By Keith Lemons
The debate about realtime being the future of our profession is past. It is the now of our profession. Whether one actually supplies realtime to attorneys, lawyers, CART clients, and judges isn’t the issue on the table; it’s whether realtime makes us better reporters. Here’s why:
- Realtime gives you instant feedback. You know you’re getting it.
- By learning how to define from the steno keyboard, you learn to brief on the fly.
- Realtime is like playing a full-time game of Words with Friends – only it’s you and your ego.
- It makes you a better writer.
- It’s a challenge to continue to improve.
- Becoming a better writer decreases editing time.
- Decreased editing time makes you more proficient.
- More proficient reporters increase production.
- Increased production leads to more requests from clients.
- And it all adds up to more income, which translates into instant feedback.
Keith Lemons, RPR, CRR, is a freelance court reporter in Brentwood, Tenn., and a JCR Contributing Editor. He can be reached at k.lemons@comcast.net.
