Transcription Talk

FTP 101 – Creating a Network Place

2009-02-11T15:55:00.004-05:00

So far, we've covered how to connect to an FTP server using Windows Explorer through your browser and by using an FTP client. This week we're going to look at how to set up a permanent link in "My Network Places" that will save all of your information for you and allow you to connect just by clicking on the icon.

First, go to My Network Places>Add a network place (under Network Tasks).

A new window will pop up and prompt you. Click Next to advance.

Select Choose another network location and click Next.

Enter your FTP server address.

Add your user name if you have one.

Select a name for your network place so you remember which FTP server it is. I name mine as the network address usually because the client name is most often in the address. Do something that will be easy for you.

Select Finish and your network place will appear.

Click on it to open the FTP server.

Now you can save your password and your network place will just be a click away whenever you need to retrieve a file.

Action Steps For Getting Started in General Transcription

2009-02-06T00:30:00.002-05:00

I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal; however, I know that many, many people need a concrete plan for any major undertaking. If you fall in the latter group, then you're in luck because we put together a list of the action steps that we recommend following to get started in a career in general transcription.

Find a pair of quality headphones.
Download Express Scribe and install Microsoft Word if it’s not already on your computer.
Brush up on your grammar rules.
Learn how to research words, names and terms online.
Download audio from a variety of sources and begin practicing.
Create or brush up your résumé and cover letter.
Begin applying as an independent contractor.
Look for projects on Guru, Elance and/or Craigslist.
Continue developing your skills and looking for ways to increase productivity.

Explaining how to accomplish these steps in one post is impossible, but if you are interested in pursuing transcription as a career, they will get you headed in the right direction. Much of the information is already available right here on our site, so this is a great way to practice those research skills and search it all out!

FTP 101 – SmartFTP

2009-02-04T01:00:00.008-05:00

As I mentioned a week or two ago, you can use an FTP client to access an FTP server. First, you'll need to download a client. FireFTP is a free client for Mozilla Firefox. SmartFTP and FileZilla are other options. Because I already have SmartFTP on one of my computers, I'll walk you through using that, but most FTP clients work in approximately the same way and should be relatively self-explanatory once you know what you're doing.

Once you have your FTP client downloaded, you can have it look at your computer and the files on your computer.

In SmartFTP you go to File>Look For New Remote Browser.

Enter your FTP server address and your user name and password if you have them.

Now you'll be able to see the files located on the FTP server.

The easiest way to transfer the files is to click on them and drag them to the location of your choice.

Then click the Play button to start the transfer.

And that's it! Your file is transfered.

Things Spell Check Doesn't Pick Up

2009-02-01T16:50:00.002-05:00

We've talked in the past about different methods for proofing finished transcripts – whether it's a full proof to audio, a quick read-through or simply using spell check. It's important to follow your client or contract's requirements, but for those that only ask for a spell check, there are a couple of things that you should watch for besides common mistakes like "their" instead of "there" (Word 2007 actually does an amazing job of picking up improper usage of words such as those, though):

::Single letters. If you accidentally mistype a word, separating one letter from the rest, such as "that" as "t hat", Word will not flag "t" as a mispelled word. In this case, "hat" is also a recognizable word, so spell check would skip right over it.

::Sentence case following a colon. If your transcript style calls for speaker tags that contain a colon (Mandi:), Word will not check the first word of the sentences following the colon for proper capitalization, so it's important to pay extra attention to these.

::Words written in all caps or that contain numbers. I would suggest checking your spell check options to be sure that Word checks words in all caps as well as those that contain numbers rather than automatically skipping over them. Even though you'll have to manually "ignore" many of them, it's better to quickly review them than to miss a misspelling because it wasn't flagged.

Are there other things you've noticed that Word doesn't flag that you wish it would?

State of the Transcription Industry

2009-01-30T10:37:00.005-05:00

January is typically a slow month for transcription, but in light of the current economy, I think we've all noticed a considerable slowing overall. As companies are taking drastic measures to cut back costs, transcripts may be eliminated altogether or at the very least outsourced to other countries where they can be produced for pennies on the dollar versus what an American-based company can offer. Thus it is more important than ever that we take the time to ensure that the transcripts we are producing meet the exact standards of our contracts or clients.

