Imagine this………
You’re sitting at your desk, headphones on, with a cup of coffee steaming beside you. Your fingers dance across the keyboard as you listen intently to the recording playing through your headphones. With each word spoken, you diligently type, capturing the essence of the conversation as it unfolds. This is the world of general transcription – where spoken words come to life in written form.
If that doesn’t spark your enthusiasm for the world of general transcription for beginners, I’m not sure what will!
But now, let’s turn our attention to the practical aspects of transcription, and explore the areas you might be wondering about so that we can tackle the lingering questions or concerns you may be having. That’s why you’re here, after all!
You may have heard of medical transcription before – deciphering tricky medical language and lengthy reports. It’s a tough job that needs a lot of experience and special knowledge.
But fear not my friend, because I have another option for you: enter the world of general transcription for beginners!
General transcription jobs for beginners
General transcription is like the ‘friendly cousin’ of medical transcription. It doesn’t require you to be a doctor or a lawyer; it just requires you to be a good listener and a proficient typist.
No need to spend years in medical school or law school (GOOD RIDDANCE!). Nope! With general transcription, you can jump right in and start transcribing from the comfort of your own home – whether you have post-secondary education or not.
And the best part? General transcription is in high demand across multiple industries. From business meetings to podcast interviews…… if it’s recorded, someone needs it transcribed!
The 6 Most Popular General Transcription Jobs:
- Podcast transcriptions
- Business meeting minutes
- Conference calls
- Webinar content
- Documentary interviews
- YouTube video subtitles
Businesses rely on transcription for everything from creating reports to preserving important conversations. It’s the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the wheels of communication turning smoothly.
But let’s not forget the variety that general transcription offers. One day, you might be transcribing a heartfelt voicemail; the next, you could be capturing the excitement of a live phone conversation. From dictations to interviews, there’s never a dull moment in the world of general transcription.
Take Sarah, for example:
A stay-at-home mom who decided to try her hand at general transcription. With a background in customer service, Sarah found herself drawn to the idea of transcribing audio recordings. She enrolled in an online course, honed her skills, and quickly found herself transcribing interviews for a local magazine.
What started as a side gig quickly turned into a fulfilling career in 2016, allowing Sarah to contribute financially to her family while still being there for her kids. She still does it, and loves it, even today!
Or consider the case of David Warren:
As an English literature college drop-out unsure of his career path, David stumbled upon general transcription and decided to give it a whirl.
With his knack for language and attention to detail, David excelled in transcribing everything from business meetings to podcast episodes. Before long, he was offered a full-time position with an online transcription company, where he now oversees a team of transcriptionists and helps train new recruits. It really wasn’t long before David was earning 6-figures per year. His future has never looked so bright!
These stories highlight the versatility and potential for growth within the field of general transcription. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking for a flexible job opportunity or a recent graduate exploring your options, general transcription can definitely offer you a rewarding career path – with endless possibilities!
So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of transcription, don’t let the intimidating world of medical or legal transcription hold you back. Because with general transcription, all you need is a keen ear, a nimble keyboard, and a willingness to learn.
Who knows? You might just discover a passion for turning spoken words into written masterpieces 😉
Is general transcription a good career choice?
Let me explain why choosing to be a general transcriptionist is such an amazing opportunity!
First, you can work from the coziness of your own home or anywhere with an internet connection! No more commuting or dealing with traffic jams.
Plus, you get to call the shots on when and how much you work. You’re the boss of your own schedule! Need a day off? No problem! You have the freedom to take time off whenever you need it, whether it’s for a well-deserved vacation or just some personal time.
You also have the power to select which clients and projects you want to take on, giving you ultimate control over your workload.
Top 5 Perks of Being a Transcriptionist:
- Flexible hours/location
- Higher earning potential
- No degree is required!
- Low start-up costs
- Remote work benefits
Now, let’s talk about the dough – lots and lots of money!
Because whether you want to make transcription your full-time gig or just earn some extra cash on the side, it’s a lucrative way to bring home the bacon.
And guess what?
There’s a huge demand for general transcriptionists! Businesses and individuals alike need transcripts for various purposes, from websites to blogs and beyond.
But here’s the kicker – you don’t need a fancy degree or certification to get started in general transcription.
As long as you’re a decent typist with solid grammar skills, you’re good to go! And the best part? Starting as a general transcriptionist doesn’t break the bank. If you’ve got a computer, you’re pretty much all set to embark on your transcription journey. Can I get a “hell yeah”?!
Oh, and let’s not forget about the work itself – it’s incredibly fascinating!
You’ll have the opportunity to explore a huge range of subjects and assignments for all types of clients, ensuring that every single day brings new challenges and excitement.
Whoever said being a transcriptionist is boring, was never a general transcriptionist!
Now, you might be wondering why transcription is such a big deal, right? Well, let me break it down for ya!
First, consider how people like to consume information – some prefer reading, some like listening, and others enjoy watching. But it’s not just about personal preference – transcripts also serve an important purpose for those with hearing impairments, allowing them to access content they might otherwise miss out on. And here’s a neat trick – posting transcripts online can actually boost a website’s search engine ranking, attracting more traffic and potential customers.
What’s the difference between general transcription and medical transcription?
Recently, there’s been a surge in demand for general transcriptionists.
From large companies to small startups, everyone’s recognizing the value of transcription services.
Now, let’s quickly explore the types of transcription roles:
- Medical Transcriptionists transcribe medical documents, requiring specialized training.
