When it comes to transcription, accuracy is key. If you’re a professional transcriptionist then it’s super important that you have the right tools at your disposal. If you don’t then you may find that your work is impacted and that you are not able to deliver the professional service you are known for.
Foot Pedal
At the end of the day, you only have one pair of hands. Pressing stop, rewind, pause and even fast-forward can be challenging and time-consuming. This is especially the case if you are trying to type at the same time. If you are able to invest in a foot pedal then this will make it easier than ever for you to rewind and control your dictation. If you want to make your job way faster, then it may even help to use Verbit's legal transcription software as this will translate any speech automatically for you, without you having to mess around.
Speech Recognition Software
Software like this can instantly convert speech into a text format. You can also take advantage of the fact that the transcript can be generated instantly. There are even tools that give you the chance to edit the transcript in any way you want too, and this can really go a long way when it comes to the professional result you deliver. Website-based document notes are also handy to have, as they give you the chance to store, manage and retrieve any transcription notes that you may need.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are necessary for dictation. As a professional transcriptionist, you may find that you are always working in a busy environment and that you struggle to hear what you’re actually trying to translate. If you have high-quality headphones however, this gives you the chance to listen to the dictation with ease, without having to worry about everything else distracting you. This is also ideal if you are dealing with audio that is sub-par, or with a lot of background noise.
Chair and Leg Rests
Sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time can really take its toll on your posture and your health. When your feet are raised up, your abdomen will experience way less pressure and it may even make it easier for you to concentrate. It’s a known fact that you will never do your best work if you are uncomfortable, so investments like this are most certainly worth having and they are super affordable too.
Grammar and Spell Checker
Believe it or not, grammar mistakes are very easy to overlook. Sometimes it helps to have another software installed on your PC so that you can specifically pick up on those minor mistakes. This will give you a bit more peace of mind and it will also make it way easier for you to deliver the result promised. There are hundreds of grammar checkers for you to choose from and when you install one of your own, you will soon find that you can spend less time editing and more time transcribing.