subject: How to Get Transcription Work Without Specialized Training [print this page] How to Get Transcription Work Without Specialized Training
Several skill sets and abilities are necessary to become a successful transcriptionist and get transcription work from home.
Formal training such as medical transcription courses are needed for medical transcription work. The same training can be useful but is not required for general transcription and does not assure success.
In order to do any kind of transcription work, you should develop the basic skills needed. Obviously, you'll need good typing skills. Unlike other jobs, transcribers are paid based on their performance. The faster you can type, the more work you'll be able to do. Speed is also important to meet deadlines. Online typing tutorials provide simple but effective typing exercises to become familiar with the locations of all the letters in the keyboard. Many typing sites will also help you increase your speed. You should do the typing exercises without looking at the keyboard. But the best way to increase your typing speed is with practice. The more you practice, they faster you'll get. You can practice typing by typing words from novels and newspapers.
But speed is not the only requirement. Transcription work requires others skills besides typing.
Transcription has to have 98% accuracy or higher. To be accurate, you'll need good spelling, vocabulary, listening and comprehension skills. These skills are essential to become a successful transcriptionist. There are many inexpensive but effective ways to develop your skills. Many online sites offer grammar lessons.
Once your typing is up to speed, practice transcription with practice files. Transcribe anything you hear such as your voicemail messages, conversations with friends, TV interviews and podcasts.
General knowledge and an extensive vocabulary help since you'll encounter a variety of topics and words. You can improve your general knowledge and vocabulary by reading newspapers, magazines, novels and other books on a regular basis. To learn more about a particular industry, read industry newsletters and news to increase your knowledge and vocabulary of that industry.
