If you’re looking to break into the world of work-from-home jobs, one of the best ways to do so is by transcribing.
This is especially the case if you have a background in technology and a knack for typing.
Transcribing jobs are a useful gig for remote workers because they can do it anywhere as long as they have a laptop and a pair of headphones.
When browsing online, you’ll find that there are many different online businesses offering transcription services and training.
One such example is Transcribe Anywhere.
Today, we’re here to provide you with a comprehensive Transcribe Anywhere review.
We’ll start by covering the basics of transcribing.
We’ll also provide an overview of Transcribe Anywhere so that you can determine whether they’re a viable option to help build your skills.
By the end of the article, you should feel prepared to contact transcription companies and start building your side hustle.
What Is Transcribing?
The dictionary definition of “transcribe” is “to make a written copy, especially a typewritten copy” of something.
That “copy” can be anything from class lectures to a news interview.
Thus, transcribing, from a work at home perspective, involves listening to audio files or video files and converting them into text format.
Transcribers are usually professional typists who can convert either live or recorded files.
Examples of the types of things you may transcribe include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Meetings
- Conferences
- Interviews
- Phone calls
- Webinars
- Court hearings
Not all of these are available to general transcriptionists.
For instance, legal transcription services focus on converting court testimonies and depositions.
Medical transcriptionists work closely with hospitals and doctors offices to convert notes from healthcare providers.
We’ll touch more on those below.
Many people assume that transcribing is easy, but there is some skill and a learning curve involved.
Efficient transcription requires you to type between 80 and 100 words per minute.
You should be able to transcribe one minute of audio in about 2.35 minutes.
Additionally, you should keep in mind that your transcription work needs to be “clean,” especially if you’re working in a professional industry.
This means that you need to break down and decipher things like proper punctuation marks in words.
Transcribers sort through 800 characters per minute on average.
Lastly, your transcription business may also request that you add time coding into your transcriptions.
This means that you add timestamps when typing.
As we’ll detail below, there is equipment that can help you do this like foot petals.
But there’s a learning curve and investment that comes along with using these products.
What Equipment is Necessary to Transcribe?
General transcription requires you to have nothing more than a computer to get started.
But if you’re looking for a legit way to make money online and are willing to invest in your career, you’re going to need to purchase more equipment.
Some of the equipment you’ll need includes:
- Headset
- Transcription software, although companies may provide this to you
- Foot pedal
- Comfortable desk chair
- Dictionary, especially if you’re working in a technical field
- Text expander, which allows you to type a short abbreviation and have it converted automatically to the full-length word
Foot pedals allow you to control the playback of the audio or video file.
Based on how you tap the pedal, the audio can pause, rewind, or fast-forward.
Foot pedals allow you to type continuously without having to pick up the mouse to rewind the video.
The total price for this equipment can range anywhere from $100-$2,000.
There are bundles available online that provide you with a headset, necessary software, and a simple foot pedal.
The high-end packages are suited for those working legal or medical transcription jobs.
What Type of Experience and Training Do You Need to Start Transcribing?
If you’re a newbie interested in making money online with transcription, you don’t need much experience or training.
However, you’ll need to have mastered the essential skills of listening and typing.
You’ll also need other intangible skills like:
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Focus
Many companies will ask you to take a transcription test before they begin assigning you to work.
At the very least, you should practice transcribing to get the hang of it so you’re prepared for a potential test.
If you plan to go into something like law enforcement, court transcribing, or medical transcribing, you’ll likely need a certificate of some sort.
Not only do businesses require this, but many states do as well.
You should not assume that you can secure a job in this field without the proper license or certificate.
Perhaps the better alternative is to enroll in a transcription mini-course.
Transcribe Anywhere, for instance, offers a free mini-course for those looking to learn how to transcribe.
This could make you seem more credible to transcription companies even though you don’t carry years of experience.
What is Transcribe Anywhere and How Does it Work?
Transcribe Anywhere is a web service offered by Janet Shaughnessy.
Shaughnessy is the owner of Zoom Transcription Services and has more than 10 years in the transcription industry.
Transcribe Anywhere offers a general transcription mini-course and a legal transcription mini-course.
The site also provides a full-length general transcription course and legal transcription course.
The full courses are the only online options approved by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers.
Transcribe Anywhere says clients will receive a proven transcription education at an affordable rate.
The courses include a wide array of materials, including:
- An e-learning platform
- Videos
- Practice
- Transcription templates
- Quizzes
- How-to marketing tutorials
How Much Does Transcribe Anywhere Cost?
The mini courses are free to take.
The general transcription course costs $597, while the legal transcription course costs $697.
After completing the course, you’ll take a final exam and receive a certificate upon passing.
Transcribe Anywhere also offers lifetime access to the course resources.
If you enroll in and complete the general training course, Transcribe Anywhere will grant you a discount on the legal course.
You can join for $500 instead of the stand-alone fee of $697, a savings of $197.
Transcribe Anywhere also offers “pay as you go” payment programs to help offset the costs.
The cost of these programs may seem high, but they’re a worthwhile investment in your career.
If you implement what you learn, you can start making good money soon after completing the course.
Also, remember that the cost of the courses is a tax writeoff.
You can deduct the cost of the class as a professional expense from your self-employment earnings.
This can help cushion the blow of having to pay such a hefty fee for training.
We recommend trying the free mini courses first, especially if you’re considering becoming a legal transcriptionist.
The free general course provides you with an introduction to transcription, while the free legal class familiarizes you with legal terminology and legal correspondence.
If you decide that you’re ready to go all in, you can invest in the full-length courses.
Transcribe Anywhere Earnings Potential
The cost of the full-length transcription services is a bit steep.
How quickly can you expect to earn back those funds?
In their FAQs, Shaughnessy answers the question, “Will I get rich?” by saying, “No, but you will reap the rewards of freedom found by working from home and performing challenging work.”
The site then goes on to say that the median income for general transcriptionists is approximately $45,000.
Legal transcriptionists earn around $60,000 a year.
As an aside, medical transcriptionists earn around $35,000 per year.
The lower salary could be one reason why Transcribe Anywhere does not offer any training in this field.
Transcribe Anywhere provides students with instructions not only on how to find work but also how to start their own business and hire subcontractors.
The site is upfront in saying that you can make more as a project manager who oversees other transcriptionists.
But you should know that like any job, it takes time to advance.
The money won’t come overnight, and you’re going to have to invest in yourself, with both time and money, if you want to reach your true earnings potential.
