Is Transcription For You?

I started the online transcription job more than two years ago. I had no prior experience of it. I had to google what exactly a transcription job entails.

Fortunately, my friend who gave me the job gave me a good rate despite my being a newbie. And she was ever so patient with my questions and clarifications. Since then, I took transcription job instead of a writing job.

Here are to 4 reasons why you should consider transcription job:

1. For a newbie, you are usually given 24 hours to do a 30 minute audio. I get to choose what time of the day I work. I found out that for a 10 minute audio, it takes me 1 hour to transcribe (if the audio is clear). I add another hour to edit the transcript.
2. I get to listen to lecture audios or academic audios for a pay. I like to think of it as a scholarship. I get paid to study a course.
3. My English construction is improved.
4. My listening skill is honed.

If you’re considering doing a transcription job, here are some litmus test questions that you should ask yourself :

1. Do you have good English comprehension?
2. Are you good with English word nuances? Like when dealing homophone words “there” and “they’re” and “their”?
3. Do you have personal leadership? Like you make sure your output is excellent and you submit it on time.
4. Are you able to communicate well to your clients? Like you give them updates or air your concerns?
5. How is your typing skills? Poor typing skill should not discourage you. I was a poor typist. I simply enrolled on a free online typing lesson. After two days, my speed and accuracy improved. This is one of the sites that offer free typing lesson http://www.typingstudy.com/lesson/1/part/2

If you think you are up for the challenge, watch out for my next article, Transcription Without Foot Pedal:-D http://cosmictask.com/transcribing-without-foot-pedal/