Transcription is a process of turning an audio into text format. You listen to an audio and you write whatever is being said into put it into writing.
There are companies looking for such services and are willing to pay freelancers for the job.
There are companies that allow Malawians and other people from other countries to apply for jobs.
These platforms will upload a job and you work on it properly meaning you follow their guidelines to get paid.
You can make between $100 and $500 per week but it will depend on the companies providing the jobs and your experience.
Some pay per transcribed minute or words the charges will depend on the company and the difficulty of the audio per video that is given to you.
As a transcriptionist, you get to set your own working hours and you can work whenever you want. All you need is an internet connection and a laptop or a desktop.
Working as a transcriptionist can help you through a difficult financial time.
Fortunately, there are companies who offer transcription jobs online for beginners no experience required!
If you are ready you can take a free mini course over at TranscribeAnywhere to get started. Taking a course like this gives you a much better understanding and change to getting more transcription jobs is a better pay.
Or you can just dive in and apply because the list is good for beginners.
What is the process of application?
Most companies will give you a test to see your English grammar. You do not have to have a degree to be able to do this you just need to be good at English grammar.
You are required to have a laptop and most platforms need you to have a chrome browser.
Before you take the test, they will give you guidelines of how you can be able work with them these are rules that you must follow in order to be successful working with them.
Some companies require having some experience while some do not. I will start with those companies that do not need you to have experience and then I will list the ones that require you to have some experience.
Pros of Transcription
• Set your own schedule
• Get paid weekly
Cons of transcription
• Can be lonely
• Requires concentration and time
Tools needed
A laptop or Desktop
An internet connection
Transcription software
This lets you control audio playback using keys on your computer keyboard or a foot pedal so you don’t have to start and stop audio using your mouse and a standard player like Windows Media Player. You can get professional transcription software for free here.
Transcription foot pedal
Even though many transcription sites don’t necessarily require you to use this but they are quiet useful in controlling audio playback using your toes instead of your fingers, making transcription faster and easier.
Headphones
Some good transcription headsets, that are designed to enhance vocal frequencies or to improve the sound of distorted audio with low volume.
Microsoft Word
When using this software make sure you backup you files online as well to make sure you don’t lose them.
You will also need to have a PAYPAL and a Payoneer account before applying to these companies. This is a form of way they will use to pay you. Most sites require you to put email address that is linked to your payment platform, its best you set up everything beforehand.
Click
here to learn how to create a Payoneer account or just go
straight to creating the account here.
Click
here to learn how to create a PayPal account or just go
straight to creating the account here.
Here are 19 transcription companies that Malawians can apply
Here is a list of legitimate sites that provide real work that you can apply to and get paid even without any experience, and best of all work at home.
Is a transcription company that is accepts beginners to apply. And they pay every 2 weeks on Mondays.
How it works
• Go to Verbit dashboard and apply to become a transcriber.
• Verbit will then send you a link to confirm your email giving you instructions. You are given a link to a video and guidelines for a short training before you take a test.
• When you take a test you will be put on the waiting list and your application will be reviewed in 2 months.
If you don’t get a confirmation after 2 months just email them.
If you qualify, your Verbit account will be created.
2.
Speechpad
SpeechPadis also good for beginners pay is twice weekly and you can withdraw even $1.
Speechpad offers both transcription services and captioning for a variety of platforms within several different industries.
They pay using PayPal and Payoneer
Click here to apply to Speechpad
3.
Babble
Type
BabbleType is always looking for new transcriptionists, editors, and translators All over the world.
Once you visit their site, you’ll be asked to watch a short video. This will help you determine whether you’re a good fit for Babble Type or not.
From there you will need to fill out an application and test to be considered for a paid work.
They will contact you via email if you have been successful or not.
This market research transcription company hires transcriptionists with no experience to work from home. They also hire transcript editors/proofreaders and translators.
Click here to start apply to Babbletype
4. Scribie
Scribie known previously Callgraph, is a transcription company known for hiring both experienced transcriptionists and beginners.
The files to be transcribed are mostly 6-minute segments and they comprise of telephone calls, interviews, and speeches.
They are always hiring and you can always apply to this site.
They pay you a bonus which is if you complete three hours of audio in a month, you get a bonus $10.00.
The amount you make per audio hour will depend on your skill level, experience, and how fast you submit finished transcripts.
There are no cash out limits at scribie and no commitments meaning that you work as much or as little as you want, when you want. You also get an opportunity to choose which files to work on.
How it works
• Go to Scribie dashboard and apply to become a transcriber and an application number will be assigned to you.
• Scribie will then send you a link to confirm your email.
• When you submit your test you will be put on the waiting list and your application will be reviewed within 1 business day.
