How to Increase Your Output as a Writer by 250% or More
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All of us who work as internet marketers and writers wish that there was an easy way that we could add more hours to the day and get more of our ideas out of our minds and into written form.
While there’s no way to add more time to the day we can get more out of the limited time that we do have by using one of two simple techniques: (1) use audio recorders and online transcription services, and (2) use dictation software.
Many studies indicate that an average person can speak at nearly 250 words per minute while the best typists can only reach 100 words per minute. So by speaking and then having it transcribed you can with less effort and a reduced risk of repetitive stress injuries have 250% higher output as a writer.
Use Audio Recorders and Online Transcription Services
What I do to drastically increase my output as a writer is to record my ideas as audio as they come to me and then send the file off to a friend of mine who is unemployed for transcription. Within 24 hours he returns a quality word-for-word transcription of what I said which I then quickly edit into a coherent article ready to post on my websites, blogs, hubs, etc. If you don’t know anyone that would be willing to listen to you drone on and on then you can use one of many online audio transcription services to achieve the same effect.
Use Dictation Software
If you aren’t willing to pay a transcriptionist you can shell out a few bucks for some dictation software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking or Dragon Dictate. I personally have used Dragon Dictate on my Mac with limited results and prefer to use a recorder and transcription but if you use a Dragon-approved microphone I’m sure you’ll have better results than I did (I tried it with a microphone that I had lying around). Outside of Dragon there’s not many other products that are decent and actually quite a few products are powered by Nuance’s Dragon engine under the hood (such as Siri in the Apple iPhone).
So, since there’s no way to extend the day we have to make better use of the hours that we do have by using the best in time management practices, technology, tools, and techniques.
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This is a great hub. As a lawyer I depend on dictation and can attest to its benefits. It saves so much time and is definitely worth the cost. When I was a broke college student and couldn't afford the software, I simply used an inexpensive hand-held recorder. I had to type the transcript myself, but the recorder allowed me to "write" anywhere.
I've only done the transcription software and agree that it boosts productivity, but it does require some practice. How much does a transcription service cost? Voting this Up and Useful.
@alocsin - prices vary depending on who you go with and the length of your audio. I pay 50 cents per minute of audio but other sites charge a penny per word of transcribed audio. You can also use Amazon's Mechanical Turk service to get transcriptions for cheap, too.
ChristinS Level 5 Commenter 3 months ago
Interesting hub. I have considered trying Dragon Naturally Speaking, but not sure if it's worth the high price. I can definitely see even recording though and later transcribing my own recordings even. Good ideas - thanks :)