Transcription is a tricky combination of speed and accuracy, which deals with the conversion of human speech into a text script. The field is quite demanding and requires extreme efficiency, in terms of time because the tasks have short deadlines. Here’s a cool article on transcription services and why many businesses need them.
Speaking of this, you should be at ease when it comes to working around quick turnaround times. The proverb, “Time is money” could not be any more accurate here. If you are someone with stellar time management skills, then you will ace as a transcriptionist. It gets better, profitable, and enjoyable when coupled with time. Also, a little patience and determination can make the ride relatively smoother.
So, what could be done to make sure that the produced content is of top-notch quality without compromising the given timeframe? Well, practicing is the only gateway to perfection when you’re dealing with transcription. Read on to know six more amazing tips to boost your productivity as a transcriptionist.
Listen to the full audio beforehand:
It is a common practice to transcribe side by side as you listen to the recording. It distorts the concentration levels and affects quality. Instead, the wise approach is to listen to the entire audio before starting with the transcription. It may seem like a waste of time but is quite actually the opposite. Listening to the sound will give you an insight into what you’re getting yourself into and, in turn, will allow you to transcribe with a clear head. Moreover, this practice will also help if the person happens to have different accents to yours.
In addition to this, to maximize efficiency and prevent mistakes, make it a point to go through the audio in its entirety even after you have transcribed to ensure the content is up to the mark.
It is also important to note that you try and gain the know-how of most dialects and accents. There are many websites packed with audios which are free to access. You can develop active listening skills if you ear-train at least an hour every day.
Update your equipment:
You will never be able to up your productivity game with an obsolete setup. Hence, it is of paramount importance that you use the latest transcription software and technology for a more productive and effective output. Even if you have exceptional typing speed and the best possible work ethics, you would not be able to compete or survive with outdated software.
The video to text transcription software has completely changed the game. However, to be on top in the world of transcription, you must make efforts to keep up with the latest trends when it comes to transcription equipment. To put it precisely, have a foot pedal and a good quality headset. A foot pedal keeps your hand free for typing while allowing you to pause, forward, or rewind the audio as you please. A good quality headset naturally means a more precise sound. You need to have the right gear to soar in any business, and transcription is no different! When we speak of the right equipment, it also means working in an office that is ergonomically-sound. Transcription involves a sedentary lifestyle to quite an extent. Therefore, you should have a comfortable chair and a computer set at your eye level.
Master the jargon:
It is all about wordplay in the field of transcription. A sound vocabulary and knowledge base plays a vital role here. To be able to transcribe with sheer accuracy, you need to have a firm grip on the jargon. For you to do so, you must research about the industry at hand to get familiar with the terminology. It will not only help you in producing accurate content but will also expand your scale of knowledge. It is essential to be familiar with the jargon as this can keep you from confusing similar terms and abbreviations. Commonly, the same acronym could even stand for three completely different words. Therefore, it is always good to be well-informed and well-versed about the topic in hand so that you can make sense of everything when you sit to transcribe.
Use sound editors and built-in dictionary:
There are going to be times when the task of transcription can be a real challenge. An already daunting job could prove to be even more nerve-wracking if your allotted audio file has a bad sound quality. It is where sound editors can turn out to be a big-time life savior.
A sound or audio editor helps in filtering out any noise and, enhances the audio, thereby, making it easier for you to crack the audio and transcribe it.
Other than this, ensure that you have a dictionary and thesaurus already installed so that you do not have to run a research every single time you are confused with a particular word. It will also save a lot of time. Remember, every second is equally important when it is transcription. You must keep it on your fingertips!
Develop strong typing skills:
The key to success is having excellent typing as well as listening skills. If you are a newbie and struggling with both of these, allow us to assure you that both of these are possible to acquire.
Some tips and tricks to get better at typing are to practice and to learn to type with all your ten fingers. Wood-pecking or typing with one finger only would be the worst decision you will ever make.
Additionally, it is also essential that you learn how to touch type. Furthermore, it can be a plus point if you memorize shortcuts on the keyboard. If you learn the shortcuts by heart, this will make you used to rely on the keyboard. You will notice the difference yourself when the use of the mouse gradually will get limited. It will improve the level of productivity substantially.
Are you wondering how you can do that? Well, there are so many applications out there which can help you in this regard. To quote a few, Typing Maniac or Type Racer are two easy-to-use applications.
Templates can be handy:
Well, there are going to be times when it might involve recreating documents having a similar format. In such tasks of transcription, templates can play a significant role.
The best way forward is to design your templates or have readymade templates if such need occurs. They can be of great help primarily when you work for the legal or medical industry.
You won’t have to start documents from scratch if you already have these in your kit. The only way to be ahead in templates is to have as many of them ready for each type of work to avoid any mishap.
And this is it! We hope the above tips prove to be beneficial in your career. To sum it all up, like with any other field, you can only carve your name if you devote a reasonable amount of time practicing. The more you practice, the better you get at transcription. You should have impeccable research skills and a knack for working under strict deadlines.
