TranscribeMe Review – A Newbie-Friendly Income Opportunity?

TranscribeMe is a transcription-service provider that allows clients and to work with them on a budget. They boast of an impressive $0.79/minute transcription cost. They also cater to different clients from various industries.

They’re currently located in Berkeley, CA and provide transcription, captioning, and translation services. They both have in-house and freelance transcribers to work on their projects.

TranscribeMe doesn’t require any prior experience in the transcription industry. All that they really ask is that you have the equipment and hardware, and at least good English listening and writing skills.

You can go on their website and sign up as a transcriptionist. From there, you’ll need to fill in your basic information and then provide a PayPal email address.

You’ll also be asked to select the transcription languages that you know (when it applies).

Once you’re signed up, you’ll be asked to watch their online training as orientation. This will give you an idea of how their interface works and how to format your work based on their guidelines.

Afterward, you’ll be asked to take a 2-part exam to qualify for the test. This exam comes with a short audio file, lasting to a couple of minutes, and you’ll have to transcribe it based on their format.

Then you’ll be notified on your application status in 2 weeks or less. In rare instances, it could be longer depending on how many applications they receive.

How Does TranscribeMe Work?

TranscribeMe works like any other transcription platform. You just log in to their dashboard, transcribe audio files into 2-4 minute chunks, and then submit it to the clients for review.

Other services such as captioning and translations are open if you qualify for them. But for the most part, you’re only going to be doing transcription work.

Of course, captioning and translations have higher pay rates compared to transcription.

What Are The Requirements?

As for the technical side of things, here’s what you’ll need to help your work with TranscribeMe.

1. Reliable and fast Internet connection (you’re going to be streaming or downloading audio files)
2. Google Chrome browser – their platform only works on this browser
3. PC or Laptop
4. Headphones and foot pedal (to help you stop/play/pause audio files)

They run on their proprietary platform, so you don’t need any special equipment or software.

How Much Can You Make with TranscribeMe?

The pay depends on the kind of audio files available. But on average, transcribers make anywhere between $15 and $22 per audio hour. Note that audio hour refers to the time of the audio, and not the time it takes you to work on. If it takes you an hour to work on an audio hour, then you’re probably on a whole different level.

Other factors that could affect your pay are your accuracy and your speed. The faster you work on the files, the higher your pay could potentially be.

Another factor to consider here is the availability of work. Sometimes you’ll get work that’ll pay less than average, and some that pay higher.

For a month of part-time work, you’re looking at $250 per month. Note that there’s no minimum number of hours required for work.

How Does TranscribeMe Pay You?

Payments are sent to your PayPal account that you signed up with. Payment is made weekly. As of this writing, there’s no other payment option other than PayPal.

TranscribeMe is meant for people who want to try out transcription for the first time, and try to get a feel for the industry.

#1 Low Income Potential

TranscribeMe doesn’t really have that much potential in terms of income. You’re looking a few bucks per hour, and minimum wage ends up being higher than what you’re earning with TranscribeMe.

It doesn’t mean that you can’t use this program to make a few bucks though.

#2 Not Enough Work

Part of the reason why the income potential is so low is that there’s no guarantee you’re going to get enough jobs at any given time.

More active transcriptionists are more likely to grab all of the opportunities before you can.

#1 Short Transcription Projects

The projects are short and don’t really has you investing too much time into doing them. You’re going to get more tasks done in an hour compared to what other companies are providing. This makes it easy to manage projects and tasks coming from them.

#2 No Need For Experience

As far as we’re concerned, TranscribeMe is meant to be novice-friendly so people who want to get their feet wet into the realm of transcription can definitely use this as a starting point.

It doesn’t pay out that much, and they may not follow industry standards for the most part, but it will give you some insight into how transcribing works.