Whether you’re looking to work as a freelance transcriber or a full-time transcriptionist, there are ways to get started. The key is to focus on accuracy and meeting deadlines.
There are many online transcription courses and free practice files available. Some also offer certification. However, it’s important to remember that most transcription companies prefer quality over speed.
- Apply to Transcription Companies
Many companies that offer online transcription jobs that don’t require experience accept people who haven’t previously worked in the industry. These companies will often pay less than those that work with experienced transcribers, but they provide an excellent opportunity for beginners to build a reputation in the industry.
The best transcription companies will have a clear list of their qualifications and expectations on their website. They should also explain how they pay contractors and what the benefits are of working for them. These details can help you decide whether or not the transcription job is a good fit for you.
One company that hires beginners is GMR Transcription. They have a very strict testing policy and require 98% accuracy. They also don’t accept transcribers from other countries and prefer to work with native English speakers.
Another great place for new transcribers to start is Speakwrite, which offers a variety of different types of transcription projects. They are a highly respected company with fast turnaround times and very competitive pay rates. They are a great choice for beginners because they have a supportive community and a supervisor who will give helpful feedback. If you’re looking for a convenient way to translate subtitles, you might find the online subtitle translator offered by Simplified quite useful for your transcription projects.
If you want to make more money, consider finding a freelance client that needs someone with your skills. This is more difficult and time-consuming, but it can greatly increase your earning potential. You can find work on sites like Fiverr or try to get a client of your own by marketing yourself on social media and online forums. Then you can charge whatever rate you want and keep more of the money for yourself. You’ll just need to be prepared to take on a lot of unpaid work in the beginning while you search for clients that are willing to pay your rates.
- Study the Style Guide
If you’re a new transcriber, make sure to study the style guide of the company you work for. This will include basic transcription guidelines, such as punctuation and spelling rules and whether colloquial expressions are appropriate. Some companies also have additional transcription guidelines, such as when to use capital letters and which dictionaries to reference. If you don’t follow these guidelines, your transcription may be rejected, and you won’t be paid.
In addition, it’s important to be accurate when transcribing. Only type the words that are spoken in the audio file. Do not add or omit words, even if they seem irrelevant. This can confuse the reader and lead to misunderstandings. If there is a word that you don’t understand, it’s better to note it on the transcript and come back to it later when you’ve had more time to listen and research it.
Another way to be more accurate is by using a good pair of headphones and being in a quiet environment. This will help you hear the audio clearly and cut down on rewinding and replaying. If possible, you should invest in a good pair of ergonomic headphones that support lower back and neck alignment and have noise-cancelling capabilities.
Finally, be consistent with your formatting choices. For example, use one font throughout the entire document, and don’t switch between block and indented paragraph styles. Also, always transcribe the text exactly as it appears in the image, and don’t edit or change words to fit your own preferences. If you need to expand an abbreviation, use a tag for this instead of adding the word again in your transcription. This will save time and ensure that the transcription is readable for readers.
- Be Accurate
It’s crucial to be accurate when transcribing. Any mistakes could be confusing for your audience or even cause them to lose trust in your business. This can be costly and damage your reputation. To ensure accuracy, prepare and practice beforehand. It’s also a good idea to listen to your audio content several times, especially in slow-motion and at double speed, so that you can catch any misheard words or sounds. Also, be aware of any relevant jargon and abbreviations to avoid transcribing those incorrectly too.
Using speech-to-text software, like Google’s dictation feature, is a useful tool that can help you save time. However, it’s not foolproof, and you’ll need to use your own judgment when deciding what is and isn’t needed in a transcript. This is particularly important for legal transcriptions where you’ll want to capture every word, including pauses and ums.
A high level of accuracy is possible, but it will take longer and require a great deal of focus. If you are working on a time-sensitive project, it’s worth investing in a professional transcription service. This will save you time and allow you to get more done in a shorter amount of time.
One of the most popular services on the market is Amberscript, a web-based app that turns audio and video into text or subtitles. It has a simple and intuitive interface, and users can edit and download files directly. It also supports different languages, offers timestamping, and is GDPR-compliant. It’s a good idea to test the software before using it for your business, as this can affect the quality of the transcripts produced. Having the original video or audio file on hand while transcribing is also helpful, so you can refer back to it if necessary.
- Meet Deadlines
One of the most important skills to have as a transcriptionist is the ability to meet deadlines without compromising quality. Being able to work quickly and efficiently may help you get more jobs and increase your income.
Good transcriptionists also have strong organizational skills. This is especially important if you’re working as an independent contractor because it’s your responsibility to keep track of all the tasks you have and manage your time accordingly. Being organized can also help you stay focused and prioritize your work to meet all deadlines.
Comprehension is another crucial skill that helps you transcribe audio correctly. It’s not just about understanding what is being said but also figuring out the meaning of words, which can make a huge difference in how accurate your transcriptions are. This is especially useful if the audio has background noises or has multiple speakers with similar accents that can be difficult to distinguish.
Other key skills that can help you transcribe more accurately include attention to detail, writing proficiency, and editing skills. Knowing how to use software programs and foot pedals for transcribing can also be very helpful. It’s also a good idea to know the different types of audio files you can transcribe, such as business recordings, legal interviews, and medical interviews.
If you have all these skills, then you’re ready to start looking for remote transcription jobs. You can find these through job boards, online job search sites, and crowdsourcing platforms. Keep an eye out for jobs that have specific requirements, like a high-speed internet connection and specialized equipment or software, which may be necessary for the type of transcription you’re doing.
- Advertise Online
If you are a beginner transcriptionist, applying to multiple companies is best. Some may not hire you, but don’t let that discourage you. Your skills will improve over time if you are accurate and meet deadlines. Eventually, you’ll get hired by more and more companies.
Scribie offers a variety of work and pays per audio minute. They also award badges to transcribers, which allows them to access more high-paying jobs. However, many of their audio files are poor quality and have lots of distracting background noise.
Ubiqus has a rigorous interview process and pays by the hour, but the pay can be good if you work 40 hours a week. They often have specialized transcripts that require knowledge of certain subjects, such as law or medicine.
