25+ Of The Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners

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Want to work from home, but not sure which options are out there for you, and which are the best?

On this site, I find the best ways for you to earn money from home, whether that be some extra money to help you along, or a brand new career!

Sign up to this free 7 day email course to learn about transcription today!*

In this article, we are going to look specifically at online transcription jobs, as they are a great way to make money when working from home.

We will look at jobs for both the UK and US, as you guys are my main readers, so I’d like to share both to help you out.

Related posts:

How To Become a Freelance Writer and Work From Home

How To Make An Extra £1000 This Month

What is Transcription?

Transcription is where speech is translated into the written word. So for example, if you created a video for Youtube but wanted to use what you are saying as a blog post, you could get someone to transcribe it for you. This would be them writing down everything that you are saying.

Another example of this could be the subtitles that come up on TV – someone has written down the audio from this.

What Do You Need?

To be a good transcriber, you will need to be a fast, accurate typist.

When you are applying for jobs a lot of companies will want you to complete a typing test, where they will be able to test you and see how fast you are able to work – and how many mistakes you make.

You will also need access to a laptop/computer etc and the internet if you want to work from home.

Some other things that you will need to buy:

Where and How To Start?

I find that the best way to get started with something new is to just jump right in.

I know first hand how much resistance can come up when we try something new. It’s only natural – it’s part of our biology after all! Our brain likes to repeat the same things over and over, because it knows that will keep us safe.

That’s all well and good for when we needed to hide from anything that wanted to eat us back in the caveman days…but not so helpful nowadays when we are trying to start a new business!

There are some fab courses out there that can help get you started with building your business from someone who has been incredibly successful with it:

Sign up to this free 7 day email course to get started with your transcription journey today!

There are a lot of great sites out there that you can look for work on, which we can go through below:

Accuro

Accuro is a UK based transcription service who specialise in medical, legal and professional services sectors.

They ask for you to have recent secretarial experience and be based in the UK. They also say that you will need: a Windows PC/laptop with Microsoft Office and a broadband/fibre internet connection. You will also need a professional transcription kit.

AccuTran Global

This is a company that hires US and Canadian freelance transcription workers, as well as stenographers/voice writers.

They ask that you have the ability to work independently and meet client deadlines while following guidelines precisely.

Alice Darling

Alice Darling (or A.D.S. as they refer to themselves), is an audio/transcription service provider.

For transcription work, they ask the following minimum requirements:

  • A typing speed of at least 75 wpm
  • Excellent English language and grammar skills
  • Experience in transcription and word processing
  • Ability to keep to a schedule

To apply, send your resume and a covering letter to Sergio and Michael at: ads-
common@alicedarling.com.

BAM Transcription

BAM is a company which works with the entertainment industry, and also for legal work too.

It’s a great place to begin if you are just starting out on your journey, as they are willing to trial people if they manage to pass a basic test.

Make sure that you check all of the project information that you take on, as they vary from client to client and you don’t want to be caught with a tight deadline that you aren’t able to complete.

Birch Creek Communications

They have openings in their transcription department for high-quality corporate transcriptionists, transcribing audio files for our corporate clients. They don’t do any medical or legal transcription – but they recommend that if you are a legal transcriber, please visit kendallcreekcommunications.com as they do only legal.

For corporate and financial, the pay is by the audio minute, ranging from .40/audio min to 1.75/audio min.

Rates of pay depend on the job, turnaround time, and the quality of your work. The upper range of the scale will be given to those with 99% accuracy consistently.

Most work comes in during the day Monday – Friday. For most corporate work the audio comes in one day and the files are due to the client by 7am next morning CT. However, some corporate clients have a 2 – 4 day turnaround on the larger jobs.

