Is TranscribeMe Legit? In-Depth TrascribeMe Review

TranscribeMe could be the go-to for those eyeing a new side hustle, offering a simple entry into the transcription industry. This review helps find out if it aligns with your needs.

TranscribeMe serves as a starting point for a side hustle in the transcription field; however, it is important to note that it generally offers earnings below the minimum wage, far from a pathway to wealth.

Table of Contents

What is TranscribeMe?

TranscribeMe is a company that offers audio transcription jobs you can do right from your home. They give you training and a style guide, making it a solid choice for those new to the freelance transcription world.

This company offers 100% remote work and pays between $15 and $22 for each hour of audio you transcribe. Known as a top-rated work-from-home site, TranscribeMe is a great path for those looking for extra online income. It’s a quick transcription job that promises secure and high-quality transcription, making it a good side hustle.

You have the freedom to work from your own space. The clips are short, only 2 to 4 minutes long, not long and tiresome interviews.

You get tasks one by one. There’s no cap on how much work you can take on. It’s all about the demand. TranscribeMe has a long history as a dependable company. They’re known for transcription, translation, and data marking.

If you’ve been looking for a side hustle but don’t know where to start, TranscribeMe may be a good starting option. If you have no experience in this field, it’s still an ideal chance to make extra money.

Is TranscribeMe Legit?

Yes, TranscribeMe is a legit company. Founded in 2011, stands out in the field of information technology and services. This company is known for its global translation services. They believe in the power of flexible work. TranscribeMe! offers jobs that you can do from anywhere. They look for people ready to learn and grow.

Being a 24/7 company, they value workers from all time zones. They need people at all hours. They hire across the world. They’ve been in areas like data entry, transcription, translation, editing, and bilingual tasks.

With its main office in San Francisco, California, TranscribeMe also has presence in New Zealand and Japan. If you’re looking for a side hustle, it’s an ideal opportunity to explore, no matter where you are.

How Does TranscribeMe Work?

Joining TranscribeMe begins with the English Entrance Exam available on the Exams tab. You will likely need 3 hours, give or take, to complete the exam. This step is free of charge, asking only for a computer running the latest Chrome version and a stable internet connection.

Although not a requirement, headphones come highly recommended. There isn’t a structured training program, but a Style Guide is available for self-study, offering a substantial foundation for potential transcribers.

After passing the English Entrance Exam or a Reactivation Exam, most accounts are activated within three business days.

Successfully passing the entrance exam grants access to the inclusive space of TM’s community. A detailed welcome email awaits new members, guiding them on the pathway forward and opening the doors to Yammer, a social network platform. Here, interaction with friendly staff and global transcribers unfolds, fostering a space for questions, insights, and rich connections.

Once in the WorkHub, members can select short audio files to transcribe from the Jobs tab, a process that is efficient and direct. The platform centralizes work, avoiding the need for email transactions and encouraging a smooth work process. Transcribing happens directly on the site, a system that assures simplicity and a hassle-free experience.

Overall, the TranscribeMe onboarding process showcases a user-friendly initiation into the world of transcription, offering substantial guidance and fostering a community spirit from the outset. It promises a nurturing environment, encouraging growth and learning for newcomers in the transcription field.

How Much Does TranscribeMe Pay?

Beginning General Transcribers are paid $15 USD per audio hour. However, there are different teams and projects that pay at higher rates.

Please note that this figure, per audio hour, refers to the length of audio and NOT the amount of time you spend working on it. A 2-minute file will pay $0.50 and a 4-minute file pays $1.00.

You get paid through PayPal every week. You just need at least $10 in your account. When you have $10, you can ask for the money, and it will come the next Thursday.

TranscribeMe Requirements

The only requirements to joining TranscribeMe platform are that you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Have access to a computer or laptop and a stable internet connection
Have access to a valid PayPal account
Pass the entrance exam

Starting as a General Transcriber does not mandate the submission of a photo ID. Yet, if asked to provide an official ID for identity verification, it should be a recognized document like a driver’s license, a passport, or a national ID card, not a personal selfie. This ID must show the individual’s photo, complete legal name, and date of birth to meet the age criteria.

Transcribers must finish at least one task every 30 days. If meeting this rule is not possible for any circumstance, completing the Inactivity Notification form is necessary.

You’ll find this on the right section of the All Network group on Yammer. Only active transcribers can enter the Yammer network. Apart from this monthly task rule, the working hours are flexible, depending only on the availability of work!

Application Process and TranscribeMe Exam

TranscribeMe is open to newcomers and doesn’t cost anything to join. Here’s how to apply:

Fill out the online application form using Google Chrome and give your email address.
Look for a confirmation email after you apply.
Click the link in the email to start their online training.
Watch a short video to learn how their system works and study their Style Guide for the test.
Take the entrance exam, which checks how well you write down what you hear and follow their rules.
Wait up to 12 business days to see if you passed.
If you pass, you can begin work, but they don’t promise there will always be work for you.

TranscribeMe Special Opportunities

General Transcription

Earn $15 per audio hour working in general transcription. New members work on short audio files, mainly between 2 and 4 minutes. To go beyond this, you should aim to pass advancement exams for more job opportunities.

Specialized Accent Teams

Join one of the special accent teams such as Aussie or British after clearing relevant exams. These teams deal with files in various English accents, using Commonwealth spelling. Pay attention to the sidebar in each file to know the correct spelling to use.

