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What does an Online Typist do?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Online typists are professionals who engage in a number of clerical functions in an online environment. With most of these jobs, the same skills and proficiency required to function as a typist in a brick and mortar environment apply to any given online typist job. The difference is that an online typist can work from home or any other location, as long as there is a connection to the Internet and access to the right software or database to complete the project.

One of the more common online typist jobs has to do with data entry. It is not unusual for companies to outsource this function to people who possess the ability to accurately enter a minimum number of characters per minute into set fields in a database. In some cases, the pay for work of this type is an hourly wage. Other companies pay the typist a fixed rate per character entered.

Online typists may be able to complete work via telecommute from home.
Online typists may be able to complete work via telecommute from home.

Document creation is another task that is often required of an online typist. The document may be letters that are prepared from notes that were dictated verbatim using a virtual recording device. A typist may also be called upon to prepare a transcript of some sort of meeting that took place in a virtual environment, such as an audio teleconference or a web conference. When this is the case, the typist is usually granted access to an audio file of the meeting while preparing the document.

Creating documents is a common task completed by an online typist.
Creating documents is a common task completed by an online typist.

An online typist may also be given assignments to post advertisements or promote an employer of client on blogs, message boards, or social networking sites. The idea behind this type of promotion is to attract potential customers for the client. While most companies provide content guidelines to the typist, the actual text is usually left to his or her discretion. Some companies pay a fixed rate per post, while others require a minimum number of posts per day or week in return for a lump sum payment.

An online typist may be required to have the ability to type a minimum amount of words per minute.
An online typist may be required to have the ability to type a minimum amount of words per minute.

To become an online typist, it is necessary to have an eye for detail, the ability to type at a rate competitive with that of other typists, and be able to complete assignments by the deadlines set by clients. While there are a number of fee-based sites that claim to supply typists with a steady stream of client leads, there are free online typist ads found on many Internet classified and work at home sites. Beginning with these free resources and working in the evenings, a competent typist can eventually build up a sufficient clientele and convert this part time endeavor into a full time career.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

andee

Hiring online typists for data entry and other clerical duties seems like a win-win situation for everyone involved. These are usually part time jobs, so the employer does not have to pay for benefits or office space for the employee. It gives the employee the opportunity to have a flexible time schedule to help balance work and home.

There are many at home jobs available online, but you have to do your research because many of them are not worth your time or not legitimate. I have been fortunate to work online from home for a local company. I enjoy being able to work from home and use my clerical and typing skills at the same time.

sunshined

If you are a fast, accurate typist and enjoy working from home, an online typist job would be a good fit. I have worked for some attorney's doing some typing on line. What I enjoy most about it is the flexibility to work on your own time schedule.

If you are not a very disciplined person, this probably would not be a good fit for you. There are so many things that can come up when you try to work at home, that you have to treat your work time very seriously, and not let yourself get distracted by everything else around you.

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    • Online typists may be able to complete work via telecommute from home.
      By: Serg Zastavkin
      Online typists may be able to complete work via telecommute from home.
    • Creating documents is a common task completed by an online typist.
      By: Innovated Captures
      Creating documents is a common task completed by an online typist.
    • An online typist may be required to have the ability to type a minimum amount of words per minute.
      By: Kurhan
      An online typist may be required to have the ability to type a minimum amount of words per minute.