Handy Profits Home Typing

INTRODUCTION

For those who can turn out neat and accurate typing

within set deadlines, a regular and often very high

income awaits them. This might not be a business with any

place in the 'get rich quick' category, but certainly it

will provide extra cash for family commitments, and for

offsetting the burdens of unpredictable, but generally

rising interest and inflation rates.

Running a freelance typing service can also be an ideal

business opportunity for those who must of necessity

spend most of their time within the home environment.  We

find this business extremely popular with young mothers,

the disabled, even 'failed' or 'discouraged' writers, who

nevertheless have equipped themselves with the typing

skills their chosen profession would have benefitted

from.

A business such as this takes time to build up in terms

of clientele, and your own reputation for good, efficient

work, and ability to meet customers' deadlines.  You

might in the very early days consider the whole thing

anything but worthwhile; perhaps you are spending more on

advertising than you are recouping in custom.  Keep at it

though, for all businesses demanding so heavily on

advertising, need time for what's on offer to filter

through to the ultimate customer, often from the shop

floor of a large corporation through to the upper

echelons of its management structure.

Regular advertising leads to a faith in your ability to

produce the goods.  You are, as yet, a faceless quantity,

and one that can vanish as easily as it appeared if your

work is unsatisfactory.  But someone whose service has

been advertised for some time, gains a position of trust

in the minds of those you are seeking to attract.  One

hit wonders, and those who can't stand the pace, are

unlikely to meet often tight deadlines most businesses

work to.  Gain their trust and you will also find

yourself the recipient of regular custom.   Repeat

custom, and word of mouth advertising from satisfied

customers, could find your business growing to full-time

status, perhaps even needing you to subcontract work to

other efficient sources, or even to employ adequate

emergency staff yourself.  You might find yourself

advertising your services, not to attract new custom, but

merely to keep your name in the limelight.

First impressions are extremely important and we will

discuss later the need to maintain a professional image

in your advertising and public relations in general.

WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED? Naturally, you wouldn't start

a venture such as this without the physical ability to

produce good type.  You need not of course be highly

qualified to offer such a service; you might not need

qualifications at all; some of the best typists are

self-taught.  I have known some in this category who

could batter the highly qualified ones into submission

when their accuracy, presentation, speed and professional

abilities are put to the test.  Don't offer what you

can't deliver though.  If you are accurate, but your

speed requires improving, don't offer to deliver a huge

report when you know full well your speed will need to be

boosted to such a degree that your accuracy will suffer. 

Wait until you can produce work at the speed such work

necessitates before you make such promises.  At the very

best you'll be paid, but you'll almost certainly lose the

customer concerned, and suffer adverse word-of-mouth

publicity at his next meeting with counterparts in the

business world.  Don't bite off more than you can chew.

As to the gadgetry you will need, there are many types of

typewriter on the market, from the humble manual, to the

electric version, and on to that most wonderful

invention, the word processor.  Which you choose will

depend largely upon finance available and will no doubt

be influenced by what equipment you have thus far been

familiar with.  Each has its advantages, though for the

manual typewriter, I am at a loss to find more than its

need for a cheap energy supply emanating  from typists'

tired fingers.  Energy of the electrical variety leads to

a better, more even type of standard-density print, and

requires less effort on the part of the user.  Sorry, but

today, unless you can prove to the contrary, I think it

fair to say that the manual has long since outlived its

usefulness.

An electric typewriter will not set you back a great

deal, and purchasing one is something you should

seriously consider, if your work is to be of a

consistently high standard.  Equipment necessary to the

running of a business can be set against your Income Tax

liabilities, so contact your local I. R. office for

advice.

But, if you really want to create a stir in your new

business venture, you can almost forget the word 'typing'

altogether, and enter the highly respected world of 'word

processing'.  Little more than a computerised typewriter,

the word processor renders typist correction fluid a

thing of the past, and dirty carbon residue need never

again soil your hands, or the precious newly-typed

documents they come into contact with.

