudly and heartily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m very practical, looking at all sides of an issue
before taking most actions, yet I’m prone to impulsive actions that change
lives (mine and other people’s). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m a science geek (Chemistry major with minors in
Physics and Maths) who decided that a life of creative writing suited her best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So what’s in my future? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Books. Lotsa books.</span><br />
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Nextgen. A new word in the world, one which I find fairly daunting.<br />
<br />
What does it mean?<br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/next-generation">Dictionary.com</a> the definition is as follows: Pertaining to the next generation in a family; also, pertaining to the next stage of development or version of a product, service, or technology.<br />
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Example: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Programmers are now developing next-generation software.<br />
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All of these can be a little daunting. The next generation in people could take your job, the next generation of a product, service or technology could put your business OUT of business. But as business people we need to work with the advances, use them to our advantage, and adapt where we need to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJGFirwJrSL3q4Y78oIMxdiXQUxmqgacFjRt5XQv2ASPNDyXEfVxTJ5PsjC8cJz5PFhsN8AgthGmZYKpS66eSqc9rjkP3OTU80dj2fn8QNFt6ETSFqLlzSPif_G7KiD0L6f3N/s1600/the+future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJGFirwJrSL3q4Y78oIMxdiXQUxmqgacFjRt5XQv2ASPNDyXEfVxTJ5PsjC8cJz5PFhsN8AgthGmZYKpS66eSqc9rjkP3OTU80dj2fn8QNFt6ETSFqLlzSPif_G7KiD0L6f3N/s1600/the+future.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Voice recognition software is a big player in the transcription industry, and while I don't feel threatened by it yet, I feel that we have to stay on our toes to make this development work for us as transcriptionists.<br />
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Let's have a quick look at the history and development of the technology. Speech recognition in its most base form started as early as the 1960s, with voice activated technology - such as when you phone someone and it asks you to speak a number into the phone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yXrkahMIZMQYVN28Jykkw8dHcNhAF-Ed8r6WHoY1P-wUQ4ygIJxh9ra6CNgGAnoZKe4NKx4_UpoV4zIU8Xf7cAuqs8_NnHA-u6tPhd9FRoHv8FYCd3hF8elRtytD1Lbx6Dp_/s1600/speech+recognition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yXrkahMIZMQYVN28Jykkw8dHcNhAF-Ed8r6WHoY1P-wUQ4ygIJxh9ra6CNgGAnoZKe4NKx4_UpoV4zIU8Xf7cAuqs8_NnHA-u6tPhd9FRoHv8FYCd3hF8elRtytD1Lbx6Dp_/s1600/speech+recognition.jpg" /></a>By the 1990s voice recognition software was beginning to raise its head in a world of developing technological business products. However, these voice recognition products were initially not received well. Firstly the hardware of the day was unsuitable to perform these tasks. As an example Kurzweil A.I. introduced VoiceRAD - but the 386 processors which were standard for the time weren't nsufficient to drive the software. As a result the system was barely functional and voice recognition got a bad name . You also had to speak very slowly. (<a href="http://www.voicerecognition.com/medical_office.html">Voice Recognition</a>)<br />
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Since then, of course, there have been many advances in the technology. In 1995 Pentium processors turned up and by 1997 were the standard in new hardware.<br />
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<span style="color: #000030;">Now voice recognition software is available in a wide variety, in a varying price range. </span><span style="color: #000030;">Most of the current systems are either speaker independent or require only a minimum of training. (Speaker independent means that you can simply install it and 'speak' to it). </span><br />
<span style="color: #000030;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000030;"><a href="http://shop.nuance.com/store/nuanceus/en_US/pd/ThemeID.20545600/productID.253972500">Dragon Naturally Speaking is the best in the range.</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #000030;">So where does this leave the transcriptionist? Firstly, there are a lot of customers who just feel too daunted by the prospect of buying and learning new software, and who still prefer to dictate. Secondly, the once off customer such as a student, or someone who wants to only do one or two reports, is unlikely to want to use this kind of software. Thirdly, the software can be used as a tool in our own businesses to speed up the process of transcription. Fourthly, the software still needs to be proofread. It's still very difficult for any software to differentiate between words which sound the same (where and wear, for example). Any transcriptionist worth their weight in gold and with fairly basic levels of literacy can offer proofreading as a service. And there are still those who discover Aunt Sally's hand written diary from 192 and want it typed. So while voice recognition software is something we must be aware of, we must incorporate it and still be available for the many who can't or won't use it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexHSGoRzO8y7xhVW95fQcASsheNWJwbEucDgkz3xMQH_GJBjIZyQvQK7d6e1sVlf_shdMpMTTokkC0aOjpP1IEY4epYgKN1CbRMkuhTGXuwqeC9zxNiKLoE2U6QW1V4HXYIsf/s1600/Dirctories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexHSGoRzO8y7xhVW95fQcASsheNWJwbEucDgkz3xMQH_GJBjIZyQvQK7d6e1sVlf_shdMpMTTokkC0aOjpP1IEY4epYgKN1CbRMkuhTGXuwqeC9zxNiKLoE2U6QW1V4HXYIsf/s320/Dirctories.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
