BASIC GUIDE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL WORKING FROM HOME

BASIC GUIDE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL WORKING FROM HOME

     Working from home has many benefits, but it is not for everyone. While you have more freedom in your schedule and save money by telecommuting, staying on task and focused can be difficult when you don’t have the pressures of a boss looking over your shoulder. Here are some great tips from Parenting Squad for being successful working from home.

1.Create an Office or Work Space. Even though you are at home, it’s important to create an environment that is completely devoted to work. That way, you’ll be in “work mode” when you are in that space and won’t be as distracted by other home-related things.

Photo credit: Anton Peck via Flickr.com

Photo credit: Juliana Phang via Flickr.com

2.Take Breaks. You still deserve breaks when you work from home! Take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break to stretch your muscles, maybe get out of the house, do some exercises. For lunch, make sure you step away from your computer. Meet up with a friend for lunch once in a while, head to the gym, take a walk, etc. This will prevent you from going stir crazy.

Photo credit: suddenlybees1000 via Flickr.com

3.Establish a Schedule. Set up certain office hours where you perform the majority of your duties. But also take advantage of the flexibility your job offers. If you’re an early riser, get work done early before others wake up! There’s no reason why you can’t work from 7-3 instead of  9-5. And on the flip side, you can work late if you’re a night owl. If you have small kids/babies, get small tasks done during their naps.

Photo credit: hopkinsbio.org

4.Establish Connections Within the Profession.Join a professional association, attend conferences and seminars, and participate in online forum discussions. Networking and staying in tune with current topics within your industry are critical for your professional development.

If you find this helpful, go ahead and share this to your friends. And if you want to add more tips, feel free to leave a comment below.Thanks :)

FIVE TIPS ON HOW A FREELANCER CAN EFFECTIVELY MANAGE TIME

by Melissa Burns

Photo Credit: Hongkiat.com

1.STIFLE DISTRACTIONS

Distractions are bad enough in the office, but when you work at home, where nobody controls what you are doing but yourself, it is ten times worse. You may think you are responsible and self-interested enough not to waste your time on God-knows-what when you are supposed to work, but the truth is, for most people, complete freedom is too much to handle. You will inevitably sneak a glance or two on your favorite websites, drift to social networks, check your email every five minutes – different people have different favorite distractions, but the Internet is possibly the worst offender. However, with a little bit of determination, you can greatly decrease the amount of harm these distractions cause. Install a browser plugin like Leechblock  to block yourself from visiting the most distracting websites, create a separate profile for work, and uninstall distracting apps from your smartphone.

2. TRACK YOUR TIME

We tend to not value our time because we don’t notice how it escapes through our fingers. Time tracking, in addition to its more direct purpose of defining billable hours, can greatly add to your appreciation of time. When you know exactly how much time is spent on this or that activity and have to write down how long you’ve spent on social networks and such, you will suddenly become aware how inefficiently you use your most important resource. Install a time-tracking software like thedailytracker.com  and you will be amazed how eager you will be to do more in less time.

3. CHOOSE CLIENTS CAREFULLY

There is only so much one person can do. Therefore, when you get successful enough in your field, there comes a time when you have to start turning down work. . It may be painful, especially when you still remember how hard it was to find any work at all, but it is necessary. Smaller projects and projects that don’t go hand in hand with your general line of work just aren’t worth spending time on. The good strategy is to concentrate on several well-paying customers regularly giving you large orders while still looking for better variants.

4. SCHEDULE YOUR DISTRACTIONS

A good way to get rid of distractions during work hours is to allocate some time for them everyday, preferably at the same time. When you go through your day with the knowledge that you will have half an hour to spend doing nothing but lazily skimming through your favorite sites, you are less likely to get distracted every five minutes to steal a glance at one of them.

5. COMPARTMENTALIZE YOUR TIME

The human brain needs time to switch gears from one task to another – for the first 15-30 minutes of working on a particular task, you won’t be functioning at full effectiveness. This means that it is better to break up your time in large blocks  dedicated to particular tasks than to switch from one kind of work to another every now and then.

Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. – Jean de la Bruyere

Transcription Companies That Hire Newbies Worldwide

Last time, I talked a little bit about the transcription service. In case you missed that, you can find it here. And as I mentioned there, I will give you the list of some of the transcription companies that accept freelance transcriptionists worldwide.

Here we go.


1. Rev is a startup based in San Francisco building the most technologically-advanced platform for freelance work. This is a transcription company that accepts applications from any part of the world. All you need is a working computer, a good pair of headsets and a good internet connection.

Here's the direct link https://www.rev.com/freelancers


2. TranscribeMe accepts applicants worldwide and if you don't have prior experience, hey, they are cool with that. Here's the registration link



3. Scribie. Hires both new and experienced transcriptionists. They pay $10 per audio hour. Click here to apply.

4. Doneitnow. Australia-based transcription company that also hires international transcribers. They pay as little as $15 per audio hour. Take a look here.

5. Speechpad is a speech-to-text and web video captioning website that also hires transcriptionist worldwide. Register here.



6. Transcribe Team. US based transcription company hiring beginners. Wanna join their team? Click here.

7. Appenscribe. Australian based transcription company that hires home-based transcriptionist worldwide. Newbies are welcome to apply because they do not require previous experience. If that sounds good to you, register here http://appenonline.appen.com.au/


8. GetTranscribed. Although this company doesn't require previous transcription experience, they highly recommend that you assess your typing ability. You can test your typing skills at http://www.typingtest.com/

9. Casting Words. US-based transcription company founded in 2005. You may register here https://workshop.castingwords.com/?track=workers

10. AccuTran Global, established in 2002, is a full-service Canadian transcription company providing services to clients around the world. Please take note that they do not offer full-time work. Their work is "cyclical in nature and volumes decrease between peak reporting seasons."

Hope this post somehow helped you. Do you know other companies hiring newbies worldwide? Feel free to share them in the comment section below. You may also share this blog post, maybe some of your friends might benefit from this article. Follow us on Facebook for more updates.

Interested to Become a Transcriptionist?

WHAT IS A TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE?

A transcription service is a process which converts speech (either live or recorded audio/video) into a written or electronic text document. Transcription services are often provided for business, legal, or medical purposes. And let me remind you it's not just about how fast you can type.

According to Janet Shaughnessy:

"While fast typing is absolutely a requirement to be a great transcriptionist, how you type and what you type actually matter so much more.

Formatting and correct punctuation and spelling are what make an excellent transcript. Who cares how fast you can type if you don't know the difference between a hyphen and an em dash or if you mix up word pairs such as principal and principle. Clients sure don't. You'll be hard pressed to keep any transcription job or client you come across unless you truly master these items. How do you master them? Practice.  That's why our transcription courses include multiple levels of practice with real audio and video. By the time you're done with our practice modules, you'll have the confidence you need to take on real-world clients.

As a transcriptionist, you listen to speech, and using special software, you convert it into text.

Once that’s done, you’ve got a permanent written record of that speech. That’s invaluable. Why? Because it makes all kinds of meetings and events searchable. No one has time to fast-forward and rewind through hours of a seminar, but they do have time to hit Ctrl+F and search for what they’re looking for. And what if the audio’s bad? Reading is a breeze in comparison. Transcripts make things easier."

Yes, take it from her. Janet has been a transcriptionist for over 30 years.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE?

GENERAL TRANSCRIPTION deals with those audio notes which do not require knowledge of a specialized vocabulary. There is no end to general transcription and it can be practically related to anything. It includes Phone answering machines messages, interviews, conferences, and dictations.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION. In order to get a job as a medical transcriptionist, you will need to be an excellent typist with experience in the medical field. You will need to understand complex medical terminology and follow voice dictation and written transcription.

 LEGAL TRANSCRIPTION is converting audio dictation by legal professionals and other recordings from legal cases into the printed word. Like medical transcription, which transcribes a physician's dictated notes, this type of transcription requires specialized knowledge of terms used in the field.

WHO USES TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE? IS THERE A DEMAND FOR IT?

Doctors, legal professionals, radio programs, seminar speakers, podcasters — the list goes on — all use transcriptionists.

