This week I’ve decided to write a book review on an e-book that changed my life. That’s right, I said it changed my life! You may or may not know that transcription is my main bread and butter. How did I get where I am today? Everyone has to start somewhere. My journey began with a search for a viable career online that would keep me home with my family while providing me with enough income to do that and only that full time.

While searching, I came across “Transcription Crash Course: Starting A General Transcription Business” by Loretta Oliver. I knew I didn’t have a lot to spend in order to get started, so the price was worth it to me. I thought, “Even if this doesn’t pan out, I’m not out much money.”

Let me tell you a little bit about the author. Loretta has been a work at home mom solely making a living online since 2001. She dabbles in some different areas, but transcription is her main focus. When I read that she was a mom and was really making a living online, I thought, “I can do this, too.” Loretta touts the book as, “…your fast-track to a home-based business to be proud of-without spending a ton of cash, and even if you have no experience. I’ll show you how!”

The book is laid out in an easy-to-read fashion. The flow makes sense for someone just starting out in transcription.  It starts with a necessary list of programs and items you will need. True to its description, I really didn’t spend much while following this book to set up my business. The book includes links to the programs (which were FREE) that you will need and a chapter on how to use the main digital transcription program called Express Scribe.

Transcription Crash Course (TCC) also covers the basics of formatting and even provides you with a sample audio to try. Loretta also includes a finished transcript so that you can compare your work to the real thing. TCC also includes information on how to find work, how to create your website and the importance of social media involvement.

So, what did I think of the book? If you couldn’t tell from my opening paragraph, it was a game changer. Loretta wrote this book with a no muss, no fuss approach. Finding a viable online career can be overwhelming, but TCC provided step- by-step instructions. Having that sample audio was a big help. I was able to practice with it and really think about my decision on this career. I’m not going to lie. The first time I typed from the audio, I was super slow. I had to change the talking speed to 50% and stopped and started that baby like a mad-woman. However, the book reminds you that practice makes perfect and that’s the truth in this business.

Another big positive for me was that there really weren’t a lot of start-up costs. I was not in a position to spend a lot of money to get going. I had researched some other online careers that claimed to be inexpensive only to find that you had to purchase this or that package to learn more or take the next step.

Last but not least, another important factor is that Loretta makes herself available to you. She has a Facebook page dedicated to the book and provides you with her email and Twitter handle so that you can always reach her. I have bothered her on more than one occasion with questions, even on a weekend when I had a potential new client and wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. I tweeted Loretta and she responded with great advice which led to me landing that client. Yeah!

If even a little part of you has been thinking about a career in transcription, don’t hesitate to buy this book. What do you have to lose? I mean, the cost of this book is not going to break you. Feel free to click on any of the links referring to this book in order to purchase. Here’s my disclaimer: These are my affiliate links. I strongly believe in the product or I would not endorse it.

(This post was originally written on my site, Transcription e-Services. Since the writing of this article, Loretta has turned into a reliable mentor and wonderful friend. Don’t know what I’d do without her!)

Here’s your chance to give me some feedback. Have you heard of the book? Have you read it? Would you recommend it to a friend? Are you going to buy it today? Let me know what you think!

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