Confession. I have a love/hate relationship with transcription. I enjoy the work and being able to work from home and make a living, but it is not an easy field to get into and many people fail before they even begin.
So because of this, I would like to share some tips that can help you start on the right foot and hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls that many newbie transcriptionists experience before finding their niche in the field.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the essential skills required for transcription, such as strong listening and typing abilities. |
| 2. Familiarize yourself with transcription software and tools to enhance your productivity. |
| 3. Research and choose the transcription niche that aligns with your interests and expertise. |
| 4. Gain experience and improve your skills through practice and transcription projects. |
| 5. Network with other transcriptionists and industry professionals to learn from their experiences and find job opportunities. |
Learn The Lingo
Transcribing and dictating are not interchangeable terms, but they’re often used interchangeably in the field. If you’re new to it, you must know the difference between transcribing and dictating.
The primary difference is that a transcript is usually dictated by someone else for someone else, whereas a verbatim transcript is dictated by someone else directly to someone else.
A verbatim transcript doesn’t mean that every word was written down exactly as said it simply means that no time was wasted writing down what everyone already knew was on their minds or had already been said anyway.
“Verbatim” comes from Latin meaning “word by word.” A summarized version would be like taking notes while another person talks at length about their feelings on something (e.g., why they like dogs).
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Invest In A Foot Pedal
A foot pedal is a must-have for transcriptionists. While the QWERTY keyboard was designed to be used with two hands, the foot pedal allows you to control the speed of your recording with one hand while typing with your other hand.
This can significantly increase your productivity because you’ll be able to type faster than you would if you were only using one hand on a keyboard. It also allows you to listen and listen to different speeds.
For example, if someone speaks very quickly during an interview or lecture, then it would be easier for them just by pressing a button on their device rather than trying hard enough or needing extra space around them before they could start talking again after pausing in between sentences.
While continue typing what they heard until they get through all their thoughts completely without missing anything important said during those moments when someone speaks faster than normal speed; so having that second option available makes things much more convenient overall.
It helps make sure everything gets recorded accurately too because some people tend not to speak clearly sometimes (or deliberately mispronounce names) which could confuse us later down the line if there isn’t any way for us text editors/transcribers out there who hear what sounds like.
“George Bush Jr” instead but says “Jorge Posada” instead since he was born in Puerto Rico where the Spanish language tends to use different pronunciations sometimes depending on how close together two words are next to each other.
And these kinds of things happen also when Americans try speaking foreign languages like Germanic ones like Dutch which uses similar sounding letters as English does but are spelled differently…so having control over how fast we hear something will help keep all this straight better especially numbers being mentioned too.
Become Familiar With The Pre-Recorded Audio/Video Files You Will Be Transcribing
You must become familiar with the pre-recorded audio/video files you will be transcribing. You don’t want to be surprised when you see them, so knowing what they are in advance will help you prepare yourself.
How can you do that? Well, several things are important to know about these files:
- What type of file it is (MP3, WAV)
- What format it is (AAC, MP4)
- The length of the file(s) (if there’s more than one)
- The topic of the files (e.g., a lecture on history or a speech by someone famous)
- The voice of the speaker
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Choose Your Favorite Transcription Software
Transcription software is the backbone of your transcription business. It’s what you’re going to use to convert audio into text, after all!
To get started, you’ll want to choose a transcription software that fits your needs and budget. There are several options out there, both free and paid. Some are better suited for newbies than others; some are more established than others.
If you’re just getting started in the field and don’t know much about transcription software yet, we recommend trying out:
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred (paid version) or
- Transcribe! (free version)
Review And Learn Basic Formatting Rules
When it comes to formatting, there are a lot of rules that you need to learn. For example, there’s a difference between a paragraph and a sentence. A paragraph is made up of multiple sentences.
You also need to understand that if you’re transcribing something like an article or book, then each paragraph may consist of multiple sentences within those paragraphs. Another thing you’ll want to know is the difference between a sentence and one word or letter.
