Typing Jobs: Work from Home

Are you a fast and accurate typist? Are your grammar and proofreading skills up to scratch? If so, transcription, or typing documents from audio recordings, might be an easy way for you to earn extra cash online.

To be a successful freelance typist or transcriptionist, it's important that you become skilled in a few areas. A professional typist needs to:

1 - Have a typing speed of at least 70 wpm (error free).

2 - Be proficient in grammar and formatting - i.e. know proper sentence structure, where to insert commas, colons, semicolons, quotation marks etc..

3 - Know the difference between commonly confused homonyms such as there/their/they're, you're/your, it's/its, whose/who's, advice/advise, accept/except, etc..

4 - Be proficient in Internet research (i.e. looking up the correct spelling of names, places, companies and industry specific terms that are mentioned in the audio file).

4 - Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word.

Transcription Software:

To control the stop, start, and rewinding of the audio file while transcribing, transcription software is required. Express Scribe software by NCH is not only easy to use and install, it's free to download (http://www.nch.com.au).

With Express Scribe, audio files are easily loaded into the playback software, and can be manipulated for playback speed and volume levels. There is also a function to copy the audio time on the transcript for the employer's reference where there are inaudible words. Instead of using a pedal to control the audio, Express Scribe allows the typist to use the F keys on the keyboard.

*Audio files are usually delivered to the transcriptionist either by FTP, or via large file transfer services such as YouSendIT.com, or SendThisFile.com, and are recorded in a variety of formats supported by Express Scribe (i.e. mp3, .wav, vox).

Getting Started:

After you've practiced with a few audio files on your own, and you are satisfied with the quality of your work, it's time to get paid for it. Freelancing websites such as Guru.com, Elance.com and GetAFreelancer.com are home to buyers who post intermittent and ongoing transcription projects that freelance typists can bid on. Although getting started with a freelance website is an easy process, being awarded your first project with no documented experience is not so easy.

So how to you land the initial typing or transcription job that will give you documented experience, and a reference that will help you to secure future projects? Follow these tips:

1 - Present a Strong Proposal

Keep in mind that when the job you're bidding on is one hour of audio, your proposal does not have to be a 100-page dissertation. Two or three short paragraphs outlining your skills, your price, and your turn-around time (how long it will take you to complete the project) is sufficient.

When bidding on a transcription project, it is crucial that your proposal contains proper English (refrain from using slang) and ensure there are no spelling or punctuation errors. Without any references, potential employers will judge how you type simply by looking at your proposal. Even after you're well established, it's important to always keep your correspondence professional with all potential and existing clients.

2 - Bid Low - (But Not Too Low)

You may decide to bid slightly lower than your competitors to help you secure your first contract. Explain to the buyer that you are bidding lower to land your first freelance job, to gain some experience, and to get a reference for future contracts. After you have secured just one positive feedback score, you can begin to bid competitively.

What do typists normally charge? The going rate to transcribe one hour of clear audio (with a 24 hour turn-around time) on a freelance website is between $35-$50 dollars depending on the quality of the audio, and the number of speakers. If the buyer needs more than one hour in a 24-hour timeframe, the rate also increases. The rate may decrease if the file has lots of dead air (silence) or if the speaker speaks slowly (in which case the typist is able to transcribe the audio file in less time).

On average, it takes a beginner-intermediate typist four hours to transcribe one hour of clear audio. Transcribing the audio file may take longer if there are several speakers, heavy accents, arcane terms to research, or if there is a substantial amount of background noise.

3 - Ask Questions

If you're having trouble securing your first contract, send the employer a private message with a question or two about the project. Employers tend to respond to those who seem eager to begin the project, and are more inclined to award a project to a typist that they have already been corresponding with. As with regular job "interviews," you don't want to pester the employer, but a little extra contact can go a long way when it comes down to selection time.

After being selected by an employer, keep in close contact and ask questions as they arise. Proofread your work well before delivering the final document, and always ask for feedback. Once you learn the basics, transcription can be a great way to earn extra cash; and if you are able to turn around error-free transcripts rapidly, your new typing and transcription skills can generate a full-time income.