So many people ask me how to get their businesses off the ground. One of the most basic things to do is to get yourself a website. But then, so many people do that, and then they say to me "so now what, I've got a site but it's not getting any traffic."<br />
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One of the simplest tactics I discovered very early was to google the following.<br />
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"non-reciprocal link directories" - or variations thereof. "Non reciprocal link directory", "business directory", etc, etc.<br />
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There are so many of these.<br />
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And then the hard work begins. Start listing your site on these. In South Africa two of the most well known ones are Gumtree and Vottle, but there are literally hundreds. There is some software that will do it for you, at a cost, but I always seemed to get better results by manually listing my sites. Somehow, you keep better control that way. This is an exercise in a marketing strategy that is simply never ending - because for one thing, most sites only list your business for a certain period of time, and then you have to resubmit (they usually email you to do this), and for another thing, new business directories come out all the time.<br />
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Why is this effective? Firstly because people do actually search those directories to find what they're looking for and if you're not on them, they're not going to find you. Secondly, because the more quality back links you have into your site, the better it is for the search ranking, and you want to have as good a search ranking as possible, so that Google will find you. Some of these directories ask for a link on your site in exchange and it's up to your discretion whether you want to place this or not. I usually don't but there are a few exceptions to the rule.<br />
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If you're in any doubt as to whether a link you're considering is a good one to link to or place a backlink on, you can always check the page rank of the site by using<a href="http://www.prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php"> Page Rank Checker.</a> You can check your own page rank on here too. It's a good tool to keep tabs of where you're at.<br />
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It sounds incredible to say but the internet is under utilised in marketing virtual businesses. People wanting to start out will tell me that they don't have a marketing budget and they can't afford to market. I say junk. Why do you need a budget when you can list free on business directory sites, and make use of Facebook and Twitter? In the virtual industry, the world is our oyster and we must use it. This needs to be a part of your daily marketing strategy. If you do nothing else with regards to marketing, make sure that you get at least one mention of your website out there every day. It ties back to the post on initiative - use your initiative to find directories to list your business on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq617UUMO9q951WffJNOtFq3FvTtsxZEdk-93Ynt1WiBdaKNkYP13WT5uWh6I1LkDa-7bijJfd8Yh_2P8e-5oePjj6QUx52QD6zEQm_kb7ArpcK9ddDfP3IIRyFe_vZDrHAq6F/s1600/footpedal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq617UUMO9q951WffJNOtFq3FvTtsxZEdk-93Ynt1WiBdaKNkYP13WT5uWh6I1LkDa-7bijJfd8Yh_2P8e-5oePjj6QUx52QD6zEQm_kb7ArpcK9ddDfP3IIRyFe_vZDrHAq6F/s1600/footpedal.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a>Previously, I've been using Express Scribe without a footpedal, and I was a bit nervous about using the footpedal, since I hadn't previously used one since 1994 where I used one on an analog dictation machine!<br />
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However, now I've started, I can't see me ever going back. It makes life so much easier and I believe I've said goodbye to hotkeys forever.<br />
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The software is the DSS Player Standard Transcription Module Version 2.0.0.0. Your audio files are easy to import and are stacked up in folders like files in a window, making it easy to see and work with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElzssUkzgzelgo7QHfVC8gpZu2FrNCCWyvy2spNgBuG0wxVUwL1kWw1jQS-giT0apcuyzX52_7-GTPliuAS3VQOLER-tOCJhhDUwmXl_8K3Xof8hO5hLK7faOwlnLslgVFGwS/s1600/Folder+A.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElzssUkzgzelgo7QHfVC8gpZu2FrNCCWyvy2spNgBuG0wxVUwL1kWw1jQS-giT0apcuyzX52_7-GTPliuAS3VQOLER-tOCJhhDUwmXl_8K3Xof8hO5hLK7faOwlnLslgVFGwS/s1600/Folder+A.png" height="62" width="400" /></a></div>
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Besides making secure file management easier than ever before, it offers multiple file transfer options to suit individual requirements. Full Citrix and Terminal Service support is provided and it is compatible with POP3, SMTP, and extended MAPI email environments. Moreover, SSL support for email/ftp is also included.</div>
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Features of the transcription kit include: </div>
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- RS-31 - 4 button USB footswitch (3 + 1) for hands free operation</div>
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- Under chin ear phone E-62 ODMS - Olympus Dictation Management System CD (R6)</div>
