How to Practice Transcription | Rev (2024)

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or a student looking to supplement their income, working as a transcriptionist is a great opportunity to work from home with a flexible schedule.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect?” If you are about to start transcribing or have been in the industry for a while, practicing your craft is the perfect way to improve and refine your skills.

Beginner Transcriptionists:

Transcription can be difficult to master, especially in the beginning stages. Many newbies find the concept of listening and then typing up audio files difficult. But with these easy methods, you’ll be accurately speeding through projects in no time.

Practice Typing

While most transcriptionists can type at around 50 words per minute (WPM), make it your goal to type at least 60 WPM. By improving your typing speed, you can get more work done in less time, which seriously increases your earning potential!

Use online typing resources such asKeyBrandTyping Academyfor 10 minutes each day. This will help boost your speed, accuracy, and typing muscle memory.

Transcribe a Diverse Range of Audio

As a transcriptionist, you are expected to be a capable typist and have a good grasp of grammar and spelling. But what many people don’t consider are the challenges that can come with deciphering complex audio.

Sadly, it’s not all perfectly recorded podcasts and constantly clear audio! You may have an audio file with many voices speaking at once, strong accents, background noise, or even technical jargon and complex names.

Use websites likeGoTranscript,orListen and Write. They provide a diverse range of transcription tests and general transcription practice pieces to try.

Intermediate and Advanced Transcriptionists:

Even if you have a wealth of experience transcribing, there is always room for improvement.

Keep Improving Your Typing Speed & Accuracy

The quicker you can type, the more content you can work through. So if you’ve already hit the 60 WPM mark, push yourself one step further. If you feel you’re at a good typing speed (70+ WPM), try improving yourtouch typing skills (by not looking at the keyboard while typing). Accuracy is another important component that will help you reduce errors and save time. Accuracy testing websites such as Typing Test can help.

Practice Transcribing Industry-Specific Content

Working onverbatimlegal and medical transcriptions can make you familiar with a whole host of industry-specific terminology, phrases, and jargon. Law firms and medical industries rely heavily on transcription services. So, if you’re willing to expand your expertise, you could earn a lot more compared to general transcription jobs alone.

ExpressScribeoffers free downloadable transcription software along with medical and legal practice files for you to try.

Evaluate Common Mistakes

We all make mistakes. But for transcribers, it’s the little mistakes that can mean big problems. One word out of place is likely to change the context of a piece. So, accuracy is key. Double- and triple-check your work for typos and grammatical errors. If you make regular slip-ups, write them down and practice the correct way in a separate word document.

Becoming an amazing transcriptionist is literally in your hands. When you take the time to practice and hone your skills, the possibilities and rewards are endless!

How to Practice Transcription | Rev (2024)

FAQs

How to Practice Transcription | Rev? ›

Transcription companies like GoTranscript and Scribe also provide free transcription practice so be sure to check them out.

How do I train myself to be a transcriptionist? ›

How to become a transcriptionist
  1. Choose your specialist field. You can choose to work in general transcription or have a specialised area. ...
  2. Attend a training course. If you choose to specialise in transcription, you may require formal training. ...
  3. Gain experience. ...
  4. Build an online network. ...
  5. Apply for jobs.
Jun 3, 2023

Where can I practice transcription for free? ›

Transcription companies like GoTranscript and Scribe also provide free transcription practice so be sure to check them out.

How long does it take to transcribe 1000 words? ›

How long does it take to transcribe 1,000 words or more? An average typist can transcribe 1,000 words in about 25 minutes. However, a professional typist can achieve this same feat in less than 13 minutes with 99% accuracy.

How long does it take to transcribe 20 mins of audio? ›

That means you should expect any audio that is less than 15 minutes to be transcribed within an hour. Some experienced transcriptionists can transcribe files much faster. It's not unheard for experienced transcriptionists to transcribe 20 to 30 minutes of audio in one hour.

