The video comprehensively explains how to become a transcriptionist, including the types of transcription, required skills, technical requirements, tools, training, and where to find jobs.
It covers the benefits and drawbacks of the profession, realistic earning expectations, and actionable steps for beginners to get started—including practice resources and reputable companies hiring transcriptionists.
Key considerations include investing in basic equipment, developing specific skills, and understanding the differences between transcription types.
No meeting attendees, dates, or decisions as this is a guided instructional video.
Action Items
N/A: This video is informational; no specific action items were assigned.
Overview of Transcription as a Career
Transcriptionists convert audio recordings into text documents and can work remotely.
There are three main types: medical, legal, and general transcriptionists. Most beginners start as general transcriptionists.
Benefits include flexible hours, the ability to work from anywhere, minimal startup costs, and the potential to control income.
Drawbacks include potential job automation by AI, modest earning potential for beginners, and occasional scarcity of jobs.
Earning Potential and Factors Affecting Income
Earnings depend on typing speed, audio quality, and client rates.
Beginners can expect $3–$11/hour, while experienced transcriptionists may earn $7–$20+/hour.
U.S. average salary for transcriptionists is about $58,441/year, but rates vary by client and company.
Technical Requirements and Tools
Essential equipment: a fairly modern computer, quality headphones, optional foot pedal for efficiency, and reliable internet.
Recommended tools include grammar checkers (Grammarly, ProWritingAid), Google Docs (voice typing), transcription software (Express Scribe, oTranscribe), audio enhancers (Audacity), audio converters (Freemake Audio Converter), and productivity tools (Text Expander).
Choose only free or starter versions of these tools as a beginner.
Required Skills for Transcriptionists
Fast typing (minimum 60+ words per minute) is crucial.
Strong command of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Excellent attentive listening, multitasking, research, time management, and basic technology proficiency are necessary.
Understanding the difference between verbatim (exact transcription, including fillers and false starts) and non-verbatim (edited for clarity) transcription.
Training, Certification, and Practice
Certifications are available and sometimes required, especially for medical and legal transcriptionists.
Recommended training providers include Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT), and Transcribe Anywhere.
Practice resources: GoTranscript, TCI, Express Scribe, each offering free sample files and style guides.
Applying for Transcription Jobs
After training and practice, prepare a relevant resume highlighting key skills.
Reputable companies that hire beginners include Rev, Scribie, GoTranscript, TranscribeMe, and Daily Transcription.
Application processes typically involve grammar and transcription tests; pay rates and payment methods vary by platform.
Decisions
N/A: No formal decisions were made, as this was an instructional video.
Open Questions / Follow-Ups
None; all content was covered in the video, and no follow-ups or unresolved items remain.