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- Transcription module to organize and playback dictations</div>
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- Manages DSSPro, DSS, WAV, WMA, and MP3 audio files</div>
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- File and document management</div>
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The audio controls are great too and offer a lot of versatility. I love that the slow down / speed up function controls the speed of the audio but it doesn't distort the voice. The voice distortion that some other software packages give is irritating and sometimes renders the audio inaudible. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyGJ1LUrRLhcgWXHA36diUGetxBffCPLSfyCcz-gyGlPX8jUuANCD14DfiepOHTWeLVSsKnBNNbDgq2Gg8zOTK61QazrVb4olAtWm6CQeSaybwCPlD3WtSLzhomJCH49e_Tt7/s1600/Controls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyGJ1LUrRLhcgWXHA36diUGetxBffCPLSfyCcz-gyGlPX8jUuANCD14DfiepOHTWeLVSsKnBNNbDgq2Gg8zOTK61QazrVb4olAtWm6CQeSaybwCPlD3WtSLzhomJCH49e_Tt7/s1600/Controls.png" /></a></div>
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This is a great solution for secretaries and transcriptionists particularly since it is completely compatible with recordings produced by the Olympus digital recording equipment such as the <a href="http://www.maynards.co.za/professional-line/dictation/ds-7000">DS-7000 pictured below. </a> (which I recommend all my clients to purchase) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zedTblwQGPz-NK6Ci_5c2VHV0S5xdKk73q3rqy7v6H86DVY0U4YCyO0KPyaA3fXlksxhlVDgLMQL1XEKz1XDvtgIs7W7IY4izKmqaIu5HiP5yBzDcLyEPkEoIAfzAs_5wnh6/s1600/ds7000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zedTblwQGPz-NK6Ci_5c2VHV0S5xdKk73q3rqy7v6H86DVY0U4YCyO0KPyaA3fXlksxhlVDgLMQL1XEKz1XDvtgIs7W7IY4izKmqaIu5HiP5yBzDcLyEPkEoIAfzAs_5wnh6/s1600/ds7000.jpg" height="320" width="160" /></a></div>
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I decided to give this a try out on one of the most difficult audios I've had this year. It was the perfect transcription to try it out on. It was a South African government recording done around a table in a government office somewhere in the Free State. The council was NOT using an Olympus recorder, and I had background noise, indistinct names, a very long recording - the works. The software is not a miracle worker and it couldn't clean up all the noise, but it helped significantly and I got better results than I have with other similar programmes. The software offers an option to increase volume in one headphone over the other, and this was useful to increase the volume of distant speakers. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNK39M2QcQMPkxBKv3gX24_kgrmAkH7pZJLTyx71GnSRwI6lUX_JDhMKhL1K35Hul7u43Opkscm6Wb2ZRrGLiyxmzUb0WKLRaU_EGL9jo3SZpHN-cFTMVdp9DBNErsPSe_I8c/s1600/Inline.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNK39M2QcQMPkxBKv3gX24_kgrmAkH7pZJLTyx71GnSRwI6lUX_JDhMKhL1K35Hul7u43Opkscm6Wb2ZRrGLiyxmzUb0WKLRaU_EGL9jo3SZpHN-cFTMVdp9DBNErsPSe_I8c/s1600/Inline.png" height="101" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another awesome feature is the inline bar which you can choose, which floats on the top of your screen as you transcribe. This saves clicking in between the larger interface and the document you're working on. </div>
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There are a ton of fantastic features with this software which will mean you won't want to look back. Check it out for yourself at <a href="http://www.maynards.co.za/">Maynards</a>.</div>
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Please share this post on your Facebook and Twitter and follow me @TypewriteSA. </div>
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Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-4309656737125676632014-03-17T14:00:00.000+02:002014-03-17T14:00:04.019+02:00K is for Knowledge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7o3wGB99NRf3zqvnjBiodAdKorpC8xV_9wEmp4uRN78JWdFDUrip7bcJvWNQSzonqfAKXRTRXpuBtlmSa9RnhgPPyELkHZLDonjcqHV328kb6ut-l1oZ9CZ8v9KkjwMb3LTs/s1600/working+from+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7o3wGB99NRf3zqvnjBiodAdKorpC8xV_9wEmp4uRN78JWdFDUrip7bcJvWNQSzonqfAKXRTRXpuBtlmSa9RnhgPPyELkHZLDonjcqHV328kb6ut-l1oZ9CZ8v9KkjwMb3LTs/s1600/working+from+home.JPG" /></a>We all have a certain amount of knowledge, based on our life experience, our age, the studies we have done, the books we have read, etc. And if you run a business, as we go along you gain knowledge or experience. When you start something new, it can really feel like you know nothing. You can really feel out of your depth. It's known as being green, or being a "noob" in today's terms.<br />
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But as time goes by and you stick at it, you become more seasoned in what you do. You remember what it's like being the junior in high school? Knowing nothing, and nobody. And all too soon, you are the senior, and you remember what that's like too, being the one who is expected to pass on information. In business it's the same. There are advantages to being green and to being seasoned.<br />
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I guess I would say I'm pretty seasoned, having run my business, Typewrite Transcription and Typing Services CC, since 2005. That's not to say there's nothing to be learned from newbies. The further along I go, the more I realise that I have a lot to learn from younger people (or maybe I should say "people who are less experienced in the field than I am", as I'm still only 38.)<br />