• If you qualify, your Scribie account will be created then you will be invited for a short transcription test. You are also required to take a test. And also you are given a chance to practice before you take the test. A style guide is also given so make sure you read it before you apply.
You complete the transcription test by transcribing the file assigned then send it to them for review.
Once you qualify you will get paid for the test plus gain access to all available transcription jobs.
They hire worldwide and pay via PayPal. The pay rate is $10.00/audio hour.
You must have a verified PayPal account before any work is assigned.
Scribie pays the lowest in the industry but it’s a great place for beginners to start their transcription career. But this should not worry you can always apply for more transcription jobs on other site.
Click here to get
Scribie jobs and start earning today!
TranscribeMe is another company that's open to hiring beginners worldwide. The website states their average monthly earnings are $250, with top monthly earnings of $2,200 per month.
How it works
• You have to apply as a transcriber on their website.
• The first application process is filling out a form, where you are required to put your personal details.
• After that you will be directed to take a test. Make sure you read the guidelines as you will need this to take the test.
As a transcriptionist for TranscribeMe, you’ll transcribe short audio files of 2 to 4 minutes. They have medical and legal files as well.
Pay is $15-$22 per audio hour.
You can work whenever you want, and work is steady.
If you pass you will be contacted within 48 hours to discuss the next steps. If you fail you can retake the exam in 24 hours.
Payments are made every week. The company pays with PayPal
To
begin the application process, click here
Transcription for Everyone is also beginner friendly.
They also have a Transcription course which you can take for free.
They pay Via PayPal and Payoneer.
Click here to
apply to Transcription for everyone
7.
Appenscribe
Appenscribe offers Transcription services and other services as well. So if you are fluent in multiple languages, you will have more work available to you.
Appen’s website states: “We are a global leader in the development of high-quality, human annotated datasets for machine learning and artificial intelligence. We partner with the world’s leading technology companies to improve their machine learning based products.” The company is known to hire for a variety of flexible remote positions, including search and social media evaluators, survey takers, and transcriptionists.
You are required to pass two simple tests to be accepted and to be offered a job as a transcriber.
How it works
• You have to visit Appenscribe and register for an account.
• Wait for an email for approval
Their pay rates differ but you can expect a rate of about $0.005 per word.
Payments are made twice a month via PayPal.
Work is not always available through Appenscribe, but when work is available, you can claim it any time day or night.
The good thing about this is that there are non-transcription projects available at times too, if you want to expand your work-from-home earnings.
8.
CastingWords
Casting Words has two ways for transcriptionists to find work: The CastingWords Workshop on their website and Mechanical Turk.
Mechanical Turk is a workplace from Amazon; they put micro tasks that you complete for money. Through Mechanical Turk (MT) you’ll never know what you will find–sometimes there are a ton of HITS (MT lingo for jobs) and other times, there is hardly anything.
Through their Workshop, they offer transcription jobs online in 66 countries.
This entry-level transcription company offers transcription jobs for beginners and doesn’t require applicants to take a test or submit a resume –
$1 is a minimum amount you can withdraw from this site
All you need to do is sign up at the CastingWords and start claiming jobs to work on.
You can do jobs right within the CastingWords player, or else you can download the audio files to your computer and transcribe them using a transcribing software which you can get for free Express Scribe free download).
Click here to apply to CastingWords
9.
Speech Ink
Speech Ink hires typists via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform. You need to sign up for an MTurk Account to get started.
Once you’re signed up, you can search for Speech Ink jobs via MTurk platform. From there, claim jobs and complete them.
Speech Ink rates the quality of your work and awards bonuses based on accuracy.
Click here to apply to speech ink
10.
Crowdsurf
To get started you need an MT account. Like CastingWords, Crowdsurf posts their transcription jobs online through Mechanical Turk. They offer short transcription and captioning tasks
You will accept and work on Crowdsurf jobs through the MT platform and receive payments this way, too.
As a transcriber for CrowdSurf, you can log in when you’re available and claim short audio files to work on.
To apply, you’ll need to take a short assessment from their website at Crowdsurf.
Click here to apply to Crowdsurf
11.
Go Transcript
GoTranscript is another transcription company known to have transcription jobs for beginners and anyone can apply including Malawians.
This company hires transcriptionists and translators with no experience to work from home.
They pay up to $0.60 per minute. Average earnings on the platform come out to $150 per month.
As a transcriptionist for GoTranscript, you can work as much or as little as you want.
They pay up to $45 per audio hour via PayPal or Payoneer.
Click here to learn how to create an account for Payoneer.
How it works
All you need to get started with Go transcript is to
• Go to Gotranscript to create an account. You will need to have a valid email or your best email address.
• When you enter your personal details you will be taken to the GoTranscript dashboard and complete a short quiz.
• When you pass the quiz you will be directed to complete a transcription text and they will give you an audio which you should transcribe.
