Hopefully you’ve had a chance to read my post on working at home as a transcriptionist. As promised, I’m back to give you all some information on how you can get started working at home in the transcription industry!
So how do you get started? Explaining it all in one post is nearly impossible, but if you are interested in pursuing transcription as a career, here are the steps to get you headed in the right direction.
- Find a pair of quality headphones.
- Download Express Scribe and install Microsoft Word if it’s not already on your computer.
- Brush up on your grammar rules.
- Learn how to research words, names and terms online.
- Download audio from a variety of sources and begin practicing.
- Create or brush up your résumé and cover letter.
- Begin applying as an independent contractor.
- Look for projects on Guru, Elance and/or Craigslist.
- Continue developing your skills and looking for ways to increase productivity.
Posts on all of these aspects can be found interspersed on Transcription Talk. However, if you’re one of those people that need things laid out in an orderly and step-by-step fashion, I recommend purchasing General Transcription 101.
When my partners and I started Transcription Talk, our mission was to help other moms not only get started working at home as transcriptionists but also to give them the tools to improve their skills and speed so that they can earn more in less time giving them more availability for their family. We made a commitment to blog daily towards this goal; however, we quickly realized that a daily blog of this sort in addition to our other obligations was taking too much time away from our own families.
We made the difficult decision to discontinue posting on Transcription Talk but not before we published our first transcription ebook, General Transcription 101: Your Complete Guide to Getting Started. We worked very hard to make sure that General Transcription 101 walks the reader through each of the steps to getting started as a work-at-home transcriptionist. We had it reviewed by people just getting started, those considering the industry, experienced transcriptionists, and even professional editors. We did rewrites, design changes, and tweaked it more times than we can count.
All three of us are very proud of the end result, and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback from those who have purchased it. I’m hoping to hear that it’s helped some of you out as well!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland
I really want to get into working from home but haven’t found anything really worth it yet. I have tried ‘mystery shopping’ , but they were all scams. Great giveaway, thanks!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland´s last blog post..CVS Photo Book and Picture Movie DVD Review
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland
I really want to get into working from home but haven’t found anything really worth it yet. I have tried ‘mystery shopping’ , but they were all scams. Great giveaway, thanks!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland´s last blog post..CVS Photo Book and Picture Movie DVD Review
Annette
It seems that many of us view a real barrier in not knowing if a program or job is legitimate and what the earning potential would be. I hope your book would alleviate some of this concern.
Annette
It seems that many of us view a real barrier in not knowing if a program or job is legitimate and what the earning potential would be. I hope your book would alleviate some of this concern.
Jesabella
I had no choice but to become a stay at home mom. I needed to get my son better. So, we sacrificed my income and we have been struggling ever since to try and find a source of additional funds ever since. I would love the oppotunity to get us out of debt and I belive this could very well be the ticket. Thanks for the great info even if I don’t win.
Jesabella
I had no choice but to become a stay at home mom. I needed to get my son better. So, we sacrificed my income and we have been struggling ever since to try and find a source of additional funds ever since. I would love the oppotunity to get us out of debt and I belive this could very well be the ticket. Thanks for the great info even if I don’t win.
Julie
I want to continue being a SAHM, but also want to increase our income. But, so many of the home opportunities are not really worth the effort in what you are able to bring in. Would love to learn about something that has some earning potential.
Julie
I want to continue being a SAHM, but also want to increase our income. But, so many of the home opportunities are not really worth the effort in what you are able to bring in. Would love to learn about something that has some earning potential.
Anonymous
I am a stay at home Mom of 4 little girls and I love my full-time job!
I was a licensed realtor until my 4th daughter was born last year.
While working from home as a part time assistant to my Brother in law , who is a broker, I struggled to find time between showing homes and meeting with clients. I was spending less time as a work from home Mom and more time trying to find childcare. The housing market took a nose dive and so did our income, then we added our fourth blessing.
I would love to find a legitimate job that I can work into our family life.
Tanya
Anonymous
I am a stay at home Mom of 4 little girls and I love my full-time job!
I was a licensed realtor until my 4th daughter was born last year.
While working from home as a part time assistant to my Brother in law , who is a broker, I struggled to find time between showing homes and meeting with clients. I was spending less time as a work from home Mom and more time trying to find childcare. The housing market took a nose dive and so did our income, then we added our fourth blessing.
I would love to find a legitimate job that I can work into our family life.
Tanya
Thia
The biggest barrier I have is finding legitimate positions. My last response to a “work at home” job was a 411 scam. I knew before I finished reading the first paragraph of their response.