With the popularity of video throughout the internet, bloggers and entrepreneurs around the world are turning to transcription to ensure their video content can easily be found by search engines.

Did you know that best-selling authors use transcription service? They speak their entire book while having it recorded, then simply have it transcribed and edited into a book. Legal professionals know that an accurate, well-written transcript can make or break their case. Even religious leaders can use copies of their sermons for future reference or for publishing on the web.

WHAT ARE THE EQUIPMENT USED IN TRANSCRIBING?

 
•  Computer. It doesn't have to be an expensive one. You can get started with a basic computer that can run Windows and some word processing software.
•  Internet Connection. If you will be transcribing digital audio files that you must download over the Internet then a high-speed connection is a must
•  Word Processing Software. Many computers come with Microsoft Office. You need to have and be able to use this.
•  Audio Playback Software. Express Scribe is the software of choice for most transcriptionists. But of course, there are other choices. Some are totally free and some require a small fee.
•  Foot Pedal. It is used to stop and start a sound file so it allows the transcriptionist to navigate
  
  through audio files with their feet. It gives your fingers freedom to type away as you control the recorded file with your feet. However, this is optional because you can control the playback of an audio or video file with the keyboard's function keys. But it is still better to have one.
•  Headphone. Invest in a good headphone.
  
  Sometimes audio files may have a lot of external noise. The stethoscope type transcriber headset is highly recommended.

The content of this post is just a tip of an iceberg. As I mentioned above, transcription job isn't just about how fast you can type. If you are really serious to about this job, you might wanna learn more here . 

I'll give you the list of the companies that offer work from home transcription jobs for newbies on my next post. See ya!

UPDATE!
List of Transcription Companies Hiring Newbies Worldwide can now be viewed here.

THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 AND S7 EDGE

This post is off-topic but I can't help sharing my excitement in getting my hands on one of these smartphones.


The new SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 looks almost exactly the same as the S6. However, it feels more comfortable in the hands, thanks to its curvier back. This new, rounder design offers a more solid grip, at the expense of making the handset feel a little thicker.
On top of its sexier design, this smartphone is IP68 rated - which means it'll survive accidental spills and drops without requiring the rubber microUSB port plug that easily wears out. See the demo video below.





Another thing that I like is the MOTION PHOTO function. This takes photos of moving subjects, such as kids, dogs or concerts. After turning it on in the settings, it captures a few seconds of video each time you snap that shutter. This saves to the photo gallery as a proprietary file type, which you can't widely share, but you can scrub along the video to choose a still, which saves as a shareable JPEG allowing you to choose the best shot from the action you just captured.

The MOTION PANORAMA would be perfect for outdoor landscapes. This camera mode takes a still shot of your scene, but it captures movement as you pan around, say a flock of birds flying. You can also share it as a video. It's kind of a cool new feature, and I can see it making panorama shots more dynamic.

Here are the other features:

• "Always-on" display shows time, calendar or images from the lock screen even when the screen is off
• 32GB Internal (expandable up to 200GB) + 4GB RAM
• Octa Core Processor (Quad 1.6GHz + Quad 2.3GHz)
• Dual Pixel 12MP + 5MP (Front)
• IP68 Water and Dust Resistant (Water resistant up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
• 3,000mAh with Ultra Power Saving Mode, Wireless Charging and Fast Charging
• Android Marshmallow 6.0
• LTE Dual SIM

Where to Get One

The most awaited SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 and S7 EDGE will now be available for pre-order from SAMSUNG'S EXCLUSIVE ONLINE PARTNER!, Both the S7 Edge and the S7 will be available in Gold Platinum and Black Onyx. During our Pre-Order period from March 4 to 16, all orders will come with a FREE Samsung Gear VR worth PHP 9,000! Shipping for both units will start on March 19. The S7 Edge will be available for only PHP 39,990 while the S7 is priced at PHP 34,990.

THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 AND S7 EDGE

This post is off-topic but I can't help sharing my excitement in getting my hands on one of these smartphones.