GoTranscript provides you GoTranscript transcription guidelines which you have to read before taking the test.
When you are done you submit it for a review.
They will contact you in a couple of days with the results.
If you pass the test, an email will be sent to you on how to start working.
The initial quiz is somehow difficult to get through click here to get the answers for the quiz. .
All the best!
Click here to
apply to Gotranscript
12.
Transcriptions ‘N’
Translations
This company is based in Miami and they do transcription projects for companies like Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.
You are required to pass a skills test to be recruited and start working as a transcriber.
You are also required to submit your resume along with a short form located on their website.
They pay you using PayPal or Payoneer.
Click here to apple to Transcriptions
‘N’ Translations
13. Way with
Words
Way with Words pays between $0.45 and $1.73 per audio minute. You can work as much or as little as you want, and work is steady.
Pay is monthly via PayPal.
To work with the company, you’ll need to pass some transcription and grammar tests.
They pay you using PayPal or Payoneer.
Click here to apply to Way with
words
Rev Transcription Company is based in San Francisco and was funded by Globespan.
The company normally has transcription jobs for both beginners and experienced transcriptionists. Rev is among the best transcription jobs for beginners.
Transcribers can earn up to $1,500 per month.
How it works
• You will be given a style guide. Make sure you read it before you apply for the test. The style guide is their requirements and you need to make sure you understand before you take the test.
• You have to take two tests to be approved for the transcription account, a grammar test where you answer some multiple choice questions.
• And another one which you have to take, this is a other test where you have to transcribe an audio into text.
They will send you an email to let you know if you have been confirmed. The approval process takes 48 hours.
Rev is not one of the easiest transcribing companies to get hired to work for.
If hired, you will transcribe files in academic realms, focus group meetings, business transcription, and more.
They have an easy-to-use platform for claiming transcription jobs and submitting completed transcripts.
They have a forum where transcribers can share and express their views on how best they can serve the customers.
Payment is weekly via PayPal and work is available 24/7.
If approved, a Rev account will be created for you. You will Sign in using your username and password. You will choose available transcription jobs from the work portal as much as you like any where you are.
Rev pays weekly payments (on Mondays) for work completed the previous week.
As a transcriber or captioner (where you transcribe videos) for Rev, you can work as much or as little as you want, and work is usually steady. You can also preview and choose the audio files you want to work on. You’ll transcribe within Rev’s web-based transcription editor, no need for your own software.
Is another transcription site that is available in many countries including Malawi. TranscriptionWing provides general, medical, and legal transcription services.
Their website says they pay transcribers up to $0.60 per audio minute.
They pay you using PayPal or Payoneer.
Click here to register with TranscriptionWing
16. Take Note
Typing
Take NoteTyping is a UK-based company and it hires transcriptionists, audio proofreaders, and copy typers.
When you get recruited you will be given jobs like focus groups for market research, interviews and conferences, and many more.
If you have more experience with transcription you will be offered work on medical, legal and media transcription.
They give you a higher than those who are just beginners.
Transcribers book their own shifts and then are assigned files for those shifts.
You will be required to complete
a typing speed test, an English language test, and a transcription test.
You’ll need Microsoft Office, which you can subscribe to on.
They pay you using Payoneer.
To apply to Take
Note Typing click here
17. Quicktate/iDictate
Quicktate is also beginner friendly company you don’t need experience to get hired by them.
How it works
• You must take a test at their website before being hired.
• You’ll need to provide three references and pass a typing test.
• You’ll need a transcription software you can get Express Scribe Pro, which is a free software.
As a transcriptionist for Quicktate, you’ll work on voicemail messages, memos, letters, legal files, medical files, recordings of phone calls, conference calls, and other audio files.
You can choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. You’ll earn $0.0025 (one-quarter cent) per word for general transcription and $0.0050 (one-half cent) per word for medical transcription.
The
company pays weekly with PayPal.
Click here to apply to Quicktate
18. OneSpace
They offer different freelancing jobs including graphic design, writing and editing, data entry, and research.
You may need to complete an online test to be recruited by them.
Work is flexible and the company pays daily via PayPal.
The site mainly offers microtasks.
They pay you
using Payoneer.
To
apply to Onespace click here
19.
Done It Now
Done it Now is an Australia-based transcription company. To work for them, you must be able to understand Australian colloquiums and names of places.
You’ll need to provide your own transcription software, which you can get for free here.
You apply for a position as a transcriptionist using the site form and you are required to take an entry test.
When you are approved you’ll log in when you’re available and claim work from the queue.
You will be required to work on verbatim audio files, focus groups, understand poor quality audio, handle foreign accents, and follow instructions for medical/legal/complex template work.
They pay you using Payoneer.
To apply at Done it
Now click here
