In today’s changing economy, many people are seeking a home-based business. Becoming a transcriptionist and converting audio information into text content, can provide that opportunity and even become a full-time job for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to become the best. In this business speed is the name of the game, but accuracy is crucial as well.
Photo by Adrian Sampson / Flickr
If you want to become a faster transcriptionist, to get more work and get paid at a higher rate, there are many things you can do to increase the level of your skills. While formal training and education can be beneficial you can also make quite a difference in your performance with techniques you can use in your own home – which is your place of business, so be sure to write it off on your taxes!
No Need to Reinvent the Wheel
Transcription services have been around for quite a while now. With the development of digital tools in the form of computer programs and tablet/smartphone apps, transcribing has grown even more as an industry. Because of these developments, much has already been learned about how to improve skills, speed, service, and accuracy.
Tips to Increase Speed and Productivity
One common request from clients is to get their content transcribed as soon as possible. Listen to your customers and become a faster transcriptionist. Here are a few practical tips about techniques that you can use in your own home to speed up your work.
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Always be sure to give your clients all the tips that you have learned to improve the quality of their recordings. The quality of the client’s recording will always affect the quality of the transcript. If you receive a recording that is difficult to hear or garbled, you may miss important content. Your tips on equipment and recording conditions will be helpful to you both.
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Do not be afraid to use shortcut programs, it’s not cheating! Your clients don’t really care how you get the job done, they just want it done fast and accurately.
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How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! So practice your base skill of typing with typing tutorials to become a faster typist. Practice transcription as well to become a faster transcriptionist!
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It may seem like an extra step, but you should use a foot pedal. This will actually save time and you will get used to using a foot pedal very quickly. All the pros do it, you should too.
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For the fastest work, stick to transcribing topics that you are familiar with and know about. You can also narrow your work to the industries familiar to you.
What’s Next?
Before you shell out thousands of dollars to get expert transcription training, be sure to try the improvement techniques listed above at home first. Develop your speed. You will make yourself a much more desirable transcriptionist if you are faster. If you have other tips for transcriptionists, leave a comment below.
Written by: Sara Xiang likes to search for log cabins online in her spare time. When not doing that, she dreams of becoming an infographic designer so that she can help people understand complex topics easier.
Resources to learn transcription
