Are you tired of enduring that tedious 9-5 job for five days out of the week? Or maybe you feel like you just aren’t getting to spend enough quality time with your family due to your hectic work schedule. If you are, we have one thing to say; join the club.
There is a large number of adults in the workforce today that are utterly sick of having to plan their lives around their “real” jobs. Fortunately, there are many options available if you would like a flexible job that provides a good source of income.
You may have heard of freelance jobs before, these mainly online job opportunities allow you to work when you want, and in the profession, you want to work in. You may think something that good can’t be true, but it is.
There is a long list of different types of freelance jobs available today, from pet sitting to blog writing, or even web development. Unfortunately, we can’t pack them all into one little article, so we are going to let you in on a relatively simple and profitable online profession.
See also: 25 Best Work-At-Home Online Jobs
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All About Transcription Jobs
An easy way to make money from home with your computer is online transcription jobs. These jobs require very little equipment, and all you need are decent language skills and a laptop. If you can pay close attention to the dialog and you can follow basic instructions, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting started as a freelance transcriptionist.
What is Transcription?
You may not be familiar with what transcription is, and if that is the case, don’t worry, we will fill you in. Transcription is straight forward. You listen to an audio file and type the spoken words out as they are said. You will have to indicate speaker changes, background noises, and inaudible dialog as well.
A Few Tips and Tricks
Before we go into some of the best online transcription jobs available this year, we want to let you in on a few tips as well as go over what you need to have before getting started. First thing’s first, you will need a computer. You will be using your laptop for everything related to online transcription.
Although it is not always required, you will thank yourself later if you buy a good pair of headphones so you can hear everything being said as clearly as possible. Some transcription companies may require you to have a high-speed internet connection and a foot pedal as well, but many companies that hire entry-level applicants are not as strict.
There isn’t much about becoming an online transcriber that is difficult, but if you keep a few things in mind, it will be a whole lot easier.
One of the most important things you can remember to aid in your success is to take your time. We mean this within reason, of course, because most companies want their transcriptions finished within a deadline. If you remember not to rush and take the time to listen carefully to the dialog, you will end up with fewer mistakes, and as a result, less editing before submitting your final product. Another thing people tend to overlook when struggling to understand something that was said is to turn up the volume. Sometimes all it takes is making the recording a little louder and listening to it a second or third time.
Most transcription clients do not appreciate mistakes in the final product, so be sure to double and even triple check your work before submitting it for review. We know you have all heard this before, but it especially important to those seeking a profession as a transcriptionist. You need to make sure that you are reading the instructions provided to you, and following them down to the last detail. As we mentioned before, there isn’t much room for error in the transcription world, so if you want to be successful, you need to be sure to follow the instructions provided to you very carefully.
Most companies ask that their audio files be transcribed within the guidelines of a specific style. Your job will be so much easier if you make yourself familiar with the styles of transcription that is wanted.
Now with these few tips under your belt, you are one step closer to getting that online transcriptionist job and breaking free of your dreary 9-5 grind. So let ‘s go ahead and go over what we consider to some of the best online transcription job opportunities available this year.
Best Online Transcription Jobs
One thing is certain, and there is no shortage of online transcription jobs available. There are many different companies out there who hire online transcriptionists. There is no possible way that we could pack all the available online transcription jobs into one article, so we are going to go over a few of the ones on the top of the list.
1. Rev
Rev.com hires online transcriptionist as well as online captioners. It isn’t required that you have prior transcription experience to apply for this job. You will have to take a basic grammar test and then a transcription test on a sample audio file. You won’t need any special equipment to work with Rev.com, but we would highly recommend getting a good quality pair of headphones.
They do require that you follow a style guide and keep errors to a minimum in your submitted projects. Rev pays decently once you get accepted. The average monthly salary is around $250, and that’s the low end. If you are starting as a transcriptionist, Rev is a perfect place to get your feet wet.
2. TranscribeMe
This transcription company is another excellent online job opportunity for someone just starting. They are open to hiring entry-level transcriptionists, and they pay around $20 for every audio Hour. This means that they pay you $20 for every hour’s worth of audio you transcribe.
To get hired by TrancribeMe, you will need to get familiar with the style guide and then take audio skills and transcription assessment. Once you pass and get accepted, you will be doing mostly Medical, legal, and general transcriptions.
3. GMR Transcription
GMR Transcription is a company that is an excellent option for all types of transcriptionists from entry-level, to those with years of experience. To apply for this company, you will have to go to their website. You will also need to pass an audio test before you can work for them. They pay anywhere from $0.07 to $1.25 for each audio minute you transcribe.
