Make Money With TranscribeMe in 2023 (Transcription job)

Transcription work is an excellent option for those looking to earn extra income from home. With TranscribeMe, you can work as a transcriptionist and get paid for typing up audio and video files.

I recently started working with TranscribeMe, and in this detailed review, I’ll share my experience using the platform, how much you can expect to earn, and tips to maximize your income as a beginner transcriptionist.

What is TranscribeMe?

TranscribeMe is one of the most popular companies that hire transcriptionists to work remotely. They’ve been around since 2009, providing transcription services for various clients.

The company taps into the gig economy, crowdsourcing audio and video files from clients and distributing them to freelance transcriptionists like you and me.

As a transcriber for TranscribeMe, you’ll listen to audio or watch video files and transcribe them into text documents. The required skills are the ability to type fast and accurately, excellent listening comprehension, basic computer skills, and good English proficiency.

It’s a legitimate work from home opportunity that can provide part-time income around your schedule.

TranscribeMe Job Requirements

The requirements to start working for TranscribeMe are straightforward:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma
• Be a fluent English speaker/writer
• Have a computer with stable internet access
• Have a PayPal account to receive payment

You don’t need any special equipment or previous transcription experience. However, you will have to take and pass an entrance exam that tests your typing speed, accuracy, grammar, and listening comprehension.

As long as you can type fast and accurately transcribe what you hear, you can get hired as a beginner.

How Does TranscribeMe Work?

Here’s an overview of how TranscribeMe’s transcription process works:

1. Clients submit audio/video files – TranscribeMe acquires transcription jobs from clients who need audio or video files transcribed.
2. TranscribeMe splits files into smaller parts – They split large files into smaller sections or “microtasks.”
3. Files get distributed to transcribers – These microtasks are distributed to qualified transcribers like you through their online platform.
4. Transcribe files – You listen to or watch the file and transcribe it into a text document on the platform.
5. Submit transcription – Once done, you submit the text file back to TranscribeMe for review.
6. Get paid – If your work meets the quality requirements, your account gets credited, so you can get paid weekly via PayPal.

It’s a simple, streamlined process that allows you to work at your own pace around your availability.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

If you’re ready to start earning, here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what you need to do to get started as a transcriptionist with TranscribeMe:

Step 1: Apply online

First, you need to go to TranscribeMe’s website and complete the online application.

The application asks for your basic information – nothing too intrusive. Just make sure everything you enter is accurate.

Step 2: Take the introductory course

Once you submit the application, you’ll need to complete TranscribeMe’s introductory course. This course provides a brief tutorial explaining how their platform works and what the transcription process looks like.

It takes about 10 minutes to complete and ends with a short quiz.

Step 3: Take the entrance exam

The next step is passing TranscribeMe’s entrance exam with at least 98% accuracy. The exam has two parts:

Part 1: A quiz on English grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Part 2: Transcribing 3 audio clips

For the second part, you’ll need to transcribe three short audio clips exactly as you hear them. Passing this exam shows you have the transcription skills needed to start working.

You have up to 3 chances to take the exam before being disqualified. I recommend studying TranscribeMe’s style guide before taking the test.

Step 4: Complete onboarding tasks

Once you pass the exam, TranscribeMe will onboard you by having you complete a few short transcription tasks. This lets you get familiar with their platform.

At this point, as long as you meet the quality requirements on the onboarding tasks, your account will be approved, and you can start working!

What Does TranscribeMe Pay?

Now let’s talk about TranscribeMe’s pay and how much you can expect to earn as a beginner transcriptionist.

TranscribeMe pays between $15 to $22 per audio hour for general transcription.

The exact rate per hour depends on the quality of the audio, your typing speed, and accuracy. The clearer the audio, the faster you can transcribe.

For context, the industry standard pay rate for transcription ranges from $10 to $25 per audio hour on average. So TranscribeMe is competitive.

However, it’s essential to understand that audio hour pay is different from per hour worked. It takes most people at least 3-4x the length of the audio file to transcribe it.

