Are you thinking about becoming a transcriptionist?
You’ve seen jobs advertised on platforms like Rev.com or TranscribeMe that seem great, with earnings of $15 – $22 per audio hour.
On further investigation, you find the hourly rate you will be paid is only $4 or $5 per hour. Not very encouraging!
Should you forget about transcription jobs and continue your search elsewhere?
Wait, there may be a solution! Are you ready to invest some time and money in taking a transcription training course?
Yes! Then after taking the Transcribe Anywhere (TA) training course, you will be able to find jobs that do pay $15 -$22 per hour.
I suppose you are skeptical, and rightly so. There are lots of people, programs, or courses promising so much on the internet, and very often, they are out to scam you.
In this review, I will give you my honest opinion of Transcribe Anywhere. You can then decide whether you should enroll in the course or not.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. For more information, visit my disclosure page.
What is Transcribe Anywhere?
Transcribe Anywhere is a course that will teach you how to become an online transcriptionist. A comprehensive course, you will learn a lot more than how to become a good transcriber.
You also get information on:
- where to get the best deals on equipment
- how to calculate your rates
- guidance on getting work
- how to use transcribing software
- and support from the community on Facebook.
As you would expect, there are plenty of practice audio files in the course. Transcribing is not only about being a fast typist. You also need to work on your punctuation, grammar, to learn about time coding, shortcut keys, formatting…
One thing I particularly like is the fact that Janet encourages you to enroll in the free course first.
In the free course, it is made very clear that you will have to put in hard work. Janet isn’t just trying to sell her courses, which is very refreshing.
She is trying to make sure becoming a transcriber is the right opportunity for you. So you don’t waste your time and money.
What is Transcription?
If you’re reading this and you’re not sure what transcription is, then transcription is the art of converting audio or video files into text.
A transcriber listens to recorded speech and types what they hear. Inserting the punctuation, correct grammar, and formatting as necessary.
A transcriptionist will usually take 4 or 5 hours to transcribe one hour of recorded audio.
These jobs are popular because they give people the opportunity to work from home and set their own schedules.
Who is Your Instructor – Janet Shaughnessy?
Janet started as a medical transcriptionist in 2007. Later she branched out into general and legal transcription. She was “forced” into transcription when her husband became disabled, and she had to be on hand to take care of him.
Today, Janet believes medical transcription doesn’t hold much future. That’s why her courses are only for general or legal transcription.
Janet is the owner of Zoom Transcription Services. It was while running this company she became aware there was a lack of qualified transcribers. She found she was spending too much time training new and even experienced transcribers. So she created a course!
The original course, General Transcription Training: The Zoom Method, was sold as a DVD. Later, legal and medical transcription courses were added and were available as downloads.
Then in 2016, the Transcribe Anywhere courses were built. Providing much more in-depth, interactive training.
Who is the Transcribe Anywhere Course For?
The course is for people who are ready to work hard and prepared to learn. These are perhaps the most important requirements.
You should be a competent typist. Although if you’re not fast, this can be improved with practice.
Apart from that, you need to be proficient in grammar, punctuation, spelling, have good attention to detail, be used to using a computer and the internet. You also need good listening skills to capture the spoken words which aren’t always clear.
The course is designed to make you a great transcriptionist, and then you can find work.
Why Take This Course?
You’re thinking about working as a transcriber. You’ve visited some platforms, such as Rev.com or TranscribeMe.com. You have read some reviews and found many transcribers disappointed by the amount they earn.
These platforms do let you start as a beginner, but you are paid very little. You want to know if it’s possible to earn more.
The Transcribe Anywhere training will teach you how to become a proficient transcriber. You will get lots of practice, and when you are proficient, you are shown how to go about getting work.
According to Payscale, the average pay for a general transcriber is $15 per hour.
Janet states the earnings of a transcriptionist fall between $15 and $60 per actual hour worked.
Remember, the other platforms (Rev, TranscribeMe, etc.) advertise $15-$22 per audio hour. An audio hour takes 4 or 5 hours to transcribe, meaning you earn just $4 or $5 per hour!
You may find other cheaper courses that teach you the basics of becoming a transcriptionist.
