Putting on a high-performing headset and typing something on your desktop or laptop, making cool cash, is most probably a dream job for so many people, and with a transcription job, there is no big difference at all.

In this article, we are going to cover transcription jobs. We will pen down all the detailed things about the transcription, how it works, what particulars you need, where you can find the tasks, and your estimated earnings with that option.

What is a transcription job?

The transcription job is listening to someone speaking for various purposes, and writing down in text format his or her sayings. That is what a transcriptionist does and you get a good payment depending on the quality of your task and the platform that you are working with. A transcription job is also referred to as a transcribing job. The task is simple, just listen to the speech of people and write down what he says.

Types of transcribing jobs:

For so many reasons, transcription is required, and that makes a great space for people looking for earning opportunities in this field.

Transcribing jobs include tasks such as

• General transcription.
• Medical transcription.
• Legal Transcription.

These three types of transcribing jobs are mostly available. Let’s understand each task specifically.

General transcribing jobs:

Except for the medical and legal transcribing jobs, all other tasks fall under the general category. This includes transcribing from YouTube videos, podcasts, various seminars, lectures, press meetings, and others. Most people are interested in choosing general transcription jobs because you require less knowledge. Only holding on to the language will enable you to perform the task. In terms of earnings, general transcribing jobs offer less money compared to legal and medical ones.

Let’s come to,

Medical transcribing jobs:

Medical transcription is another specialized type of transcription job that requires knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. Medical transcriptionists transcribe medical reports, diagnoses, prescriptions, etc. They may need to have a medical background or certification to work in this field.  Medical transcriptionists also need to follow strict formatting and confidentiality rules. These jobs require more knowledge and skill in the medical sector, so you get higher payments.

The last one is

Legal transcription:

In legal transcription, you require knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. Legal transcriptionists transcribe court hearings, depositions, interrogations, contracts, etc.

No need to mention that people may need to have a legal background or certification to work in this field. Compared to general talking and legal matters various specific terms come up that you just need to understand. There are many terms, that you cannot understand if you don’t belong to a legal background. Similar to medical ones, legal transcriptionists also need to follow strict formatting and confidentiality rules.

So, even if you do not have knowledge in the medical or legal segment, you can still go for the general transcription tasks.

Let’s see what particulars you will need to get the best outcome from the transcribing jobs.

Strong hold on English and other languages:

You cannot make money unless you have any talent and skills in any field. In transcribing jobs, you must need deep knowledge of the English language. It is the most used official and communicating language worldwide. So, having a deep knowledge of English is very important. However, it does not mean that the task you will be given is only in the English language. Besides, that, you can have knowledge in other languages too. The more language expert you are, the more chances of earnings are. But, mostly, having knowledge of English will help you get tasks.

Good listening ability:

The task is simple, You listen something someone and write down what you listen to. So, your hearing ability should be great. You need to hear and write down it quickly.

Good typing speed:

The next thing is about typing fast. The more you transcribe, the more you make money. In transcription, you need to type everything you hear correctly by following the writing rules. So, having a good typing speed with accuracy is very important.

Good research skills:

Yes, you need to have good knowledge of the internet. No matter how good you are at any language, there might be so many things that you are still not aware of and when you listen to it on your task, you need to figure it out. The internet is your only easy way to get real information about it.

Good communication skills:

Yes, communication skill is very important no matter what type of task you are searching. Be it asking for a job to hire you, to clean up the confusion with the client, you need good communication skills. Not only with the clients, but also with other transcriptionists, Which will help you bag more and more tasks, and make more money too.

These are the skills that you are going to get adopted if you have not or need to polish if you have the basics. The more pro you become, the more chance you get to make money from transcribing jobs.

Let’s come to the equipment requirements. Regardless of the simplicity of the task, you must require this equipment to complete your task more efficiently and easily.

The first thing is,

A computer or laptop:

You need a good computer computer that can handle audio and video files. Various software such as Microsoft Word and similar ones, to create written documents, are also required.

A stable internet connection:

Without a fast and reliable internet connection, you cannot seamlessly work with your files. To communicate with your client, downloading the files, and then uploading requires a stable internet connection.

Good quality headset:

You need a good-quality headset with a microphone that can block out external noise and allow you to hear the audio or video files clearly. A headset can also prevent feedback or echo when you are recording your voice.

