Ask any Podcast Editor how to reduce the time it takes to edit a podcast and they will tell you “Learn your hot keys”.
Hot Keys, also known as keyboard shortcuts, allow you to press a single key or combination of keys to execute a command on the screen.
Increased speed means more edits per hour!
More edits per hour means more projects done in a day, which in turn creates more revenue for my business (or more time to mow the lawn – but that's not why you're here).
When I heard you could purchase a USB mouse with programmable keys on the side, I just HAD to have one.
…but I ended up purchasing two mice: One for home and one for travel.
UtechSmart Venus 16400 DPI Gaming Mouse
Upon a recommendation in my Podcast Editor's Club Facebook group, I purchased the UtechSmart Venus gaming mouse (currently under $35 on Amazon*).
A wired USB mouse with great response, a 12-key setup on the side, and other programmable keys to truly customize your editing setup.
My experience with the UtechSmart Venus
The mouse feels great!
- The buttons were located where my thumb could easily find them
- The removable “tuning set” allowed me to adjust it to the weight I like
- The “profile” was exactly what I had hoped for. It allows me to pick up the mouse and move it around without losing grip
This has become my main editing mouse for several years.
Redragon M908 Impact Gaming Mouse
Another member of my Podcast Editor's Club Facebook group gave a personal testimony for the Redragon Perdition gaming mouse (currently under $35 on Amazon*).
She had borrowed it from her husband and found it worked on her Mac right away.
I found that to be true as well.
Another wired mouse that hasn't failed me. The Redragon M908 has been my traveling buddy since before COVID!
My experience with the Redragon IMPACT
- This mouse also feels great in my hand, but the “profile” wasn't as pronounced – slipping a little more than I wanted
- However, I like the texture of the right/left mouse buttons better
- If you use a scroll wheel often, then you'll like the Redragon Impact's better than the UtechSmart Venus
The programmable side buttons are nearly identical to the UtechSmart Venus, and the cursor was much easier to follow/control.
This is why the Redragon Perdition is the mouse that travels with me.
Redragon M913 Impact Elite (wireless)
Prefer to go wireless? The M913 boasts up to 45 hour battery life and charges in just 4 hours.
*Disclosure: As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases through the links included in this post and throughout the website. Thank you in advance for your support!
The ROI on Programmable Mouse Buttons
For me, the programmable buttons on the side of either mouse are going to work exactly as the numbers on a normal keyboard.
For example: Numbers 7 through 0 are located too far for my left hand to easily reach on the keyboard.
By using the gaming mouse with programmable keys, I'm able to keep my left hand on the keyboard, use right hand on the mouse to execute commands assigned to numbers 7 through 0…all while keeping my eyes on the screen.
Keyboard shortcuts will pay for themselves in productivity within a month or two.
Example: Saving .5 seconds each time a programmed key is used on a gaming mouse can save the average professional editor 6.7 minutes in a month.
Using just half of the programmable keys regularly can, in theory, save a half hour in a month.
If you earn $50 per hour, then the time savings translated into earning more than the mouse cost…and that's just in the first month!
I estimate the time savings has been 10x the price of the mouse in a matter of months! 🤑 I call that a #win.
What have you purchased to help improve your efficiency or productivity?
Want my keyboard shortcut list?
I've nearly mastered the shortcuts in Audacity, and have re-programmed a bunch of them to fit my needs.
It only makes sense to use keys located on the left side of the keyboard so your right hand can stay on the mouse. 🐭
Download a pdf of my keyboard shortcuts to get an idea of what's possible (and begin to make keyboard shortcuts of your own).
