An online job that is becoming increasingly popular with Filipinos is an online transcription job. What are transcriptionists, you may ask? Transcriptionists are responsible for translating videos and audio files into text.
The most popular kinds of transcription are general, legal, and medical. If you want to become a medical transcriptionist, you will need to get a certification first. Why? Because you will be transcribing specialized medical terms, thus employers must ensure you’re familiar with them.
But before you even consider starting this online job, there are a few online transcription tools you need to get first. What are these valuable transcription tools, you may ask? Let’s find out.
A Good PC or Laptop.
An essential tool for any online job is a PC or laptop, particularly for online transcriptionists. Besides being your primary means of transcribing data, many of the software you need are exclusive to PCs and laptops.
Fortunately, a transcriptionist job is not as intensive for your PC as other online jobs. Still, how do you know whether your PC or laptop’s specs can handle your job’s requirements? Here are the required specs for a non-CPU intensive job like yours:
- Processor: Intel i5 and above, Ryzen 5 and above, and Apple M1.
- Internal Storage: 256 Gb and above SSD.
- RAM: 8 Gb and above.
- Monitor: At least 13 inches.
- An optional graphics card if needed.
Comfortable Headphones.
Comfortable Headphones.Since you’ll be working with translating audio into text, another of the online transcription tools you need is a good pair of headphones. Preferred choices are over-the-ear headphones because they are often ergonomic and come with noise-canceling features.
Other options include wireless headphones and earbuds. However, these may not be comfortable to wear for a long time compared to over-the-ear headphones.
An Ergonomic Keyboard.
Being an online transcriptionist means long hours of typing. To avoid injuring your wrists, you should invest in an ergonomic keyboard. Besides preventing injury, having this ergonomic and easy to use tool allows you to work faster and accomplish more tasks in a short time.
A Good Chair.
Sitting for long hours while transcribing isn’t good for your back and neck. Similar to having a good keyboard, an ergonomic chair reduces the strain that your work can inflict on your body, keeping you more productive.
Foot Pedal.
One of the essential online transcription tools you need is a foot pedal. Foot pedals are devices that transcriptionists use to adjust audio and video files without using their hands. This tool frees up your hands to continue typing while using your feet to pause, speed up or rewind the audio or video they’re transcribing.
When buying foot pedals, ensure that the one you’re getting is compatible with your digital transcription software and your OS. Additionally, avoid using cheap foot pedals, as they’re not that durable.
Google Workspace.
A must have app for any remote worker is Google Workspace. This collection of apps contains many tools you need as a transcriber, such as Google Docs, Drive, Meets, and Gmail.
Google Docs, in particular, is very useful for transcriptionists. It’s a free word-processing app that allows for quick collaboration between you and your client. It is also fully compatible with Microsoft Word. Once you’re finished transcribing, you can safely store your work in Google Drive.
Grammarly.
Having trouble with your spelling and grammar? One app that can help you with your problem is Grammarly. This free app assists you in checking your work for grammatical errors and suggests ways to rectify them.
Transcription Software.
Another essential transcription tool you need to have is transcription software. There are plenty of these available, so which one should you choose? Here are some popular transcription software you should consider.
- Express Scribe: Suitable for both beginners and experienced transcribers, Express Scribe lets you control most of your work through hotkeys or your foot pedal. This app has a PC and Mac versions and offers a wide range of hotkeys to boost your productivity. If you want more features, it also has a paid version that you can avail of.
- Inqscribe: Another transcription software you should consider is Inqscribe. This software has a variety of shortcuts you can customize to establish your preferred system. It can also create snippets, letting you insert frequently appearing phrases into your transcription through a hotkey.
- The FTW Transcriber: If you’re looking for a transcription software that enhances audio quality, try FTW Transcriber. This software can play various audio and video formats and even has a timestamp feature so you can pick up where you left off. Besides being PC-compatible, it’s also compatible with smartphones and tablets.
A Dictionary.
A Dictionary.There will be times during your transcription when you will encounter unfamiliar words. For these occasions, a good old-fashioned dictionary is the tool you need. This helps you find the correct spelling for a word so you can contextualize it in your work.
Industry-Specific Manuals.
If you’re transcribing for an industry with complex terminologies, such as in the legal or medical fields, having manuals is a big help. These will help you understand what you’re transcribing, so you won’t spend a long time trying to piece together what you’re writing.
Have an Easier Time Transcribing With These Tools.
Starting a new job isn’t easy. But with the right tools at your disposal, you can confidently put your best foot forward and make a great first impression on your clients. An example of this would be the previously mentioned ten online transcription tools.
So, want to start your transcription career while enjoying the advantages of working from home? Head to Remote Staff and see our available list of transcription jobs you would like to apply to. Good luck!
