| I've seen a lot of people asking where they can get | | | | the time and money or can get grants or loans for |
| transcription training so they can start working at home | | | | formal education, you absolutely will benefit from it. |
| as a general transcriptionist. There are a couple of | | | | You'll get a solid education in medical and legal |
| different thoughts on the idea of transcription courses | | | | terminology and you'll learn how to listen and type at |
| and if any do exist, are they worth the money to pay | | | | the same time. You'll get used to different speaker |
| for them. | | | | accents and you'll learn to use your software |
| First, some people think that if you can type fast and | | | | programs. |
| listen to a recording well, that is all there is to being a | | | | So absolutely, if you can do it and want to do it, check |
| general transcriptionist. And there are some people | | | | your local community college for transcription courses |
| that are just naturals; they learn quickly how to use the | | | | in one of those two fields. |
| software and other tools and they start right in on | | | | Online Courses and Programs |
| picking up work within a couple of days. | | | | Now, what if you don't have the time to attend an |
| There are others who start in this business after | | | | in-class session during the week? Are there |
| getting their transcription training on the job with a | | | | transcription courses or transcription programs |
| former employer. They've already been doing | | | | available online? |
| transcription for a while and simply have to adapt to | | | | Personally, I know of only a couple and I haven't |
| being home-based. In these two instances, paying for | | | | checked on them to see how thorough they are. But if |
| transcription courses isn't really necessary. | | | | you find a course online, there are a few things you will |
| But what if you're just hearing about general | | | | want to make sure it will cover. You will want to make |
| transcription? You have a little above average typing | | | | sure that you will be shown a wide variety of sample |
| skills and maybe some office experience and you'd | | | | document formats to type the recordings in. This will |
| just like to do this from home. So, how do you learn? | | | | help you learn how to set up your word processing |
| Where can you find general transcription training? This | | | | program. But keep in mind, these are just samples. No |
| is where you need to use your best judgement and | | | | one can know what your specific clients may want. |
| decide if paying for a transcription course is really | | | | The transcription training program needs to teach you |
| necessary. | | | | the software and equipment you'll need to get you to |
| Business Schools or Community College Courses | | | | work as quickly and efficiently as you can to ensure |
| First, there really is no way to "train" to do general | | | | you make the most money for your efforts. |
| transcription. Business schools, community colleges, | | | | A good transcription training course will also show you |
| adult learning classes, etc. do not offer training in | | | | the steps you need to take to set up your own |
| general transcription. So if you decide you need | | | | transcription business. You will need to be proficient in |
| hands-on training in a formal setting, you'll have to take | | | | Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as learning the new |
| a transcription training course in either medical | | | | software you will need to pick up for your business |
| transcription or legal transcription, then adapt what | | | | procedures. |
| you've learned into the general field. | | | | It should not only provide you with several sample |
| And why is that? Because general transcription is just | | | | digital audio files you can practice with, but also where |
| that - General. It's wide open to any industry and any | | | | to find more samples online, such as business |
| individual. Unlike the medical and legal fields, there are | | | | podcasts to download and practice with. The |
| no industry specific set ways of typing information into | | | | transcription course you choose should also include a |
| specific templates. | | | | section that shows you how to record a webcast or |
| For instance, you may do a corporate transcript one | | | | podcast from the Internet using digital audio recording |
| day in one format, then do a personal journal the next | | | | software, and a brief section on how to convert a |
| day in another format. Every client will want their | | | | physical cassette tape to a digital file. |
| documents set up a different way. And in fact, the | | | | And finally, you should learn how to use AutoCorrect |
| same client may want several different formats | | | | and other keyboard shortcuts that will help you with |
| depending on what their needs are! You simply cannot | | | | your typing speed. So, while taking a formal course in |
| use one or two different templates and expect them | | | | transcription training can be costly without getting a |
| to fit across the board with all of your clients. It just | | | | college grant, finding a decent course online or simply |
| doesn't happen. | | | | learning by doing does not have to be expensive. With |
| You may even get a client who says, 'Just set it up | | | | a little research and effort, you should be able to be |
| how you think is best,' and you get to be creative. | | | | finished and on your way to working from home in as |
| So where the medical and legal industries have certain | | | | little as a few months time. |
| criteria to meet with their documentation, there is no | | | | And remember, having the freedom to work at home |
| one right way or industry specific standard in the | | | | with a business that is growing in demand will provide |
| general transcription field because the field is wide | | | | you with the means to enjoy your family, avoid the |
| open to anything that isn't medical or legal. | | | | stress of the average workplace, and give you a |
| But that's not to say that getting transcription training in | | | | sense of pride that you can only achieve from being |
| the medical or legal field won't be a benefit. If you have | | | | your own boss. |