What is the typing speed for a transcriptionist? ›

While most transcriptionists can type at around 50 words per minute (WPM), make it your goal to type at least 60 WPM. By improving your typing speed, you can get more work done in less time, which seriously increases your earning potential!

What is the hourly rate for a beginner transcriptionist? ›

A transcriptionist's salary is generally around $19.02, while an advanced transcriptionist earns around $25 to $30 per hour. With this rate, you can easily earn an average of $1141.2 every month if you work 2.5 hours per day for 24 days. According to PayScale, the median transcriptionist's salary is $16.59 per hour.

What are the four major skills needed for transcription? ›

In order to transcribe audio or a conversation accurately, you need these skills:
  • Active listening. Active listening is the ability to focus on a speaker and hear everything they say. ...
  • Typing skills. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Computer skills. ...
  • Research.
Mar 10, 2023

How long should it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio? ›

When it comes to individual transcribers, the average time to transcribe one hour of audio is approximately four hours. But, some transcribers quote four hours as the minimum since it can easily reach 10 hours. Transcription time by audio hour varies so much mostly because each audio file is different.

Is TranscribeMe worth it? ›

Overall, TranscribeMe is legit and can be a great addition to your existing income as a part-time job where you have a flexible work at home job. You probably would not be able to use TranscribeMe as a full-time job, though.

How much do transcribers make per audio minute? ›

Transcription rates per audio minute vary. The pay that someone would receive for transcribing one minute of audio can range anywhere from $0.50 - $3. The best way to figure out what rate you should pay is by looking at the type of transcription you will need.

How hard is it to transcribe audio? ›

Transcription work sounds easy since it only involves listening to audio files and typing. In reality, however, transcription is quite complicated. It takes commitment and full involvement in the job to ensure that you produce excellent work.

How much does Transcribeme pay per audio minute? ›

It pays on a graded scale – anywhere from 8.5 cents to $1 per audio minute for average work, with better payment for higher-graded work. The company lets you take its transcription test as many times as you need to pass.

How do I become a transcriptionist with no experience? ›

While you can be hired for a transcription job without any formal training or experience, certain higher-paying positions, such as medical or legal transcription, require certification. Transcriptionist work in the medical field requires a one-year certification program or an associate degree in medical transcription.

Can you make a living transcribing? ›

Transcription jobs are lucrative ways to make extra money, especially if you speak and write in more than one language. Here are the best work-from-home transcription jobs. Transcriptionists are in high demand.

Are transcription jobs in demand? ›

For professionals with language translation skills, the jobs outlook is especially promising, with a growth projection of 18% through 2026. However, while demand for court reporters and language-based transcription is strong, the job outlook for medical transcriptionists indicates less demand for this specialty.

How can I improve my transcribing skills? ›

Tips to Improve Transcription Skills
  1. Focus On Speed Typing Skills: Transcription could not be done properly if your typing skills are not good. ...
  2. Communication. ...
  3. Listen To The Entire Audio & then Transcribe. ...
  4. Work on your Proofreading Skills. ...
  5. Focus on Editing Skills. ...
  6. Understand The Terminologies.
Apr 16, 2022

What are the basic rules of transcribing audio? ›

Guidelines for Transcriptions
  • Transcripts should be at least 99% accurate.
  • Grammar and punctuation are important for providing maximum clarity.
  • Speaker identification helps users identify who is speaking.
  • Essential to communicate non-speech sounds.
  • Transcribe content as close to verbatim as possible.
Aug 21, 2018

What are the 3 types of transcription? ›

The types of transcription are mainly categorized into three types – verbatim, edited and intelligent transcription. All these transcriptions can be used for audio or video files only the process could be different, depending upon the requirements and resource availability.

How much should I charge for transcribing? ›

Average transcription rates are around $25 to $40, with the highest cost for transcribing interviews (which are priced at $50 per hour on average). So, what are some typical transcription costs? The standard transcription cost per hour of audio in the U.S. and Canada is around $90, or $1.5 per audio minute.

