Word-Processing Service

Despite the abundance of personal computers, demand for off -site word-processing services has steadily increased. Essentially, word-processing is a fancier (and more technically correct) phrase for typing service. You’ll be doing all the same kinds of work, only you’ll be using a computer instead of the great typewriter dinosaur. Customers will come to you with everything from reports and term papers to resumes and technical documentation. The ability to produce an attractive product with quick turnaround will ensure your success in this fairly competitive field. Remember that just about any Joe with a basic computer system and printer thinks of getting into this type of business. You’ll have to be able to set yourself apart from these folks as well as from the thousands of secretarial services out there (that perform services that go beyond your own). Position yourself close to a university or in a downtown area, and you’ll increase your chances of success by at least 50 percent. Take it a step further and go after publishing companies for extra work.


Your start-up costs are going to be quite reasonable if you already own a computer and laser printer. Most of your initial expense will result from advertising and appropriate software purchases, which will cost at least $3,000. Charge a per-page rate of $5 to $10 or an hourly fee for the larger jobs. It may take you awhile to get a feel for which projects are more labor-intensive than others.


Beware of underpricing your service. Consider adding a surcharge for handwritten or difficult-to-read documents and materials that include charts or tables. If you can stand the repetitive motion of using a keyboard, your income is limited only by your speed and the number of hours you want to work.


Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $15,000


Approx. potential earnings: $30,000 to $45,000


Typical fees: $5 to $10 per page


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, focus advertising in a 5- to 10-mile radius of your business location, direct mail, university bulletin boards, networking with business and professional organizations, Web site


Qualifications: Fast and accurate typing skills (at least 65 words per minute), customer-oriented attitude


Things needed: Computer and software, high-speed Internet access, laser printer, copy machine, fax; optional: transcribing machine and scanner


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Equipment and software upgrades