But:
- Do they include training on building a business and finding work?
- Do they offer support from experienced transcriptionists or lots of practice files?
Compare the different courses before you sign up to see what you’re getting. You can see the TA General Transcription Course Syllabus here.
How Long Will It Take To Complete The Course?
The course will take a while to complete. Janet estimates it will take 2 to 4 months to complete depending on your skill level and how much time you can dedicate to the training. As an example, I read about one person who took 6 months to complete the course working 8 – 10 hours a week on the training.
I know it seems too long! But what other work will you find online that pays decent money like this?
I have been looking around the online work world for some years. Most work-from-home jobs you find pay very little. Either that or the pay is ok, but there isn’t much work, which means you won’t be able to earn much.
The exceptions could be teaching or tutoring jobs (many require you to have a degree), working as a virtual assistant, scoping, and one or two other jobs, but the choice is limited.
Another alternative is to build your own online business (affiliate marketing, e-commerce, or dropshipping). All great businesses that I recommend. But they take a long time to build, and it may be a year or more before you earn good money.
The Courses
There are two free courses General Transcription Mini-Course and Legal Transcription Mini-Course. This is where you should start.
The free courses aren’t there to teach you how to become a transcriptionist. Their role is to explain the work as a transcriptionist to see if it’s something you should pursue. As such, they are important, they can save you time and money.
There are two paid courses available General Transcription Theory and Practice and Legal Transcription Theory and Practice.
What’s Included In The Paid Courses
General Transcription Course
The course is comprised of 6 modules with worksheets, quizzes, video presentations, screencast tutorials, 7 levels of practice dictations, and a support forum.
You are recommended to have a computer, high-speed internet, word processing software, and transcription equipment.
The course is limited to 40 active students, so you may have to join a waiting list.
Module 1 – Laying The Foundation
You will learn what general transcription is and the skills needed.
- The Right Equipment for the Job
- General Transcription Style (Standard vs. Strict Verbatim)
- Types of General Transcription Jobs
- Formatting a Transcript
Module 2 – Essential Skills for Excellent Transcription
Learn about the importance of the correct use of punctuation and other transcribing conventions.
- Punctuation Makes Perfect
- Spelling: The Lost Art
- Transcribing Numbers
- Miscellaneous Transcription Conventions and Critical Thinking Skills
Module 3 – Time-Saving Tools for Efficient Transcription
Learn how you can gain speed with tools and shortcuts. Time coding is also taught in this module.
- Using Text Expanders and Shortcut Keys
- Shortcut Keys for the Top 102 Most Frequently Used English Phrases
- Spell Check, Search & Replace, and Modern Usage Notes
- Commonly Used Transcriptionist’s Notes
- Using Transcription Templates (includes downloadable templates)
- Time Coding
Module 4 – Practice Dictations
Provides audio files to practice your transcription. Starting with easy-to-understand files and gradually getting more difficult with multiple speakers, poor quality, and accents. Each file has the correct solution.
- Level 1 Practice Dictations: Clear audio in simple, short videos
- Level 2 Practice Dictations: Audio-only Files; Non-American English accents
- Level 3 Practice Dictations: Transcribing “Strict Verbatim” Style
- Level 4 Practice Dictations: Transcribing Multiple Speakers
- Level 5 Practice Dictations: Semi-Poor Audio Quality & Research Skills
- Level 6 Practice Dictations: Working with Time Codes
- Level 7 Practice Dictations: Transcribing Poor Audio with Foreign Accents
Module 5 – Final Exam and Certification of Completion
At the end of the training, you can take an exam. The exam is graded by a real person who will give you valuable feedback on any areas that may need additional work.
Even though you may have completed the entire course, you are not automatically awarded a certificate. You must show you are proficient in all areas covered in the course.
Module 6 – Building Your Business
This module includes guidance for setting up a home-based transcriptionist business, finding freelance work, and also shows how you can find work with larger transcription companies.
