Voice to Text apps are becoming more and more prevalent these days. Despite this, there are still people who prefer having their recordings transcribed the old-fashioned way. I can see why: I use my phone’s Voice to Text input a lot in my work as a journalist, but accuracy isn’t always reliable. This is especially true if I’m conducting an interview in a noisy room, or speaking with someone who talks like they have a mouth full of marbles.
To compensate for that, I still take regular audio recordings and pass that to a transcriptionist friend. Human transcribers are still the best, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that. Transcribing is big business. So big, in fact, that I decided to become a transcriptionist myself!
One of the biggest come-ons for me was the opportunity to work from home. If you hate traffic, crowds, and have a reliable internet connection at home, I suggest you give transcribing a shot, too.
My friend recommended TranscribeMe (Link: transcribeme.com), one of the biggest players in the transcribing game. She got most of her jobs on the site, and eventually I was also making pretty decent money from it.
The Application Process
TranscribeMe connects independent transcribers with the site’s roster of clients. Before you can start taking jobs through them, you’ll have to pass the screening and training sessions. This ensures that the transcribers who work with TranscribeMe meet the minimum qualifications, and are able to produce good work.
You will be asked about the languages you speak. TranscribeMe accepts clients from all over the world, so speaking multiple languages will be an advantage.
TranscribeMe does not charge an application or testing fee, which is good. Sites that request an upfront fee without any guarantee of being accepted are usually shady.
Once you pass their screening process, you can move on to the good part...taking jobs and earning cash!
Doing the Job
You will receive an audio file, which you will transcribe. That simple! These files range from quick recordings that are around one minute long, to ones that are an hour or two long. If you prefer doing shorter recordings, you can choose the tasks that most appeal to you.
I mentioned working from home, and you can even set your own schedule. But remember that this isn’t an entry-level job. TranscribeMe will expect good output and reliability, so don’t slack off!
The site also has a series of training modules that will help you on your job. I consider myself experienced and skilled, but I still appreciated the fact that I could turn to these training modules when facing a difficult task or problem.
Pay Rates and Earning Opportunities
Basic rate is $20 per audio hour. Note that “audio hour” means the duration of the audio recording, not the amount of time you spent transcribing it.
TranscribeMe’s top monthly earning is $2,200. I haven’t made anywhere near that amount, but one day I will beat that record!
Most transcribers on the site make an average of $250 per month. That amounts to about 15 hours of work. There were months where I would dedicate twice that amount of time and earn upwards of $500!
If you have a medical or legal background, you’re in luck. Medical or legal transcription jobs pay higher, due to the specialized nature of these recordings. You may have to take special training for these, especially for medical transcriptions.
The site keeps an accurate record of your total earnings. You can request payouts whenever you want, which are sent via PayPal.
Moving Up the Transcribing Ladder
You may be working at home and at your own pace, but working with TranscribeMe is like working for a regular company. That means there’s a ladder for you to climb; if consistently produce good work, you can move up to better paying-jobs and positions.
When you start, you’ll first handle basic transcription jobs. You can then move up to quality assurance, then reviewer, then lead quality assurance. If you stick with it long enough, you can even get promoted to salaried positions such as project manager or customer service representative.
TranscribeMe is one of the few home-based jobs that offer upward career mobility. When you get onboard, I suggest you be in it for the long haul.
The Verdict: Legit or Scam?
I think the answer is pretty obvious: TranscribeMe is totally legit! The pay is decent, but it can quickly add up if you’re willing to put in the time. Plus you can get promoted which is just tremendous.
You’ll need a reliable connection, decent computer, and good comprehensions skills. If you have those, give transcribing a try!
TranscribeMe Screenshots
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Your Turn
This review is based on my own experiences doing transcription jobs at TranscribeMe. Now it’s your turn to share. Have you given transcribing a shot? Where did you work and how much did you earn?
Let’s hear your stories!