The new SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 looks almost exactly the same as the S6. However, it feels more comfortable in the hands, thanks to its curvier back. This new, rounder design offers a more solid grip, at the expense of making the handset feel a little thicker.
On top of its sexier design, this smartphone is IP68 rated - which means it'll survive accidental spills and drops without requiring the rubber microUSB port plug that easily wears out. See the demo video below.





Another thing that I like is the MOTION PHOTO function. This takes photos of moving subjects, such as kids, dogs or concerts. After turning it on in the settings, it captures a few seconds of video each time you snap that shutter. This saves to the photo gallery as a proprietary file type, which you can't widely share, but you can scrub along the video to choose a still, which saves as a shareable JPEG allowing you to choose the best shot from the action you just captured.

The MOTION PANORAMA would be perfect for outdoor landscapes. This camera mode takes a still shot of your scene, but it captures movement as you pan around, say a flock of birds flying. You can also share it as a video. It's kind of a cool new feature, and I can see it making panorama shots more dynamic.

Here are the other features:

• "Always-on" display shows time, calendar or images from the lock screen even when the screen is off
• 32GB Internal (expandable up to 200GB) + 4GB RAM
• Octa Core Processor (Quad 1.6GHz + Quad 2.3GHz)
• Dual Pixel 12MP + 5MP (Front)
• IP68 Water and Dust Resistant (Water resistant up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
• 3,000mAh with Ultra Power Saving Mode, Wireless Charging and Fast Charging
• Android Marshmallow 6.0
• LTE Dual SIM

Where to Get One

The most awaited SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 and S7 EDGE will now be available for pre-order from SAMSUNG'S EXCLUSIVE ONLINE PARTNER!, Both the S7 Edge and the S7 will be available in Gold Platinum and Black Onyx. During our Pre-Order period from March 4 to 16, all orders will come with a FREE Samsung Gear VR worth PHP 9,000! Shipping for both units will start on March 19. The S7 Edge will be available for only PHP 39,990 while the S7 is priced at PHP 34,990.

WHAT IS THE BEST HEADSET FOR HOME-BASED JOB

1. WHAT WILL YOU BE USING THE HEADSET FOR? Obviously for work—but will you be attaching it to your landline phone or your laptop or PC? The headsets for the laptop or PC are going to have a USB port plug, whereas the headsets for the landline phone are going to have a phone port plug. The two cannot be interchanged.

2.NOISE-CANCELLING MICROPHONE is a microphone that is designed to filter ambient noise from the desired sound, which is especially useful in noisy environments. Your client would probably get annoyed if he hears a sound of a car passing by in the background.

Headsets used by call center agents, stock exchange traders, helicopter pilots and race car drivers have noise-cancelling microphones.

3. HOW MUCH HEADSET CAN YOU AFFORD? Price is certainly something to consider, although most headsets are not that expensive unless you really want a high-end one. There's this specific model of one brand that I know that costs $300.00

4. COMFORT. Your home-based job might require you to talk over the phone for long hours. Those bulky and heavy headsets that you see being used by DJ's, gamers and helicopter pilots aren't the ones that you should look for.

So, What Really is the Best Headset to Use for Home-based Job?

Let me share with you my personal preference. 

Both call centers that I worked at use PLANTRONICS. And most call center agents from other companies that I have spoken with also agree that Plantronics is probably one of the best to use. So I didn't have a hard time of choosing which brand to buy. But I took time in choosing the right model.

The features that I was looking for are:
-should be Skype Certified
-noise-cancelling mic
-headband type
-binaural
-in-line controls (answer/end, mute, volume)
-lightweight
-comfortable earpads
-rich HD sound
-USB connection
-Digital Signal Processing (eliminates static and kills echo)

I found all these features in PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 628. (yes, that's [dot]AUDIO 628.)

If you are looking for the one that is worn at the back of your head, PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 648 would be perfect for you. Same features as the PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 628 but with discreet design.

I know that there are lots of brands and models to choose from. What I featured here is just my personal recommendation because I'm really satisfied with the performance of this headset. This is the one that I found the best, both pricewise and featurewise.

ACTUAL PHOTOS

(Left)Adjustable headband.

