Tips for Improving Your Typing Speed and Accuracy

Excellent listening and typing skills are two of the most important factors that will determine your success as a transcriptionist. When it comes to listening, all you need is to set up a quiet working environment and wear a good pair of headphones. On the other hand, improving your typing skills requires some practice.

Proficient transcriptionists not only type fast, but are also accurate. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can start implementing today to improve your typing speed and accuracy.

Read the five tips below that will help you to grow as a transcriptionist by improving your typing speed and accuracy.

i) Practice makes perfect

One of the easiest ways to improve your typing speed is to type a lot. Make a habit of transcribing a couple of audio files every day for practice. You can find free audio files to transcribe on YouTube.

Before starting to type, make sure you are following the correct typing technique. For example, you should type with both hands and one of your thumb fingers should always be on the keyboard. This is the basic principle of typing fast.

ii) Sit in a comfortable position

Make sure your body is positioned comfortably before starting to type. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back inwards. Moreover, use a table at a good height to allow your wrists and fingers to rest on the keyboard. The lower part of your body should also be comfortable and your feet firmly on the ground.

When your fingers or wrists start getting tired, take a break. Taking short breaks occasionally as you work is important to remain productive. The breaks help to alleviate strain on the eyes and fatigue on the fingers and wrists.

iii) Don’t look at the keyboard

To improve your typing speed, avoid looking at the keyboard. This may sound counterintuitive when you are still struggling to figure out where the particular keys are on the keyboard. However, looking at the keyboard will only slow you down and inhibit your quest to improving your typing speed.

If you still have to look at the keyboard to find particular keys, take a couple of online typing practice tests to get familiar with the keyboard. Here is a good site you can start with.

iv) Take typing speeds tests

Typing speed tests not only help to increase the WPM, but also accuracy. There are different online typing tests you can take. When you practice the tests for a couple of days, you will notice a significant improvement in your typing speed.

Use the typing speed practice websites to get your fingers accustomed to the keyboard layout and know where particular keys are located. Most of the typing practice websites show how to use all your fingers to type.

At first, you may struggle using the particular fingers recommended to type specific letters. However, as you continue practicing, you will get used to the new way of typing and see a remarkable improvement in your typing speed.

v) Proofread your work

The final tip is about reviewing your work.

To type fast and accurately, your eyes should be fixed on your computer screen rather than the keyboard. Seeing what you are typing on the screen will help you catch errors that you can correct immediately.

After completing a transcription job, proofread your content. A final content spell checking and proofreading the accuracy of the vocabulary used will ensure you produce flawless transcription and enhance your credibility as a Transcription services provider.

Follow the five tips above to improve your typing speed and accuracy.

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