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I also think, though, that it's almost our social responsibility to share the knowledge that we pick up, particularly in industries such as the VA and transcription industries, which are still pretty small in my opinion.<br />
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This was one of the reasons I started this blog all that time ago - to share knowledge, so if you are a newbie, and even if you've been in the game for a while, I really recommend that you browse around this blog, read up what I've written in the past. Please comment and share on posts as well. I also wrote my ebook <a href="http://typewritetranscription.co.za/ebook/">"Working From Home as a Transcriptionist in South Africa"</a> to specifically share information with newbies. It's tough when you start out, and you feel like there aren't a lot of resources to help you. I've been told on many occasions how much my ebook helps, and it doesn't only help South Africans, it's sold well across the world.<br />
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As business owners it's also our responsibility to make sure that we keep gaining knowledge. While we are alive, we can still learn, so I don't want to hear the excuse that you are too old. You are not!<br />
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This blog forms part of the V<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/vatipsblogging/">A Tips and Tricks Blogging Challenge</a>. For more posts in the challenge search this blog and my <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com/">Pop Speaking </a>blog. <br />
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<script data-counter="top" data-url="www.typewritetranscription.blogspot.com" type="IN/Share"></script><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-16355276110593334862014-03-10T15:13:00.000+02:002014-03-10T15:13:00.630+02:00J is for Just Do It Over the years I have dealt with countless wannabe transcriptionists who for whatever reason just don't actually start working as a transcriptionist. They come up with so many excuses that in the end I don't actually believe they want to do it. JUST DO IT.<br />
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I'll never forget the case of one, (whose name I won't mention), who STILL hasn't started as one and she first approached me years ago.<br />
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What equipment do I need?<br />
- a computer<br />
- the internet<br />
- some speakers and headphones<br />
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What courses can I take?<br />
- If you can type, then you don't really need a course, unless you want to me a medical transcriptionist then -<br />
- take a medical transcription course.<br />
- Worthwhile but not NECESSARY to take a course in computers or business management<br />
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How do I start?<br />
- Advertise, and start. In other words, JUST DO IT!<br />
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Can you send me files to practice with?<br />
- No. The files I have belong to my clients and are confidential.<br />
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Where can I get files to practice with?<br />
- From the internet.<br />
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Will you check them for me?<br />
- Maybe. Well, actually, no, not unless you're going to pay me for my time.<br />
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Either you want to do it or you don't, and the best practice is when you're actually working for a client. So - literally - JUST DO IT!<br />
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<script data-counter="top" data-url="www.typewritetranscription.blogspot.com" type="IN/Share"></script><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-65559555967581154142014-03-03T13:55:00.000+02:002014-03-03T13:55:00.355+02:00I is for Initiative - and also for Listen to Instructions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><u>Initiative</u></b><br />
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Use some.. call it thinking creatively, thinking out of the box, etc etc, you have to use your initiative if you are going to be successful in the virtual world. It's about being proactive, not reactive. You don't need anyone to succeed, other than yourself.<br />
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I get so frustrated with people, especially new transcriptionists or VAs, or can't or don't show any initiative. Seriously, folks, if you don't have any, or can't think for yourself, then don't become a VA or a transcriptionist. In our line of work, you need to be able to think on your feet all the time. I don't mind at all helping newbie transcriptionists or VAs who ask intelligent questions and use their own imaginations. I do get tired of it when people ask me the same question over and over, don't do the things I suggest or cannot seem to think for themselves. After all, my time is money as well, and I don't charge for mentorship although sometimes I think I should. Some experienced VAs do. However, the fact is as long as you're willing to help yourself, I'll help you when you have questions where I can and there may come a time when I need to ask you for something as well. So there it is - show initiative, and we'll get on fine, and you'll get on fine in your business too.<br />
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You've got to be able to think how to handle a job, how to market, what to do next. You always have to be one step ahead of the game. If you're part of the pack, and not a leader, it's going to be hard for you to make a success at this kind of work.<br />