First Draft Champions Team

Become a First Draft Champion and earn $22 per audio hour. In this role, you work on short audio files and your transcriptions go directly to the client, no QA required. Remember, this position unlocks the door to the FDC Weekly Sweepstakes and other bonuses.

Medical Transcription Team

After completing 150 jobs, you can take the medical transcription exam to join the medical team. No certification or prior medical knowledge is required, but you need a readiness to research medical terms.

2Step QAs

As a 2Step QA earning up to $35 per audio hour for rush files, you polish already transcribed files to reach 99% accuracy. You can become eligible for this after 30 unrejected clean verbatim jobs and passing several exams including the English 2Step QA exam.

QuickStep QAs

Qualified QuickStep QAs earn between $35 and $40 per audio hour, working on full audio files rather than short chunks. A prerequisite is completing 200 transcription jobs and successfully passing the QuickStep Exam.

Full Verbatim QAs

Full Verbatim QAs, a position attainable after being a member of the 2Step or QuickStep team, earn a stellar $50 per audio hour. This role involves transcribing all utterances, including stutters and filler words, adhering to TranscribeMe guidelines.

Reviewers

The reviewer position, earning up to $27 per audio hour, is invitation-only and requires remarkable accuracy and a helpful nature. Reviewers assist new QAs in honing their skills through detailed personal feedback.

It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the various opportunities at TranscribeMe to carve out a path that suits your skills and preferences best. Each role comes with its prerequisites, and advancing means meeting these and growing your skill set continuously. Make the most of these avenues to build a fulfilling career with TranscribeMe.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Assistance and support are readily available and friendly.
Tests can be retaken if needed.
It’s an excellent starting point if you’re new to transcription.
The initial requirements to begin are minimal.
No extra equipment is necessary to get started.
Payments are made weekly through PayPal.
Enjoy the flexibility to work according to your own schedule.

Cons:

Compensation fluctuates based on the assignments you receive and your productivity levels.
The examination process at TranscribeMe can present a significant challenge.
Earnings per audio hour are modest unless you can transcribe with exceptional speed and precision.
Consistent daily work is not assured.

TranscribeMe User Reviews

The reviews are not great.

On Indeed they scored 3.6 out of 5, based on 130 reviews.

On TrustPilot they scored only 1.7 our of 5, based on 77 reviews. Although 71% of the reviewers gave the company 5 stars.

Here are some actual user reviews:

“Not a scam. Those who can’t pass the exams are simply not good enough at transcribing.

It’s a decent side gig. There isn’t much job availability during the holiday season, though. A 4 minute audio takes about 45 minutes to transcribe, and I receive about $1 compensation. And no, it’s not a scam. The people who can’t pass the exams are simply not good enough at transcribing.”

“I love this service! I am so glad I discovered it and could kick myself for not discovering it sooner. Lifesaver…. I am so busy the last thing I have time to do is transcribe. Additionally my capturing of conversations on paper needs to be spot on so this is wonderful! Your customer service is also excellent! When I was getting ramped up and had questions I received courteous, quick and efficient support. The turnaround time was excellent and it is great to have a choice on timing and the format of documents as well. Keep up the good work!! I’ll spread the word about this service to others.”

“waste of time! such a massive waste of time. do not even bother with this company they are the lowest of the low and offer terrible pay.”

“Terrible company to work for. I put in 72 hours a week for a mere $20 to $40 dollars per week. Waste of time if you are not a US citizen as work comes in at inappropriate times and I often fall asleep “on the job.” The pay is ridiculously low and you are better off scrubbing toilets for a living. Disappointed in the pay and the fact that the workload is only catered to US times considering anyone, anywhere in the world can apply and work for them. These transcription sites are a waste of time and energy. You are taken advantage of and feel like a slave working and waiting seriously long hours for peanuts. Happy clients, not-so-happy workers.”

Is TranscribeMe Worth It?

For those looking for a flexible side hustle and a way to start in transcription, TranscribeMe may be just right. But if you have hopes for higher pay, special tasks, or specific needs, you should take a close look. See if TranscribeMe meets your work and money goals.

It’s smart to read what others say about TranscribeMe online. Know what you agree to. You might want to talk to people who work there now or used to. Doing this can help you understand what working with TranscribeMe is really like.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is needed to get started?

No unique tools or software are needed to get started; a stable internet connection and a device with the Chrome browser will do.

How does transcription work on this platform?

WorkHub is the online platform where all transcription tasks take place. It offers a built-in audio player and hotkey functions to manage the audio pace, eliminating the need for other transcription tools.

Is there recommended equipment?

Using headphones or earbuds is highly suggested for a better audio experience. The platform doesn’t endorse specific brands or gadgets.

Does the platform support foot pedal usage?

Most foot pedal models can work with the WorkHub. To make it functional, download the complimentary Chrome extension and activate it.

Is phone transcription an option?

Transcribing through phones or other mobile gadgets isn’t possible as the WorkHub doesn’t support these devices. A computer or laptop is mandatory for taking tests and handling live files.

Can tablets or iPads be used for transcribing?

Using tablets or iPads for transcription, especially for exams, isn’t advised. The best choice remains a computer or laptop.

Is the platform compatible with screen readers?

Yes, many members successfully use screen readers like NVDA on Windows and JAWS. Braille displays have also received positive feedback. However, specific suggestions aren’t available.