If you’re good at transcribing or you have an interest in it, then you can make money online by transcribing audio or videos to text.
There are many transcription sites worldwide that offer transcription jobs worldwide, but there is one thing common among them; they require precise and quality work. Therefore, working as, a transcriber, you’ll spend most of your time listening to audios and watching videos then translating them to text.
Working as a transcriptionist is one of the top ways of making money and enjoying a flexible schedule. Whether you want to do it part-time or full-time depends on you, but you’ll end up getting extra bucks for these tasks.
Luckily, multiple companies and websites offer and pay for transcription work. Besides, these jobs enable you to work as an independent contractor, that is, you’ll have control over the time your time schedule, and the number of tasks you want to work on.
Requirements for transcription
A good transcriptionist possesses the skills and knowledge below:
• Fluency in the language you intend to transcribe
• Possess excellent grammar and punctuation skills
• Be a fast typist, i.e. Like around 65 words per minute
• You must have excellent research skills
• Keep good attention to details
• You should be a good listener
• You need a good headset
• You should possess knowledge in diverse languages and figures of speech
Starting as a beginner
Many experienced transcribers will tell you that most beginner transcription sites are not worth your time as they pay too low. But you are just a beginner. And you must start somewhere. But when starting, don’t let money be your motivating factor. Instead, work on improving your skills by getting the much-needed experience.
Provided you adhere to the guidelines and deadlines, you’ll soon move from inexperienced to a professional and make more money. Therefore, pick one or two of the beginner transcription sites below and work it for a few weeks to a month. Remember, your focus here is on getting the experience.
Best Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Accutran Global
Accutran Global is the top site in our review that loves hearing from new transcribers. The company employs new transcribers from the U.S and Canada. Keep in mind, and they have their peak periods when they have a lot of work and off-peak where it’s hard to get a job.
For fresh faces, they pay $0.005 per word. As you work more and improve your quality, the pay will rise. Also, the payments are made on the 15th of each month.
To be considered, you must pass a transcription test. But this site is not ideal for parents or caregivers as any work you are assigned must be handled ASAP. In a few words, they don’t allow distractions and failing to meet deadlines.
GMR Transcription
GMR doesn’t put their payment rates on the public domain, but you’re paid based on the turnaround time, audio quality, and the number of speakers in the file. Based on my research, the site pays $0.75-$1.00 per audio minute. Therefore, you’ll earn between $45 and $60 per audio hour.
GMR transcription has one of the highest ratings based on the reviews by its transcribers. They offer you flexibility as you can choose wherever assignments you want to handle. Also signing up in their site is easier and you must work on four hours of audio each month to continue being their transcriber.
TranscribeMe
TranscribeMe is a great site for both beginners and professionals who want to work from home. The site allows all transcribers from all countries in the world and to join; you must pass a transcription test. Their pay rate starts at $20 per audio hour, and it will rise as you work to the top. Also, they pay transcribers every week via PayPal.
Casting Words
When you join Casting Words, you’ll work as an independent contractor, and the good news is it receives applications from all countries of the world. This company hires both beginner and pro transcribers, and they have flexible terms for their freelancers. This includes the chance to listen to an audio file before you accept to transcribe it. It pays $0.30 to $0.90 for each audio minute via PayPal on each Friday
Appenscribe
Appenscribe allows applications from all corners of the world. So, if you are fluent in many languages, then you’ll have many jobs on this site. To get started, you create an account and handle two transcription tests.
Different clients have different rates but expect a pay of $0.005 per word. They pay twice a month.
Though work is not available around the clock on this platform, you can claim it any time when there is. Also, if you want to expand your earnings, you can work on non-transcription tasks available on the site.
GoTranscript
GoTranscrpt is one of the most successful transcription sites as of today. The site has multiple transcription tasks, and you can choose a project you can handle. To get hired on this site, you must complete a test and subscribe to a video before getting started.
There are numerous transcription projects here, and they’ll earn you about $0.60 per audio or video minute. The only requirement is good English and perfect grammar skills.
BirchGreek Communications
BirchGreek communications is a transcription site that hires legal and corporate transcriptionists. As far as transcriber jobs are concerned, this site will give you sufficient experience in many areas of transcription which typically could take you years to learn.
Rates here vary depending on the type and length of the audio or video file. To get started, submit an email inquiry to the company, and you’ll be taken through different tests.
So, there you have it, 7 top companies that offer transcription jobs for beginners. Remember to sign up at one and work on building your credibility as a transcriber.
Also, in case you come across legal transcription and general transcription courses, don’t ignore them as they help you improve on your skills.