If you are among the wide range of people that want to pursue a transcription career, then you will need to read this article to know the right equipment you need to get you going. Opting for a transcription career can be difficult and tiring if you don’t have sufficient equipment. Thanks to the significant breakthrough in technology, you can now work as a transcriptionist from the comfort of your home seamlessly.
These are the top equipment you need for transcription;
No.1. A Laptop or Computer
An essential tool needed for transcription is a computer. Based on your preference, you can either opt for a laptop or a desktop or both. A desktop can be very convenient if you are working in an office, while a laptop is especially useful if you are away from your office or home. Desktops are easily upgraded, last longer, and you can opt for the mouse and keyboard. However, if you are home, it is possible to have this setup with your laptop.
No.2. High-speed Internet Connection
It would be best if you had an internet connection that is very fast as this has a direct impact on your speed, productivity, and reliability. It is a requirement by most transcription companies that you have a high-speed internet connection if you want to work for them. If your internet speed is low, you must change your modem or internet provider.
No.3. A Set of Comfortable Headphones
You must get headphones that are comfortable and of good quality because you will need it if you want to hear what is being said in the recording clearly. Opt for headphones that have a noise cancellation feature as this would reduce background noise and give you better sound quality.
No.4. A Transcription Software
If you want to make your work easier, you should utilize a transcription software, and there are a couple of them out there, including free ones. A significant amount of transcription work is digital. You will need to have transcription software and a pedal that is compatible with the digital files you want to transcribe.
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No.5. An Ergonomic Keyboard
If you are going to be doing a lot of transcription, it would be best if you go for an ergonomically designed keyboard to avoid pain in your forearm and wrist. It can prove challenging to use this kind of keyboard at first, but you will get used to it with time.
No.6. Word Processing Software
You will need to have a word processing software such as Microsoft Office or WordPerfect. If you want to be better and more flexible at your transcription work, you must know how to use these software programs.
If you are working with a client that specifically requests that the final transcript should be in a particular format such as PDF, you would need to utilize a file converting software that can convert text files to files that have specific extensions like docx, pdf, or jpg.
No.7. Thesaurus or Dictionary
If you are working with a client that specifically requests that the final transcript should be in a particular format such as PDF, you would need to utilize a file converting software that can convert text files to files that have specific extensions like docx, pdf, or jpg.
Conclusion
It is a well-known fact that transcribing used to be a tedious activity, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right equipment. So, if you have decided to take on a transcription career, the above list of equipment is what you need to kick start your transcription career. However, you can still customize any of them to meet your specific needs.