Just keep typing - mrs_peanut10

Working for $4 an hour-reponse - jolly Mt

Suggestions ?? - Older than dirt

I am assuming you are straight typing and not doing speech recognition. 

Unfortunately, speed is not your main problem.  Your main problem is that you are only making 5 cents per line. 

I do not want to discourage you, however, there are some facts of life that schools do not tell their Newbies. 

It will take time to build up your expander or shortcuts, and every time you add something new that may help you six months from now, you are taking time today to do that, which slows you down even more.  Only time will help in that regard.  The longer you type, the more you become familiar with the terminology, and the more extensive your expander/shortcuts will become, which will allow you to produce more lines per hour.  There is a reason why most MTSOs want someone with at least 2 years experience.  They figure by that time, their knowledge base and personal expanders/shortcuts will allow them to meet their minimum daily line counts without difficulty. 

However, nothing can help with the 5 cents per line you are making. 

Just something to give you a comparison (based on straight typing, not speech recognition):

Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.  At 5 cents per line, you need to average 145 lines per hour. 

Most MTSOs currently require a minimum line count between 125 and 150 lines per hour.

Most Newbies start out transcribing at under 100 lines per hour.

Experienced MTs average 200 to 250 lines per hour.  Averaging 300 lines per hour is considered very good for most experienced MTs, and very few MTs can sustain that line count on a consistent basis.    

Reality:

A starting experienced MT is currently paid about 8 cents per line.  If he/she types the minimum of 150 lines per hour, he/she will make $12.00 per hour.

You are being paid 5 cents per line.  In order for you to make the same amount ($12.00 per hour), you would need to type an average of 240 lines per hour. 

Suggestions:

Work on your expanders/shortcuts.  If you can, search for lists which are sometimes published on the internet and add expanders/shortcuts when you are not working. 

Keep distractions away.  Lock yourself in your office if you have to.  Every time you look away or take your hands off the keyboard to answer a question or listen for what is happening in the next room, the less time you are typing and your concentration is interrupted.  That alone will cause you to lose lots of time which equals less lines typed. 

I am assuming you are an Independent Contractor and not an employee, because if you are an employee, your company is required to pay you at least minimum wage, no matter what you actually transcribe per hour. 

If your employer is a good person, as you indicated, maybe you can ask what you need to do to jump to the next level.  Will they increase your cents per line after a probationary period or when you reach so many lines per hour consistently?  If they do not indicate when you will be given a raise, after you have been with them for one year, you probably should start putting out applications while you are still working there because at 5 cents per line, it will be years before you make it past minimum wage.

Again, not trying to discourage you, just trying to let you know what the reality is – not what your school told you.  

Good luck to you.  I wish you well. 

keep trying - Gamoma3

keep trying - hc