Unlocking Efficiency and Productivity: The Importance of Touch Typing for Professionals

When I tell people that I run a touch typing business, they fall into two camps. The most common response is “I can’t touch type but I get by with typing using a couple of fingers”. To me, this is a bit like saying “I play the piano with just my index fingers” – it might work to some extent, but you’re limiting your speed and your potential. Just for starters, touch typing, using all fingers, allows you to keep your mind free to think about the content you’re writing instead of where the keys are located.

The second, and less common response to my new business, is from people who have been on a touch typing course themselves; they enthusiastically tell me that it was one of the most useful skills they’ve ever learnt, and they can’t imagine what it would be like not to be able to touch type.

So why is it so useful?

1. Speed and Accuracy Matter: In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, typing

quickly and accurately is a tremendous asset. Once mastered, touch typing allows you to input information at a pace that traditional “hunting and pecking” simply cannot match. Increased typing speed not only saves valuable time but also ensures that deadlines are met without compromising the quality of work.

2. Focus on Content, Not the Keyboard: Touch typing liberates you from the constant need to look at the keyboard while typing. When you're not staring down at your fingers, your focus can remain on the content you're producing. This is particularly crucial for tasks that require concentration, creativity, and critical thinking. The ability to type without visual confirmation of keys enhances cognitive engagement and overall workflow.

3. Professional Image and Multi-tasking: Touch typing allows you to listen and contribute to a meeting whilst typing your notes directly into your laptop. This is similar to driving a car whilst having a conversation – assuming you’re not a learner(!) both driving and speaking are second nature and can easily be done simultaneously. This multi-tasking means you can maintain eye contact with clients or colleagues whilst documenting information. This leads to the next point…

4. Digital notetaking: There are several benefits to keeping digital notes, rather than writing in notebooks. Post-meeting minutes and actions can be quickly circulated if required, rather than typing from scratch after the meeting. Meeting notes can be saved and easily retrieved using the meeting date, or search functions. Personally, I use Microsoft OneNote for meeting notes, many other programs can be used for the same purpose. For me, the most important features are a good search functionality and the ability to organise meetings into groups/topics.

5. Ergonomic Benefits: Beyond productivity gains, touch typing promotes a relaxed and natural posture. By maintaining a proper hand position and utilising all fingers, you don't strain your neck or hunch over the keyboard to see the keys, minimising the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).

6. Touch Typing in the Age of AI

AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Gemini are rapidly becoming part of the professional workflow. The faster and more accurately you can type, the more you get out of these tools. Writing clear, well-structured prompts quickly, reviewing and editing AI-generated output, and integrating AI into fast-paced workflows all depend on confident keyboard fluency. Far from making touch typing redundant, AI has made it more valuable.

Conclusion:

In today's digital age, touch typing is more than just a skill — it is a strategic advantage. As AI tools become embedded in professional life and the pace of work continues to accelerate, the ability to communicate quickly, accurately and effortlessly is more important than ever. Investing 14 hours in the Typeify Professionals touch typing course is an investment in your efficiency, productivity and professional success for the long term.

Typeify also offers touch typing courses for students, including a 13-week DofE course and flexible holiday courses. Find out more here.