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Even once you've been doing it for a while, it's possible to slip a bit with your mental attitude and your thinking - and suddenly you find yourself back in the pack. This can often be when you are tired or ill, and a bit under the weather. The difference between a leader and a follower, however, is that the leader realises he's slipped and regains the lead, by thinking creatively. <br />
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<b><u>Instructions</u></b><br />
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The other thing I want to make mention of is Listen To Instructions. Can't highlight that enough. Listen to Instructions. If my client passes me instructions and I pass them on to you as my subcontractor, or if I have my own set of rules and regulations and I'm the client, you need to pay attention to the instructions I give. Nothing more annoying than outsourcing a job to someone and then they send the work back and all the work's been formatted wrongly, the wrong form of words have been used, the wrong titles have been used, etc etc.<br />
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The best is to question the client until you are satisfied you know what they really want. No client minds being questioned a lot - in the knowledge that they are going to get a good quality product at the end of the day.<br />
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But, if at the end of a job, the client realises you haven't paid any attention at all to what they've been telling you, then they will probably either dock you pay or not use you again.<br />
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<script data-counter="top" data-url="www.typewritetranscription.blogspot.com" type="IN/Share"></script><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-63964716904309950462014-02-24T20:35:00.000+02:002014-02-24T20:35:00.455+02:00H is for Hard Work. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjZcOKSLH8y5rghoFKvazudTv_-w2lkACBV7ahCsITQROSIal-Bdn-z27vC9Uo_wZD88UMctF3Bsbz9c6AOzszBqMwqbw-Wax6gJTxxB3jY88Z_rCuvScbatN68IS6RC38DSp/s1600/hard+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjZcOKSLH8y5rghoFKvazudTv_-w2lkACBV7ahCsITQROSIal-Bdn-z27vC9Uo_wZD88UMctF3Bsbz9c6AOzszBqMwqbw-Wax6gJTxxB3jY88Z_rCuvScbatN68IS6RC38DSp/s1600/hard+work.jpg" /></a>This one's pretty easy. H is for Hard Work. When you work for yourself, you work harder than you've ever worked before. Look at me now. I work 10 - 12 hour days, yet I know that marketing is a crucial part of what we do too, so here I am putting in an extra bit of work by writing a blog post.<br />
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Working for yourself is Hard Work. I always laugh when people tell me they're going to do what I do so that they can have more time with their children. I've done this since 2005, and I can tell you that I spent more time with my children pre Typewrite Transcription, when I had an 8 - 5 office job. My children are 15 and 13 now and they've practically raised themselves. So if you think you're going to spend more time with your children, this is not for you.<br />
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Firstly, you need to be working at least 8 hours a day. So for example if you're busy with work that takes you three hours to complete, make sure the other five are filled with things that will be productive towards creating more income. Marketing, admin, improving processes, invoicing. Once you keep yourself on focus, you'll find that your 8 hours and more are filled every day, and pretty soon, those 8 hours (and more) will be filled with actual work, and you'll be wondering when you're going to find time to do blogs, admin, invoices, etc, etc.<br />
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That's about all there is to it, really. You're here to WORK. Work at homers often come up against prejudices. Those who work in offices sometimes seem to think that we aren't really working. Well, we are. Probably more than you, because.. yes, we don't commute. We get up, see the kids and hubby off, and then ... don't spend any time in the car, we go straight to the office, and work. We don't knock off at 5 and drive home, we knock off at 6 or 7, or not at all. There have been so many times that I've sat down to work, thought to myself that in an hour or two I'd go and get breakfast - and then turned around and it's 2pm and I haven't had breakfast OR lunch.<br />
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H is for Hard Work.<br />
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I will allow that maybe there is a bit more flexibility - I can for example stop and go and fetch my son from school, and he can stay home from school when he's ill without it being a problem, although there are some days I wish I could get a tutor for my boys to help with homework - I have fleeting thoughts of maybe they aren't getting enough input from me. In fact, I know they aren't, and too many are the times when I've chased them out the office because I have a crazy deadline.<br />
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So if you don't want to work hard, and want to have a half day job or spend time with your children, this isn't going to work for you. If you're prepared to give almost your every waking moment to getting it off the ground, then you can do it.<br />
