Transcribing is one of the most challenging jobs because you need fabulous ears, speed, accuracy, and formatting prowess. Accuracy is the leading factor; thus, you’ll want to improve your skills constantly. These are some tips so that you’ll know how to increase transcription efficiency and dazzle your clients:
Transcribe in a sound-proof area.
Rule number one is to work in a room or office with little background noise. Background noise can kill your accuracy, especially when you’re transcribing for a speaker with an accent or speech impediment. The audio you’re using may have background noise in it too. Thus, you must eliminate any additional noise coming from your end.
Use high-quality audio.
If you’re the one recording the interviews, it would be wise to invest in a high-quality microphone. You may want to use a condenser mic and ensure that the speaker sits far back enough to prevent too much reverb but close enough to get a clear voice. Now, you might be wondering, "Is a good quality recorder worth it?" Yes, it is, and you’ll see the benefits of owning one immediately.
Don’t take on too much work.
Transcription is like a writing job and a half. Everyone burns out when they don’t manage their work-break balance effectively. For this reason, you should avoid assuming more projects than you can handle. Quality tends to decrease as burnout grows, and you never want to deliver a shoddy product.
A good rule-of-thumb practice is taking a break after each two-hour working session. That will ensure you give your ears, hands, and mind a little time to recharge between lengthy typing sessions. Also, ensure that you hydrate yourself and eat lunches and snacks, so your entire body gets the nourishment it needs to produce work energy.
Listen to the audio using a quality headset.
You might also need to invest in a high-quality headset for your transcription projects. It will improve your accuracy by feeding the audio directly into your ears. Listening through computer speakers isn’t the best work habit because of the interference that can distort the audio by the time it reaches your ears. By purchasing a headset, you’re investing in your accuracy and ability to earn higher wages for your work.
Use pedals and other equipment.
Take advantage of any equipment or software that can make your transcription process faster. For example, a foot pedal can help you stop, rewind, start, and fast-forward audio so that you can edit your transcript more efficiently. You can find headsets for as little as $15 to as much as $100+. Compare different models and read the reviews to find which option is best for you.
Certain software monitors your typing errors and help you correct them before they make it to the transcription draft. That will save you some time when you get to the editing stage.
You can become a fantastic transcriber by using the tips mentioned above and practicing. The world still needs transcribers, so don’t be afraid to go after such jobs once you have an efficient system in place.