Work as a Freelance Transcriptionist with No Experience
It is possible to find work as a transcriptionist without any prior training. A transcriptionist is a person who listens to audio files and types out what was said, following specific style conventions. Most professionals use a special tape player with a pedal, but beginning transcriptionists can transcribe mp3 files using free software on their computer. General transcription usually requires no specialized knowledge or vocabulary, although some research may be required for unfamiliar terms. Medical and legal transcription do require specialized knowledge and training, and are not covered in this article.
Transcription work can usually be done at home, but most transcription companies require experience and references. Some will accept word processing experience in place of transcription experience. Most require U.S. citizenship and a PC. Although there are free software products available, transcription companies often require or give preference to people using a pay software product. There are most often minimum requirements for typing speed, from 60-95 wpm. But even if you meet only some or none of these requirements, it is still possible for you to work as a freelance transcriptionist as long as you have a good grasp of English spelling, grammar and style.
Instructions
1. Download a free transcription tool such as eScribe or Audacity (which also has recording and editing tools). You can also use RealPlayer but the transcribing software will allow you to work more efficiently by allowing you to slow down the audio and pause as you type.
2. Get started right away with Mechanical Turk's Casting Words transcription service, which has no application process and requires no experience or equipment other than a computer, internet access, and free transcription software. They recommend Escribe but you can use anything you're comfortable with. They provide a style guide that you need to follow, and you download mp3s to your computer, listen to them and type up what was said according to the style guide. You will get feedback on your work, and it will be graded on a scale of 1-10 so you will know how you're doing. The payment you will receive depends on the quality of your work. For more details about work for Mechanical Turk's transcription service, see the link in the Resources section to the article "Use Amazon Mechanical Turk to Get Transcription Experience."
3. If you are not already a fast typist, work on your typing speed at sites that help you increase your typing speed. Try learn2type.com, where you will find a typing test, tutorials and other resources to help you improve your typing speed, all for free. Fast typing is speed is not an absolute requirement for all companies, but it is necessary if you are going to be able to earn a decent hourly wage doing transcription work.
4. Brush up on grammar and spelling if you need to. See links to free grammar and style sites in the Resources section. If you need more help on style, can get an online subscription to The AP Stylebook. This service is not free but it is a standard guide. Keep in mind, however, that you must also consult the style guide of the transcription company you will be working for. Some of their conventions may be different. Make use of Google Suggest to help you with words you are unsure of.
5. Once you are satisfied with the quality of your work at Mechanical Turk and your grasp of grammar and style, move on to companies like Tigerfish. Tigerfish has its own style guide which you can download before you apply, and they require that you take a test when you apply. Your application will be judged solely on the quality of your work, and no experience or references are required. You must be a U.S. Citizen with a PC in order to work for them. See the link to their employment pages in the Resources section below.
6. If your typing speed is at least 70 wpm, you can try Accutran. No experience is necessary but you must take their online test. You can only work during the day and you must be able to turn around the job within 6 times the audio time. This means that if you are transcribing a 10 minute segment, you must return it within an hour of accepting the job.
7. Try a company that requires very little experience, like Cyberdicate or Tereden. If you have word processing experience, Cyberdictate requires a typing speed of 65 wpm, and at least 2 years of word processing or transcription experience. They have very high standards of quality, hire only U.S. citizens, and may require references when you apply. If you are a fast typist, Tereden requires only six months of experience, which you can get from the sources listed above. They require a tying speed of 85 wpm and there is a transcription test.
8. Look at freelance sites like elance and ifreelance to bid on transcription jobs. On these sites if you establish a good reputation and maintain contacts with people you've worked for, you can build up a regular client base.
9. If you want to go even further, once you've established a reputation and references, you can start your own transcription business and market your services so that clients will come to you.
Tags: typing speed, Mechanical Turk, style guide, your typing, your typing speed