Hi Leigh

I will also be using a laptop once I finally get set up, but I'm going to have a separate keyboard and screen which is far more comfortable. My husband does this in his home office and it works perfectly. Maybe it would be a solution for you?

Jo

Hi

I totally do believe too there is a great demand for this even today. A lot of your new businesses and small businesses can use the help in addition to the legal and medical fields. Plus, authors too. Often times they might have some of their work typed, but they still need additional help with it.

I too had carpal tunnel syndrome (surgeries, etc.) and that's when I had to change my services. Fortunately it got me writing my books and doing publicity, but at the time it was absolutely no fun at all. (It hurts!) My doctor told me these tips: shake your arms every 20 minutes. Actually stop for a few seconds and put them down to the side and shake them. Rest often. Actually stop typing, go read an email, etc. Definitely get ergonomic keyboard and even more important today I believe is a mousepad. If you have a laptop, I do believe you can get a keypad that you can use. I'm not 100% sure on this though. Also, you want to make sure that your chair is at the right level so you are typing right.

Good luck!

Diana Ennen
VirtualWordPublishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

I can count a number of people I know, specifically doctors that I"ve worked for that sincerely act as though typing something out would be like an act of Congress. They use to treat me as though I did something fantastic but actually, I just did what I like to do. Typing. Weird, aren't we?

Typing comes in many shapes and forms. It maybe as transcriptions from audio or a client sending over faxed copies of their website or data to be typed into a readable format. Whatever the case typing is always needed. Although clients can use a computer they always have some things which they know they don't have the skill, patience, or time to do themselves.

Always promote your skill and with typing comes so many opportunities because it is always necessary.

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Althea
Virtually Yours PA

Leigh you may be able to add an ergonomic keyboard to your laptop via USB - microsoft do a very good one - I have three

Sandra

I had the same problem in my wrists but found some exercises online that--along with the ergo keyboard and mouse--made my carpal tunnel symptoms disappear. Fist your hands and rotate in circular motions 5 seconds each way every hour during the day. It sounds really simple but it was amazing how much of a difference it made. There are several others I found which you can probably just find with a Google search.

Hope someone's suggestions here help you!

Originally Posted by joannatubbs

Hello everyone I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so if it isn't, my apologies! My question is this. With most people being able to use a computer and have some sort of typing/word processing skills, are VA's still being asked to provide a typing service? I'm sure that all of you, like me, have the ability to touch-type at some speed, but is this really necessary these days? Do people still want it? I happen to like typing (I'm a bit strange like that!) so would be more than happy to take on large typing/word processing jobs alongside the really interesting things. Just wondered what the general feeling is out there.

To tell you the truth, I have a client that DOES require me to use a typewriter still! I don't mind as I type very well and very fast but it is a different feeling than using a computer. And no, I don't think it is strange. There are a lot of "old school" type people who would rather have you type something than use the computer. Maybe they just don't understand the whole computer thing but I would definitely offer the service if you can do it!

My firm was started as a Typing firm when I opened my doors for business. During the years I have incorporated the VA skills.

I started typing at the age of 14 on a manual typewriter. I loved it because I also played the piano and it amazed me how the human brain could remember where the keys were. My type speed was about 90 wpm on a manual, could you believe that, and with no errors. When I did make errors it was the letters being raised above the typing line. In saying this, I am the worst texter in history, keys are to small and some phone don't have a keyboard, waste of my time.

I still use typing in my business either by typing a letter for a client, typing notes or send email and IM'ng someone. I accomplish more task because I am a typist using my computer, I still have a manual and electric typewriter and a word processor. The pre computer tools.

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Phyllis L
UNIQUELY40, LLC
http://www.uniquely40.com