Pay per audio minutes is determined by how many minutes of audio you transcribe. Pay per page is determined on how many finished pages you have transcribed. Pay is not based on how long it takes you to complete the work. Email: info.birchcreek@gmail.com

Cambridge Transcriptions

Cambridge Transcriptions is constantly looking for intelligent and capable people to join the staff. Reliable part-time positions are available, either on-site or off-site.

If you’re ready for something a bit different from the usual grind, or looking for a way to supplement your income, see if any of the positions listed are right for you:

A+ Legal Transcriptionists
Corporate Transcriptionists

Capital Typing

Capital Typing offers full or part-time jobs for transcriptionists. To apply, you will need to send your CV, a test sample, your Skype details and your salary requirements to jobs@capitaltyping.com.

The test is available over at: https://capitaltyping.sharefile.com/d-sa8a3720bc54404bb.

CastingWords

You will be an independent contractor on this site, which means that you can set your own hours, schedule and frequency of work.

The great thing about this site is that you can even sub-contract the work to others.

For transcription, the short answer is anywhere between 8.5 cents and a bit over one dollar per audio minute. There are different pay categories, with different grades paying different fees:

Rejected work (grade 0-4) is discarded and redone, so it is not paid
Work graded 5 gets the base pay amount
Work graded 6 gets a total of 1.5 times the base pay amount
Work graded 7 gets a total of 2.0 times the base pay amount
Work graded 8 gets a total of 2.5 times the base pay amount
Work graded 9 gets a total of 3.0 times the base pay amount

Cyber Dictate

They are a bit more particular on this site, with the following equipment needed before testing:

• Headset
• Foot pedal
• Transcription software

• No less than 3 full years of intensive legal experience in law firms within the past 5-7 years is required.
• Professional references are required.
• Availability during normal business hours.
• Have a minimum typing speed of 85.
• Work well under pressure and strict time constraints

Daily Transcription

Professional, novice, and beginners are welcome to apply – but you will need to have typing skills of at least 50 wpm, excellent listening skills, a strong mastery of English, and the ability to meet strict deadlines.

The equipment that they advise to have is:

  • A dependable computer with internet.
  • A transcription software such as Express Scribe (Free download) or otranscribe.com (online).
  • A pair of good headphones.
  • A foot pedal is not required but it is highly recommended that you have one.

They have a scheduler on site where you will put how much work you want to have and will be assigned work according to this.

When the audio/video files are ready for you, you will receive a notification via email – the fee etc are listed before you accept the job so you can decide if you want to do it or not.

You will be paid out every week based on all the files you transcribed in the week before.

Expedict

They only accept experienced audio typists, and if you have the experience and skill set needed then you will be invited to take a test.

You will be paid a fixed rate in sterling per minute of audio transcribed. We apply a scale of pay rates determined primarily by the quality of your transcripts, but also by the required turnaround time and the level of difficulty in producing the specific transcript (technical nature, formatting, etc.). The baseline rate is between £1.00, reflecting a good general grasp of technical material and accents, and consistent production of high-quality transcripts

You must have flawless written English and a typing speed not less than 60wpm. A background in finance or economics will also be useful.

If you believe you are qualified to apply for the job described above, please submit an Employment Enquiry, including your CV (resumé) and covering letter.

GMR Transcription

To get started, all you need is a computer with high-speed internet, MS Office, a foot pedal, and over the ear headphones. No experience is required, but you must pass a strict transcription test.

On this site their transcriptionists typically earn between $1,000 to $3,000 per month, depending on their skills and the kind of work they take. For example, a transcriptionist will earn more if they are willing to take more difficult assignments or files with fast turnaround times.

GoTranscript

They are always looking to fill their open freelance transcription jobs so that they can grow the team and keep pace with customer orders.

The pay is:

  • Up to $0.60 per audio or video minute
  • $150 average earnings per month
  • $1215 top monthly earnings

The good thing about this company is that they employ slower typists as well – they give around 6 hours to transcribe 10 minutes of audio. They don’t need experience for the roles either, just good English skills.

