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How Hard is it to be a Transcriber? — Alternative careers from home.
A transcriber creates a written copy of either audio or video. If you are accurate, have laser-like focus, and pay super-sharp attention to detail, this could be the job for you.
You need to have a typing speed of 60 wpm+, be a red-hot speller, and be a very able researcher.
Surely AI is cancelling out transcribers?
No, not yet. AI isn’t sufficiently accurate as I write this, and it lacks the ability to format. So humans, at least in this field, are still in demand.
It isn’t easy.
I have reasonable grammatical skills, I can spell, and I think I’m a pretty good listener. In the past, I have carried out tasks as an audio typist, and I found it easy.
Yesterday, I put myself to the test with McGowan, a UK transcription service.
First I completed the grammar test, which wasn’t that hard; next I did a typing test and found myself to be somewhat rusty, even though I type pretty much all day every day. My typing speed has slowed to around 40 wpm. This is possibly because I am not under any pressure to type fast (apart from when I am trying to finish a book).
Next came the audio test. I downloaded the file and made my first mistake. I should have listened to at least half of the tape before starting to type. I didn’t realise I would be listening to a group of people. This is immediately far more challenging than listening to one voice.
Some people on the tape spoke more quickly than others. You have to log every ‘erm’ and ‘um’, of which there are many.
The instructions ask you to time stamp the inaudible parts of the tape, and that isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have to find the exact part of the audio this occurs in to time stamp it.
People talking over one another is a difficult one too. People are talking at different speeds, mumbling, and making asides. Varied accents and loudness.
The whole thing turned out to be far more complicated and challenging than I expected.
I didn’t pass the test. I knew I hadn’t. But I’m glad I did it.
McGowan asks you not to reapply if you are not successful the first time. I guess they are weeding out the triers from the seasoned professionals, which I suppose is fair enough but disappointing. I’d love to practice and then try again.
There are a lot of transcription companies to try if you are interested in this as a career. It is perfect for anyone who prefers to work from home. However, quite a few of the ones I found yesterday weren’t currently accepting applications.
McGowan is a well-established UK company, so give them a go.
There are many US companies worth checking out, too.