Foot pedal:

The foot pedal is a tool that is used to control the playback of the audio or video files without using your hands. By using your foot pedal, you can seamlessly do your job. A foot pedal can allow you to pause, rewind, fast-forward, or adjust the speed of the files with your feet while typing with your hands. That is a very useful tool because when you are transcribing any audio file, both hands are on your keyboard. You are typing with both of your hands, and you need to frequently pause and play the audio file, which might be a very repetitive task and may slow down your momentum. That’s why you would require a foot pedal to do the job more efficiently.

An ergonomic keyboard:

There is no shortage of keyboard types right now for users. There a different types of keyboards available to design, lighting, and key type, click type, mechanical or not, and many more. But, have you heard of an ergonomic keyboard?

An ergonomic keyboard is designed to reduce strain and fatigue on your wrists and fingers while typing. It has a curved shape that follows the natural position of your hands and keys that are easy to press and responsive. This keyboard can help you prevent injuries and improve your typing speed and accuracy. Compared to a regular keyboard, an ergonomic keyboard is very helpful when doing long typing tasks.

An ergonomic chair:

Similarly, an ergonomic chair is another important piece of equipment for transcriptionists who spend long hours sitting at their desks. An ergonomic chair supports your back and neck and allows you to adjust the height, tilt, and armrests to suit your posture and comfort level.

If your chair is not comfortable enough, you can’t be on the long sessions of your operation.

These are the physical equipment that helps you transcribe the audio files. But, besides these gears, you need specialized software for transcription jobs. They are as mentioned.

Microsoft Word:

There is hardly someone who has not used Windows PCs and has not heard about Microsoft Word yet. This is the most widely used word-processing software that allows you to create, edit, and format your transcripts. Most clients and transcription companies will require you to use Microsoft Word or a compatible format. Microsoft Word also has features like spell check, grammar check, and word count that can help you improve your transcription quality.

Word processing software:

Microsoft Word is the basic requirement for transcription jobs. If you are doing general transcribing jobs, you might not require the word-processing software. But is a special type of job, besides Microsoft Word, you may also need other word processing software depending on the type of transcription you do. For example, if you transcribe medical or legal documents, you may need specialized software that has terminology databases, templates, and formatting options for those fields.

A dictionary or a thesaurus:

There are so many words, in a language, and it is not the case that you would know all of these words. But, in case, if you encounter any unfamiliar word, what would you do? A dictionary or a thesaurus is a handy tool for transcriptionists who want to check the spelling, meaning, or synonyms of words they encounter in the audio.

Offline dictionaries or thesaurus won’t be a great option because it takes a while to find through pages. Instead of the physical dictionary, you can choose any dictionary software where finding any meaning of a word is extremely effortless.

Now, if you have proper knowledge of any language as well as English, you have all the physical equipment, and have expertise in typing and software for the same, you might be wondering where I can find transcribing jobs.

You can find transcribing jobs from the below-mentioned spaces.

The first option you have is,

Transcription platforms:

There are many online platforms that connect transcriptionists with clients who need transcription services. Some examples are Rev.com, TranscribeMe, GoTranscript, Scribie, and GMR Transcription. These platforms usually have an application process that involves taking a test or submitting a sample of your work. Once accepted, you can choose from various projects that match your skills and preferences. The platforms will pay you per audio minute or per word depending on the project. Although it seems like freelance sites, they are dedicated to transcription only.

Freelance websites:

There are also many freelance websites that allow you to offer your transcription services to potential clients. Some examples are Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. No matter what type of task you are looking for, freelance websites are a great way to find, and transcribing jobs is no exception.

These websites usually require you to create a profile that showcases your skills, experience, and portfolio. You can then bid on projects that interest you or wait for clients to contact you. The websites will charge you a fee or a commission for using their platform.

Direct clients:

You can also find transcription jobs by reaching out to direct clients who may need transcription services. These can be individuals or organizations in various fields, such as legal, medical, business, education, or entertainment. You can find direct clients by networking, advertising, or cold emailing. You will need to negotiate your rates, deadlines, and terms of service with each client.

These are some overall ways you can find transcription jobs.

Bottom line:

Transcription is a rewarding career that allows you to work from home and set your own schedule. To be a successful transcriptionist, you need to have a set of skills and equipment that will help you transcribe audio or video files accurately and efficiently. If you are interested in becoming a transcriptionist, you can start by practicing your skills, acquiring your equipment, and applying for transcription projects that suit your abilities and interests.

Transcription jobs can be a great way to earn money from home or online, as they offer flexibility and variety.