At first, the thought of using a word processor

frightened me rigid, but within weeks I was using it like

an expert -  well I was using it to a standard sufficient

for my needs.  I need no photocopier or carbon, since the

machine's memory banks stores my work for as long as I

wish, and allows me to churn out copies of past work at

the touch of a button or two.  My work is now almost

error-free; any that remain are due to my own lack of

observation, since errors can be rectified before the

document ever appears on paper.  Your typing appears on a

computer screen and mistakes can be corrected

immediately.  Additional software allows your spelling to

be checked by the machine, thereby ending one of the

great problems of many a would-be perfectly accurate

typist, or now word processor operator.  All of these

benefits of the word processor can lead to a doubling or

even trebling of your output.  Never again need you start

afresh on a document that fails to come up to standard. 

The machine will adjust layouts for you, alter typefaces,

remove errors, change spacing, etc. etc. etc.  Remember

too, you are effectively able to offer the customer

something of a back-up filing system, merely because his

work will remain on your discs, if necessary and

convenient to both parties.  Advertising your service as

one of 'word processing' instead of 'typing' can also

create a more professional image, thereby leading to

greater customer interest.

HOW DO I ADVERTISE MY NEW BUSINESS?

There are several ways by which you can bring yourself to

the attention of potential customers, but remember that

you are offering something of an 'artistic' service and

your first communication must be one of professional

appearance.  A tatty business card in the local fish and

chip shop window will lead the reader to wonder if your

typing will be prone to a similarly ill-thought out

standard.

Your business cards are perhaps the most important

stationery you will need.  Have them prepared by a

respectable printer.  Perhaps have a subtle logo or

design incorporated onto the card that will immediately

register yours as a typing or word processing service. 

But subtle remember - don't have half of an already small

space given over to a huge cartoon typist at her desk. 

Try not to use the flashy gold/black ones some find so

attractive; plain white will suffice.  You don't after

all, use gold-toned paper in your work, do you?

Take your business cards with you everywhere.  Nothing

looks worse than a hastily scribbled telephone number on

a tatty piece of scrap paper, when a potential customer's

interest is aroused.  That would likely be the last

you'll see of him or her, since subconsciously that

person will convince him or herself that your work is

likely to be of a similarly unprofessional nature.

Business  cards  are  not  however  limited  to

personal delivery.  They can be left in any suitable

place where those requiring your services are likely to

congregate.  I recently saw a batch of cards in respect

of a word-processing service, neatly displayed on the

counter at our local photographic centre.  I have also

seen them built into the covers of home-videos.  Well,

not only the kids need the relaxation offered by the box!

I thought that advertising method was ingenious.  The

originator got my custom until my own word processor was

installed for home use.

Your card can be pinned in many places where custom might

be attracted: business clubs, job centres (for those

offering to type curriculum vitae and job application

forms), in youth clubs and on college notice boards

(students need their theses typing to a professional

standard), etc.

You can also have postcards printed to advertise your

business, and A5 size handbills are invaluable for

popping through the letterboxes of businesses, both old

and new.  Deliver them before the summer holidays begin

and you might find yourself inundated with work that

would normally have gone to agency 'temps' when staff

shortages necessitate an additional pair of hands.  You

might even address a letter to the Company managing

directors to inform them of your services, at holiday

times, and when other factors cause staff shortages. 

Such an approach shows initiative - something usually

much admired in today's fast moving business world.

You can, if your capabilities and other commitments

allow, offer an emergency service, with collection and

subsequent delivery of documentation.  But never put

another client's work to one side for the attraction of

higher fees, unless you are already ahead of any

pre-determined deadlines for that other customer.  In

gaining the gratitude of one, you may lose the repeat

custom of another!

Your postcard advertisements can be placed in suitable

shop windows, perhaps in larger stores and post offices,

which we all need to use at some time.  Don't disregard

the little corner shops though.  You are unlikely to get

big business deals from them, but you might attract

students, small businesspeople, club secretaries, and

such.  Since such an advertising method is usually

extremely cheap you should consider it a worthwhile

investment however little custom it attracts, unless that

'little' is zero of course!

