Are you looking for a simple yet high-paying work from home job to jumpstart your online career?
If so, consider becoming an online transcriptionist.
Transcriptionists are responsible for creating a written copy of audio or video content.
Aside from the relatively low barriers to entry, online transcription jobs are also highly in-demand in many industries.
However, don’t mistake these as signs that transcription work means an easy payday.
Online transcriptionists face several challenges that can diminish their productivity and work quality. These can be especially problematic if you’re in a field that requires high accuracy like healthcare or legal firms.
To help improve your transcription quality, here are some of these challenges you’ll likely face – and ways to overcome them.
Audio Quality Issues
One of the most common challenges for online transcriptionists is poor audio quality. These range from muffled voices, loud background noise, low volume, or overlapping speech between multiple speakers.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
The simple (yet pricey) solution for this problem is investing in high-quality headphones to help you hear recordings better. There are many models to choose from, allowing you to find one that matches your budget.
Aside from headphones, you can also use audio enhancement software to help reduce background noise and improve sound quality. Examples of these include Audacity, Otter.ai, and FxSound Enhancer.
Confusing Accents and Dialects
English is the universal language in the modern business world.
However, if the speaker has a thick accent or uses localized slang, it can still be difficult to understand what they’re saying.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
Regularly exposing yourself to the accent/s you’re transcribing helps you become more familiar with it. Even something as simple as watching YouTube videos of people speaking the accent/s can improve your comprehension.
Aside from these, transcription software with advanced speech recognition software designed to adapt to various accents also helps.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask your client for help in understanding difficult parts of the recording to ensure accuracy.
Unfamiliar Terms
Working in different industries means exposure to terms, acronyms, and technical jargon specific to these fields. If you’re unfamiliar with them, you might misinterpret what the speaker is saying, leading to errors and inaccuracies.
On the other hand, researching these terms or concepts can slow down your transcription process.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
The best way to overcome this is by familiarizing yourself with the industry you’re working in. Use academic databases like PubMed or Google Scholar to help you find the meaning of unfamiliar terms.
You can also develop your own personal glossary of terms, phrases, and acronyms you commonly encounter at work.
As with the previous section, you can also ask your client for clarification.
Aside from these, continuously hone your knowledge by attending online courses and workshops.
Managing Tight Deadlines
One of the hallmarks of a great transcriptionist is producing quality transcriptions on time.
Unfortunately, not all assignments come with generous deadlines.
Producing high-quality transcriptions takes a significant amount of time, particularly if you have to deal with the previously-mentioned challenges. If you prioritize speed, you risk making errors along the way.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
Effective time management skills are an essential part of an online transcriptionist’s skill set.
Start by establishing a structured schedule and sticking to it until it becomes routine. Having one helps you remain focused and avoid procrastination.
Break down complex tasks into smaller ones so they’re more manageable and prioritize urgent ones first so they’re finished on time.
In addition, you can use project management tools like Trello, ClickUp, and Monday.com to help you keep track of your assignments.
Lastly, don’t forget to take regular breaks so your mind stays sharp and alert.
Maintaining Accuracy
Accuracy is the cornerstone of quality transcription, as errors lead to misunderstandings and even legal issues, in some cases.
However, it can be difficult to remain accurate when you have to transcribe recordings of fast speakers, complex topics, or lengthy ones.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
To maintain your accuracy while transcribing difficult recordings, it’s vital to hone your listening skills.
Practice by listening to various recordings and transcribing them without pausing. Use the playback control on your transcription software to rewind difficult sections or to slow down fast speakers.
Once you finish transcribing, it’s important to proofread your work for errors before submitting it. You can use apps like Grammarly to help you check for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
When transcribing a lengthy recording, break it down into smaller sections so it’s more manageable, and remember to take breaks in between.
The Physical Strain of Transcribing
Surprisingly, physical strain is among the most common challenges for many online transcriptionists today.
Sitting for eight hours or more leads to back pains, eye strain, and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).
Not only that, but a remote setup promotes a sedentary lifestyle which could lead to further health problems in the future.
How Do You Solve This Challenge?
When setting up your workstation, invest in an ergonomic chair, keyboard, and laptop so you’re comfortable while working.
In addition, incorporate simple exercises like walking into your routine to help combat a sedentary lifestyle.
Ready to Start Transcribing?
Online transcription is a rapidly growing field today and offers many opportunities.
However, it also presents many challenges for new and old online transcriptionists alike.
Fortunately, by following the tips above, you’ll have an easier time overcoming these challenges and increase your chances of cultivating a successful online career.
Still looking for jobs offering an online work from home setup? If so, Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of available positions to choose from. Aside from online transcription jobs, we also have openings for online design jobs and even online engineering jobs.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here. Good luck!
