Home-based transcription allows you to work from the comfort of your home and make a good living without any special education or experience. Even though like in any other real job, it will take you practice with the study to gain efficiency, a transcription career is very rewarding due to the pay and flexibility it offers.
Here are some top tips on how to kick start your new career in the world of transcription:
What Is Transcription Work?
To put it simply, transcription is converting live audio or its recorded version into an electronic document. The myriad forms of audio could be a lecture, interviews, a podcast or a webinar, etc. General transcription, as the name implies, is a type of transcription that requires the conversion of audios under any genre, including webinars, business recordings, interviews, and telephone conversations, just to name a few. This kind of transcription does not require specific knowledge on any subject.
What Skills or Characteristics are Necessary for Becoming an Expert Transcriptionist?
Good command over English grammar and punctuation is a must for one to become a transcriber. If you can discern properly between the US and UK English, that's an added advantage.
Once you begin transcription work, you will realize that the audios differ in terms of quality, accent, speed, etc. If you are a keen listener, you have a better chance of getting the words right.
You could encounter audios with non-English words, or a word that you may never have heard before. It would require research on Google to discern words that could be names of towns, people or other things that are not clear in the audio. This would enhance the acceptability of the work you submit.
Sometimes, transcribing a single file could produce several hundred, or perhaps thousands of words. It goes without saying then, that you need a good typing speed to perform better at work.
Good Command Over English
Sharp Listening Skills
Ability to Research
Typing Speed
How Much Money Can You Make as a Transcriptionist?
An experienced transcriptionist is generally able to transcribe one hour of audio in about three hours, while a newer transcriptionist may take even more time: it translates to $25 per audio hour, making it really not worth your time. A respectable pay would be somewhere in the range of $50 to $60 per audio hour.
Here is a list of online websites where you can find online transcription jobs:
1. TranscribeMe
Number one on our list of transcription jobs website is TranscribeMe. TranscribeMe is a transcription website that creates opportunities for anyone who has typing skills. Transcriptionists can transcribe almost any type of audio, from voice messages to podcasts or YouTube videos, and make money by submitting their work in real-time.
Transcribers are paid up to $0.60 per audio minute on the program, with average earnings coming out to around $150 per month.
2. Scribie
Scribie offers general transcription services. You can do these jobs at home and work around your own schedule. Scribie has been in the transcription industry for over 20 years, and Scribies can choose from several different types of work. Scribie offers jobs such as transcriptions, captioning, digital voice-overs, data entry services, and more.
Before applying and taking its certification test, transcribers can also work on various practice tests to improve their skills. In addition to being an accurate typist, the company looks for someone who can correct both manual and automated transcripts.
It pays out $5 to $25 per audio hour rather than weekly or monthly. And your earnings accrue daily in your Scribie account- so you can transfer them as you see fit.
3. GoTranscript
GoTranscript is an online web-based transcription and translation company. They are always looking for excellent writing, editing, listening skills, and fluent English speakers (or those that can understand it). You will also need experience in transcribing audio files of various lengths. I recommend you check them out when you are just starting.
Transcribers on the platform get paid $0.60 for every video minute transcribed— coming out to an average of $150 per month and top earners cashing out more than $1200 monthly.
4. Rev
Rev is a startup based in San Francisco and Austin that allows freelancers to work online as transcribers. They are always looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join them and offer transcription services.
Unfortunately, they don’t accept Kenyan transcribers. Rev accepts Transcription and Caption freelancers from the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- The United States but not Canada.
The range of pay on rev is from $0.30 to $1.10 Per audio/video minute.
5. CastingWords
CastingWords allows anyone to sign up and transcribe. Casting Words pays for every minute completed at a rate of $0.60 per audio or video minute, which comes out to an average of $150 per month in earnings for most people who work on Casting Words regularly.
Once you’ve signed up with CastingWords, you will be asked whether you want to set your preferences— that way, they can match what projects are best suited to your skillset as soon as possible!
6. Speechpad
You may have seen ads for Speechpad on your Facebook News Feed or Google search results, but you’re not sure what Speechpad is. SpeechPad is a website that offers transcription services to individuals and businesses alike. You can find work as either an individual or collaborate with other transcribers in the industry to create teams of freelancers.
Speechpad accepts applications from anyone, which means you don’t need any previous experience to get started! All you need is a computer with internet access and basic typing skills.
7. Verbal Ink (Now Ubiqus On-Demand)
Verbal Ink is a transcription company that has been in business for over ten years. They offer services to companies and individuals alike, with the ability to serve both individual projects or large-scale enterprises such as universities, major medical centers, law firms, and even government entities!
You will have to pass a test to get started working for Verbal Ink, and if you pass, it will be up to Verbal Ink’s discretion whether or not they want to hire you.
If you have a good grasp of English and can pass a thorough screening process, Verbal Ink is worth consideration. To be considered, you need to provide your resume and cover letter in the application process.
The company has rebranded to Ubiqus On Demand.
8. GMR Transcription
GMR Transcription is dedicated to providing high-quality transcription services. They work with universities, government, and medical institutions, non-profit organizations, or the legal community.
To apply, submit a resume and take a short transcription test. GMR Transcripts is flexible in that you can work when you want to and as often as you need to. Have access to the internet on your computer, Microsoft Office Suite, foot pedal, and over-the-ear headphones.
9. Appenscribe
Appenscribe is a transcription service that offers transcription work to freelancers all over the world. So if you are fluent in multiple languages, you will have plenty of work on this platform.
They will provide you with work at your convenience and pay you $0.005/word.
To apply, create an Appenscribe profile that includes contact information and proof of identification such as passport copy or driver’s license copy to confirm identity and country of origin. Appenscribe also requires transcripts to be returned within two hours after accepting them–if not, wage rates may change depending on how many audio minutes remain in the file.
10. Crowdsurf
The Crowdsurf platform is a web-based transcription service that requires no download or installation. Crowdsurf also offers an in-browser editor, which you can use to make notes while transcribing, and allows you to take advantage of shortcuts for common tasks like changing formatting, inserting punctuation, etc.
To apply, you need a Mechanical Turk account which is an Amazon company.
Conclusion
If you are interested in beginning a career as an online transcriber, hopefully, this article has given you some knowledge on how to find jobs and what skills might be required.