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I'm repeating this title over and over. H is for Hard work. H is for Hard Work. And one more, for luck. H is for Hard Work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hCsFDbx8Tb6co6C3DNQPv50IswkzrM_4STo0PXZkIDyrbSU3Bjlh3jI-D2Vy1e4hw2dtgaHxr4Nj0EwlU1sU_X1fW7z4mdFjS4ErGjmw7zBIr_ekhWr8zZZ_iyfuFnXlHGKC/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hCsFDbx8Tb6co6C3DNQPv50IswkzrM_4STo0PXZkIDyrbSU3Bjlh3jI-D2Vy1e4hw2dtgaHxr4Nj0EwlU1sU_X1fW7z4mdFjS4ErGjmw7zBIr_ekhWr8zZZ_iyfuFnXlHGKC/s1600/g.jpg" /></a></div>
That is me! Gaynor Paynter, the owner of this business, the one who together with <a href="http://www.amftyping.co.za/">Alison Fourie </a>started TAVASA, and the one who also runs the <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com/">Pop Speaking</a> site.<br />
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By now many of you have been following my blogs while I complete this challenge and I thought I'd like to share a little something about myself.<br />
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So then.. here it is!<br />
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My name is Gaynor Paynter and I'm the owner of my own transcription business. I'm a mom of two teenage boys, and a wife. I live in South Africa but believe that with the internet the world is our oyster. I've always had a fascination with popular culture, the stars, the media, and celebdom in general. I'm also kinda retro so a lot of stuff you'll see here will come from years gone by, but I appreciate the talents and qualities of today's celebs too. I co present on a radio show at Radio Today Johannesburg, and you should check it out cos we've got some awesome guests lined up. In my spare time, I'm a wannabe novelist. I've got a heart and mind for community and I serve on my Ward Committee. This is the reason why from time to time you're gonna see some causes mentioned and supported on here. I believe we must use the resources we have to do whatever good we can. And I run my own transcription business - I've been doing it since 2005. It's had its ups and downs, that's for sure. I've flirted with the idea of going back to the office and went back to one for a month in 2012. It didn't work. I never worked well in an office. I like to call my own shots and do my own thing. And I find that my ideas and the boss' clash and we don't work that well together. LOL. Besides, I like what I do. I like the variety of the daily tasks I do. For example, today I've worked on a project about Oliver Tambo, typed up an arbitration report and now I'm busy typing a religious book. I'm a mish mash of everything. I'm interested in everything, I find that most things have something to like about them.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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My <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com/">Pop Speaking</a> blog is just .. something I need to do, and I'm loving it. You know sometimes you get that defining moment when you start to understand why you've been doing things you've been doing (for the past 8 months, I've been watching Three's Company and other John Ritter work in my case.. lol). And then I came across an interview with John Ritter where he said how SCARED he was. And I started to understand why I've been on this John Ritter / Three's Company kick - 30 years after the show ended. In the interview he said how scared he was - of the world and of people and of everything, and how he taught himself humour, in order to deal with it. And I thought - wow! Because I'm scared, too. I'm scared of people, and things, and places. And of dying without leaving my legacy behind. And if John Ritter was scared, it's okay that I am scared, too. Most people are? How validating to hear it from a hero. But we can't let that fear stop us being who we are supposed to be. <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com/2013/11/amy-yasbeck-chats-to-us-about-john.html">Publishing an interview with Amy Yasbeck about the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health was profoundly meaningful to me - a bit like coming full circle. Second only to John still being alive today and a way to say thank you for everything. </a><br />
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And now when you believe you're on the verge of something coming true... for my whole life I've had this niggling feeling that I'm supposed to do something, to write something, for something to be left behind for future generations to learn and grow from and be touched by. I've started projects, stopped them, started again, thought kak no, this isn't it... and now I've started <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com%2C/">Pop Speaking</a> and I think... this is it. This is what's going to build the audience, and make the difference, and stay behind. This is getting an audience that can touch souls, and tweak the golden thread of humanity which runs through generations. Because here I can give exposure to people, and places and things, and CAUSES, that matter. For always. John Ritter said in an early interview that he would like to be remembered as someone who tweaked the golden thread of humanity that touches us all. I find the concept profoundly interesting, and you will find that many of the interviewees on this page are asked what they think about this concept of the golden thread, particularly in relation to how artists of whatever form can tweak it.<br />
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These blogs are a labour of love, for my sons Andrew and Brandon, and for my hubby, and for the world. The posts are all about things that matter to me, about and by people and things and subjects who matter to me. I hope that you find something here. Everything on here matters to me, in one way or another.<br />
