| Years ago, I was the only in-house transcriptionist for a busy worker’s compensation clinic. My daily task was to transcribe every patient visit between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It translated to about 80,000 keystrokes per day. The routine was simple: after the doctors met with the patient, they would dictate their findings, and then I would transcribe what they dictated. While the work was often tedious, it was also somewhat entertaining. For instance, I vividly remember a patient injuring the inside of his nose while trying to extract a stubborn “b-o-o-g-e-r.” I spelled it out because the doctor spelled it out for me in his dictation. True story! We had a British doctor on our team, and his distinctive accent frequently presented challenges. The reason wasn’t his rapid speech but rather the differences between British and American English. I recall when I was perplexed by a word he pronounced as “gair-auge.” The initial part, “gair,” sounded similar to “fair” but with a “g.” I had to halt my transcription, print the portion I’d already transcribed, and consult the doctor for clarification. As it turned out, it was the American English word for “garage.” These experiences bring me to the purpose of this newsletter. There are several reasons for transcription, but today, I’d like to share 3 that are crucial for your business. 1. Clarity Amidst Dialects and Distractions: Transcription can help clear up confusion caused by regional dialects, audible distractions, background noise, or interruptions in speech. 2. Transforming Spoken to Written: Transcription plays a pivotal role in converting spoken content into written forms, such as: *Physician’s Office Notes *Legal Pleadings *YouTube/Podcast Transcripts *Webinars/Online Coaching Programs *Online Lesson Modules 3. Enhanced SEO and Accessibility: Adding an audio transcript to your podcast or video provides a significant SEO boost. Search engines can recognize all the keywords, making your content more discoverable. It also enhances accessibility for those who prefer or require text-based content. As demonstrated in my story above, incorrect words, misspellings, or gaps in an office visit note can be disastrous, especially in a worker’s compensation case where accurate information is paramount. Similarly, when trying to comprehend content from a podcast, video, online webinar, or online class module, a transcribed version can help clarify what you heard. In a world where effective communication is your key to success, embracing transcription services is a strategic choice that can set your business apart. Therefore, when you come across different dialects or craft valuable content, remember the profound impact of transcription. |