Thia
The biggest barrier I have is finding legitimate positions. My last response to a “work at home” job was a 411 scam. I knew before I finished reading the first paragraph of their response.
Tiffany
A barrier for me would be not having a set income. It is scary to try to step out of the “known” and “secure”.
Tiffany
A barrier for me would be not having a set income. It is scary to try to step out of the “known” and “secure”.
Patricia
The largest barrier for me is giving up a successful career for the unknown (which are often scams). You keep hearing about the downfall of our economy, and having a solid job is important. My family relies on my salary – we could not live the way we do without my salary. I also don’t like having to pay for anything up front before beginning something new – it always makes it fishy for me.
Patricia
The largest barrier for me is giving up a successful career for the unknown (which are often scams). You keep hearing about the downfall of our economy, and having a solid job is important. My family relies on my salary – we could not live the way we do without my salary. I also don’t like having to pay for anything up front before beginning something new – it always makes it fishy for me.
Brandi
Like many others, the biggest obstacle for me is TIME! I am a homeschooling mom with an 8-year old, a 2-year old, and a 6-month old. My husband wants me to make money from home, but also wants me to be with him when I can…it’s a catch-22!
But, I am very motivated to earn money from home…I am very interested in transcription work and would really love to learn more…if I don’t win, I will probably be purchasing your book. Sorry to see you ladies shutting down Transcription Talk, but will be subscribing to the newsletter…thanks!
Brandi
Like many others, the biggest obstacle for me is TIME! I am a homeschooling mom with an 8-year old, a 2-year old, and a 6-month old. My husband wants me to make money from home, but also wants me to be with him when I can…it’s a catch-22!
But, I am very motivated to earn money from home…I am very interested in transcription work and would really love to learn more…if I don’t win, I will probably be purchasing your book. Sorry to see you ladies shutting down Transcription Talk, but will be subscribing to the newsletter…thanks!
Carolyn
I have already purchased the e-book, and am trying to get things together to start bidding for jobs. My biggest barrier is fear. Fear, because I am 42 years old with a 7 month old, and am being Lead to quit my full time job and stay at home with my son. I have read your book, and watched transcription talk for a couple of months, and feel all three of you are my inspiration. I have never transcribed, but have all of the qualities you describe. I am excited at the possiblity of being able to be at home to raise my child, especially in our world today. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, good and bad, so we can empower ourselves.
Carolyn
I have already purchased the e-book, and am trying to get things together to start bidding for jobs. My biggest barrier is fear. Fear, because I am 42 years old with a 7 month old, and am being Lead to quit my full time job and stay at home with my son. I have read your book, and watched transcription talk for a couple of months, and feel all three of you are my inspiration. I have never transcribed, but have all of the qualities you describe. I am excited at the possiblity of being able to be at home to raise my child, especially in our world today. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, good and bad, so we can empower ourselves.
Chip
Are guys allowed? I’ve been laid off for almost six months and my wife is a court reporter. She could offer some great help to get me started. I’m a fast typist and think this could be a really good thing!
Chip
Are guys allowed? I’ve been laid off for almost six months and my wife is a court reporter. She could offer some great help to get me started. I’m a fast typist and think this could be a really good thing!
Lisa
I have just been thinking that I’d like to get into this field, and I’m so excited that you’ve posted on this! Thank you for your blog, I really enjoy reading it and finding great deals to save my family money!
Lisa
I have just been thinking that I’d like to get into this field, and I’m so excited that you’ve posted on this! Thank you for your blog, I really enjoy reading it and finding great deals to save my family money!
Sarah
I haven’t necessarily come across any barriers or scams in the past, but with the economy it’s coming to a point where I might not get to stay home with my children. It’s upsetting because I just had twin boys in June and I have a 3 yr. old who is still Mama’s little man. This is something I’ve been wanting to look into but all the websites out there don’t seem to tell me what I need to know to get started. Your giveaway sounds great! A real God send.
Sarah
I haven’t necessarily come across any barriers or scams in the past, but with the economy it’s coming to a point where I might not get to stay home with my children. It’s upsetting because I just had twin boys in June and I have a 3 yr. old who is still Mama’s little man. This is something I’ve been wanting to look into but all the websites out there don’t seem to tell me what I need to know to get started. Your giveaway sounds great! A real God send.
noelle
Im leary to try any “work at home” offers. They all seem to be some type of scam and I dont know where to start and who is legit!!!! I like to work and get things accomplished. Then I think if everyone could work at home they would!
noelle
Im leary to try any “work at home” offers. They all seem to be some type of scam and I dont know where to start and who is legit!!!! I like to work and get things accomplished. Then I think if everyone could work at home they would!