Small Busines Marketing

Marketing Your Small Business 

Hi all.

This is just a quick post to remind you how important it is that you go and market your services on a regular basis. Even if you're incredibly busy with your business, you need to keep up your marketing activities. The reason for this is that you might be busy now, but it's because of marketing work you did months ago. So the marketing work you do now is what's going to keep you busy in coming months. 

Saying that, you don't need to spend a great deal on marketing, particularly in our type of industry. Too often I see too many businesses going crazy and spending too much.  They go out and buy all the bells and whistles, hundreds of T shirts and pens and brochures and banners, etc. etc. Personally I have never believed too much in the flashy bits and pieces of marketing. You need a solid website, business cards, maybe some vehicle branding, Facebook and social media. And then to go and list it all on different business directories. 

Howzit! is a brilliant place to go and advertise your services or any of your classifieds. Unlike most other services like this they allow you to bump up your ads every day. http://www.howzit.co.za/

Remember that you can purchase my ebook - Working From Home as A Transcriptionist in South Africa. 

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Digital Voice Recorder: Which do I need?

Audio recording: When you are planning to record interviews that you know are going to be transcribed or which you would like to store on your computer, make sure that you buy a device that allows this functionality. Cheaper voice recorders do not allow this.  You are looking for a device which employs functionality like this:
Record in MP3 or PCM or WMA

Rapidly transfer recordings and data via USB 2.0
USB powered recording for sparing battery power
Front speaker for crystal-clear voice playback
The more powerful front speaker offers a potent, rich and crystal clear sound experience.
Large, easy-to-read backlit display which allows you to view all file info at a glance

This is going to save you time and money.

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Audio File formats working on Express Scribe

Hi all. I received this question regarding transcription and decided to answer it on my blog. 

Question: "I definitely want to include transcription as a service later on in my business.  I am in the process of learning and reading all there is about transcription.

I would say the best way to get into it all would be to actually do transcription exercises by transcribing from audio files that you load onto Express Scribe.

Now that is where my problem starts.  The only thing I can get loaded on Express Scribe is songs from a CD.  Now when I try to load a voice recording that was recorded with a cellular phone ( Samsung Galaxy Note) , and then emailed to me, I can not seem to get it loaded.  It says "the 3ga format is not supported by Express Scribe".

Either I am trying to load voice recordings that can not be loaded on Express Scribe, or I am going about this all wrong.

Is there certain software I need to make audio files like voice recordings able to load onto Express Scribe?  I probably need to save the voice recordings as another type of file or I do not know!  Could it be that it must be voice recordings from certain devices other than a cellular phone?  I do not know what I must do to get it right as I do not even know what I`m doing wrong.  I am really eager to do this!

Please can you give me some advice on this matter?  It would be greatly appreciated!"

Hi there. I think the basic answer to this is that Express Scribe is not compatible with all file formats.  See here to see which ones they are compatible with.  The paid or pro version of Express Scribe can play more formats than the free one can. 

However, all is not lost. One of my favourite programs is a free download called Any Audio Converter. It can also be a bit of a misnomer, as it does NOT convert ANY audio and I actually think that 3ga is one of the ones it doesn't do. But it does convert most of them into formats that can be played with the free Express Scribe. However, that doesn't really answer your question.  So here's what does. The internet is our friend. It tells us the answer to most things, including how to get 3ga converted to MP3, which works in Express Scribe. See this link, the author of which has found the solution to your particular problem: http://www.blinkycab.com/forum/index.php?topic=819.0

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Please remember to like us on Facebook and follow the blog. You are more than welcome to reference our material or follow our blog but please link back to us.

What to do during maternity

This question came in from a transcriptionist this morning. Interesting one, answers? (I have removed her email but will forward comments) Morning Ladies (and Gents – not sure?)

I am in a bit of a predicament.  I am having my third baby end April.  Even now, finding the time to work is a huge mission.  You other work at home moms must know what I’m on about.  So do I close down altogether?  Or do I find a handful of typists to assist me until I get back on my feet.  I don’t really want to close down altogether, this company is very close to my heart.  

So ... I am looking for a handful of people that I can try out until the end of the year.   I will proof read everything that is done for me, for a while, but then I’m hoping by the time baby comes, I shouldn’t have to proof read at all, because by then it’s done the way I want it.    I will give them a full set of instructions on how I set out my transcripts and any other rules etc to help them along.

So ... after all that, are there any ladies out there looking for more work?  If you are interested, could you send me a bit of a CV, nothing formal.  Some references would be great too.  Also your rates – urgent and standard.

Thanks for taking the time out to read this.   I hope to hear from some of you soon.  You may mail me directly at the below email address.

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Transcription and typing services Johannesburg

WE SPECIALISE IN TRANSCRIPTION, TYPING, SOCIAL MEDIA, WRITING, PROOFREADING AND ALL OTHER BUSINESS ADMIN SERVICES! BOOKKEEPING / ACCOUNTING SOLUTION PROVIDED

Contact us: gaynor@typewritetranscription.co.za / +27834424689 / Fax 0880116155633

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And you know when Mari Smith talks to us AGAIN we are getting places!

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