If you successfully pass their test and get accepted, you will be doing mostly legal, medical, and general transcriptions. GMR Transcription also has openings for Spanish transcriptionists as well if you happen to be fluent in Spanish. This company is one of the better choices for online transcription jobs. They are very well rounded.
4. Tigerfish
Tigerfish is another perfect fit for beginners, but the pay is a little differently than the companies we have already mentioned. To get hired here, you will have to pass three tests, and they will only hire applicants who live in the United States.
Once you get accepted, they pay about $0.005 per word. If you are looking for a job that has a very flexible work schedule, then this company would be an excellent fit for you. Even though the hours are incredibly resilient, there is a good possibility of the work being pretty continuous.
5. AppenScribe
If you are starting in the transcription world and you are looking for something with a simple start-up process, then look no further. Appenscribe hires entry-level transcribers, and the application process is relatively simple as well. You will need to provide your name and information and then pass a couple of tests to see if your accuracy is up to par to get hired on with them.
Once you pass the tests and submit your application, you will begin working for AppenScribe. They pay $0.005 per word just like Tigerfish, except Appenscrible hires transcribers worldwide. So you can apply for this job no matter where you are from.
6. GoTranscript
This is another transcription company that hires worldwide, as well as hiring transcriptionists without much prior experience. GoTranscript has an application process that is pretty similar to most of the companies that we have already mentioned. You will need to apply on their website and pass the transcription test. If you are accepted once you start transcribing, you will be getting paid 60 cents per audio minute.
7. Allegis
Allegis is a little different from the companies we ave mentioned above because they hire freelance transcriptionists for insurance industry projects. They hire transcriptionists with minimal experience as well as those with a few years under their belt. Allegis is an excellent option for all types of transcriptionists. However, they do only hire people who live in the United States.
In order to get accepted with this company, you will need to have a typing speed of at least 75 Words Per Minute. You will also have to have impeccable spelling and grammar skills. To apply, you have to go through there website, and once accepted, you will complete a training program as well.
8. Focus Forward
Focus Forward is another company that hires transcriptionists globally. When working for this company, you will be working as an independent contractor. The work is relatively flexible, so you will get to pick your hours for the most part. To get hired, you will have to take a 10-minute transcription test. Once accepted, you would be making 40 cents per audio minute. This company transcribes files that are a little different than the rest. You will be transcribing things such as TV loggings and focus groups.
9. Net Transcripts
If you have previous transcription experience in the Law industry, then this company would be an excellent fit for you. YOu will also need to be able to type at least seven words per minute and pass a background check to be hired with Net transcripts. There will be a period that you will be under assessment before you can accept jobs from clients.
Once hired, it is no surprise that you will be transcribing Law Enforcement Projects. For more details on Net Transcripts, it would be beneficial for you to visit their website.
10. Scribie
Scribie is a reasonably well heard of transcription company. To apply to be a transcriptionist, you will need to visit their website and fill out the form. Once you are invited, you can take the transcription test. If you are hired on with Scribie, you will be transcribing a variety of different types of projects. They transcribe everything from podcasts to videos.
The work is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, which makes the hours and workload very flexible. As a transcriptionist for Scribie, you will be making $10 per Audio Hour.
Summary
So whether you are a complete newbie to the transcription industry or you are a seasoned veteran, there is an abundance of job opportunities awaiting you online. All that is left for you to do is get on your computer and start applying. Remember to brush up on your grammar and typing skills, as well as make yourself a quiet space designated for your work. It could be challenging to be a successful transcriptionist if you were attempting to listen to your audio file in a house full of screaming children.
We hope that you at least gained some inspiration from this article, and if you play your cards right, you could make a great new start for yourself in this new career that you can fit your lifestyle. It is such a sense of freedom to work a job that caters to your schedule instead of the other way around.
Update 20201: When looking for a reliable transcription company, Transcription Outsourcing is the way to go. We are talking about a US-based firm that offers a wide array of different services. A client can expect quality services, like legal transcription, business and financial transcription, law enforcement transcription, medical transcription. Plus, they provide services to clients all over the US.
With so much work on their hands, they are always looking for experienced transcriptionists. To become a member of their team, every candidate needs to pass a couple of tests. We are talking about tests like spelling, grammar, and a single-person narrative audio file. Above all, having multiple interviews with the current staff is an absolute must.
When the candidate is admitted into the team, the communication with a manager is carried through mobile phones and email. A starting pay is 85 cents per minute and $51 per hour of recorded audio material. The company’s policy is that they are paying twice per month.