A sentence is everything that has its meaning in English (except for words like “and”, “but” or “our”). So if someone says something like “I went to school yesterday,” this would be considered one complete sentence because it has all kinds of different things going on there (time, location, and action).
However, if someone said “Hi,” this would just be two words: hi – so only one complete word at best! The final thing that’s important when learning formatting rules is knowing about numbers versus symbols…
Sign Up For Free Online Courses And Seek Additional Training
As a transcriptionist, you are very much an entrepreneur. You’re the boss and your work is 100% self-directed. As such, it makes sense that you should learn from other transcriptionists too. If you have any friends who are already in this field, ask them about their training methods and what they learned along the way.
Like most professions, some people do things one way but there are also plenty of options out there for different ways to learn how to be successful as a transcriptionist!
If online courses aren’t your thing then try reading some books on transcription or attend conferences where professionals share tips and tricks they use while doing their job every day (there are many conferences related specifically to transcribing).
Discover What Type Of Transcription You Are Interested In Pursuing
You will find that transcription can be broken down into three main categories:
- Type of work: If you’re interested in transcription for audio files, you’ll likely be using dictation software. This type of software allows you to record your voice while typing at the same time. You can also use it to transcribe video files.
- Type of file: Transcripts are created from different types of media, including live streams and recorded interviews. While many people prefer the former because they can work at their own pace (depending on how fast they talk), both options are available if you want more experience with different types of files.
- Where It’s Done: If you’d rather not work in an office setting or would like to stay home more often, remote transcribing jobs may be right up your alley!
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Find Out What Are The Technical Requirements To Work As A Transcriptionist
- Find out what are the technical requirements to work as a transcriptionist. You need a computer with a sound card and speakers, a foot pedal for pausing and rewinding the audio file, and software for transcribing the file.
I use Dragon Naturally Speaking and a headset if you want to listen to music while working. It’s also helpful if you have a quiet place to work to prevent any distraction from people around you or other noises in your home or office space
Set Up Your Workspace At Home
- Get a quiet space. It’s probably best to avoid your home office because you’ll be working long hours and will want to be able to take breaks without disturbing anyone else.
A quiet room is also important if you have roommates or family members who enjoy watching TV in the early evening when you’re trying to work late into the night.
- Get an ergonomic chair with adjustable height, armrests, and back support not one with wheels. You’ll be sitting in it for many hours at a time, so make sure that it’s comfortable enough for you.
- Get a desk that has plenty of space for your computer monitor (make sure there’s enough distance between the monitor and where you sit) as well as other things like a foot pedal and footrest if necessary depending on how much typing work requires them during transcription.
- Assignments containing audio files recorded by interview subjects across multiple days/weeks/months during which they may speak loudly at times due to excitement over their topic but then more quietly when discussing something sensitive such as disclosing a personal health issue.
All these factors can help determine how much noise each recording will contain
Join Some Online Community Or Facebook Group For Freelance Transcriptionists
- Join some online community or Facebook group for freelance transcriptionists. You can find these by searching on Google, and you’re likely to find several groups that are right for your needs.
- Join a Facebook group that is focused on being a transcriptionist, such as Transcribe Anywhere or Transcribers Inc (there may be others). These communities will help you network with other entry-level freelancers so that you can learn from the experience of others who have been in the field for a while.
They also provide helpful resources for finding clients and building your portfolio and they can even help you get started with your first job! Just make sure not to spam these groups with too many questions; people don’t like being inundated with messages from newbies.
If someone asks how much money someone makes per hour doing this work, just tell them it depends on what kind of work they do…and then let them know about all kinds of opportunities out there if they’re interested (you’ll probably need more than one).
Start Sending Out Resumes And Cover Letters To Potential Clients
Sending out resumes and cover letters is the final step of your job search. The bottom line is that you can’t expect a client to come to you you have to go out there and find them.
You should have at least 5-10 resumes and cover letters ready to go at any time, depending on how many positions you’re applying for at once.
Make sure that each resume and cover letter are tailored to the position you are applying for, not just a generic version of your typical resume. And don’t forget: Include your resume in PDF format for easy downloading!