- Legal Transcriptionists transcribe legal documents, needing familiarity with legal terminology.
- General Transcriptionists transcribe a wide range of content without specialized training, often working from home.
If you’re looking for a flexible and potentially lucrative transcription career, general transcription might be the perfect fit. Just remember, accuracy is crucial for success!
Here’s why doing general transcription might be a better choice than medical transcription:
- No tough training needed: You don’t have to take hard courses or learn tricky terms like medical or legal transcription.
- Simple start-up: All you need is a computer, internet, and free transcription software. No need for expensive courses – yay!
- Less competition: More medical transcription jobs go to other countries, but general transcription jobs are more commonly available locally.
- Lower typing speed needed: You don’t have to type as fast as medical transcriptionists, so there’s less pressure. Which means less stress! Phew!
- Flexible deadlines: You have more time to finish your work compared to medical or legal transcription, which typically have tighter deadlines.
- Work from home: With general transcription, you’re more likely to work from home since the jobs aren’t as secretive.
- More interesting stuff: Instead of typing the same medical reports, you’ll deal with a bunch of different topics, making the job more fun.
So, don’t let the tough requirements of medical or legal transcription scare you! If you’re ready to start, think about trying general transcription—it could be just right for you.
You know how they say blondes have more fun? Well, general transcriptionists have more fun too!
Free transcription training
Before getting started, I recommend taking this free transcriptionist course. They refer to it as a “workshop,” but whenever I hear “workshop,” my mind immediately goes to a magical place where little elves with pointy ears are tinkering with wooden toys. So, calling it a “course” seems more appropriate to me!
Just sayin’…… Hahaha.
Anyways, check it out before you embark on your transcription adventure! 🎉
Just some advice – if you can afford it – I highly recommend you get the paid version, if you’re serious about a career in general transcription and securing a high-paying transcription job.
It’s definitely worth the money if you really want to get your transcription career rolling. It’s the best class I know to help you become a transcriptionist, of any kind for that matter!
Skills you need to start transcription work
To start offering general transcription services, you don’t need a fancy degree, special training, or experience in transcription.
Plus, you don’t have to know any medical or legal words. But you do need to be good at making accurate transcripts and meeting deadlines – although the deadlines aren’t nearly as strict as medical and legal transcriptions!
Anyways, here are the skills you need to be a KICK-BUTT transcriptionist:
- Fast and Accurate Typing: You must type quickly and accurately. Aim for 55-70 words per minute. Accuracy is super important too.
- Excellent English and Listening Skills: You should be great at English, spelling, and grammar. You also need to understand different accents.
- Understanding Accents: You’ll hear lots of different accents when transcribing, but you’ll get used to them with practice.
- General and Industry Knowledge: Know a bit about different topics since you’ll be transcribing all sorts of things.
- Computer Skills: You should be pretty okay with computers. Know how to use email, Microsoft Word, and other basic stuff.
Improving these skills will help you become a better transcriptionist. You can practice online or even take some classes. Remember, you don’t need to go to school for this, but taking a course can really help.
So, are you ready to start? Practice and improve your skills, and soon you’ll be a pro at general transcription!
How much do transcriptionists make?
So just how much does a general transcriptionist get paid anyways?
Well, that can vary based on a few things like how much experience they have, where they are, how tricky the work is, and if they work for a company or for themselves.
Let’s look at these one by one:
- How much they’ve done this job: People just starting out as a general transcriptionist might not make as much money as those who’ve been doing it for a long time.
- Where they live: In some places, transcriptionists get paid more because the cost of living simply costs more there. In other places, they might get paid less.
- Working for someone or by themselves: Some transcriptionists work for companies and get paid regularly. Others work on their own, applying for jobs as they go, and getting paid for every job they finish.
- What they are writing down: Writing down basic conversations might pay okay, but writing down confidential conversations, like doctor or lawyer discussions for example, might just pay much more because the lingo is more difficult to understand and may require special education or training to do so.
Embracing the “N-word”
People who do this job, in North America, typically make between $30K-$50K annually (USD). This depends on how fast they write and how clear their speech is.
These numbers are just to give you an idea, but it can change based on the demand, your location (and the location of the employer), as well as how good you are at negotiating pay.
That’s right, I said it, the much dreaded “N” word……
You CAN and SHOULD negotiate. The employer expects it, so they often start their offer lower than what they’re actually willing to go. So don’t be shy. But at the same time don’t be greedy. Especially if you’re new to the field!
When you’ve been a transcriptionist for a while and have gained a lot of experience, you’ll become more skilled at your job. You will be faster, more accurate, and able to handle more complex transcription tasks. In return, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate higher pay for your work.
The demand for experienced transcriptionists is high, and companies are willing to pay more for their services. In addition to this, your track record of delivering high-quality work (on-time) can give you the credibility to ask for better rates.
The benefits of being a transcriptionist
Diving into general transcription is a fantastic way to rake in some cash, especially if you’ve got a knack for listening and can type like the wind. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a long-term career, the benefits of being a general transcriptionist are truly appealing!
First off, you get the ultimate flexibility in work hours and location – all you need is a computer and a good internet connection. This means you can tailor your job around your life, not the other way around. Plus, the variety of work keeps things interesting; one day you might be transcribing a fascinating podcast and the next, valuable insights from a business meeting. Not to mention, as you grow more experienced, your earning potential can significantly increase, making it a potentially lucrative option.
