Searching for a flexible job that doesn’t involve making sales, needs little to no past experience, and allows you to work at home?
Yes, this kind of work exists and being a transcriptionist is one such way. This job gives you the liberty to set your own hours and, in many situations, work as much or as little as you want each week.
While transcription occupations are usually broken into categories that are legal, medical and general, the latter two will usually need previous schooling and/or work experience.
If you’re a beginner, you will want to start with looking into general transcription — so that is what I’m going to concentrate on.
What Do You Have To Get Started as a Transcriptionist?
Transcription requires typing out whatever you hear and listening to audio files. Businesses that hire professional transcriptionists will typically demand a high quality foot pedal for controlling audio playback with your feet along with the popular Express Scribe transcription software.
However, most of the companies that hire newbies are more laid-back in their equipment conditions, so you will only have to really have a computer along with a high-speed internet connection to kick start your freelancer work.
Is Transcription Easy?
It sounds easy enough, right? But just like any other occupation, what is not difficult for one person won’t be for another.
For instance, sometimes the files you listen to will be quite poor quality, which makes it challenging to comprehend what is being said.
Other times, you might find yourself attempting to interpret unclear dialog spoken in English that is poor or with a heavy accent.
The work is in addition, quite repetitive. You’ll need to listen to the exact same sound over and over again in order to be sure you have transcribed it totally. If repetition drives you insane, transcription might not be right work to do.
You may also want to consider doing some affiliate marketing, which I consider to be the best business model on the internet for anyone looking to sell other people’s products.
Does Transcription Pay?
The exact amount you get as a transcriptionist varies with the company you are working for, how much work is available, and of course your skill level as well as your speed.
Generally, most firms that will willingly accept beginners don’t pay very high amounts as compared to the companies that demand previous transcription experience.
Transcription companies typically pay a rate per hour that is audio or a rate per page, although the audio hour pay rate appears to be the most common. It is extremely important to note that an audio hour is not the same as a general routine hour.
It could take you anywhere from two to five hours to transcribe only one hour of sound, depending on your transcription ability level and the complexity of the file.
Experienced transcriptionists regularly consider rates under $45 to $50 per audio hour too low. But if you’re brand-new to the business, you might find it is worth working for a lower rate as you familiarize yourself with the whole process while learning valuable skills that might help you get a better-paying transcription job afterwards.
Here is a listing of legitimate businesses that frequently hire transcriptionists that are newbies. Most of these firms will require that you take brief, simple transcription tests prior to taking you on board.
Since these companies hire newbies as mentioned previously, their pay rates are less than the range for more experienced transcriptionists.
As a newbie, you can consider taking less than $45-50 per audio hour and establish yourself from there. The more experience you have the higher your chances of landing a better paying transcription job in future.Below are some of the best freelance sites where one can find transcription jobs;
- TranscribeMe
You’ll be put on the waiting list for their transcription projects, when you pass the short transcription test of TranscribeMe. These are not long as their audio files are about 10-secondsfiles that you can work anytime you want, they have no deadlines.
The business pays $20 per audio hour. This company does not demand for special experience prior to getting started. You’ll be paid through PayPal for the work done, which makes things very convenient.
- Rev
Prior to handling any project on Rev, a transcriptionist must pass a skills test. Just like is the case with TranscribeMe, a freelancer is free to choose the amount of time and work they are willing to do.
They do not need any special equipment apart from a computer with a reliable Internet connection, and pay weekly by PayPal.
Learn about Rev here and see what the company is all about.
- Tigerfish is an older transcription company that’s been using home-based transcriptionists to transcribe audio files for their clients since 1989. Prior to joining Tigerfish you will need to pass a skills test.
As opposed to some transcription sites, Tigerfish transcriptionists are required to use a foot pedal and other transcription applications to complete the tasks. The company rarely reveals its payments.
- Quicktate
Quicktate will hire newbie transcriptionists once they pass a skills test. Most of what you’ll transcribe for Quicktate is voicemail messages that are short, although there may occasionally be other kinds of files too.
Once you prove yourself on Quicktate, you will get the chance to be promoted to iDictate which is their sister company. The pay here is a little higher as Quicktate pays approximately one cent for each four words transcribed, while iDictate pays two cents for each four words.
- Crowdsurf
Crowdsurf specializes in providing transcribed media to the hearing impaired.
You will get about five or six cents for every 15 seconds of audio transcribed. You’ll be paid through mTurk, which means that your earnings are directly-deposited to your bank account at any given time provided you’ve earned at least $1.
If you are looking to get a little extra money online, give one of these freelance transcription sites a try. These are jobs that require little to no investment and over time you will gain a lot of experience that could open doors to a much better-paying transcription chance in the foreseeable future.
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