Success Keys for a Transcriptionist

Many letters of the English alphabet can be directly applied on your road to success as a transcriptionist.

A - is for Active; always be active in searching new ways to help your client. They will appreciate it.

B - is for Be on Time with Delivery! If you agree with a deadline - MEET IT! Don’t give excuses.

C - is for Communicate, communicate. Do not leave your client in the dark. Regular status updates, roadblocks, etc. should be the in thing.

D - is for Deliver with a smile. Think happy when speaking on the phone or writing a communication, and you will emulate your pleasant demeanor onto your client.

E - is for Efficiency. Being efficient and organized will open up extra time for other things, including time for yourself.

F - is for Fun. Have fun and enjoy the work that you’re doing.

G - is for Goal Achievement. Set a realistic goal, and then GO for it!

For Your Reading Pleasure

Be Sure to Use Reputable Resources

It was 8:00 o’clock in the morning as I sat down to transcribe. It was a blistery, cold morning in Phoenix, Arizona (Hah!). With my cup of hot steaming coffee on my one side of my desk and my faithful live, white, feline desk ornament on my other, I prepared for the day.

Now, you have to understand that I was new at this game of transcribing; I’d only been doing it for a short time. My topic was Internet marketing, and it was very interesting. It was all about Pay per Click, and AdWords, and various other Internet-related things; and it was an interview between an interviewer and an Internet Guru.

This is going to be a piece of cake, right? I typed all about interesting Internet gurus, Napoleon Hill, and interesting subjects like Google AdWords, Overture, Google Pay Per Click, e-Books, ClickBank, Yahoo! Search, and a whole lot more. Now, be aware that I was fairly new at transcribing for clients regarding the Internet; so I had to do a lot of research. When I started out, I started with a well-known search engine; but you could choose Google, Yahoo, Ask, or a host of others that are out there. What I didn’t know is that even if you use a reputable search engine, it takes an astute transcriptionist to decipher what search results you should use.

For example, suppose you questioned the spelling of an author’s name. Correctly, you go to the Internet to Google, or Yahoo!, MSN, or whatever you use, and you type in the author’s last name Chialdiani because you were looking up Robert Cialdini because he wrote a well-known book that your client had included on the audio that your client provided you. Aha! You found as the first hit a result that one of the major online bookstores had posted. Now, I chose one that has a huge following on the Internet; they should know the correct spelling, right? Not so fast, Charlie or Jenny, or whoever you are. Take care to take it one step further.

You must actually take it one step further and GO to that bookstore online and find the book. How is the author’s name spelled? Oh, oh. It’s Cialdini. Folks, I’ve got to tell you. Internet clients can be absolutely ruthless when providing feedback to Elance, iFreelance, or Guru, or other freelance sites when a transcriptionist does not get spelling right. Do not be lackadaisical here; this is critical!

Let’s look at another example. Say you want to look up the spelling for the group of people that come from the Philippines. How would you spell Filipino? Be careful here. This could be a trick question. Okay, again, we start out on Google, Web Crawler, Ask, or any other search engine you might use. We type in Philippino because we think that because they are from the Philippines, they are probably called Philippinos, right? Hold on. Who are you going to use as a resource to verify that spelling? In many instances you have more than one spelling for a word, and clients can be very, very temperamental if you choose the wrong spelling. My recommendation is to use references that are well-known and have been around for years.

So what have we learned thus far? Be very choosy when using resources to determine spelling of words. Your clients do not want to see errors when they receive their transcription. Go the extra mile, be diligent, and be accurate. If you have to use multiple resources to get a consensus, that’s great. That is what your clients want. If you do that, you will go far in establishing a sound transcription business and clients will come to you over and over again. –borlok va 8/2/2008

The Benefits of Working Virtual

Why would anyone want to work virtual? Well, as I sit here and think about it, here are a few of my personal favorites. Number one benefit is that you get to see new and sometimes exciting scenery. As I sit here reflecting on the benefits of working out of your home, I gaze out the window and see the birds twittering and singing in the trees. Look! There is a grackle at the bird bath dipping his food in the water to soften it. Usually it’s a piece of dog food that he has stolen from some unsuspecting dog that’s catching forty winks. It’s such a hard job, you know, being a watchdog.

My faithful cat, Yoda, sleeps next to me keeping me company. She’s not too interested in the birds now; she appointed herself as guardian of the birds and has been watching them all morning. She’s tired now.

Second benefit is that you have climate control. Brrr, it’s cold in the house. Hey, Sis. Would you mind turning the air conditioner down? Can you beat that? You can adjust your own thermostat to the temperature YOU like. You don’t have to wait for maintenance where you’re working to say - Well, everyone else is just fine. You’ll just have to put a sweater on or quit your gosh-darned complaining. Put some clothes on!

Now I know you will all like this benefit. You get to take your break when you want to. You can decide what hours you want to work. Got to take your child to the doctor? No problem. It’s up to you what you want to work, as long as you get out what you commit to to your client. Speaking of my sis, she’s sitting next to me playing solitaire. She says “This is my breakfast break.” Shame on her — she should be working! She says “My job is done! You’re the cog in the wheel now.”

Oh, I forgot to tell you. When you work virtual, your faithful canine companion gets to lay by your side helping you work. The benefit? Your dog or cat does not have to be alone all day. If you have children, you are home when your children need you.

Oh, did I mention that the stress level is nearly, totally gone? You don’t have someone breathing down your neck. You don’t have scheduled annual or semi-annual reviews. Your supervisor doesn’t constantly harp that you must be a team member, you must do this job this way, etc. You can even have the radio on or the TV on low.

Working virtual is rewarding. I warn you, however, when you start your business, you will undoubtedly work more hours than if you were working full-time at a company. You know what though? You will enjoy it much more because you will be doing it for yourself.

Your expenses will be lowered. Now wait until you hear this. You won’t have to buy gas, commute, travel long distances, or get stuck in traffic. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? With the gas prices what they are now, this is a HUGE savings. What more could you ask for as far as a benefit.

What about the clothes you wear for work? You won’t have to buy an expensive wardrobe. You can work in your pajamas if you want or dress as casually as you want when you work at home. Don’t feel like putting on makeup or slaving over your hair, Ladies? You got it. You can work from your home (as long as you don’t have clients coming to your home) being just the way you want to be. Shed those jackets and ties, Men. Relax and wear your grungiest t-shirt if you want.

Here is the main benefit - it is just wonderful and self-satisfying. - borlok va 9/18/2008