How to make money by writing

There are plenty of part-time jobs if you’re looking for some extra cash to help with university living costs. But not everything will fit into your studies.

Prescribing is a flexible job. Most companies let you choose as many hours as you like, and you can do it all from home – cutting out any commutes or late-night cabs home from work.

If we’ve piqued your interest, read on to find out the details on how to become a transcriptionist and what transcription jobs involve. You won’t be disappointed.

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting audio recordings or spoken words into written text.

It can be any type of audio, but common examples are interviews, lectures, TV and radio programs or podcasts.

Someone who transcribes is known as a transcriber or transcriptionist. As a transcriber, you would be expected to listen to the recording and accurately type everything that was said.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Well for the right person, it definitely can be, and we’ve put together a handy checklist so you can check if you have the skills needed to become a transcriptionist.

What skills do you need to become a transcriptionist?

Here are the top skills you’ll need to make money writing:

1. Fast typing speed – If your typing speed isn’t up to par and you waste precious seconds figuring out how to type certain characters on your keyboard (who uses semicolons anyway!), then transcription might not be the best job for you. As a general guideline, 40-60 words per minute is considered decent. Anything below this and you will struggle. Time is money, as they say, and most transcription jobs pay per word or hour of audio, so the faster you type, the more money you can make.
2. Active listening – It’s pretty easy to listen to someone speak and get the gist without too much effort. But when you copy, you have to pick out every word. You will need to have a high level of concentration. If your mind wanders during your work, it is very likely that your transcription will not be as accurate as it needs to be.
3. Good understanding – It is important that you can listen to the audio and interpret the meaning when transcribing to ensure accuracy. There may be times when words are slurred or people talk over each other, and if you can’t interpret what is being said, it will make it difficult. You may also come across some words that you wouldn’t use in your everyday life, but it will help if you can decipher and understand them.
4. Good grammar, punctuation and spelling – When you’re typing audio, you’ll need to be able to correct typos and recognize where certain punctuation marks should be used. Yes, there are handy spell checking tools available to help you with this, but some typos can easily slip through them.
5. Motivation – Copywriting jobs often involve working remotely from home. Therefore, you will need to motivate yourself to continue with the work at hand because no one will be breathing down your back and telling you to continue it. Removing all distractions from your workspace is a good start!

How to find transcription jobs

These are the best places to find paid transcription jobs:

1. Rev

   

   Rev lets freelancers choose from hundreds of transcription jobs, from interviews to podcasts or lectures.

   Easy to apply. You just need to solve a quick grammar quiz to show that you have a good enough level of English. Then you will have access to copywriting jobs and be able to work as little or as often as you like.

   Transcribers earn between $0.30 – $1.10 (approx £0.24 – £0.87) per audio minute and are paid weekly via Paypal.

    

2. GoTranscript

   

   GoTrancript works in a similar way to Rev in that you can apply by completing an online quiz and if accepted, you will have access to a range of transcription jobs on their platform.

   However, with GoTranscript, all your transcripts will be checked and graded by an editor. The more time you put in and the higher your level of accuracy, the more opportunities and pay available to you.

   GoTranscript pays weekly via PayPal or Payoneer and offers an average price of $0.60 (around £0.47) per minute of audio transcribed.

    

3. The way with words

   

   Way With Words often looks for people with an “excellent understanding and command of the English language” and a “good ear for accents”.

   You don’t need experience to work with them, but you will need to pass an assessment to check your knowledge and skills. There are no minimum hours required.

   Way With Words offers $0.45-$1.73 (around £0.35-£1.36) per audio minute.

    

4. Rewrite me

   

   TranscribeMe is another flexible company that offers transcription work to anyone who passes the entrance exam. All they ask is that you complete at least one transcription every 30 days (audio tracks are between two and eight minutes long).

   Since the beginning, general transcribers have been paid $15 (around £11.80) per hour of audio. However, TranscribeMe has a number of advancement opportunities where you have the potential to earn a higher rate, up to $50 (around £39) per audio hour.

   Transcribers are paid weekly via PayPal.

    

5. Upwork

   

   Although not specific to transcription work, at the time of writing Upwork had more than 200 transcription jobs on its site.

   Upwork is a platform where freelancers can find any job. You will need to create a profile and then you can bid on transcription jobs on the site.

   According to the site, transcribers on Upwork can earn $17–22 (around £13.40–17.30) per hour. However, unlike the other sites we have listed, you will have to pay a 10% freelancer service fee when you earn on Upwork.

    

6. Transcript of Divas

   

   Transcript Divas is a UK based company with a more formal approach to hiring freelancers.

   In order to apply, you will need to fill out their online application form which asks about your previous experience and the transcription hours you would be willing to accept. If you succeed, you will be invited for a phone interview.

   Transcript Divas pay between £0.62 and £1.89 per audio minute, with an average of £0.90. The rate will depend on how fast the footage has to turn and how complex it is. Freelancers must invoice to be paid into a UK bank account.

How much do transcribers earn?

We have included the rates you can earn when you start as a transcriptionist from the above sites. However, how much you will earn from transcribing depends on how much you are willing to work or how much you can fit around your studies.

As we mentioned earlier, your typing speed will have a big impact on how much you can earn. Since transcription jobs are almost always paid by the audio minute or hour, the faster you transcribe what’s said, the more audio hours you’ll get through in less time.

A beginner transcriptionist may take eight minutes to transcribe one minute of audio, while an experienced transcriptionist may only take three minutes to do the same.

It’s worth checking out online courses that can improve your skills, improve your CV and increase your chances of a higher salary.

There are also opportunities to earn more if you specialize in certain areas. For example, medical and legal scribes have the potential to earn a higher salary. And if you have more than one language and can combine translation and transcription, you’ll see people go out of their way to hire you.

What equipment do you need to become a transcriptionist?

Transcription can be done with limited equipment. At a very basic level, all you need is a laptop and a good internet connection.

However, there are some things you can get to make your life a little easier and help you get the job done faster. And bearing in mind that when it comes to transcription work, time = money, they could be worth the investment.

Here are some tools that will make a transcriptionist’s life a little easier:

1. Noise canceling headphones – You will spend a lot of time wearing them, so they must be comfortable and of good quality. It is also common to receive audio files that are not very clear, where it can be difficult to pick out certain speakers or words. Noise canceling headphones can make a big difference and prevent you from straining to hear.
2. Foot pedal – Although optional, a foot pedal can greatly speed up the overwriting process. It will allow you to stop and start audio files with your feet, leaving your hands free to continue typing. You can also easily forward or replay parts of the file.
3. Ergonomic keyboard – You will be typing a lot! An ergonomic keyboard can help protect your wrists from repetitive strain injuries. They also make it more comfortable when you’re typing for long periods of time, which, let’s face it, you’re probably already doing while writing those college essays, so it’s unlikely to be a wasted investment.

What are the benefits of being a transcriptionist?

There are a ton of benefits to working on rewriting. We have listed a few below:

• Flexible working hours – Work on your schedule as often or as little as you like.
• Work for yourself – If you have no one to answer to, you can be your own boss and concentrate on getting the job done.
• Work from home – No need to waste precious time getting to and from work and no worries about travel expenses.
• Great for your CV – If you’re studying a language and plan to build a career, perhaps writing or translating, rewriting will look great on your CV when you’re looking for a graduate job.

So, if you have the necessary skills and are looking for flexibility, transcription work could be a great option for you.