Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Figure out what your budget is. Dictation software can run anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars, so it's important that you figure out how much you want to spend before you begin to shop.
Step2
Look for reviews. You want to buy dictation software that comes highly recommended, so look around online to get a feel for the different programs out there. If you have any friends or family members who use this type of software, find out what they use and how they like it.
Step3
Buy directly from the source. Once you've settled on a specific program, you're usually better off buying it directly from the manufacturer. They offer the best price, and if you ever run into any problems, they can offer you support for your purchase. Do a quick search online to see who has the best deal, and don't forget to check local stores as well.
Step4
Get to know your program. Once the dictation software arrives, you'll need to devote several hours to train it. Dragon Naturally Speaking and Express Dictate take just a few hours to learn, so you can be up and running fairly quickly. The training process usually consists of you repeating words and phrases back to the computer so that it can pick up your particular style of speech and any accent that you have.