Just a few things that you'll want to pay extra attention to in these difficult times:

Quality – Review your client or contract's standards and adhere to them as closely as possible. If you have questions, ASK. I find it very disconcerting when people are embarrassed to ask questions, but you appear far more foolish when you just forge ahead heading totally down the wrong path. That said, there's a fine line between hand-holding and taking some kind of ownership, but if you've read instructions several times and still are unsure, you should be safe to inquire for clarification. Obviously taking the time to proofread your transcripts would fall in this area as well.

Timeliness – Meeting deadlines is always important. However, in the even that you're going to be late communication is key. Mandi provided us with some important tips on handling missed deadlines earlier this week, and I would encourage you to look those over if you have not already.

Confidentiality – Confidentiality pertains to not only keeping information regarding your contract confidential (e.g., clients, rates, volume, etc.) but also maintaining confidentiality surrounding the content of a particular audio file.

Professionalism - You could make the case that all of the previous points fall under professionalism, and they do. However, I'm talking about overall professionalism in everything you do, in your communication, in your invoicing, as well as quality, timeliness, and confidentiality. You want to stand out from the pack in this tough economy, so keep this in mind at all times.

With more people out of work, as well as cutbacks and outsourcing becoming more frequent alternatives, the competition will be fierce. Using the tips above will go a long way towards keeping the work coming in.

FTP 101 – Windows Explorer

2009-01-28T14:06:00.004-05:00

As I mentioned last week, file transfer protocol is one way that a client or company may use to send you work by uploading audio files to a server. To get the file to your computer, you would then access the FTP server and download the file to a selected location. Easy, right?

There are three ways to access an FTP server from your computer. You can access the site through your browser, by setting up a network connection on your computer or by using an FTP client like FileZilla or SmartFTP.

We'll start by accessing an FTP server directly using your browser. You will have to use Internet Explorer to do this, as Firefox and Google Chrome both require you to use a client.

First, open IE and type in the FTP server address. The address should look something like this:

ftp://ftp.name.com

Then hit enter. You should get to a page like this one:

Follow the instructions given and go to Page>Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer.

A new window will open to the FTP site. If there is a user name and password on the site, you would enter that at this time.

And you're in!

To download a file, drag and drop the file to the location of your choice on your computer.

Handling Missed Deadlines

2009-01-26T15:43:00.005-05:00

I think it's safe to say that anyone who's been transcribing for any length of time has had the experience of missing a deadline at least once. Whether it's because you oversleep and lose valuable work time, end up with a sick child to take care of or realize your audio sounds like it's been run through the blender and will take twice as long as you thought, it's bound to happen at some point.

The question is what to do when it happens.

The most important thing to remember is that communication is key! Whether you're working directly with a client or contracting for a larger transcription company, it's important to conduct yourself as a professional and keep them updated at all times.

Once you realize that you're going to be late, drop them a note and let them know that you'll be late and give them an estimate for completion.

It is not necessary to launch into a detailed account of why you'll be late, but if you have a good relationship with your contact, I think it's okay to include a sentence about the why. I know there's debate about this, and I'm not sure there is a right answer, but an account representative I asked said that she only needs to know the why if the issue has to do with the file or something on her end.

Finally, once you know you're going to be late and have sent an email letting your contact know when to expect the transcript, make sure you hit that deadline!

Saving Time with Templates

2009-01-23T11:54:00.002-05:00

Setting up your transcription documents can be time consuming, especially if you have multiple contracts. Generally each company has their own specialized formatting that is consistent between files, so just the text changes between documents.

Templates are a useful way to increase your transcription productivity, and they couldn't be easier to set up. By setting up a Word template, you can concentrate on accuracy and grammar and leave the formatting up to the template.

A word template can be much more than just formatting though. In addition to formatting, it can contain styles, boilerplate text, headers, footers, and macros, as well as dictionaries, toolbars, and AutoCorrect entries.

6 Easy Steps to Set Up a Template:

1. Create your document. Setup your document per your contract's guidelines. Remember that you can add any of the specialized formatting or tools listed above.

2. Click on File and then Save.

3. In the File name: box give your template a name that you will easily remember. I generally name them by contract. If I have more than one client or format within a contract, then I'll name by contract and any other identifying criteria.

4. In the Save as type: box, select Document Templates (*.dot).

5. Choose the save location for your templates. I have a folder set up where I save all of my transcript templates.

6. Click Save.

Now that wasn't so hard, was it?

