Editing and proofreading are some great services that a transcriptionist could add to their business. But what is the difference between proofreading and editing? I used to think that these services were one and the same.
Proofreading is the final step in the writing process. You look for grammatical errors, punctuation errors, and incorrect spelling and you correct them.
Editing is what happens before proofreading. This is a task that involves improving the quality of the written work.
So, proofreading and editing are definitely different and very valuable services that you could add to your transcription services. To learn more about proofreading and editing, check out this article: Proofreading and Editing
When I started learning to transcribe, I thought it would be very easy. In some ways, it is. But there were also some very challenging aspects of transcription. My biggest struggle while learning was mastering grammar and punctuation. Grammar has never been my strong suit, but I had to master it to become a transcriptionist! So, I studied hard and worked through it. Besides having to have a strong grasp of the English language and all of its intricate grammar rules, the transcribing process is actually quite simple.
When I get an audio file, I download it into my “dictation files” folder then upload it to Express Scribe. Express Scribe is a transcription software that you can download to your laptop or computer to make transcribing easier. Through this software, you can plug a pedal into your laptop and use it to easily pause, play, fast forward, or rewind the audio. To learn more about Express Scribe, click here: Express Scribe Transcription Software
After I upload it to the Express Scribe software, I open up a Word Document and start typing what I hear. There are a few different formats in which you can go about typing your transcript:
