
Explore how to become a transcriptionist, cover general transcription, working from home, subcontractor contracts, and hands-on practice to land company work.
Discover what transcription involves beyond typing, including voice separation, accents, and accurate grammar and punctuation. Explore medical, legal, and general transcription, plus starting as a subcontractor or freelancer.
Discover how transcriptionists are paid by audio hour, calculate real earnings, and advance to higher paying contracts from $40 to $60 per audio hour, with productivity gains.
Explore how an earnings spreadsheet helps a transcriptionist compare part-time or full-time brick-and-mortar work to at-home transcription, using a Sally case study with hourly rates, tat ratio, and tax considerations.
Develop essential transcriptionist traits by mastering grammar and spelling, typing, research, listening, and following style guides, while maintaining professionalism and tenacity.
Identify essential transcription tools and the hardware and software you need to start, including laptop, headphones, foot pedal, Express Scribe, Microsoft Word, text expanders, and an ergonomic, backup-ready setup.
Download the practice audio and install Express Scribe to load files quickly, using open with Express Scribe or the load button; note mp3 versus wav formats.
Learn the basic controls, navigation, and hotkeys of Express Scribe, including playback speed, volume, note taking, file management, and Scribe Mini for efficient transcription.
Learn to use AutoCorrect as a text expander in Word by creating shortcuts that expand words or phrases, boosting transcription productivity.
Learn to transcribe accurately using modified verbatim, mark stutters, side conversations, and cross talk, research names, and proofread to audio to improve transcript quality.
Explore how a transcriptionist uses express scribe and auto backstep to align typing with speech, handle false starts, and bracket uncertain names while preserving meaning.
Gain transcription experience before applying by volunteering on nonprofit podcasts for referrals, pursue overflow or pro bono projects, and apply to new companies soon to avoid low paying contracts.
Learn to craft a skill-based transcription resume that prioritizes transcription-related experience over unrelated jobs, highlights editing and formatting skills, uses a one-page clean format, a professional email, and honesty.
Explore a sample transcription resume to tailor a unique resume, highlight experience in earning calls, insurance, and legal transcription, and include contact information and a profile.
Craft a concise cover letter that makes a strong first impression, introduces you, and highlights fit, strengths, and equipment you use or would buy; tailor it to each company.
Find transcription companies to work with using the provided list and forums such as TranscriptionEssentials.com; compare pay per audio hour and options like Tiger Fish, Verbal Ink, and Landmark Associates.
Identify signs of transcription scams, such as training fees, internships with low pay, too-good-to-be-true offers paired with poor English, obscure payments, and unpaid early work.
Follow the directions on how to apply, read and reread them, then include your cover letter in the email and attach your resume as a word document.
Discover what to expect on transcription tests, including 24–48 hour time limits, following each company’s directions, avoiding cheating, and triple-checking for punctuation and inaudibles when audio is hard to hear.
Expect background checks, paperwork, and paid training after you're hired; communicate clearly about emergencies and poor audio, and use text expanders to protect your contract and earnings.
Explore how subcontractors work with transcription companies and gain schedule freedom while meeting deadlines. Understand tax basics for self-employment: 1099-MISC, Schedule C, quarterly payments, and setting aside 15–25% of earnings.
Practice and apply to companies, using audio samples from podcasts and transcripts to benchmark work. Join online forums and seek overflow or volunteer experiences to grow earnings and contracts.
Do you want a career where you can earn over $15-$25 an hour working part-time from home? Then consider becoming a transcriptionist.
Transcription work is still in demand for companies who need their interviews, focus groups, podcasts, etc, transcribed. There are many ways to work as a transcriptionist, but I recommend starting out your career by subcontracting for transcription companies.
How to Become a Transcriptionist will teach you everything you need to know about working with and getting hired by well-paying transcription companies.
With this course, you’ll go from a transcription newbie to a confident transcriptionist with skills that transcription companies will hire you for.
This comprehensive course is designed to help you:
Jumpstart your transcription career by teaching you how to avoid low-paying jobs, showcasing the minimal equipment you need without breaking the bank, and explaining how to apply to companies
Strengthen your typing and grammar skills to become a more efficient transcriptionist
Practice transcribing short audio files with Express Scribe so you’re ready to apply to transcription companies
Create a transcription-specific cover letter and resume - even if you don’t have prior transcription experience
Find the best companies to work for that hire beginners - plus, learn how to spot a scam
Know how to manage the business side of transcription as a subcontractor
Learn how to grow your transcription career and increase your earnings
Apply to transcription companies with confidence
Beginning a new career may feel overwhelming. You may want to earn money from home but aren’t sure if transcription is a good fit for you or wonder how much of an investment it takes to start. You may wonder if you have the right skills or experience.
The truth is that starting out as a transcriptionist is hard work. You need to dedicate time to practicing transcription before you’ll be ready to apply to companies. But once you take the time and effort to build your skills and understand what companies are looking for, you’ll be confident when applying to companies and starting your career.
Course overview
How to Become a Transcriptionist will give you a blueprint on the steps to transcription success, from understanding how the industry works to practicing with transcription software to build up your skills and finally how to land a job as a subcontractor for a transcription company.
This course has 22 screencast video lessons to take you through learning the basics about the industry all the way to expanding your career and increasing your earnings. You’ll also have access to audio projects, list of companies to apply to, typing and grammar resources, resume examples, and more.
The tutorials in this course will cover:
An introduction to the transcription industry
Using Express Scribe to download, play, and work with audio
Transcribing audio and editing the transcript
Setting up Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect to create text expanders
Working with style guides
Best practices for creating transcription resumes and applying to transcription companies
The ins and outs of being a subcontractor and increasing your income
Three practice audio files with answers
Bonus material
By the end of the course, you will have transcribed three files, created a transcription resume, and be ready to start your transcription career.
Who is this course for
US-based Students who want to work from home as a transcriptionist but aren’t sure how to start their career. *Non-US students can still learn from this course but might have more difficulty getting hired by well-paying US-based companies