Also, if you fail the test job that you have to take when applying, you can try again in a few days time. Perfect for beginners!

Hollywood Transcriptions

Send your resume to jobs@hollywoodtranscriptions.com

Transcription work requires attention to detail and accuracy. You must adhere to strict deadlines and be responsible.

All of our transcribers must meet the following conditions:

  • Type at least 65 wpm
  • Own a digital foot pedal, as well as transcription software (you do not have to purchase the equipment until you are hired).
  • Be fluent in English with excellent spelling and grammar skills.
  • Have a reliable PC/Mac with an internet connection and email account
  • Be computer literate

Mulberry Studio

Fill in their online form to apply, and be sure to include your cover letter and resumé.

Pacific Transcription

Research

Positions for research contractors are highly competitive. You must have exceptional skills, prior experience across a range of knowledge areas, an ongoing interest in current local and world events and be passionate about submitting high-quality work.

Prior transcription experience is a must, as are advanced research skills using Google, up to date equipment and self-sufficient IT skills.

They require a minimum of 16 hours of typing each week depending on your speed and efficiency, with 12 hours of this being carried out during office hours.

Minimum typing speed: 70wpm (formally tested at trial)

Medical

They are looking for medical transcriptionists who have at least five years’ experience in a minimum of four specialities.

As with our research contractors, you must have self-sufficient IT skills, be committed to providing high-quality output and have prior experience working autonomously.

They require 15 – 20 hours per week minimum commitment from medical contractors, but the hours of work are more flexible and can be spread across business and after hours.

Minimum typing speed: 60wpm (formally tested at trial)

To apply, fill in this form.

Pioneer Transcription Services

To apply, you will need to fill out their online application form and include references if you have them.

If they are interested, they will contact you with instructions on taking a short transcription test.

If you pass the test, you will be added to their list of subcontractors and can log into the system whenever you like to see which jobs are available for you.

In addition to that, they are always looking for a few general transcriptionists and legal transcriptionists to help with overflow on an as-needed basis.

Quicktate

Quicktate transcribes voicemail messages, memos, letters, legal files, medical files, recordings of phone calls, conference calls and other audio files.

Quicktate also audits, summarizes, evaluates and analyzes audio recordings and phone conversations.

Some audio files, like voicemail messages, may average just 2-3 minutes in length, while other recordings may be significantly longer, perhaps several hours.

IDictate transcribes all types of files, except for voicemail messages. They ask that you have the following to apply:

  • Accurate spelling and punctuation.
  • Individuals that know how to follow instructions.
  • Typists that can listen to voice files and accurately type what they hear.
  • Experienced and professional transcriptionists.
  • Typists with their own equipment, supplies, facilities (office/ workspace).
  • Honesty, integrity and reliability.
  • No convictions of a felony or misdemeanour on your record. (Do not proceed if you have ever been convicted)
  • Take a typing quiz for each language or speciality you are interested in (examples: English, Spanish, French, Medical, etc.). You may also be given an opportunity to be tested to analyze audio files.
  • Take a test to ensure you understand Quicktate’s requirements.
  • Depending on how you scored on your Quicktate typing test, you may qualify to be tested to also offer your services to iDictate.

As an Independent Contractor, you can select your own hours that you want to work. You can work as few, or as many hours as you want.

Rev

To work at Rev, you do not need prior experience or any special qualifications, although they would like it if you do.

If you are accepted, there is a list of audio files that is constantly updated for you to choose from – but you can only work on one at a time.

On the list, the job subject, pay, and deadline are all listed upfront so you can decide which jobs are the right fit for you.

You get paid out every Monday via Paypal, based on all the audio files you transcribed and completed in the prior week.

SameDayTranscriptions

This company is looking for professional transcriptionists with experience with interview transcription, especially in the areas of research.

If you have done work in healthcare sciences (not to be confused with medical dictation), they would like this too.

