ExpressScribe is free, for those thinking of getting into transcription.
You just need to know what you need, then look for free downloads. You don’t really need to buy expensive softwares. Very recently, I started using MovieMaker. Access is great for database, although more often than not, I just use Excel, too.
Powerpoint will serve you well for presentations, and Publisher worked well for my desktop publishing service. Go get it! Word and Excel are the most basic. If you don’t have it yet, then don’t just sit there. I’m sure you have the complete MS Office Suite. Think of how much time you’ll save and how much heartache you’ll be spared when the power goes off a second before you could press “save” after you’ve typed in pages of notes. The UPS is costly, but believe you me, it will be worth it. Taking care of your investment means you also need to have a UPS and an AVR. So unless you have a mother-in-law as supportive and as generous as mine, list that down as part of your investment, too. Got mine as a gift from my mother-in-law. And if you’re considering transcription, you’ll need a pedal. A scanner and a printer are also must-haves. Then there are the peripherals, like speakers, a headset, a microphone (if your headset does not have one) and a web cam. And then another desktop PC that my husband assembled for me, and is now being used by my onsite assistant. I also have a branded laptop that serves as back-up when I really need to be somewhere else but can’t put off work. My present PC now is branded, which cost me Php32K. It was not branded, just an assembled unit, with all the specs I needed. As a responsible VA, it’s considered mortal sin to put your client at risk. Important: Never ever use free Wi-Fi connections especially when accessing client accounts. I also have a wireless broadband kit as back-up when my ISP gives me heartache, or when I travel. These days, they are almost level in terms of cost, but not in service. But if you have a choice, like if you’re living in a city where there are two or more providers, shop for the most reliable service, don’t even think about the cost. So let’s leave it at having a steady connection. Well, the fast and reliable was, and is, not within my control. We had to invest on a high-end computer, and a fast and reliable internet connection. I’ve written about how I got started, the circumstances that led me to set up a home office, and what I did to jump-start what is now a full-pledged career. In response to some queries about the start-up cost of setting up a virtual assistance business, I’m writing about the investments I made to start my home business in case there are others out there who might also be interested to know.
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