And here's a tip that will make it infinitely easier. If you receive a previous transcript as an example for formatting, just delete the text from it and use it to create your template. The formatting is already done for you, so there's no need to reinvent the wheel!

Methods of Obtaining Audio Files From Clients and Contracts

2009-01-21T05:30:00.000-05:00

For those of us that have been doing this for a while, we don't always consider that the way we receive work may not be as straightforward as we think it is. One of the questions I'm most frequently asked by people looking to get into the business and from family and friends not involved in transcription is how someone gets a large audio file to me.

There are several methods a client or company may send you the audio you will be transcribing. Below is a list and description of some of the ways you can send and receive audio.

1. Snail Mail
This method is declining more and more as people switch over to other digital delivery methods. However, there are times when files will be mailed to you in microcassette or CD form if you are willing and able to accept them.

2. File Transfer Protocol or FTP
FTP sites are used to upload and download large files using a server. The process of accessing an FTP site is one that some may have trouble with at first, but it is really quite easy once you have done it. I'll be going over the specifics of using FTP in later posts, so be sure to check back if you have questions.

3. Embedded Links
Companies sometimes host a site with the audio file on it. You could either log in to on the site where an embedded link is displayed or a hyperlink will be sent to you in email form. When you right click on the link you will see an option to "Save Target As." You can then download the audio being hosted on the company's site to your computer by clicking on this.

4. FTP Replacement Sites or File Delivery Services
Clients may choose to send audio files by using an FTP replacement site, such as YouSendIt or SendThisFile. These sites will allow you to upload your file and will then send the recipient a link to a web page where they can retrieve the audio file. There are often fees associated depending on file size and the number of files being sent on the sender's side. The service is free for the recipient.

5. Emailing a Compressed File
There are some programs available that will compress audio files to a size small enough to be emailed. These compressed files can be attached in an email and sent to the recipient without the need for third-party vendors, servers or the need to learn how to use FTP. The downfall is that there is most likely some file quality that is lost during compression.

6. Recording the Audio Using Your Own Equipment
This refers to linking to a live or previously recorded audio stream and recording the audio real time onto your computer. Most often, this method of obtaining audio is used for financial earnings calls. You can read our past posts for information on how to record audio using Total Recorder and Start-Stop Universal.

Just How Important Are Typing Skills for Transcriptionists?

2009-01-18T16:37:00.003-05:00

Many people would argue that typing skills are the foundation for becoming a succesful transcriptionist. I would disagree.

I am a career transcriptionist, earning a competitive full-time income, and I am a very, very poor typist.

No matter how many times I try, I can't seem to get the hang of keeping my fingers on the proper home keys and using the proper fingers to

I hunt and peck, constantly making errors and having to backspace along the way.

On typing tests, I can sometimes hit 75 WPM, if – and only if – I concentrate and use text expanders. However, in reality, I probably type closer to 55-60 WPM. I can't even imagine how slow I was when I first started!

So how have I made this my career if I haven't mastered one of the most basic skillsets? To put it simply, I've compensated.

I use AutoCorrect for my common typing errors, such as jsut instead of just and Iv'e instead of I've.

More importantly, I have thousands of text expanders in my ShortKeys list, saving me hundreds of key strokes

Although my typing is still far from perfect, I've stuck with it and made definite improvements over time.

Don't believe me? Watch this...

General Transcription 101 – New and Improved!

2009-01-16T02:38:00.009-05:00

We're excited to share with you that we've recently revamped the General Transcription 101: Your Complete Guide to Getting Started ebook! In addition, we've written a supplemental ebook on earnings calls, a specialized and highly lucrative segment of the industry, as well as added two additional informational podcasts and transcript keys.

The new and improved package includes all of the following:

General Transcription 101
Your Complete Guide to Financial Earnings Calls
Podcast 1 – JR, Transcription Company CEO
Podcast 1 Transcript Key
Podcast 2 – Sharon Lee Harkey, Purple Shark Transcriptions
Podcast 2 Transcript Key
Podcast 3 – Patrick Gubbins, Way With Words
Podcast 3 Transcript Key
Podcast 4 – Dave Coldiron, Transcription Center
Podcast 4 Transcript Key

Regular price on this virtual fount of information will be $49.99, but of course we wanted to give our loyal readers the opportunity to purchase it at a discounted rate. So through Saturday, January 24th at midnight EST, you can purchase this valuable package for just $34.99!