Don't be tempted to type these postcard advertisements

just to save a little cash.  Remember the 'first

impressions' rule and have them properly printed.  You'll

save time to concentrate on the business your

professionally prepared  advertisements will generate. 

Again, with the printed variety, you can have an

attention-grabbing but subtle design incorporated, that

will inform the public of what service you offer, long

before they have read the text hidden amongst many other

advertisements housed in the window.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT LARGE BUSINESSES.  WHO ELSE

MIGHT NEED MY SERVICES?  HOW DO I REACH THEM? You will,

as your business grows, find yourself serving customers

large and small.  Some will want a one-off small item

typed, and you might never see that customer again. 

Others might be in need of a regular service but for a

very small workload on each occasion.  At the other end

of the scale you might be offered one enormous job by a

business whose secretary has taken her one and only

period of sickness leave - yes such people do exist!

That same business might be so impressed with your work,

that its management later decides to sub-contract to you,

the entire workload of another employee who subsequently

leaves the workforce.

Never underestimate the importance of the smallest of

jobs you are offered.  Those 'bread and butter' pieces

might not seem significant at the time, but a satisfied

customer of whatever size is an added avenue for your

much-needed ongoing advertising campaign.  Word-of-mouth,

remember!

Local papers

Local newspapers and freesheets are excellent ways in

which to advertise your services.  The same people who

place their advertisements in these publications, are in

all probability likely to need your services at some

time.  Temporary Secretarial Agencies are expensive

propositions; once the middle man is cut out, your

business becomes a much more inviting financial

proposition to businesses large and small, almost all

suffering under the weight of high running costs.

Advertise in the Classified section until you are able to

withstand the higher charges of individual custom-made

advertisements.

Business Enterprise and Self Help Groups Many groups

exist, some under Government auspices, others created by

men and women themselves for the promotion of their

business interests.  You will find entire buildings

devoted to small workshops and retail outlets, the

businessmen themselves often working under Enterprise

Allowance schemes.  Other buildings are sub-divided into

units, by groups of private individuals for their own

use, or else for sub-letting to other, smaller concerns. 

Craft shops flourish in such environments, as do antique

shops, printing establishments, bookshops, and so on. 

Almost all such entrepreneurs at some time will have need

of a typing facility, and you should therefore advertise

your business by distributing individual handbills, or

having a postcard advertisement placed on any communal

noticeboard that might exist.

Businessmen, for the needs of exchanging information,

often form local groups that meet on a regular basis. 

Why not have your own business included in their topics

of conversation of mutual interest?  Send your

advertising literature to the chairman or central

organiser of the group, as well as having suitable

information placed on the notice board of the premises in

which the meetings are held.

Always be on the look-out for the many groups of this

type that exist, and make sure you are the first typing

agency to get that all-important foot in the door.

Job centres and colleges

Wherever students congregate, whether for educational or

social needs, you have a large and ready made market for

your skills.  Students, not all of whose curriculum

includes typing lessons, require their theses to be

presented in a manner that will create a good impression

for the assessment body which will grade the work

concerned.

In colleges and Job centres you will also find one of

your largest and regular sources of business, in the

constant need for newcomers to the jobmarket to have

their curriculum vitae (C.V.) and application forms

neatly prepared if they are to stand much chance of

entering the world of work, which let's face it is now a

highly competitive arena.

Obtain permission to have your advertisement placed on

suitable notice boards, and register the services you

provide with the appropriate personnel.

Many colleges and universities have student magazines

which again would provide an invaluable advertising

opportunity.

Specialist publications

Many specialist publications cater for people whose

businesses are largely dependent upon mail order. 

Bookdealers, stamp dealers, ephemera specialists, dealers

in a vast range of products, have regular lists of offers

prepared, often monthly, for distribution to customers

old and new.  Their entrepreneurial talents do  not

always extend to the typing of a document that much look

as professional as the service they offer.  They must

discover some means by which the saleslist is prepared on

their behalf.