For example, if you transcribe a 30-minute audio file, it would likely take you 90 minutes to 2 hours. This means you’d get paid for 0.5 audio hours while working for 1.5 – 2 hours.

The precise hourly wage earned comes out to around $10-15 per hour worked for most beginners. As you gain speed and proficiency, you can increase that.

Experienced transcriptionists report earning anywhere from $150 to $250 per month consistently in supplemental income through TranscribeMe.

However, it depends entirely on your availability and speed. There is no minimum or maximum you have to earn. You can work as much or as little as your schedule allows.

Tips to maximize earnings with TranscribeMe:

• Work during peak hours – Mornings and evenings tend to have the most work available.
• Improve your typing speed & accuracy – The faster you can transcribe files accurately, the more you can earn per hour worked. Having a transcription foot pedal helps increase productivity.
• Take advantage of bonus opportunities – Occasionally, TranscribeMe offers bonus pay for transcribing specialized, high-priority files in 24 hours. Keep an eye out for these bonuses.
• Join the Specialty Teams – After gaining experience, you can take additional exams to join their Specialty Teams and earn higher pay ($60-$75 per hour) transcribing technical, medical, or legal files.

TranscribeMe Payment Process

TranscribeMe pays its transcribers weekly via PayPal as long as you meet the minimum payout amount of $20.

Once your account balance reaches $20, you can request payment on Monday, and the funds will be sent to your PayPal account on Thursday. So you get paid quickly.

The easy payment process is a major perk of TranscribeMe compared to other transcription companies. Many competitors only pay monthly, have high minimum payouts, or use tedious payment methods.

TranscribeMe Software and Equipment Requirements

Another perk of TranscribeMe is that you don’t need to purchase any special equipment or software. Their online platform has an integrated media player and text editor.

Their only requirements are:

• A computer or laptop
• High-speed, stable internet
• Google Chrome browser (required)
• Headphones with a microphone

You don’t need previous experience, fancy equipment like a transcription foot pedal, or to download any software. TranscribeMe has an easy-to-use web-based platform.

However, I highly recommend having a good pair of over-the-ear headphones and a foot pedal. Though not required, they will make the transcription process much easier and improve your productivity.

Pros of Working for TranscribeMe

Here’s an overview of the biggest pros of TranscribeMe based on my experience:

• Flexible schedule – Set your own hours and work when convenient for you. You’re not obligated to work any minimum number of hours.
• Weekly pay – Get paid quickly via PayPal on a weekly basis. The $20 minimum payout is reasonable.
• Beginner-friendly – TranscribeMe welcomes beginners and provides training. No experience required to get started.
• Reputable company – They have a long history of hiring remote transcriptionists with plenty of positive reviews online confirming it’s legit.
• No commute – As a work-from-home position, you avoid the time and costs associated with commuting to an office each day.
• Can scale earnings – You control how much you earn based on the hours you put in, your speed, and skills.

For stay-at-home parents, students, or anyone needing a flexible side gig, TranscribeMe has a lot of upside.

Cons to Consider

However, there are also a few downsides to think about:

• Audio quality varies – Some files have background noise or poor audio quality making them take longer to transcribe and reducing your hourly rate.
• Inconsistent work availability – You aren’t guaranteed consistent work. Some days/hours have more work than others.
• Capped earning potential – It’s difficult to earn more than $500-$1,000 per month through TranscribeMe alone. To earn more, you’d likely need to use multiple platforms.
• Can be tedious – Listening to audio files and repeatedly typing them out is tedious work for some.
• Entry exam – You only get two attempts to pass their entrance exam, so make sure you prepare.

The work itself as a transcriptionist may not be suitable for everyone. Make sure you know what you’re getting into before joining.

TranscribeMe Reputation: Is it Legit?

Given it involves submitting your personal information online for pay, it’s reasonable to wonder “Is TranscribeMe a scam?”

