If you have excellent typing skills then you might consider a Transcription job. This kind of job is ideal for individuals who hate commuting as it offers the ability to work from home.
To bring you up to speed, transcription is all about listening to voice recordings and converting them into written texts. Sources might include listening to podcasts, conference calls, or interviews. You will need excellent typing and listening skills to get started.
Working from home means that you can save money on transport and spend more time with the family. This guide will show you exactly how to find a Transcribing job and what to expect.
Average Pay for Transcription Jobs
When it comes to transcription, payment is by each audio minute of what you are transcribing. This means that you will be earning about 40p-80p per audio minute which can equate to about £6 – £16 per hour.
The more experience you gain, the more you will earn.
Also, the more complex an audio is, the more payment you will get. In order to get the best payment, you need to have a super-fast typing speed and accuracy.
How to Apply for Transcription Jobs
If you want to work from home, the first place to apply should be through agencies. Most of these agencies specify the number of hours you need to work for them. You will also have to do a test to check your speed, accuracy, spelling, and even grammar.
Other than agencies, you might also have to apply on sites such as Upwork, Fiver, Transcript Divas, Rev, and TranscribeMe. These sites typically require you to create a profile and start applying or bidding for jobs that you feel fit your description.
As always, the goal should be to deliver excellent work so that you can retain these clients and get referrals.
Eligibility and Requirements Needed to Land a Transcription Job
You will need excellent English speaking skills in order to start working as a Transcriptionist.
Besides that, you will need good computer skills with a fast and efficient broadband connection.
Depending on the site or the company you are working for, some employers may require you to have specific software.
Necessary Skills
To succeed as a Transcriber, you will need to have a strong set of skills, be hard-working, and dedicated. Take a look at the below skills in more detail.
Attentive Listening
You will need to have a sharp ear and understand every detail in the audio including different accents, background noise, or even crosstalk. You will need to eliminate all the noises and deliver error-free work.
Accuracy and Fast Typing Speed
As you start, it’s okay to type around 40-45 words per minute. You should aim for at least 60-80 words per minute with minimal errors. Eventually, you should focus on 100 words per minute. Remember, the faster you type, the more you will earn.
Research Skills
It goes without saying that every transcriber should have excellent research skills. This is because you will work on different files with different topics and researching them is one way to understand them.
Bottom Line
If you are hoping to work from home and swap long commuting times for more hours spent with the kids, then transcription is a great option.
It is ideally suited to those who enjoy working alone, and have an excellent eye for detail. If you feel that this is your calling and you have what it takes to land the job, be sure to take a look at some of the opportunities available.