Scribie.com

Transcribers

Skills:

  • Good communication skills
  • Proficient in spoken/written English
  • Excellent comprehension of American/British/Australian/Indian accents

Responsibilities:

  • Transcribe audio files into text
  • Review audio transcripts for accuracy
  • Verify that the transcript matches the audio
  • Interpret the spoken audio and identify contextual mistakes
  • Correctly identify each speaker in the transcript and label them
  • Correct spelling, punctuation, grammatical mistakes in the transcript

Please submit your application here.

Terescription

Terescription are a bit different in that they do transcription and logging for production studios.

They ask that you have the following:

  • High-speed Internet on your personal computer.
  • Windows operating system
  • Windows Media Player
  • Headphones
  • A foot pedal is highly recommended

To apply, you will need to download a sample media file to transcribe, then email your sample to info@terescription.com

If your sample transcript is acceptable, you will be asked to fax the signed Independent Contractor Agreement and Exhibit A to (949) 258-3396.  Both documents are on the download tab at the Terescription website.

Click here to create an account and get started.

Tigerfish

Tigerfish ask that you only apply if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

You will also need:

  • You will need high-speed Internet access (no dial-up)
  • A telephone number where you regularly can be reached
  • Windows-based computer (Macs, unfortunately, are not compatible with the video timecoding software they use)
  • Copy of Express Scribe transcription software, a free program you can download here. Express Scribe is fine to use for the test and evaluation period, but ultimately if you continue to transcribe with Tigerfish, you will need to purchase a copy of Start Stop’s Power Play for Windows Media.

Next, you need to send a sample of your transcribing. Click here to download an audio file of their test, and save it on your computer. If you do not yet have a means of playing audio files, please obtain Express Scribe as mentioned earlier.

TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe claims to have the best rates in the industry, with earnings starting at $15-$22 per audio hour and top monthly earnings at $2,200 (average monthly earnings are $250). Transcriptionists with specialized backgrounds in Medical & Legal are paid a higher rate.

You can work however much you want, and whenever you want. They pay is regular, you can request payment at any time and they pay in USD via Paypal.

Verbal Ink

If you’re interested in applying to work for Verbal Ink as an English language transcriptionist, email jobs@verbalink.com.

If you are applying as a proofreader, copywriter, or editor, please indicate that in your email as well.

They also require specialized transcription software, a foot pedal and highly recommend having QuickTime Player or Windows Media Player for video playback.

WayWithWords

How it works

Stage 01 – Online Assessment

The Online Assessment is divided into three sub-sections: General Language, Research and Audio.

You will be graded on each of these sections as you progress and allowed to continue based on your performance. If you fail any section of the assessment you will not be able to complete the remainder of the assessment and your application will be considered unsuccessful.

Set aside about an hour of your time to complete this stage of your application. You shouldn’t need any more than that. If you leave the assessment at any point without finishing (by closing your browser, for example) you will have to wait 24 hours before attempting the assessment again.

Stage 02 – Offline Assessment

After successfully completing the online assessment, a link to an offline assessment will be made available to you. There is no need to remain on our website to do this, you can process it at your own pace.

Stage 03 – Assessment Submission

For this final stage of the assessment, you will fill out an online application form and upload your completed documents from the offline assessment you downloaded in Stage 2.

WeScribeIt

WeScribeIt are looking for U.S. residents only, with previous experience required using pre-formatted documents.

Pay is as follows:

  • General and legal work – pay starts at half cent per word ($0.005)
  • Medical work –  pay starts at three-quarter cents per word ($0.0075)
  • Per minute files – pay starts at $0.75 per minute

The process is as follows:

  • Fill out an application
  • Complete test that is e-mailed to you
  • You will be contacted to complete the testing/hiring process

Don’t forget to click here to sign up for the free 7 day email course on transcription.

So what do you think, does this seem like a job that you could do? Let me know in the comments below!

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Online transcription jobs for beginners