Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners [2020]

Are you passionate about making extra income from the comfort of your home without undergoing unnecessary hassles? Then try out Online Transcription!

Transcription is one thing almost anyone can do without much stress and earn full-time or a side income.

So…

What Is Transcription?

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Transcription is the process of listening to a recorded video or audio file and converting the contents into texts.

After converting the contents into well-constructed text-format, you’ll submit the document thereafter for review to the client. The job is very much similar to data entry. Read up my guide on how to become a transcriptionist, and make a full-time income from home.

Here Are Ways You Can Learn Transcription And Work From Home

i. Polish Your Grammar

To become successful as a transcriptionist, your grammar must be on point. Spellings and punctuations must be accurate. So, if you’ll rather take a (free or paid) online course or from your local area to improve your skills, then do not hesitate to.

ii. Broaden Your Vocabulary And General Knowledge

It is easy if you are the reading type. Books, magazines, and online research contents about your focused industry can not be overemphasized. Nurture your reading and listening habits and learn new industry-based terms.

iii. Improve Your MS Word Skills

I believe you already know about Microsoft Word (MS Word). If you haven’t, most people already do, and you need the skills. And if you are already good with using MS Word, you will not be needing so much time formatting transcripts. Using shortcut keys, auto-correct, and other functions will be required on your transcription job.

iv. Improve Your Typing Speed And Accuracy

If you aren’t that fast in typing, you will still make money with transcription, but your speed will affect your income. So, you need to be fast and accurate with your typing.

Most transcription companies expect a transcriptionist to be able to type at least 50 words every minute. Some others demand a faster transcriptionist. Speed is an essential skill that will only make your work better.

Don’t just target 50 words per minute, target between 80 to 100, or even more. Get tutoring software to practice. Use keyword shortcuts and text or word expanders to help your speed too.

v. Practice With Different Audio Files

The practice is a key way of improving your skills with this job. Practice with different audio files around you. Use transcription practice files to improve skills. You will be able to learn from your errors by comparing your transcription with accurate transcripts. The transcription practice files will also help to make your listening skills better.

You will be able to become accustomed to different accents, speech paces, voices, and inflections. Practicing with audios and videos will also help you decide if transcription is something you really want to do. Transcription practice files can come in different kinds of topics, accents, industries, speed, recordings, voices, and difficulty levels.

vi. The Best And Fastest Way Is To Consider Taking A Transcription Course

If you are a total newbie to transcription, getting on a specialized transcription course is the best way to learn. The better you are with grammar, speed, transcription skills, and accuracy, the easier it is for you to succeed with transcription jobs.

Ensure to practice and get your skills set before applying for any transcription job. If your transcripts turn out inaccurate and poor, your future transcription jobs are at great risk.

a table with laptop, pen, notepad, mobile phone, and a cup of coffee - online transcription jobs for beginners

Quick Tips To Improve Your Transcription Skills

1. Embrace accuracy over speed.

2. First listen properly and often to a whole audio.

3. Listen to a complete sentence before going ahead to transcribe it.

4. Get your typing skills in good shape. Practice, practice, practice.

5. Be fast and accurate in your editing.

How Much Can You Make As Online Transcriptionist?

Generally, transcriptionists earn around $10 to $15 per hour. But as an advanced transcriptionist, you can earn between $20 to $30 per hour. This means you can rake in up to $2000 each month working for about 3 hours every day.

Here Are The Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners

1. Ubiqus

Ubiqus pays per transcribed-word. Beginner transcriptionists can make up to $14 an hour on this platform. But let’s get this straight, if you type about 60 words per minute, that’s 3600 words per hour. This means you’ll receive .0039 cents on every word to make $14 per hour. But it is not even realistic to type consistently for an entire hour without having a break. You are likely to make errors and glitches which will contribute to slower performance and lesser income. So, put all these into consideration as you start out.

Sign up here.

