Beginner’s Guide: How to Start Transcription in Kenya and Build a Successful Career

Transcription is the process of converting audio or video recordings into written text. It is a popular work from home job in Kenya that offers flexible working hours and decent pay. If you are interested in starting transcription as a career, here are the steps you can follow to get started.

Invest in Good Quality Headphones and a Computer

Step 1 of starting transcription in Kenya involves investing in good quality headphones and a computer. These are the two essential tools you will need to transcribe audio or video recordings into written text.

When it comes to headphones, it is essential to invest in a noise-cancelling headphone that can block out external noise and help you focus on the audio. A noise-cancelling headphone will also help you pick up on subtle nuances in the audio that you might otherwise miss.

There are different types of headphones available in the market, including over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones. Over-ear headphones are the most recommended for transcription as they are comfortable to wear for long periods and provide good sound quality. However, on-ear and in-ear headphones can also be used for transcription, depending on personal preference.

Also see: List of part time jobs for University students in Kenya

In addition to a good quality headphone, you will also need a computer with a reliable internet connection. A desktop or laptop computer is recommended for transcription as they are more powerful and have larger screens, which makes it easier to read the text while transcribing.

When it comes to the specifications of the computer, it should have sufficient memory and processing power to handle the transcription software and other applications. A minimum of 4GB RAM and a dual-core processor is recommended. You should also have a good internet connection that is stable and fast enough to upload and download audio files.

Develop Good Typing Skills

Developing good typing skills is crucial for anyone interested in starting transcription in Kenya. Transcribing requires fast and accurate typing, as you will need to keep up with the audio while typing the spoken words. Here are some tips to help you improve your typing skills:

1. Practice regularly: The more you practice typing, the faster and more accurate you will become. You can find typing exercises and tests online to help you practice regularly.
2. Learn touch typing: Touch typing involves typing without looking at the keyboard. It can help you type faster and more accurately. You can learn touch typing by enrolling in an online course or using online resources like TypingClub.
3. Use proper hand placement: When typing, your fingers should rest on the home row keys (ASDF for the left hand and JKL; for the right hand). This hand placement will help you type faster and more accurately.
4. Minimize errors: When typing, aim to minimize errors by typing each word correctly. If you make a mistake, go back and correct it before moving on to the next word.
5. Take breaks: Typing can be tiring, so it’s important to take breaks to rest your fingers and avoid strain. Take a break every 30 minutes or so to stretch your fingers and rest your eyes.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your typing skills and become a faster and more accurate typist. This will help you keep up with the audio when transcribing and produce high-quality transcriptions that meet the client’s expectations.

Learn Transcription Guidelines

Transcription guidelines provide instructions on how to transcribe audio or video recordings accurately and consistently. These guidelines are essential for maintaining high-quality transcripts that are easy to read and understand. Some of the common guidelines that transcriptionists follow include:

1. Use proper punctuation: Transcriptionists should use proper punctuation to make the transcript easy to read and understand. This includes using commas, periods, and question marks in the right places.
2. Transcribe verbatim: Transcriptionists should transcribe the audio or video recordings exactly as they are spoken, including any hesitations, false starts, or filler words. This helps to maintain the accuracy and authenticity of the transcript.
3. Indicate non-verbal sounds: Transcriptionists should indicate any non-verbal sounds in the transcript, such as laughter, coughing, or background noises. This helps to provide context to the transcript and make it more understandable.
4. Identify speakers: Transcriptionists should identify the speakers in the transcript to make it clear who is speaking at any given time. This can be done by using speaker tags or by providing a description of the speaker.
5. Handle difficult words or accents: Transcriptionists should have a good understanding of different accents and be able to transcribe difficult words accurately. This may require research or consultation with the client or the speaker.
6. Format the transcript: Transcriptionists should follow a consistent formatting style when transcribing. This includes using a clear and legible font, using proper indentation and line spacing, and using bold or italicized text for emphasis.

By following these guidelines, transcriptionists can produce high-quality transcripts that are accurate, easy to read, and provide a true representation of the audio or video recording. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these guidelines and ensure that you follow them consistently to build a successful transcription career.

Build Your Portfolio

Building a portfolio is an essential step to starting transcription in Kenya. Your portfolio showcases your skills and experience, and it can help you land transcription jobs. Here are some tips on how to build your portfolio:

1. Start by Transcribing Simple Recordings

To build your portfolio, you can start by transcribing simple audio or video recordings of friends or family members. This can include interviews, podcasts, or YouTube videos. These recordings can be used as samples to show potential clients or employers your transcription skills.

2. Use Online Transcription Tools

There are several online transcription tools that can help you transcribe audio or video recordings quickly and accurately. You can use tools like Otter.ai, Happy Scribe, or TranscribeMe. These tools can help you transcribe your recordings, and you can use the transcribed text as a sample for your portfolio.

3. Choose a Niche

Transcription covers a broad range of topics, including legal, medical, and academic transcription. Choosing a niche can help you stand out from other transcriptionists and attract clients in that field. For example, if you have a background in medicine, you can specialize in medical transcription.

4. Highlight Your Skills

When building your portfolio, it is essential to highlight your skills. You can include information on your typing speed, accuracy, and your knowledge of transcription guidelines. This information can help potential clients or employers understand your capabilities as a transcriptionist.

5. Keep Your Portfolio Up-to-date

Your portfolio should be up-to-date and showcase your most recent work. You can add new samples to your portfolio as you complete new transcription jobs. This can help potential clients or employers see your progress and growth as a transcriptionist.

In a word, building a portfolio is a crucial step to starting transcription in Kenya. Your portfolio should showcase your skills, experience, and capabilities as a transcriptionist. By following the tips outlined above, you can build a strong portfolio that can help you land transcription jobs and grow your career.

Find Transcription Jobs

Once you have built your portfolio, it is time to start looking for transcription jobs. There are several ways to find transcription jobs in Kenya, including:

1. Freelance platforms: Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are excellent places to find transcription jobs. These platforms allow you to create a profile, showcase your skills and experience, and bid on transcription jobs.
2. Transcription Companies: Transcription companies like TranscribeMe, Scribie, and GoTranscript are always hiring transcriptionists. You can visit their websites, submit your application, and wait for them to contact you.
3. Facebook Groups: There are several transcription Facebook groups where you can find job postings and network with other transcriptionists. Examples include Kenya Transcribers and Transcription Job Board Kenya.
4. Networking: Networking with other transcriptionists can also lead to job opportunities. Attend transcription webinars or join transcription forums like Transcription Essentials and interact with other transcriptionists.

When looking for transcription jobs, it is essential to be cautious of scams. Some job postings may be fake, and scammers may ask you to pay for training or provide personal information. Always research the company or individual offering the job, and if the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Keep Improving Your Skills

Transcription is a skill that requires continuous improvement. To stay competitive, you should keep improving your skills by taking online courses or attending webinars on transcription. You can also learn from other transcriptionists by joining online forums or groups.

In conclusion, starting transcription in Kenya requires a good quality headphone, a computer, good typing skills, knowledge of transcription guidelines, a portfolio, and finding transcription jobs. By following these steps and continuously improving your skills, you can build a successful transcription career in Kenya.