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This post forms part of a series of posts in a blog challenge I'm completing. For the other posts, see the <a href="http://www.popspeaking.blogspot.com/">Pop Speaking blog. </a> I would love you to comment, and to share, and to follow me on Twitter @Popspeaking.<br />
<br />
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<b><u>Finances</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI_2ukaebXi1sPu2AssDfpAxM0WhQOHrPRpfcX2Al5fXbi3yrTCP6z7zqTvGY0nljc5YDEF0e0xeFgTuakQ8_zR2UnVY-A6PzhDwOFXUyGduT3IrY5k4ADxaX81lLIBHVEhyc/s1600/finances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI_2ukaebXi1sPu2AssDfpAxM0WhQOHrPRpfcX2Al5fXbi3yrTCP6z7zqTvGY0nljc5YDEF0e0xeFgTuakQ8_zR2UnVY-A6PzhDwOFXUyGduT3IrY5k4ADxaX81lLIBHVEhyc/s1600/finances.jpg" /></a>I must admit that one of the reasons I finally decided on a virtual business was for financial reasons - I already had a computer, printer and the internet! What more do you need? In the beginning, I couldn't even afford to pay for webhosting, so for a long time I used a freebie site, and I did ALL of my marketing online. I still do for the most part, and I've been running Typewrite Transcription since 2005.<br />
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Firstly, I created a website. I've been through various hosts, but currently (and to stay, as it's not a good idea to keep changing domain names) my website is at <a href="http://typewritetranscription.co.za/">Typewrite Transcription. </a> and even now, it's the only form of marketing I pay for on a regular basis. On an ad hoc basis, I do things like brochure drops - I did a barter agreement with one of the printing companies and had 5,000 brochures made, which the post office distributed into boxes for me at 10c a brochure.<br />
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I haven't had to lay out any capital to start the business. Obviously as years go by, you upgrade equipment, buy new things, etc, and as the business grows, you sub contract. I started out doing all my books myself, which I soon discovered wasn't a very good idea - I'm useless at accounting and maths and the greater complexities of SARS etc elude me. So I've outsourced that and the small monthly cost I pay is well worth it to have <a href="http://www.figg.co.za/">FIGG Excel Accounting Services do my books (So F is for Figg, too) </a><br />
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<b><u>Facebook</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW964WKIghWYzZ0viCUi7a-M_wd4gT2w0kipc9LjE5yBDkdNBybK8dtrwY8H4Etj0b5e_fxafoYgJiho6Lo8V3wS_7bFdgfrWiJBmpKTukfoltChLwPdnaDmKk8q2Svq1kzpq/s1600/facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW964WKIghWYzZ0viCUi7a-M_wd4gT2w0kipc9LjE5yBDkdNBybK8dtrwY8H4Etj0b5e_fxafoYgJiho6Lo8V3wS_7bFdgfrWiJBmpKTukfoltChLwPdnaDmKk8q2Svq1kzpq/s1600/facebook.jpg" /></a>In a big way, F is for Facebook. When I first started my business in 2005, Facebook wasn't around. And when it did arrive, it wasn't for business. It was purely for interacting with friends and family. So it took me quite a while to get into Facebook. And soon after I did, business pages were introduced and I knew that this was a great opportunity to expand business. I created my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription">own Facebook page,</a> but it was with the creation of another page - one I did for a community project - that I realised the power of Facebook. With the use of that page, we turned the community from something negative into something great. The page grew and grew. And so I employed the same tactics on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription">own Facebook business page</a>. I'd very much like you to go along and like it for me :-) So to new business owners, I'd almost say create your own Facebook page before your own website... it's about on a par. But - and there is a but to this - it's not about just creating the page and leaving it. Then it won't do anything. You have to be interactive on it. It is after all a social networking site. You have to learn who your audience are, engage with them, talk to them. It's a day to day thing - not a one day thing. For a while I offered social media marketing as one of the services I offer (the spawning of this industry is another thing we can thank Facebook for). It works for the clients who engage with me, tell me what they want on their pages - and engage with their pages themselves. If a client is not prepared to work with you or converse on their page themselves, it's not going to work. Because you have to intrinsically understand that page yourself in order to make it work.<br />
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Facebook is (and always will be, according to them) - free. So, to be honest, I don't understand why every single business isn't on there and interacting day to day. They should be.. of course the danger is that you have to be very disciplined and not get side tracked with all the other joys FB has to offer - the individual engagement with friends, the games, the staring at news articles and getting side tracked on other things. But.. F is most definitely for Facebook. It's in my opinion one of the biggest and most useful free resources we have.<br />
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So, you can follow me <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription">here on Facebook</a> I would really appreciate you sharing this post as well. You can also follow on Twitter @TypewriteSA. Please leave a comment too - I love hearing from my audience. Thank you for stopping by. <br />