2. Rev

Beginner transcriptionists can make up to $11 per hour with this website. Rev pays their transcriptionists every Monday through PayPal.

Rev used to be a sizzling platform for beginners, but since they changed their rates for payment and some other user issues (visible on their reviews), they aren’t what they used to be. But you should still give them a shot. You’d get good transcription opportunities to move up to Captioner or translator level.

You’ll need to complete a short typing test during the application process. But they aren’t hard. You’d also need to do a 10-minute test in grammar where you’d need to pick the correct answers to some given statements and questions.

Lastly, you’ll do a sample transcription. If you do not pass the test, you’ll only be permitted to take it again 45 days after.

Sign up here.

3. Scribie

Aspiring transcriptionists can opt on Scribie and work from anywhere in the world. Experienced transcriptionists can also find job opportunities on the platform. Before you start doing jobs with them, you’ll need to pass a test and also become certified as a transcriber. They pay transcriptionists via PayPal.

Sign up here.

4. Quicktate

Quicktate is well respected in the transcription field. They also hire beginners. They require new transcriptionists to pass their test upon signing up. And they also do some background check on your past activities before hiring you. Well, this is large because they should be able to trust your ability to handle some sensitive files that will be in your care to transcribe.

Payment is around $15 per hour, and is done twice every month via PayPal.

Sign up here.

5. Tigerfish

Tigerfish is also popular for online transcription jobs, and they offer jobs to beginners too. They have been around for quite some time and their pay is usually between 3 to 4 cents for every transcribed line.

You’ll be required to download the free Express Scribe software to do some audio files transcription during the test.

Sign up here.

6. GMR Transcription

GMR pays transcriptionists based on the audio quality, turnaround time, and a number of speakers for each file. They don’t reveal how much they pay until after you are hired. But Transcribers earn between $0.75 to$1.00 for every audio minute. By this, you can earn between $45.00 to $60.00 for every audio hour.

So, as a beginner, you should be able to earn up to $10 per hour and between $11.25 to $15 per hour as a fast and experienced transcriber. The flexibility of the job lets you pick your assignments and work anywhere you want. However, during probation, you’ll be expected to complete a two-hour audio file before getting paid.

Every month, you’ll also be expected to complete at least audio files of 4 hours to keep your job on their platform. But before you begin, you’ll have to send them an email of your resume on their careers page, while a test prompt will be emailed to you automatically. Once you have completed the test and submitted, you’ll get your grades and probably get to begin work within 2 weeks if you meet their requirements.

Sign up here.

7. Daily Transcription

Daily Transcription pays between $0.75 cents to $0.9 cents for every audio minute. And once you are able to meet up to 50 words per minute, you are fine with them. But your chances of earning will increase well when you are able to work much faster and be more accurate. However, beginner transcriptionists are only accepted from the US or Canada.

There are several practice tests you can engage in on the platform to up your game. You will also have access to a training video and some guides.

Sign up here.

8. TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe is a great work-from-home company for transcription starters and pros. You will be able to join from anywhere in the world, and earn up to $20 for every audio hour.

To begin, you’ll be required to sign up and take a short test which would determine if you are qualified or not. The test is easy and often graded automatically. So, if you pass with good accuracy of your work, you can begin to transcribe and get paid every week.

Sign up here.

Requirements For Online Transcription Jobs

As a transcriptionist, you will be required to have access to an updated personal computer and a good WiFi connection. For production and speed, you are advised to have a foot pedal and headphones with good quality.

Some Facts About Transcription Jobs

i. You are not likely to receive steady jobs from a particular source, so it is advised that you spread yourself to work for multiple companies.

ii. Transcription companies that employ the service of beginners do not often pay as much as those that require experienced transcriptionists.

iii. Most of the transcription companies will require that you undergo skill test to gauge your ability before getting you onboard for jobs.

Goodluck finding online transcription jobs to start with. And if you are looking for more in-depth training, take a look at this post to learn how to make more money as a transcriptionist.

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