This has been a relatively busy month for me. I had lots of transcription work assignments in addition to my usual forum posting and occasional 'virtual assistant' tasks. My sister gifted me with a noise-cancelling headphone which I use when transcribing audio files and it has been a big help to me. However, I can only transcribe one hour of audio per day as my head starts to pound after that, not to mention my fingers getting tired. Add to that my responsibility to prepare food for my family and take care of my kids.
I'm not complaining. I'm happy to do whatever work God has blessed me with but I did turn down one assignment which required for me to work during weekend. I would have gotten a good pay for it but spending time with my family was more important. I do not regret my decision at all.
I believe I'm improving in my transcription work. I now type faster and more accurately. Here's hoping I'll get more good projects coming my way.
Showing posts with label transcription. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transcription. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Virtual Assistant
I learned new things as a virtual assistant. This is one type of work that could really exhaust your skills and talents. You are expected to do lots of things -- article writing, copywriting, data entry, transcribe audio files, forum posting and more.
I had a crash course in how to write titles and description tags for web pages for SEO. I did a pretty good work with what was assigned to me, if I may say so myself. Generally, it was not a hard task but keeping the title or description to a desired number of characters could be challenging more so if you are expected to include certain keywords.
One thing I'd like to learn is how to effectively do postings at Craigslist. Most of the virtual assistant work I've come across with seem to require this skill. I really don't know if there's any special technique or whatever that I need to learn for this type of thing. I prefer doing "real" work but I guess to some this is real enough.
I had a crash course in how to write titles and description tags for web pages for SEO. I did a pretty good work with what was assigned to me, if I may say so myself. Generally, it was not a hard task but keeping the title or description to a desired number of characters could be challenging more so if you are expected to include certain keywords.
One thing I'd like to learn is how to effectively do postings at Craigslist. Most of the virtual assistant work I've come across with seem to require this skill. I really don't know if there's any special technique or whatever that I need to learn for this type of thing. I prefer doing "real" work but I guess to some this is real enough.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Transcription Work (Part 2)
Transcribing audio files is really tough if you don't have any transcribing tool in place. One tool I can do without is a transcription playback software. In my case, I discovered and made use of Express Scribe, a free transcription helper software. I haven't tried any other software yet. I'm quite satisfied with Express Scribe and it has really helped me in my work.
I don't have a foot pedal and I don't have any plans of getting one since I'm not exactly a full time transcriber. I don't know if it will make a big difference in the amount of work I can get done, but at this point it's not really practical for me to buy a foot pedal.
With Express Scribe installed on my computer, I am able to adjust the playback speed from slow to fast. I can also rewind, play, stop and do other things with the recording using my keyboard. I just haven't figured out yet how to completely do away with the mouse while transcribing.
I've noticed that sometimes I am able to comprehend the recording better when I'm listening from a distance (I don't like using headphones at all), sometimes it's clearer when you are nearer. Getting another person's opinion is also necessary to clear out some incomprehensible speaker (maybe I'm just the one who can't seem to get it, ha ha). But sometimes, it's just simply an impossible task for anybody to figure out what was said in the recording (imagine a person talking with a stuffed nose and his head stuck in a pail).
My typing and listening skills are improving and I'm also earning. Pretty soon I'll be able to transcribe faster and earn better. Hmmm... it doesn't sound bad at all.
I don't have a foot pedal and I don't have any plans of getting one since I'm not exactly a full time transcriber. I don't know if it will make a big difference in the amount of work I can get done, but at this point it's not really practical for me to buy a foot pedal.
With Express Scribe installed on my computer, I am able to adjust the playback speed from slow to fast. I can also rewind, play, stop and do other things with the recording using my keyboard. I just haven't figured out yet how to completely do away with the mouse while transcribing.
I've noticed that sometimes I am able to comprehend the recording better when I'm listening from a distance (I don't like using headphones at all), sometimes it's clearer when you are nearer. Getting another person's opinion is also necessary to clear out some incomprehensible speaker (maybe I'm just the one who can't seem to get it, ha ha). But sometimes, it's just simply an impossible task for anybody to figure out what was said in the recording (imagine a person talking with a stuffed nose and his head stuck in a pail).
My typing and listening skills are improving and I'm also earning. Pretty soon I'll be able to transcribe faster and earn better. Hmmm... it doesn't sound bad at all.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Transcription Work
I am always ready to try any work, as long as it is legitimate. I am also willing to learn new skills. The latest work that I've been doing is transcribing audio files.
I don't have any transcription experience but I got myself hired as a transcriber. I have been transcribing conferences and interviews on different topics. I am still learning the ropes but I think I'm getting better in every assignment.
I am getting a minimum of $15 per audio hour transcribed. At the start, I thought I could easily transcribe 3 audio hours daily, but I was greatly mistaken. Truth is, it took me about 4 hours to transcribe a 10 minute audio file the first time. Ha ha... so much for going into transcription work full time. But I was never a quitter and although I felt like I had to accept the fact that I'm no good at it, I still persevered and improved slowly.
What I find irritating is when the person in the recording is talking like he's got a stuffed nose and with his head inside a pail. You'd think people will talk clearly when they're doing an interview. Some people have a habit of mumbling and not completing sentences. I will not talk about their grammar anymore as it will just make my head ache.
Another thing that slows me down in my work as a transcriber, is the need to research proper names and some terms mentioned in the audio, not to mention that I'm not really a pretty fast typist. But I do enjoy transcribing when the voices are clear and the topics are not too technical. I also learn about some stuff, while working, and that's a good thing.
I don't have any transcription experience but I got myself hired as a transcriber. I have been transcribing conferences and interviews on different topics. I am still learning the ropes but I think I'm getting better in every assignment.
I am getting a minimum of $15 per audio hour transcribed. At the start, I thought I could easily transcribe 3 audio hours daily, but I was greatly mistaken. Truth is, it took me about 4 hours to transcribe a 10 minute audio file the first time. Ha ha... so much for going into transcription work full time. But I was never a quitter and although I felt like I had to accept the fact that I'm no good at it, I still persevered and improved slowly.
What I find irritating is when the person in the recording is talking like he's got a stuffed nose and with his head inside a pail. You'd think people will talk clearly when they're doing an interview. Some people have a habit of mumbling and not completing sentences. I will not talk about their grammar anymore as it will just make my head ache.
Another thing that slows me down in my work as a transcriber, is the need to research proper names and some terms mentioned in the audio, not to mention that I'm not really a pretty fast typist. But I do enjoy transcribing when the voices are clear and the topics are not too technical. I also learn about some stuff, while working, and that's a good thing.
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