How to Set Up Your Home Transcription Office

The Internet has brought about many technological advances that have revolutionized home transcription. Years ago, it used to be quite expensive to get set up to transcribe at home, since tape playback machines, expensive word processing and printing equipment were needed. These days, if you already have a home computer it's possible to get started transcribing digital audio files from home very inexpensively.

Steps

Many people already have a computer at home. If not, you do not need a top-of-the-line expensive computer. You can get started with a basic computer that will cost you less than $800. As long as you can run Windows and some word processing software and have 256 MB of RAM you should be fine!
If you will be transcribing digital audio files that you must download over the Internet then a high speed connection is a must! Cable and DSL internet packages are getting cheaper every day, and it is well worth the money to get connected if you are serious about a home transcription career.
Many computers come with either WordPerfect or Microsoft Office. You need to have and be able to use one or the other of these word processing software packages, and it will make you a more flexible and attractive transcriptionist if you have and can use both.
There are several programs available to start, stop, and rewind audio with a foot pedal, and some provide free versions to get started.
This is a crucial piece of hardware for digital transcribing and you will probably have to order it online. It will cost about $80. If you are a serious transcriptionist you will have another pedal as back up because if the one you're using breaks you do not want to be out of commission while you're waiting for the next one to come in the mail. The makers of Express Scribe also sell foot pedal hardware (https://www.nch.com.au/cgi-bin/hw.exe?class=FP ). Trying using the VEC USB pedal, which is the best product if you have a USB port. If you have a very old computer that does not have USB ports you may have to get a pedal that connects with a serial connector.
Get the very best headphones you can afford. You will make the money back in increased efficiency. If you will be using a notebook computer to play digital audio files you will also need a good set of external speakers to "boost" the audio volume and quality -- plug your headphones into the external speakers.
Even if you start out small, workflow software can save you time, keep you organised and prevent human error, for example it can do all your invoicing automatically, and help you to receive huge sound files. One main provider is ScribeManager(http://www.scribemanager.com/). In addition, it may be useful for you to install text expander software to quickly type common words and phrases, such as FastFox (http://www.nch.com.au/fastfox/).
One of the largest companies that accepts applications from freelance transcribers is Way With Words. You can also try FindTranscriptionWork.com (http://www.findtranscriptionwork.com/), which is a free site listing medical, legal and general transcription jobs. You can also list your resume there for free. Don't forget to check in with small business in your area. A lot of them are always interested in having transcribers and editors join their remote freelance transcription team. It's a win win situation.
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How high should a platform be for a transcription pedal?
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If it's needed to raise a transcription pedal, the platform should be 1-4 inches high.
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How do I price my transcription jobs? Transcription is not a common thing in my country, so I'd need help in finding out how to price the jobs.
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I estimate six hours of my transcription time for each hour of material. It usually equates to $5/page
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Tips

Some optional extras include a printer, fax machine, good long distance plan, and analog tape playback machines.
- Don't forget to start an online portfolio so you can easily submit samples of your work when needed.
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