Build Up A List Of References To Use With Potential Clients Or Employers
You should have a list of references handy.
A good way to build this list is by asking your current and previous colleagues who they think are good at the work you’re doing. If you have worked in different fields throughout your career, it would be a good idea to speak with people from all those fields regarding your skills.
When I was starting as a transcriptionist, I made sure that my references were not only people who knew me well but also people who could vouch for my skills.
For example, if one of my friends works at an insurance company and uses transcriptionists all the time, then it makes sense for me to ask them if there was anyone whom they could recommend because that person would know how hardworking and reliable I am.
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Create A Professional Email Address For Business Purposes Only
Use your name, your business name, or a combination of the two when creating an email address for your transcription business. Add alliteration and numbers to make it more memorable.
If you are not using your domain name yet, choose one that is easy to remember (i.e., jennifertranscriptions@gmail.com).
Set Up An Invoicing System For Your Business
Invoicing is important for a few reasons. First and foremost, it helps you stay on top of money flow. If you’re not keeping track of invoices and payment history, then you might end up having some money issues down the line.
Secondly, good invoicing habits will help your business in the long run by making sure that clients know exactly what they’re paying for and when they need to pay it.
And lastly (but certainly not least), creating an invoice will help your clients see that their business matters enough for you to ask them for timely payment.
Invoicing is also one of those things where it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the details involved in setting up an effective system from scratch.
Get Your First Client; Happy Transcribing
Now that you’ve decided to become a transcriptionist, it’s time to make sure that you have the right home office setup. You will need a reliable internet connection and a quiet space away from distractions.
You should also let people in your life know about your new business venture and set aside some regular time each week for working as a transcriptionist so they know when not to call or text. In addition, get ready for all-nighters.
Transcription work is never done even during the middle of the night.
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Final Thoughts
The best thing to do is to get started today. You’ll want to start with a free online course and then move on to the other steps as you feel more confident about branching out into the transcription field.
I know what it’s like when you don’t have much money or even time, but if this is something that you have always wanted to do, then go for it! It’s not going hard work for sure.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of transcription:
Online Transcription Jobs: Discover opportunities for online transcription jobs and learn more about the skills and requirements needed to succeed in this field.
Get Started as a Transcriptionist: A Guide (Part 1): This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to get started as a transcriptionist, including essential skills, tools, and tips.
How to Become a Transcriptionist: Learn the ins and outs of becoming a transcriptionist, from acquiring the necessary skills to finding clients and building a successful career in transcription.
People Also Ask
What Is A Transcriptionist?
A transcriptionist is someone who listens to audio recordings, such as interviews or lectures, and then types up the information they hear.
Transcriptionists work in a variety of settings, including courtrooms, corporate settings, and medical settings.
Who Is A Transcriptionist?
Transcriptionists are responsible for listening to recordings, writing down what they hear, and making corrections as needed.
They generally work from home (or wherever their equipment is located) as independent contractors, providing services for a variety of clients.
Where Do I Start In The Transcription Field?
Transcription is a job that you can do from anywhere. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you’re good to go.
What Kind Of Training Will do I Need If I Want To Be A Good Medical Transcriptionist?
If you want to become a medical transcriptionist, you’ll need to take some courses in medical terminology and anatomy.
These courses will prepare you for working with patients who have complicated illnesses and conditions, so it’s important not only to learn what their diagnoses mean but also how they affect their overall health.
What Is The Best Way To Start?
The best way to start is by learning how to use a transcription program. You can find plenty of free software online, and it’s not that difficult. Once you’ve mastered using the software, it’s time to start doing some practice transcribing audio.
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need?
You don’t need anything fancy; Just use whatever computer or laptop you have with an internet connection and a headset for recording.
A foot pedal is optional but recommended as it will allow you to pause and rewind without having to touch your keyboard or mouse.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Good Transcriber?
It depends on your dedication, but generally speaking, it takes about two years before someone can be considered a professional transcriber. Most beginners will make around $10 per hour within their first year, but those who stay motivated can make well over $100 per hour.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.