The good news is TranscribeMe is 100% legitimate. They are an established company with a mostly positive reputation built up over more than a decade in business.

You can find many independent TranscribeMe reviews online from real transcriptionists sharing their experiences. Most describe it as a legit way to earn extra money from home.

The most common complaints stem from frustration with work availability and landing jobs as a beginner.

Their entrance exam can also be challenging if you aren’t prepared. But overall, TranscribeMe has a proven history of paying its transcribers and satisfies customers.

My Experience Working for TranscribeMe

After researching TranscribeMe thoroughly, I decided to give it a shot myself as a way to earn extra income from home.

Here is an overview of my experience as a beginner using TranscribeMe:

Application Process – The application itself was quick and straightforward. I just entered my info and took the intro course.

Entrance Exam – The exam was challenging. I underestimated it at first and failed on my first try. But I retook it after studying their style guide more carefully and passed on my second attempt.

Getting started – After passing the exam, I was able to start selecting and transcribing audio files right away. The platform is user-friendly.

Earnings – In my first few weeks, I averaged around $50-100 per month in extra income working 5-10 hours per week. This was in line with reviews I had read indicating realistic monthly earnings.

Audio quality – The audio quality varies quite a bit. Some files are clear, others have heavy background noise making them take 2-3x longer to transcribe.

Tediousness – Listening to mundane conversations and repeatedly typing them does get tedious. I usually can only transcribe for 1-2 hours before needing a break.

Flexibility – The flexibility to set my schedule as needed is fantastic. I can work during nap time or after the kids go to bed.

Overall, my time with TranscribeMe has gone well so far. While it may not replace a full-time income, it provides easy, stress-free extra money from home. I plan to continue transcription as a side gig.

Review from other users

Here are two comments from other TranscribeMe users sharing their experiences:

User 1:

This user makes an excellent point – TranscribeMe’s audio hour pay equates to low per hour pay once you factor in the actual time spent transcribing files. The hourly wage is low for skilled work.

User 2:

This user highlights the other common complaint about TranscribeMe – the unpredictable work availability. You can’t always work whenever you want and have to wait around for files to transcribe, which can result in very low earnings some days.

Conclusion

TranscribeMe provides an accessible way to earn extra money from home through transcription work. The quick pay, schedule flexibility, training, and beginner-friendly approach make it appealing.

However, realize that actual hourly pay can be low once you factor in the time spent on files. And work availability is inconsistent with no guarantee of continuous jobs.

Overall, TranscribeMe is an excellent side gig but likely won’t replace a full-time income on its own. Go in with reasonable expectations around earnings and availability.

For stay-at-home parents and others needing part-time remote work, TranscribeMe is a great option to consider getting started with transcription and gaining valuable experience!

FAQs About Working for TranscribeMe

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about TranscribeMe:

How much does TranscribeMe pay per hour?

The pay rate ranges from $15-$22 per audio hour depending on your experience level. For beginners, expect around $10-15 per hour worked after factoring in your transcription speed.

How quickly does TranscribeMe pay?

TranscribeMe pays weekly via PayPal as long as you meet the $20 minimum payout. You can request payment on Monday and receive funds on Thursday.

What are TranscribeMe’s requirements?

You need to be 18 years old, fluent in English, have a computer with stable internet, and pass their entrance exam with at least 98% accuracy. No special equipment is required.

Does TranscribeMe provide work or do I have to find clients?

TranscribeMe provides all of the transcription work directly through their platform. You don’t have to search for clients or market yourself.

What types of audio do transcribers work with?

TranscribeMe has clients across many industries so you’ll transcribe everything from business meetings, to interviews, to medical discussions. Content varies widely day-to-day.

Can I get paid to transcribe audio in other languages?

TranscribeMe sometimes has special jobs for transcribing in Spanish, French, German and other languages. However, most work is in English.

Is TranscribeMe a work-from-home job or side gig?

TranscribeMe is mostly used as a side gig for supplemental income versus a full-time job. It can be hard to earn more than $1,000 per month through their platform alone.