What will I be doing?

There are nearly 10,000 full-time professional secretarial services in the U.S., with about half of them also offering computerized word-processing services.

What does a secretarial service do? It performs professional office services (typing, data entry, dictation, filing) for clients. In a typical day, the service may mail out 500 brochures, transcribe an accountant's dictation into letters and pick up a client's mail at the post office.

What will I need to start?

This business sells your secretarial skills to people who need them. So your secretarial skills must be advanced and efficient. Your service may specialize in one or two skills such as typing or dictation. If so, develop your skills and experience, earning certification if you can. You want your customers to have a reason to select your service over those of another.

You'll be on top of your competition if you keep up with the latest technology in computers and accompanying software. The more you know about various software programs, for example, the more clients you can take on. Other equipment that will give your service the edge includes fax machines, modems and electronic transfer of files and mail. One successful secretarial service is operated from home by a woman who produces and delivers documents electronically after her children are off to school. With her computer and online services, she can offer one day service while working her own hours.

Who will my customers be?

Most of your customers will be other businesses. They may be professional offices that have an overload of work or you may provide services that the employed staff cannot. Once you've decided what kind of services you will offer, finding customers will be easier. If you specialize in medical transcription, contact medical offices in your area. If your specialty is legal dictation, try law offices. If you are adept at typing college papers, advertise where college students will learn about your services.

How much should I charge?

The hourly rate for secretarial and word-processing services ranges from $25 to $45. Depending on the services you offer and the type of client you serve, you may offer all services on a per-hour price. Other secretarial services price by the word, the page, the job or other component. A few are priced on retainer, furnishing a specific number of hours each week or month to clients under contract.

How much will I make?

Your established secretarial business will be able to bill at least 75 percent of your time to clients. The rest will be devoted to marketing and finding new customers. During the first few months, your service will require up to half of your time for marketing.

Overhead expenses for a secretarial and/or word-processing service depend on many factors including what equipment you need to do your job. The typical range is 20 to 40 percent for overhead expenses including taxes. That means you can probably keep 60 to 80 cents of every dollar you bring in. An efficient secretarial service can offer the owner a net income of $35,000 to $50,000 a year or more.

How can I get started?

First, identify your potential customers and learn what secretarial services they need.

Second, develop a flier that describes your services and their benefits and that invites the prospect's call for a free consultation or pricing. If your services are standard, include your prices for these services.

Finally, get the word out. Let others know what you do and how you can help them. Ask friends, relatives, former employers and businesspeople you know for referrals.

The SIC code for secretarial services is 7338-05 and for word-processing services the SIC code is 7338-02.

How can I use computers to increase profits?

Today's secretarial service cannot survive without a computer or two. Documents come in and go out as electronic files. Editing and revision are performed on the computer. The majority of secretarial services use the most popular word processing program today, Microsoft Word. However, many have other programs as well for clients who prefer them. Some secretarial services have expanded to do simple desktop publishing of brochures, flyers, and other sales collateral.