“General Transcription 101 was well written and provided the exact information needed to begin the process of applying with transcription companies.”

Order now to get started on your path to a career in transcription!!!

If you've purchased General Transcription 101 in the past and are interested in the supplemental earnings call ebook, podcast, and transcript key, we have a special offer for you too. You can purchase this package for just $14.99!

“Since purchasing your e-book last fall, I've told many of my friends & acquaintances about [General Transcription 101]. I've since been hired by AHT Transcription & work shifts on a regular basis. I'm thoroughly enjoying the job.”

~Wendy

Again, this limited time only price will expire at midnight EST on Saturday, January 24th, so don't wait!!!

Research in Action – Unlikely Search Tools

2009-01-14T08:54:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago I was typing a set of files all about collectible cars, mostly famous race cars, their drivers and different records set in the past. Every time I turned around they were talking about a different kind of collectible car that I was having to look up in Google. It was getting to be quite time consuming and was eating into my profitability on the files.

That's when I decided I needed a different method for researching. I got up from my desk, walked to my son's bookshelf, found a large hardcover book and sat back down. One of my son's favorite books is a book I purchased at a school book fair called Mega Wheels (The Most Exciting Cars in the World!).

Success! This book had all of the terms I needed. It has a page all about classic cars, one on recording-holding fast cars, different types of racing cars, muscle cars, everything. I went from typing into Google every three minutes to simply glancing down at this huge picture book laid open on my desk. Another benefit of the book was that it has information on multiple cars on each page. This way I had context and was able to remember spellings and acronyms when they referenced other cars later in the files.

This was definitely a lesson in how to think outside the box. Have you ever had success in researching for a file in an unlikely place?

Tracking Speakers Using Express Scribe

2009-01-12T06:36:00.000-05:00

I've heard – and used – many different methods for keeping track of speakers when transcribing a focus group or group conversation that requires them to be tracked. Here are just a few:

If using Transcription Buddy, you can open the software multiple times. Your pedal/hotkeys will only play your main audio, but you can set the time on each of the others to a separate speaker so that when you're trying to identify a speaker, you can listen to the ones you've identified before. I've even played them over top of one another to see if the cadence and rhythm of their voices were the same.

In Express Scribe, you can use the bookmark feature to mark each speaker. I like that it also allows you to name the bookmarks. One issue I've had is that in order to go back and check the other bookmarks, you have to first bookmark your current place in the audio and then manually reopen it.

To avoid that, I often use this third method. I'll create a copy of the audio (i.e., Audio and Audio2), and load both into Express Scribe. The newest version of Express Scribe holds your place in each audio file when you switch between them (my absolute favorite feature!), so you can set your speaker bookmarks in one file and then transcribe from the other. When you get to a voice you're not sure about, simply switch to the bookmarked file and listen to the speakers until you've made your identification. Click back on the original audio and keep transcribing.

This saves at least five steps each time and it's also saved me a lot of frustration!

What other ways do you use to keep track of your speakers when trying to identify multiple voices?

Organizing Your Tax Information

2009-01-07T05:44:00.000-05:00

With 2009 underway, we have officially closed the books on our earnings in 2008. The only thing left to do now is gather all the information, wait for 1099s to come in the mail and procrastinate until April 15th. Hopefully, you won't be left trying to figure out what numbers to put where and trying to figure out how it is you owe so much more than you thought you were going to on tax day, and one way to decreasing the stress of taxes is to get organized.

Mandi showed us a wonderful template for keeping track of your work as we go through the year and went over the benefits of having it available to you. This is a wonderful place to start off the new year and will ensure that all your information is in order when it comes to do your taxes for 2009. If you don't have a system like that in place already, make sure you start now for next year, and don't panic. While it may be more difficult to gather your information, it isn't mission impossible.

Things to take care of in the next month:

1. Gather all your 1099s as they come in from your contracts and keep them together. It is a good idea to record the numbers in an electronic format as well so you have them to reference easily. Make sure you get a 1099 from all the necessary companies, and figure out the additional income you earned from anyone that would not be required to send you a 1099.

2. Look at your business expenses for the past year, gather receipts and make a detailed list of deductions you are able to take. The IRS site provides a complete list of what is and what is not deductible as a business expense. If you are ever in doubt as to whether something is deductible, it is always a good idea to contact a CPA to answer your question.

