Remote transcription jobs can be excellent part-time work opportunities that you can do from home or from anywhere in the world.
Transcription is simply the process of writing spoken words into a document. This might mean taking a recording from, for example, a meeting or from a podcast and then typing up the entire recording. This type of work can be done from anywhere and can offer the right opportunity for someone looking for part-time remote work.
To successfully do a remote transcription job, you will need to be an efficient and accurate typist with the ability to play recordings and provide a completed, written document as required by the client. This work can take a wide range of time to complete, depending on the length of the recording and your speed as a typist. The faster you can work, the more lucrative this type of work could be for you. Knowing how to find this type of work and what it actually entails can help you to get started on a remote career path.
Types of Remote Transcription Jobs
There are many types of remote transcription work you can do from anywhere in the world. Some might require experience in a certain field or industry, while others are available to anyone who is willing and able to complete the work as required. The availability of this work is worldwide, so your options are truly endless.
Data Entry Transcription
Basic data entry transcription could cover a wide variety of industries and content. You might be asked to transcribe a corporate meeting or a conference call, for example. This basic type of data entry transcription is the easiest way to get started in the industry, since there is no required prior experience or specialty industry knowledge necessary.
Beware of scams in this type of work, however. Due to the low barrier for entry, there have been various data entry scams online. Always do your due diligence and be sure an opportunity is legitimate before beginning work. Never share unnecessary personal or financial information with any company or potential client.
Medical Transcription
Medical transcription requires a certification that will allow you to enter this more lucrative transcription industry. While many medical transcription jobs are on-site at medical centers, there are options for doing this work remotely as well.
You will typically be transcribing patient interactions with medical professionals, which requires an understanding of medical terminology as well as a professionalism in maintaining privacy of information.
Legal Transcription
Transcribing legal notes or meetings with clients will require some more specialist knowledge of the industry, but there is no certification required to get into this type of work. If you have any experience working in a law firm or legal association, then you might be able to branch into transcription as a remote work option.
Financial Transcription
Financial transcription might include annual corporate meetings that relay sensitive earnings data for a specific company. While this type of work does not require a special certification, having specific industry knowledge and a good reputation can help you to get these often higher paying jobs.
Podcast or Video Transcription
With the podcast and video industries booming, transcriptionists can find plenty of work to create the full text of a podcast or video. There is also the option of creating the captions for video, either in real time or for delayed editing and processing. These can all be done remotely, which offers the opportunity to work from anywhere while earning an income.
Finding Remote Transcription Work
Finding remote transcription work is usually done through online job boards as you get started in the industry. These jobs will be the general data entry type of work, although you might also come across the podcast and video transcription options as well.
While the rate of pay on these sites will be low, you can gain experience and improve your own skills and workflow while building a portfolio.
After you have been working as a transcriptionist long enough to have testimonials and a solid portfolio of work, you can use your experience to start looking for higher paying jobs. These can often come through your personal or professional network, so be sure to maintain a professional social media presence and make it known within your networks what you do.
Tips for Being a Successful Transcriptionist
Working remotely as a transcriptionist offers great potential to do work from anywhere in the world. However, you need to have the right technological tools in order to be successful in this line of work. Consider the following when looking to get into this industry:
- Receiving and Sending Large Files: Most recordings to be transcribed will be very large files. They could be an hour-long podcast or meeting recording that you will have to be able to receive, download and play in order to do your job. Likewise, you will need to be able to send large transcription files when you are done. Be sure you know the best tools for doing this transaction.
- Efficient Typing: If you consider yourself to be a fast typist, you should do a test online to see what you actual skill level is currently. Part of getting into this industry is improving your speed with more practice over time. But the faster and more accurate you are, the greater your ability to earn money in less time.
- Attention to Detail: While listening to recordings, especially recordings with multiple speakers, you will need to be very attentive to ensure accuracy. While some transcription jobs are fairly easy and might not require you to focus intently, others will require you to completely focus and to devote the necessary time to completing the task at hand.
- Industry Knowledge: While general data entry transcription requires no specialist knowledge or training, the higher paying jobs will require you to be more familiar with terminology. This could include financial or corporate matters, legal or medical information, and other such opportunities. Finding a niche market might help you to raise your rates over time.