Resources
Essential Tools for Transcription Companies
I’ve tried A LOT of tools and programs over the 10+ years that I’ve been a transcriptionist, and I’ve learned through trial and error what works and what doesn’t. Below are the tools that I’ve found essential to the success of my transcription company. Before you take a look at those resources, be sure to check out the FREE tools I’ve created just for transcriptionists who want to grow their business, my Transcription Workflow Template for Trello and my 30-Day Guide to Starting Your Own Transcription Company.
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Transcription Essentials
Free Transcription Software
The FTW Transcriber is the most popular transcriber. I love the automatic timestamp feature. And in my opinion, the audio quality is better through FTW than it is through other transcription softwares. The free version provides all of the necessary functionality, but if you decide to upgrade to the paid version, be sure to use Discount Code: adastra22
Free Voice-to-Text Software
For verbatim transcription, I use Otter.ai. You’ll still need to make corrections to the transcripts it produces, but Otter.ai does a great job overall. I’ve used it quite a bit for accented English. You can create a list of speakers and a word list, which is particularly helpful if your audio contains industry-specific terms or acronyms.
Grammarly
Free Proofreading Software
Grammarly is essential for transcription. I use the grammar checker on every single transcript. The tool decreases my editing time exponentially and ensures that I never overlook a mistake. The free version checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The paid version also checks word choice and tone.
Business Essentials
Virtual Office Tools
Google Workspace is the central hub for my transcription company. Having all of our productivity tools in one place with the ability to collaborate across teams keeps my company running efficiently. Get a 14-day FREE TRIAL, then use Discount Code MCQNEYXCQTYX4HM to get 10% off the Business Starter Plan.
Pay & Get Paid for Free
Melio allows me to pay freelance transcriptionists and vendors for free. I can also receive invoice payments for free and integrate all of the transactions with my accounting software. Paying international contractors is also an option, but for a fee. Melio is also set up to handle teams. It’s really the best B2B payment platform I’ve ever seen.
Legal & Contract Templates
A Self Guru offers all types of legal templates created by a lawyer. The templates are easy to customize and provide you with all the protection your transcription services could ever need. The Freelancers Legal Bundle is a great place to start, whether you work alone or hire freelance transcriptionists.