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<script data-counter="top" data-url="www.typewritetranscription.blogspot.com" type="IN/Share"></script><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http://typewritetranscription.blogspot.com/&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Gaynor Paynterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655828873998678207noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11895270.post-87103668762054389092014-02-03T19:31:00.001+02:002014-02-03T19:31:31.782+02:00E is for the Edward Chamberlain-Bell Show..from the wind beneath your wings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz2WbV0VkNGmT2HtOXhxnG-6vPcHtgIM5Y_NwezmFDgQjmT0aRVIlVPXKFhP7nr2yd2PhXP1nI5qKCne3CRXjtOXvTYL454oWSjVnxgYNB9bFO2Rthq1G7y_-iYP909nNcQp2/s1600/Edward+Chamberlain-Bell++Gaynor+Paynter+Typewrite+Transcription.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz2WbV0VkNGmT2HtOXhxnG-6vPcHtgIM5Y_NwezmFDgQjmT0aRVIlVPXKFhP7nr2yd2PhXP1nI5qKCne3CRXjtOXvTYL454oWSjVnxgYNB9bFO2Rthq1G7y_-iYP909nNcQp2/s1600/Edward+Chamberlain-Bell++Gaynor+Paynter+Typewrite+Transcription.png" height="203" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://edwardchamberlainbell.podomatic.com/entry/2014-01-29T01_46_01-08_00">I had a chance to be on the Edward Chamberlain-Bell Show on Saturday 25 January.</a> It was a huge honour for me.<br />
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I want to say a huge thank you to Edward for inviting me on his show. It was a lot of fun and gave me a good opportunity to get the word out about our industry and answer some of his and his co-host Laura's questions.<br />
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<a href="http://edwardchamberlainbell.podomatic.com/entry/2014-01-29T01_46_01-08_00">So please have a listen in here - my part on the show starts at 00:30.</a><br />
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I was pretty nervous going in to this show. I am not sure why as I've been interviewed before and I also conduct interviews sometimes. But I guess this was just a big opportunity, because The Edward Chamberlain-Bell show is ALWAYS very informative for small business and it's a show which has pretty fast made its mark in local radio and is only going to get bigger. It was great to be on there and get the chance to yak about our industry, my business and the virtual world in general - without having to be the one thinking about the questions.<br />
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One of the questions centred around the biggest challenge in the industry, and I had to say that it was fear. Not only because fear was the first thing on my mind at the time. But because it really is true. I think we all have fears, and it can be crippling. You can get that blind fear that doesn't allow you to do anything. But the thing is that if you really want to achieve something, you've got to try to look past that fear and picture where you might be after you've gone past the fear and done the thing you wanted to do anyway.<br />
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The<a href="http://edward.chamberlainbell.com/careeradvice/"> Edward Chamberlain-Bell Show</a> team aim to help you live your best life ever this year. If you've already forgotten your New Year's resolutions, they've got a painful reminder to keep you on your toes this year, and they're going to keep reminding you until you can also say you're living the best life you've ever had. You're allowed to fail but you're also encouraged to be your best.<br />
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Ed calls me the wind beneath his wings because I do social media and podcasting for<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RadioTodayJhb"> Radio Today Johannesburg</a>, which includes his show. That's a pretty nice accolade to have and it's a fun gig to have too, because it allows me that teensy weensy bit of creativity which I also mention in the show. Working in our field one can tend to get a little bogged down, so it's nice, and important, to give freedom to your creative side every once in a while. This is also how the interview opportunity has come about - Ed and I have got to know each other through this and he was so taken by me he decided to have me on the show and I know he's going to read this which is why I'm stoking him a little. LOL :-)<br />
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Edward agrees, forget about those resolutions for 2014, and be true to who YOU are and what makes the U in YOU happy! And that is what I think too.<br />
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The Edward Chamberlain-Bell Show is broadcast on Saturdays from 12h00 to 13h00 (GMT+2).<br />
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Radio Today (@Radio2Day) broadcasts on 1485 AM in Johannesburg and country-wide on DStv audio channel 869. Stream: www.1485.org.za/ and 1485.mobi. Follow Ed on Twitter @thewordofed.<br />
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Next up for me - break the TV barrier. I've never been on TV and I want to be, so I'm looking for opportunities.<br />
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Please share this blog if you have enjoyed it, and follow me on Google Friend connect and / or on Twitter @TypewriteSA or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TypewriteTranscription">Facebook </a> I can learn from you, too. I would really value comments and input from you on this post and I always try to follow back. Many thanks for taking the time to read this. <a class="twitter-share-button" data-via="TypewriteSA" href="https://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a>
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