One of the great things about the internet is that it’s opened up a ton of new opportunities for earning a living. You are no longer required to find a job in your city, or even country, to earn a decent living. The best part is that many of these jobs and businesses are work from home arrangements. For most of us, working from home is an ideal set up.
The best part is that it’s easier than ever to make money from home. So long as you are willing to put the work in. One of these great work at home (or work anywhere) set ups is to become a transcriptionist. The best part about being a transcriptionist is that you get to do it from anywhere.
When I found out that Janet from Transcribe Anywhere had managed to make 6 figures a year I thought it would be a good idea to find out a little more about this work at home opportunity. Check out the interview below, and then check out her site for more information.
What is a transcriptionist?
Transcription is the process of turning recorded audio and video into text. Transcriptionists listen and type what was spoken into a readable document that may be used for a variety of purposes — training, legal documents, downloadable conferences, accompaniment to video, and loads of other uses.
Who is transcribing best suited for?
Transcription is a skill to be learned through training and practice, which is available to anyone. Some people, however, just aren’t a great fit for working remotely. It’s important to do some research before believing the myth that anyone can be a transcriptionist and that all you need is to know how to type. That’s simply not true. Transcriptionists aren’t trained monkeys. It’s much harder than most people realize.
If someone is reading this and they want to make more money, what are the qualities they should have that would make a greattranscriptionist?
They need to, first of all, have the time to prepare and practice. Preparation is the first pillar of success. You need to be self-motivated and self-disciplined. You need to be open to learning new things and have at least some familiarity with typing and using the internet.
How long does it take to learn how to be a transcriptionist?
Most students finish our courses in about four months. That’s an average. Those with experience may get through it quicker and it takes others longer. It depends on a person’s time availability and desire to succeed.
What are the tools that someone needs to get started as a transcriptionist?
Luckily, most people already have most of the equipment needed: a computer (laptop is fine), an internet connection, transcription software and hardware, and Microsoft Word. The software and hardware needed aren’t expensive.
Starting work as a transcriptionist doesn’t cost a lot. In fact, it’s probably the cheapest route to self-employment that I’ve come across.
How much can I expect to make when I start as transcriptionist?
There are so many variables that go into how we charge for our services and we cover it all in our courses. Remember, we’re not hourly employees, so there’s not a fixed rate of pay. However, as a general ballpark figure, a beginning transcriptionist should expert to earn somewhere in the $15 – $20 per hour range.
How flexible of a schedule is it?
It’s completely flexible. That’s the prime reason most of us do this type of work. We work when, where, and how often we choose.
How does the business side of it work?
As I mentioned, we’re self-employed. We charge customers for our services and they pay us. Everyone’s situation is different and I encourage anyone entering the field to consult their accountant about the best type of business setup. But, when beginning, it’s perfectly acceptable to operate as a sole proprietor and keep it simple.
How does the work flow go? Am I on my own, or is there work provided?
If you choose to work for a larger transcription company, the work will be provided to you.
As you gain your own clientele, if that’s something you want to do, your clients will send work directly to you. You don’t have to actually start your own business. Many transcriptionists work part-time for larger companies and that’s a great setup. You still have a lot of flexibility with no commuting to a “job,” but you don’t have to actually own your own business if you don’t want to.
What could a person expect to make on a monthly basis if they did this for a few years?
I took my business, over a period of several years, from zeroto six figures. Will everyone make that much? Nope. You’ll get out of it what you put into it and I put a LOT into it! It paid off. I’m very blessed to enjoy the lifestyle I have now.
If someone is wanting to learn more what is their next step?
Check out our free mini-courses to learn whether or not transcription is the right fit for you.
My Final Thoughts
Like a lot of work at home opportunities, this one seems to have a lot of promise. What I like is that there are minimal costs to get started. As someone who has started multiple businesses a low cost up front to get started is always a big plus. Like any job or business, this will have a learning curve but if youwant to start working from home, becoming a transcriptionist may be the right fit for you.
Looking for More Ways to Make Money? Here are some great resources:
- How to Make Money with No Money
- 10 Incredibly Cool Ways to Make Money With Pets
- How to Make Money on Your Professional Sports Team WITHOUT Gambling
- 10+ Simple Ways to Make Money on Your Couch
- How to Get Paid to Exercise and Lose Weight
- 7 Ways to Make Money With Your House