Advertise your services in Book Trade publications, Stamp

dealer and collector magazines, 'Exchange & Mart', 'The

Trader, and many other such publications.  Browse round a

large newsagents to familiarise yourself with likely

advertising media.

Writers, of which there are thousands in this country

alone, often need someone to transform their notes into a

professionally typed manuscript suitable for the eyes of

busy editors and publishing executives.  Many writers

will have acquired the necessary skills, but a great many

more will not, perhaps have no interest in doing so,

particularly if their work is in great demand from a very

high paying market.  Again advertise your business in the

many specialist publications for writers and via the

chairperson of local writers' groups.  Your library

should be able to assist you with details of local

groups.  A glance at the 'Writers' and Artists' Yearbook'

will provide you with details of some of the many

publications writers obtain, usually on a subscription

basis.

Anywhere potential customers congregate Here could be the

largest marketing opportunity of all.  Most people

however busy, find recreation and leisure facilities an

essential part of their lives.  Whether it is the local

pub, or the Sports centre of small villages or massive

cities, an ideal opportunity presents itself for you to

reach hundreds of potential customers.   Ask if you can

have your card or advertisement displayed prominently on

noticeboards, or even on bar counters, in the better

establishments of course - you don't want to soil your

business reputation by having a pile of your cards end up

as missiles in the regular Saturday brawls of

yobbo-infested watering holes.  Sorry about that, but

remember the 'first impressions' rule, and I'm sure

you'll get the point I'm trying to make.

You could even offer to type certain items free of charge

in exchange for publicity for your business.  College

magazines, club newsletters, and church bulletins, all

lend themselves well to such a prospect, if their

readership is adequate to compensate for the loss of

profits you will incur whilst doing this unpaid work.  If

the readership is small, forget it, unless of course the

item being typed is of minimal proportions too, in which

case you might include such a public-spirited gesture in

your overall business strategies.  Ensure also that your

advertisement or acknowledgement will adequately describe

the services offered by the person responsible for

producing the final document.  An honourable mention in

itself is insufficient, but one which states that the

typist is from 'X firm and can be contacted for all your

typing requirements' is ideal.  Remember, 'one favour for

another'.

New and expanding businesses

As soon as you are aware of a new business coming to your

area, or one that is opening additional premises, have

your advertisement delivered through its door.  You might

discover many people, who otherwise would seek to recruit

full-time or part-time staff, will gladly relinquish the

responsibilities of employer status, in favour of a

freelance service which after all will involve payment

only for the hours any particular job entails.  Gone will

be those empty hours, employees sitting by their

typewriters, and wages bills mounting all the while.

Restaurants, hairdressers, taxi firms, and all businesses

issuing price lists, etc. Many businesses have need for

revised price lists and information bulletins, either for

the windows of their business premises or for delivery to

potential clients.  Remember to include these in your

advertising plans.

PARTING SHOTS

Many typing agencies seek to offer other services, and to

extremely good effect.  Hairdressers, for example, might

jump at the chance of having the documents you produce

delivered to homes in the locality.  Whether you do the

job yourself is entirely for you to decide, but it takes

the burden from them, and might tip the balance in your

favour when deciding where the initial job of preparing

the handbills should be offered.

Busy businesses would no doubt appreciate a typing agency

which offers to collect work to be undertaken and deliver

the final product.  A same-day typing service might

similarly gain you the edge where you are in competition

with other typing agencies.

Remember always the importance of good work, neatly and

accurately presented, checked for spelling and typing

errors, delivered in strong protective packages, and just

as importantly, on time.  To deliver an item in respect

of a job assigned to you during an employee's absence, at

such a time as that employee now returned to work could

produce it, is totally useless, unless of course you were

not made aware of the circumstances.  NEVER make promises

you can't fulfil, for profits your simply can't refuse. 

One rash promise will find you losing a great deal of

custom in the future.

Maintain a professional and businesslike attitude

throughout and you will not go far wrong, if you go wrong

at all.  There is great scope for a good typing agency. 

Don't miss your chance!    GOOD LUCK!