Getting your information together early will reduce any stress you may have over filing your taxes in April (or whenever you choose to file them), and it will also help guide whether or not you need to be filing quarterly tax payments for 2009.

Recordkeeping for 2009

2009-01-05T05:54:00.000-05:00

Do you have a system to keep track of each file and how much it pays? While this is something most of us would agree is very important, it's also an easy area to let slip. I didn't keep very good records until 2007, which meant there was no way to confirm or reconcile my 1099s for the previous years.

However, reconciling 1099s is not the only reason you should be keeping good records. Having a running work log also makes invoicing easier, helps you track payment on your files and gives you an idea of how much you're earning on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis without having to constantly do the math in your head.

If you don't currently have one set up, I encourage you to take a few minutes right now and set up an Excel spreadsheet. You can worry about formulas and functionality later, but for now, set up a tab for each company you work for. Double click on the tab to rename it so that you can quickly see where each company's information is kept.

At the top, decide what information you want to include. I use:

Date, File Name, Length in Minutes, Pay Rate Per Minute, Total

(Of course, if you're paid by page, word, etc., you'll have to adjust those)

Enter your files here each and every time they're assigned. You can use this to track your workflow as well by settng up a color code or adding another column to keep notes about the file. Whichever system you choose, you can mark them as pending, in progress, completed, invoiced and paid so that you always know what's outstanding.

I'll share more about how you can increase the functionality of your log later on, but for now, it's enough to just start tracking those files!

We're Back!

2009-01-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, after a sabbatical of several months, we've decided that we miss you all too much to stay away, so we've come to a compromise. Rather than trying to keep up our crazy posting schedule of 7-10+ posts a week, we will each be posting once a week. We hope that although our posts will be less frequent they will still help you in your career as a transcriptionist, whether you're a newbie looking to get started or an experienced transcriptionist looking to increase your productivity.

Thanks again for your support, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Mandi, Tara and Shaina

Podcast: What Transcription Companies are Looking for in ICs, Part 3

2008-10-25T05:53:00.003-04:00

In the third file of our podcast series, I had the opportunity to talk with Patrick Gubbins of Way With Words. He introduces his company and describes what they're looking for in independent contractors and how you can apply. The entire podcast is now available here:

Download here (Right click and choose "Save target as..." to download a copy to your desktop.)

Open in a media player (Please note that some computer systems may only prompt you to download the file using this link.)

ShortKeys Giveaway Winner, One More Time!

2008-10-25T05:11:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately I didn't hear from Melanie, so I've drawn a new winner for this week's ShortKeys' giveaway. Stephanie, you're our new winner. Please send me an email, and we'll get your license set up with Insight Software, the makers of ShortKeys!

ShortKeys Giveaway, Take 2

2008-10-22T05:06:00.007-04:00

Melanie from Merchant Maidens, are you out there? If I don't hear from Melanie in the next 24 hours, I'll draw a new name to receive a copy of ShortKeys from the maker of this and other great software packages, Insight Software Solutions.

A Dozen Uses for Commas, Part 10

2008-10-18T09:27:00.003-04:00

Commas can also be used at the end of sentences to separate contrast between coordinated elements or signal a pause or change in the direction of the sentence.

For example:

Her hands were cold, even freezing.

The oven was preheating, not just sitting empty.

She loved transcription, didn't she?

With all three of these sentences, you can hear a pause when you say them out loud, and the comma is used to signal that pause to the reader. In the first one, "cold even freezing" as a descriptive phrase, doesn't make much sense, but "cold, even freezing" is much easier for the reader to understand.

Winning Résumés and the Winner of the Résumé Critique

2008-10-14T08:09:00.005-04:00

Oops! In the midst of Play It Again week, we forgot to draw a winner of the free résumé critique giveaway, so I'm catching up now! And for the rest of you, I wanted to share this awesome example of tailoring your résumé toward transcription.

First, the winner. Random.org tells me that Melissa is the winner! Melissa, if you e-mail us with your résumé, we'll get that back to you within 48 hours with our comments.

