Ever wondered how to make extra money from home with minimal resources, a bit of cleverness, and plenty of free time? Well, legitimate online transcription jobs for beginners might be just what you’re looking for!
Transcription is super flexible, making it an ideal side hustle or even a full-time job. You can work around your own schedule and do it all from the comfort of your home.
What is Transcription?
In short, transcription is the process of turning audio or video material into text. Your role as a transcriptionist is to listen to audio files and transcribe them into a written document. It’s a convenient means of simplifying information so that it’s easier to comprehend, particularly in healthcare, where physicians tend to prefer text over audio for its clarity.
Doctors, for example, would dictate their notes, and a transcriptionist would type them up into a document for the patient to read.
Transcription can be of various kinds, such as Edited transcription, Verbatim transcription, Intelligent verbatim transcription, and Phonetic transcription.
Transcription is primarily divided into three categories:
General Transcription (less experienced required)
Legal Transcription (some background knowledge required)
Medical Transcription (certification is required)
How to Become a Transcriptionist?
To start transcription work, you require some essential skills:
- Good listening and comprehension
- Quick typing (a minimum of 60 words per minute)
- Strong internet connectivity and a laptop/PC
You will also require some devices such as:
- A foot pedal (for controlling audio playback)
- A transcription headset
- Transcription software, e.g., Express Scribe
As you get more experienced, you’ll find that having a foot pedal can really speed up your efficiency. And the more you transcribe, the higher your pay!
Skills You Need
In addition to technical specs, here are some essential skills:
- Communication skills (particularly for deciphering complicated content)
- Typing speed and precision – Errors hold you back, so prioritize precision.
- English knowledge (crucial for grammar and spelling)
- Knowledge of foreign languages (a plus if you come across foreign language audio)
Beginner General Transcription Training
Though there are many online courses to choose from, one of the best ways to begin is at TranscribeAnywhere.com. Created by Janet Shaughnessy, the website is high-quality training for both general transcription and legal transcription, with certification options. If you’re not sure, you can begin with their free 7-lesson mini-course.
How Much Can You Earn as a Transcriptionist?
Based on ZipRecruiter, the mean annual salary of general transcription in the United States is approximately $47,067, with legal transcriptionists making about $46,930 and medical transcriptionists about $42,722.
Your pay, though, is based on speed, accuracy, as well as the nature of work. When you are a beginner, it pays about $16.39 per hour, depending on PayScale statistics.
How to increase your income:
- Do more difficult jobs.
- Work directly with clients to eliminate middleman fees.
- Get specialized in legal or medical transcription, which pays better.
Top 30 Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
If you’re ready to get started, try out these transcription companies that are beginner-friendly:
- GMR Transcription
- Pay: $10-$15 per audio file, up to $3,000/month.
- GMR Transcription has top brands as their clients, and you get to pick your assignments.
- Rev Transcription
- Pay: $2-$30 per hour.
- They provide transcriptions and captions for a range of clients, including large networks such as CBS and Disney.
- Pioneer Transcription Services
- Pay: Varies by skill level.
- They require high-quality output and provide both regular and rush jobs.
- QuickTate
- Pay: $5-$10 per hour.
- QuickTate does phone call transcriptions for large companies such as Ford and Coca-Cola.
- Tigerfish Transcription
- Pay: 5-10 cents per line.
- A reputable firm with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
- Casting Words
- Pay: $0.02 to $1 per minute.
- Clients include NASA and BBC.
- AccuTran Global
- Pay: 0.5 to 0.7 cents per word.
- They have a basic test to get you started.
- Daily Transcription
- Pay: 75-85 cents per audio minute.
- They have jobs available for TV shows, academic writing, and more.
- Scribie
- Pay: $5 to $25 per audio hour.
- Scribie has a wide range of files to transcribe, and you can select the level of difficulty.
- 3PlayMedia
- Pay: Beginning at $0.05 per line.
- High accuracy is expected, with clients such as Yale and the University of Florida.
…and there’s even more! Whether you’re in the market for entry-level work or more lucrative opportunities, there’s a transcription position that suits your ability and timetable.
FAQs
How Flexible Are Transcription Jobs?
Transcription jobs are flexible depending on the company. Some have complete flexibility, while others need you to work up to certain deadlines.
What Are the Common Interview Questions for Transcription Jobs?
You may be questioned regarding your grammar expertise, typing speed, or how you would react in the case of misunderstandings during transcribing.
How Can You Identify Scams?
Be wary of companies that require you to pay in advance or that make exaggerated promises of payment. Always research a company before signing up with them.
Is Being a Transcriptionist Difficult?
Transcribing is not difficult in itself, but it does take some practice and a few specific skills, such as listening and typing. As you improve, you will work faster and more efficiently.
Is There Great Demand for Transcriptionists?
Aye! With the growth of podcasting, YouTube videos, and internet content, there is always a demand for transcriptionists in many industries such as healthcare, law, and business.
Final Thoughts
Transcription is an excellent opportunity to work from home and make money. It’s easy to adapt, can be done at your own pace, and can quickly become a full-time job with the right training and experience. Start today by applying for one of the above companies and take a class to learn the business.
If you’re ready to dive in, all you’ll need is a computer, internet connection, and a suitable set of transcription tools. Transcribe away!