- Income Guidelines and Setting Your Rates
- Developing a Business Plan
- Customer Service Essentials
- Connecting with Clients
- SEO, PPC, AdSense, and All the Rest
- Top Business Directories for Local Marketing
- Where to Find Contract Work
- Bonus Marketing Unit: exclusive how-to video content
Legal Transcription Course
The Legal Transcription Course includes quizzes, video presentations, screencast tutorials, 9 levels of practice dictations with answers, and a support forum. The course is made up of 14 modules. I won’t go through them all here, but here is a summary.
Modules 1 & 2
An introduction to legal transcription and the tools you need.
Modules 3 & 4
Legal terminology, legal notations, and learn how to use the transcription software more efficiently.
Modules 5 & 6
Practice at transcribing legal documents produced by attorneys and other legal professionals. Learn about the different types of law and how a case proceeds through the legal process.
Modules 7 & 8
Become familiar with the different legal documents used in court proceedings. Practice transcription with audio files from court proceedings.
Modules 9, 10 & 11
Gain an understanding of the deposition process and practice transcribing deposition files. Different types of law enforcement transcriptions also an overview conference transcriptions and practice files.
Module 12
Learn how to insert timestamps – including practice files.
Module 13
Links to useful resources and tools used by legal transcriptionists. Final exam, if successful, you will be awarded a certificate.
Module 14
Learn to market your new skills.
Both courses are available online, and you proceed at your own pace. As mentioned previously, the courses will take at least 2 – 4 months to complete depending on your skill levels and how much time you put in. You have lifetime access to the courses, all updates, and the support forum.
Currently, Transcribe Anywhere is the only online transcription course approved by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers.
Will You Find Transcription Work When You Have Completed The Course?
This is where Transcribe Anywhere is a little different from many other courses. They teach you how to set up your own business, search for freelance transcription work and how to find work with large transcription companies.
The course even has a section on search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising. These could be very useful if you decide to create your own website to promote your business.
They don’t find you a job and make no promises to this effect. But they do give you the tools and resources necessary to find work.
Another question you should ask is: Is there a demand for transcription? There’s no point taking the course if there’s no work at the end.
With the popularity of videos on YouTube, transcriptionists are in great demand. The videos need to be turned into text documents. They are then used for marketing, tutorials, website content, or eBooks.
So at the moment, there is a demand. Voice recognition software might hit the transcription industry in the future but is probably a few years down the road.
How Much Do The Transcribe Anywhere Courses Cost?
The Transcribe Anywhere courses do have a price tag that could put off some people. However, it’s totally normal that you pay for good training.
Yes, there are cheaper courses, but these are often incomplete. There are also more expensive courses that offer less.
The General Transcription Course (Theory and Practice)
Price $497 – includes lifetime access to the: course, updates, access to the support forum, and access to instructors and assistants.
The Legal Transcription Course (Theory & Practice)
Price $597 – includes lifetime access to the: course, updates, access to the support forum, and access to instructors and assistants.
The General and Legal Transcription Course
Price $697 – includes lifetime access to the: course, membership to the student community, updates, and access to instructors or assistants.
Both Courses + Website, Support, and Live Access to Coaching Team
Price $2997 – all included in the above courses plus equipment (including software, headset, and foot pedal), live one-on-one coaching, email support, and a professionally designed website.
What the TA Students Are Saying
As the Transcribe Anywhere training course has been online for a number of years, I thought there might be some negative comments. I searched but didn’t find any!
The nearest thing to a negative comment was from a non-native English speaker. He/she started the course and found it too hard. This is despite the fact that Janet doesn’t recommend the course for non-native English speakers.
You can see the Transcribe Anywhere testimonials here.
My Final Opinion – Transcribe Anywhere Definitely is Legit!
If you think you are cut out for transcription work, then Transcribe Anywhere is an excellent course. Janet provides you with training in all aspects of the business, and everything you need is in one place.
Before committing, take the free General Transcription Course or the free Legal Transcription Course. They will give you a good idea if you are cut out for this work.
Once you’re convinced, sign up for the course that’s the best fit for you. Then when you have completed the course, you will be provided with tutorials to help you find clients and build your work-from-home transcription business.
Recommended!
I hope my review has given you a better understanding of what Transcribe Anywhere is. If you’ve taken any transcription training courses or done any transcription work, I would love to hear about your experience. Any questions or comments, please leave them below.