Keep reading, though, because I was so excited when we came across this résumé during one of our résumé critiques that I asked Wendy if I could share it with you all. Although she's been out of the workforce for several years (and we offered her suggestions on how to position her résumé for potential contracts regardless of that gap), she highlighted the skills from her previous experience to emphasize her skills as a transcriptionist:

Public Relations, Company Name
*Telecommuting position with minimal supervision

*Transcription work with prospective members via cell phone

State Certified Sign Language Interpreter, Independent Contractor
*Secured employment opportunities as a freelance interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

*Interpreted in various professional and collegiate settings

State Certified Sign Language Interpreter, School System
*Utilized the ability to listen, mentally process, and reproduce spoken information into another format in both a prompt and thorough manner

*Interpreted for a variety of clients with a vast array of accents, dialects, and speaking styles in a broad spectrum of settings

Notice that in the first two, she highlights her ability to telecommute, work with little supervision, be professional and work as an independent contractor. In this case, she did have a small amount of transcription experience that she could highlight as well, but I really think this résumé would appeal to transcription companies even without that.

What really stood out to me was the third job listing, in which she took her skills as a sign language interpreter and directly tied them to transcription. Someone with the exact same résumé who may not have thought of those associations would be missing out on an opportunity to grab the reader's attention.

While you may not think your previous experience relates to transcription, chances are with some thoughtfulness and creativity you can come up with your own examples. Your entire résumé doesn't have to look at this if the connections aren't as apparent, but you should always tailor your résumé to the position you're trying to obtain.

If you are interested in having us review your résumé and offer tips about how you can more effectively target it for a career in transcription, we offer résumé critiques for $15 each. Order now!

ShortKeys Giveaway Winner

2008-10-13T13:46:00.002-04:00

Melanie at Merchant Maidens, you're the winner of our ShortKeys giveaway sponsored by the maker of ShortKeys, Insight Software Solutions. I can't seem to find an email address for you, so please email us to claim your prize!

Poll Results – How Long Have You Been Doing Transcription?

2008-10-12T16:59:00.003-04:00

It appears as though the majority of our readers, at least the ones who vote, are looking to get into the transcription industry. We're definitely supportive of that, having been there ourselves once. Check out General Transcription 101 for the complete guide on getting started if you haven't already, and feel free to browse our archives for more topics and information.

Play It Again – A Transcriptionist's Mentality

2008-10-11T07:42:00.000-04:00

First published 6/25/08

Probably the most prevalent misconception about transcription is that you're "just typing." Therefore the only skill you really need is the ability to type fast. As Mandi mentioned some time back, typing is actually one of the least important skills. A good transcriptionist has excellent grammar skills, the ability to research effectively, is generally well read and interested in current events, and lastly has the ability to type at an average or slightly above average pace. The ability to type like the wind will in no way make up for being sorely lacking in the other areas.

Above all else, however, is one final skill, and this is probably the most difficult to teach someone. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, and I've often wondered if this is the case in regards to this mentality when it comes to transcription. The skill that I'm speaking of is the ability to be "always on" while transcribing. By that I mean that you're constantly applying critical thinking to what you're typing to ensure that it makes sense in the context of the entire transcript, that you've researched everything that could possibly need to be researched, and that you're consistent in your grammar and style from beginning to end.

It takes an incredible amount of discipline to do this, and even the most diligent transcriptionist will probably slack off from time to time. This is why it's important to leave yourself enough time to review your work before submitting it. Overall consistency is key here, however, and in doing so, you will be a standout with your clients or contracts. Believe me when I say you will be noticed for your efforts, and they will pay off handsomely.

The more I think about it, I believe that this can be a learned skill. If you are goal-oriented and a high achiever, I'm sure you are well on your way to honing this skill. The interesting thing that just occurred to me is that, for the most part, if you're a regular reader of this blog I'm probably preaching to the choir. The people that really need to hear this message probably would never take the time to broaden their skill set by seeking out the type of information we try to provide. So kudos to you for having a transcriptionist's mentality!

Text Expander Lists

2008-10-11T06:35:00.000-04:00

Over the past six months, we've posted almost 30 lists of text expanders to help you grow your own lists. If you haven't taken the time to browse through the lists, here are a few to get you started:

Financial text expanders (especially important as we approach financial earnings call season in the coming weeks!), 1, 2 and 3

Election 2008

I don't... and I (d0)... phrases

Christian terminology

Common phrases (A-C, D-K, L-O, P-Z)

And many more...

Come chat with us at TranscriptionTalk.com. We want to know how you utilize these lists. Do you add them all and try to implement them once they're entered? Do you refer to the lists, adding a couple more each time? Do you just read through them and keep them in the back of your mind and add them when you think you'll remember them?