(Right) Inline control. Answer and end Skype calls right on the headset. Plus the volume adjustment and mute button.

USB connector.

Easy to use with any PC or Mac.

     

Adjustable Boom. Moveable and flexible boom with a noise-cancelling mic.

Soft Earpads. Comfortable on ears even for long periods without losing its HD sound quality.

Again, this is just my personal preference and recommendation. I also heard that Logitech is another brand that you can rely on. I will make a separate review for that in my future blogs. I hope that you find the abovementioned pointers in choosing the ideal headset helpful.

If there's any other brand that you can recommend, whether comparable or even better than this, feel free to leave it in the comment

section below. I'd love to hear from you.

WHAT IS THE BEST HEADSET FOR HOME-BASED JOB

1. WHAT WILL YOU BE USING THE HEADSET FOR? Obviously for work—but will you be attaching it to your landline phone or your laptop or PC? The headsets for the laptop or PC are going to have a USB port plug, whereas the headsets for the landline phone are going to have a phone port plug. The two cannot be interchanged.

2.NOISE-CANCELLING MICROPHONE is a microphone that is designed to filter ambient noise from the desired sound, which is especially useful in noisy environments. Your client would probably get annoyed if he hears a sound of a car passing by in the background.

Headsets used by call center agents, stock exchange traders, helicopter pilots and race car drivers have noise-cancelling microphones.

3. HOW MUCH HEADSET CAN YOU AFFORD? Price is certainly something to consider, although most headsets are not that expensive unless you really want a high-end one. There's this specific model of one brand that I know that costs $300.00

4. COMFORT. Your home-based job might require you to talk over the phone for long hours. Those bulky and heavy headsets that you see being used by DJ's, gamers and helicopter pilots aren't the ones that you should look for.

So, What Really is the Best Headset to Use for Home-based Job?

Let me share with you my personal preference. 

Both call centers that I worked at use PLANTRONICS. And most call center agents from other companies that I have spoken with also agree that Plantronics is probably one of the best to use. So I didn't have a hard time of choosing which brand to buy. But I took time in choosing the right model.

The features that I was looking for are:
-should be Skype Certified
-noise-cancelling mic
-headband type
-binaural
-in-line controls (answer/end, mute, volume)
-lightweight
-comfortable earpads
-rich HD sound
-USB connection
-Digital Signal Processing (eliminates static and kills echo)

I found all these features in PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 628. (yes, that's [dot]AUDIO 628.)

If you are looking for the one that is worn at the back of your head, PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 648 would be perfect for you. Same features as the PLANTRONICS .AUDIO 628 but with discreet design.

I know that there are lots of brands and models to choose from. What I featured here is just my personal recommendation because I'm really satisfied with the performance of this headset. This is the one that I found the best, both pricewise and featurewise.

ACTUAL PHOTOS

(Left)Adjustable headband.

(Right) Inline control. Answer and end Skype calls right on the headset. Plus the volume adjustment and mute button.

USB connector.

Easy to use with any PC or Mac.

     

Adjustable Boom. Moveable and flexible boom with a noise-cancelling mic.

Soft Earpads. Comfortable on ears even for long periods without losing its HD sound quality.

Again, this is just my personal preference and recommendation. I also heard that Logitech is another brand that you can rely on. I will make a separate review for that in my future blogs. I hope that you find the abovementioned pointers in choosing the ideal headset helpful.

If there's any other brand that you can recommend, whether comparable or even better than this, feel free to leave it in the comment

section below. I'd love to hear from you.

Looking for a Home-based Job?

Home-based jobs sounds good, right? No need to experience the hectic rush hours; no pushing and frustrating hailing of full public transpo. There’s no need to budget your transportation allowance as you don’t need to get out of the house but still, you’re earning! No need to socialize with co-workers and bosses you do not like. With home-based jobs, you do the job and that’s it.

Home-based jobs are also good as part-time jobs. Because there’s no need to go to a workplace, you can relax at home after a full-time job or maybe after school. The extra stress of prepping for work is off your shoulders and can just concentrate on the tasks and earning.

