What Transcription Tools Do I Need to Get Started?

Your transcription equipment will consist of a combination of hardware peripherals and software programs, and all are more or less prerequisites to starting your new transcription business.

Even if you're planning on just doing this for a hobby or supplemental income, or you're between jobs, these tools are necessary to getting the job done right.

There are some very important tools you will need to have on hand first to ensure your transcription business becomes a success. As with any business, you will need to have some money on hand in order to earn money. However, if you know how to be a smart shopper and where to find great bargains, you don't necessarily have to have a large amount of money on hand.

These transcription tools will be an absolute necessity for your business, but there are places where you can find them at very affordable prices. Another great perk about owning your own business is that you can count whatever money you spend to get started as a business expense when you file your income taxes.

There are a lot of online and even offline resources for getting your tools together. The first place I'd suggest is eBay, because why buy new when used is just as good? There are a lot of vendors on eBay that have great deals on used equipment and software programs.

Offline, check in newspapers for auctions and sales or ask around to see if anyone you know has a some things you can borrow until you can purchase some things yourself.

So what do I need to get started? Here is your Transcription Tools Checklist:

Your Computer System
The first transcription tool that you will need is your own home computer system. If your household is like most, you may already have your own home computer system. As long as it is in excellent working condition and you keep it updated regularly you should not need to purchase a new system.

Software
The next two transcription tools that are a must-have for your transcription business are two separate types of software to install on your home computer. One of them is word processing software, such as, Microsoft Word or Open Office. This software allows you to type transcriptions into document forms that can be saved and sent back to clients.

The other type of necessary software is audio playback software. This software will allow you to listen to recorded files that can then be transcribed. You can easily find free downloads online of both Open Office and audio playback software known as Express Scribe.

Headset & Foot Pedal
Two additional transcription tools that will be needed to run a successful transcription business are a transcription headset and a transcription foot pedal. A good headset helps block out any background noise so that you can hear audio files more clearly and transcribe them proficiently.

The foot pedal enables you to be in complete control of the speed that the audio files are played at. It will also allow you to rewind to listen to files again or move forward if you want to speed up.

An important tip to remember when shopping for your transcription tools is that you don't have to pay extravagant prices to buy good quality tools. You can save lots of money by searching for them on auction sites, such as eBay or Amazon. You may even search your local newspaper for ads in the trading post and find good used equipment at great discount prices.

If you find bargain prices on gently used transcription tools, you will save even more money in getting your business up and running. Most computer systems come with word processing software already installed. If yours didn't, you can easily download the free word processing and audio playback software listed above.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get your transcription business running. As long as you have the skills to be a great transcriptionist and all of the necessary transcription tools, you are on your way to owning a very successful home based transcription business.

More Information on Tools:
Your Computer System
You need to make sure your computer is up to date, not more than five years old, if that.

Audio Playback Software
Turn your computer into an online digital transcriber unit with this software, headset and a foot pedal that plug into your computer.

Word Processing Software
You need somewhere to transcribe all of that information into and plain old Notepad, Wordpad or even Microsoft Works won't cut it.

Transcription Headset
Don't try to decipher your audio through computer speakers. No matter how good you think they, there is no substitute for a good noise-cancelling headset.

Transcription Foot Pedal
Keep your fingers moving on the transcript and let your foot do the stop-start-rewind on the audio.

Return to Home Page from Transcription Tools