There are many types of transcription a transcriber can undertake; often quite specialist skills are needed for medical transcription, for example, or legal transcription. A general transcriptionist, however, may transcribe material such as conferences, webinars, podcasts, lectures or research interviews in many field to name a few examples. It can be an ideal home-based role for those with the right skills.
What are the basic skills that are needed?
A transcriber must have:
- Excellent listening skills
- Excellent English grammar and punctuation knowledge
- A fast typing speed – ideally be able to touch-type
- Attention to detail
- Pride in their work
All these skills can be developed with time and practice. Take note of the following tips to become the best transcriber you can be:
- Invest in some good quality headphones, you can buy specialist audio-typing headphones but any good quality headphones will do the job
- Learn to touch-type. There are some great online courses out there that can help achieve this useful skill
- Invest in a foot-pedal – this will greatly assist with increasing typing speed
- Research, research… and research. Use all the tools at your disposal; never be without an online dictionary while transcribing, and use it! Google every term, even if you think you know it – always check!
- Develop your ear! Listening skills are vitally important in transcription work. Use common sense to guess which word would fit, rewind the tape and listen again. Sometimes a word or phrase needs several rewinds before it comes in a lightbulb moment
- Always proofread your work. Check it as you are working and check again at the end.
A good, professional transcriber can make themselves indispensable. The best, most accurate and reliable typists are used over and over again by transcription companies and transcription services!