But before you go ahead and look for home-based jobs, here are some of the things that you need to prepare:

• Internet connection – Most home-based jobs require applicants to have a stable internet connection. You need this because this is your connection with the company. Files are exchanged between employer and employee. Communication is also done through online messengers.

With the onset of broadband connection in the Philippines, choose among SMART broadband, PLDT DSL, Globe Broadband, Sun Broadband, Sky Broadband, Bayantel DSL above others. Choose the broadband line that gives the best service in your area.
TIP: Most DSL connections depend on location. Research well before subscribing to one.

There are also employers who are willing to provide an internet connection allowance.

• Telecommunication connection – in short, phone lines (landline or cellphone). Aside from the internet, some updates may also be sent to you via SMS or calls from the company. Employers would want their home-based to be accessible and available when needed.

• Quality headsets – this is essential especially if you are doing a home-based call center job. Quality headsets are necessary. The employers will know if you have one through online interviews if there are any. There's one specific brand that I use which has all the features that I'm looking for. (Read it HERE)

• Webcam – for some home-based jobs, a web camera is necessary. Make sure the video output is clear.

• Quiet workplace – In general, to give you a place where you can work well. However, home-based jobs that require you to talk via phone or headset like call-center home-based jobs require that you have a really quiet workplace to minimize background noise.

In summary, if you are planning to do a home-based job, you need to be prepared with the necessary tech equipment to make your home-based jobs easier.

Good luck!

Follow us for tips:

Looking for a Home-based Job?

Home-based jobs sounds good, right? No need to experience the hectic rush hours; no pushing and frustrating hailing of full public transpo. There’s no need to budget your transportation allowance as you don’t need to get out of the house but still, you’re earning! No need to socialize with co-workers and bosses you do not like. With home-based jobs, you do the job and that’s it.

Home-based jobs are also good as part-time jobs. Because there’s no need to go to a workplace, you can relax at home after a full-time job or maybe after school. The extra stress of prepping for work is off your shoulders and can just concentrate on the tasks and earning.

But before you go ahead and look for home-based jobs, here are some of the things that you need to prepare:

• Internet connection – Most home-based jobs require applicants to have a stable internet connection. You need this because this is your connection with the company. Files are exchanged between employer and employee. Communication is also done through online messengers.

With the onset of broadband connection in the Philippines, choose among SMART broadband, PLDT DSL, Globe Broadband, Sun Broadband, Sky Broadband, Bayantel DSL above others. Choose the broadband line that gives the best service in your area.
TIP: Most DSL connections depend on location. Research well before subscribing to one.

There are also employers who are willing to provide an internet connection allowance.

• Telecommunication connection – in short, phone lines (landline or cellphone). Aside from the internet, some updates may also be sent to you via SMS or calls from the company. Employers would want their home-based to be accessible and available when needed.

• Quality headsets – this is essential especially if you are doing a home-based call center job. Quality headsets are necessary. The employers will know if you have one through online interviews if there are any. There's one specific brand that I use which has all the features that I'm looking for. (Read it HERE)

• Webcam – for some home-based jobs, a web camera is necessary. Make sure the video output is clear.

• Quiet workplace – In general, to give you a place where you can work well. However, home-based jobs that require you to talk via phone or headset like call-center home-based jobs require that you have a really quiet workplace to minimize background noise.

In summary, if you are planning to do a home-based job, you need to be prepared with the necessary tech equipment to make your home-based jobs easier.

Good luck!

Follow us for tips:

Thinking of Working From Home?


Heavy traffic, crowded public transport, bad weather--these are just some of the challenges that every employees face everyday. That's why many people now decided to work at home. Just like what Avery did. She had a corporate job for about five years. But the daily commute ate up a lot of her family and personal time.

Are you also planning on shifting to home based work?

Watch this report from ANC.

Thinking of Working From Home?


Heavy traffic, crowded public transport, bad weather--these are just some of the challenges that every employees face everyday. That's why many people now decided to work at home. Just like what Avery did. She had a corporate job for about five years. But the daily commute ate up a lot of her family and personal time.

Are you also planning on shifting to home based work?

Watch this report from ANC.