7 Websites to Make Money Transcribing Audio Files
Did you know that there are websites where you can make money just by transcribing audio files to text?
It’s real!
Chill, let me give you the full gist.
Transcribing is the act of converting audio files or sign language to other forms, usually written documents.
Transcribing can also mean converting from written form to either of the forms noted above.
As long as you’re converting from one form of communication to another, you’re transcribing.
Transcribing entails you listening to audio or video file and typing out the audio correctly.
Are you a good writer?
Do you have a laptop and decent typing skills?
Do you know the grammatical structure of English or any other language?
Are you an attentive listener?
Are you open to making some more cash?
If you’re all of those things, then you can make money transcribing online.
You don’t need a formal education to become a transcriber.
Just as most things, the beginning is usually slow.
You may not get enough gigs, and when you finally do, you don’t get paid a lot.
If you are considering making it a full-time job, then you need more than was listed above.
You will need to know the technical side of transcribing and maybe even attend some transcription classes.
You will need transcription software, a foot pedal, know how to clean bad audio and other technical stuff.
Related topic:
How to Make Money Online as a Voiceover Artist
What Companies Need Transcribers?
A lot of people think that it is only medical and legal fields that need transcribers.
However, it is not so.
Market research companies, blogging and entertainment industries, and educational institutes also need transcribers.
Medical Transcribers:
These are people who transcribe health-related materials, seminars, etc.
Legal Transcribers:
These transcribe legal proceedings and are usually present during court proceedings and other legal appearances.
Medical and legal transcribers usually need a form of training in the field because theirs entail more technicalities.
Whatever field you are transcribing for, you will need to get familiar with their vocabulary and have when you finally do base understanding of the field.
How Much Can I Get Paid as a Transcriber?
An experienced transcriber can get up to $45,000 a year.
A beginner may get paid $10 or even less per hour.
However, as you grow and mature and delve into more specialized fields, you can get up to $25 per hour.
The average pay for transcribers is $16 per hour.
When working one-on-one with clients, a transcriber can set his price, but if you’re working with a transcription platform, you may have to charge according to their set rules and guidelines.
Read this next:
How to Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid From Home
How Can I Get Started as a Transcriber?
First things first, you will need to improve on your typing skills.
You can also track your typing speed.
You also need to learn the grammatical structure of whatever language you’re going to be transcribing in.
Getting familiar with some transcription software is also essential.
Some platforms have the particular software they love working with.
Others just need you to have transcription software.
Getting transcription jobs by yourself as a newbie can be stressful and frustrating.
And this is why you need transcribing platforms to help out.
Transcribing platforms act like freelance platforms.
They connect you to people who need your services.
Below are some of these platforms.
Transcribing Platforms
Every platform differs.
Some pay more than others.
Some are more difficult to work with and may even find it difficult to pay you your dues.
The rules and guidelines may also differ for each platform.
Some platforms are more suitable for newbies and others for experienced transcribers.
Some transcribing platforms are country-specific.
As you grow in the business, you may get familiar with or partial to one or a few of these platforms.
1. TranscribeMe:
This is one of the most popular transcription platforms.
The expected pay is $15 to $22 per audio hour.
They usually pay through PayPal.
You don’t need any formal training or even any experience to start on this platform.
This platform is usually for newbies or people looking for extra cash.
All you need to do is register, take the exam and wait for them to get back to you.
There are also many professionals on this app, and they pay higher if you’re into more specialized fields.
2. GoTranscript:
This platform pays per audio minute, usually at the going rate of $0.6.
Just like TranscribeMe, you don’t need any experience to start working with them.
They have enough turnaround time 9about 6 hours) so even the slowest writers can have a job.
Unlike some other platforms, they don’t have a monthly quota, so you are free to work as much as you want.
You can set your hours, and you can work from home.
3. FlexJobs:
This is a freelance site.
You can find legitimate work-from-home jobs on this site for a variety of fields.
It is known for its high rate of transcription jobs.
So yes, you will not wait for long before your next transcription job comes along.
However, the downside is that you need to pay for a membership, which can be pretty expensive.
4. CastingWords:
Unlike some other platforms that give preferential treatment to experienced transcribers, CastingWords offer an equal opportunity for all users – including beginners.
What they do is give rank you for every performance or job you complete.
They operate a rank system where the high rankers get higher pay.
5. GMR Transcription:
Just like the above-written platforms, this platform accepts users all over the world.
They pay very well, but it depends on your experience, skills, the difficulty of audio files assigned to you and the number of hours you have spent on the platform.
All you need to do is apply by heading on to their website and submitting your resume.
If you pass the test given, you will be given a response in the one week or two weeks that follow.
Just like most transcribing platforms, there’s a probation period.
For GMR Transcription, your probation period is transcribing at least two hours of video or audio files.
6. Fiverr:
You really cannot talk about freelance platforms without mentioning Fiverr.
They usually pay $30-$120+ per audio hour.
This pay, however, depends on if you’re top-rated.
The benefit of Fiverr is that you can set your rate.
Clients who wish to work with you can negotiate with you, and you’re free to decline an offer.
7. Scribie:
There’s a reason this is the last on my list…and it’s not what you think.
It’s the last because their pay is the lowest.
The advantage of signing up with Scribie is that it is an excellent way to broaden your experience and resume.
As you work, you grow within the rank system of Scribie.
Generally, as you grow in rank, your pay gets better.
Conclusion:
There are other transcription sites you can go on.
The seven listed above are the most popular, non-country-specific ones.
Transcribing isn’t a straightforward job and can be time-consuming.
It is perfect for college students who want extra cash, Stay At Home Moms and even high schoolers.
It is suitable when you finally do for anyone who has some time to spare and wants to make money in that time.
I’d advise that you should register with more than one freelance site for more jobs and opportunities.
So what are you waiting for? Go on and sign up with any of your choice…or even ALL of them!
There’s no harm in doing so, is there?
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