What is the correct way to transcribe time? ›

As an example, TranscriptionWing's standard format for timestamps is [HH:MM:SS] - that is the accurate hours, minutes, down to seconds - placed in different ways within the transcript.

What are the cons of TranscribeMe? ›

Extremely low pay for transcribing jobs you do and there isn't a constant workflow. You can do one job and wait hours for another to be available to work on. The timezone difference also makes it hard to work late at night because that's the only time work comes in if you aren't US-based.

Is Scribie better than TranscribeMe? ›

TranscribeMe scored higher in 9 areas: Overall Rating, Culture & Values, Diversity & Inclusion, Work-life balance, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits, Career Opportunities, Recommend to a friend and Positive Business Outlook. Scribie scored higher in 1 area: CEO Approval.

What is better than TranscribeMe? ›

In conclusion, if you are looking for transcription services, there are plenty of alternatives to TranscribeMe. Rev, Temi, and Reduct are top transcription providers you can consider based on your requirements.

How long does it take to train as a transcriptionist? ›

Through college certificate programs, it can take two years or more to get fully certified. But with online programs, you can train to be a transcriptionist in the legal industry and get certified in only 4-6 months.

How do you start transcription for beginners? ›

Practice transcribing short audio files with Express Scribe so you're ready to apply to transcription companies. Create a transcription-specific cover letter and resume - even if you don't have prior transcription experience. Find the best companies to work for that hire beginners - plus, learn how to spot a scam.

What skills do you need to be a transcriber? ›

Top transcription skills:
  • Typing.
  • Language, spelling, and grammar.
  • Copy editing.
  • Research.
  • Careful listening.
  • Communication.
  • Good memory.
  • Attention to detail.
Dec 20, 2022

How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio? ›

When it comes to individual transcribers, the average time to transcribe one hour of audio is approximately four hours. But, some transcribers quote four hours as the minimum since it can easily reach 10 hours. Transcription time by audio hour varies so much mostly because each audio file is different.

Is transcription still in demand? ›

Demand Trends

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcription jobs are expected to decline by 7% by 2031.

Is transcription a hard skill? ›

The most common hard skill for a transcriber is transcription. 34.5% transcribers have this skill on their resume. The second most common hard skill for a transcriber is wpm appearing on 16.3% of resumes. The third most common is proofreading on 14.3% of resumes.

How long does it take to transcribe 1 minute? ›

Transcription speed for an average person

An amateur transcriber typically types between 40 and 60 words per minute. As a result, it takes the average person about four hours to transcribe one hour of audio.

How much do transcriptionists really make? ›

How Much Do Transcriptionist Jobs Pay per Hour?
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$45,500$22
75th Percentile$38,000$18
Average$33,773$16
25th Percentile$28,000$13

How long does it take to transcribe 4 hours? ›

Transcription Speed for the Average Person

The average person can transcribe one audio hour in about 4 hours. It takes most people about one hour to transcribe 15 minutes of a clear, slow audio file. If any of the factors we mentioned above change the quality of the recording, that time might go up.

What is the basic rule in transcribing? ›

Transcripts should be at least 99% accurate. Grammar and punctuation are important for providing maximum clarity. Speaker identification helps users identify who is speaking. Essential to communicate non-speech sounds.

Is transcribing a good side job? ›

If perfect spelling and grammar come naturally to you, that shouldn't be difficult. If not, you'll spend a lot of time reviewing documents. And few transcription jobs pay extra for that extra time. That said, for the right candidates, transcription can be a great side hustle.

Which transcription site pays the most? ›

Daily Transcription

Daily Transcription claims to pay higher rates than other companies, starting at $0.75 – $0.85 per audio minute. Their top transcriptionists make $250 – $950 per week. Payments are made weekly by check.

Do you need a certificate to be a transcriber? ›

While there are no standard qualifications required in becoming a professional transcriptionist, there are various associations that provide certifications to individuals who are interested in mastering the field of transcriptions.

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