We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Chelsea Flint

Do you want a career where you can earn over $15-$25 an hour working part-time from home? Then consider becoming a transcriptionist.

Read more

Do you want a career where you can earn over $15-$25 an hour working part-time from home? Then consider becoming a transcriptionist.

Transcription work is still in demand for companies who need their interviews, focus groups, podcasts, etc, transcribed. There are many ways to work as a transcriptionist, but I recommend starting out your career by subcontracting for transcription companies.

How to Become a Transcriptionist will teach you everything you need to know about working with and getting hired by well-paying transcription companies.

With this course, you’ll go from a transcription newbie to a confident transcriptionist with skills that transcription companies will hire you for.

This comprehensive course is designed to help you:

  • Jumpstart your transcription career by teaching you how to avoid low-paying jobs, showcasing the minimal equipment you need without breaking the bank, and explaining how to apply to companies

  • Strengthen your typing and grammar skills to become a more efficient transcriptionist

  • Practice transcribing short audio files with Express Scribe so you’re ready to apply to transcription companies

  • Create a transcription-specific cover letter and resume - even if you don’t have prior transcription experience

  • Find the best companies to work for that hire beginners - plus, learn how to spot a scam

  • Know how to manage the business side of transcription as a subcontractor

  • Learn how to grow your transcription career and increase your earnings

Apply to transcription companies with confidence

Beginning a new career may feel overwhelming. You may want to earn money from home but aren’t sure if transcription is a good fit for you or wonder how much of an investment it takes to start. You may wonder if you have the right skills or experience.

The truth is that starting out as a transcriptionist is hard work. You need to dedicate time to practicing transcription before you’ll be ready to apply to companies. But once you take the time and effort to build your skills and understand what companies are looking for, you’ll be confident when applying to companies and starting your career.

Course overview

How to Become a Transcriptionist will give you a blueprint on the steps to transcription success, from understanding how the industry works to practicing with transcription software to build up your skills and finally how to land a job as a subcontractor for a transcription company.

This course has 22 screencast video lessons to take you through learning the basics about the industry all the way to expanding your career and increasing your earnings. You’ll also have access to audio projects, list of companies to apply to, typing and grammar resources, resume examples, and more.

The tutorials in this course will cover:

  • An introduction to the transcription industry

  • Using Express Scribe to download, play, and work with audio

  • Transcribing audio and editing the transcript

  • Setting up Microsoft Word’s AutoCorrect to create text expanders

  • Working with style guides

  • Best practices for creating transcription resumes and applying to transcription companies

  • The ins and outs of being a subcontractor and increasing your income

  • Three practice audio files with answers

  • Bonus material

By the end of the course, you will have transcribed three files, created a transcription resume, and be ready to start your transcription career.

Who is this course for

  • US-based Students who want to work from home as a transcriptionist but aren’t sure how to start their career. *Non-US students can still learn from this course but might have more difficulty getting hired by well-paying US-based companies

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Transcribe audio files
  • Create a professional transcription resume
  • Apply to transcription companies

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to the Course
What Is Transcription?
How Transcriptionists Are Paid
Read more
Discover Your Earnings with the Earnings Spreadsheet
Traits of a Good Transcriptionist
Transcriptionist Toolbox: What You Need to Get Started
Spelling & Grammar
Typing and Grammar Resources
Working with Audio Files
Loading Audio Into Express Scribe
Setting Up Express Scribe
Transcribing the Audio
Setting up AutoCorrect as Text Expander
How to Type What Is Being Said
Looking at a Sample Transcript
Practice File 1: Business Accounting Programs
Instructions for Transcript
Practice File 2: Financial Books
Applying to Transcription Companies
Gaining Experience before Applying to Companies
Introduction to Resumes
Looking at a Sample Resume
Cover Letters
Finding Companies to Work With
Signs that a Company Could Be a Scam
Tips on Applying to Companies
Testing with Companies
Practice File 3: Analytics
Working as a Subcontractor
After You're Hired
Ins and Outs of Being a Subcontractor
Conclusion
Next Steps

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners who wish to become transcriptionists by explaining transcription basics and how the industry works
Provides hands-on practice opportunities with audio projects and downloadable software
Provides guidance on resume writing, finding companies, and managing the business side of being a subcontractor
Specifically designed for students based in the United States, providing insights into industry practices and job opportunities relevant to that region
Covers essential skills such as typing, grammar, and transcribing audio files, laying a foundation for building a career in transcription
May require additional investment in software and equipment for students who do not already have the necessary setup

Save this course

Save How to Become a Transcriptionist to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Reviews summary

Introductory transcription course

According to students, this transcription course is a good introduction to the field and gives helpful information on how to get started and what to practice on.
Gives good tips for getting started in transcription.
"Yes, it was a good introduction and gave good information on how to get started and what to practice on."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Become a Transcriptionist with these activities:
Express Scribe Tutorial
Become familiar with the Express Scribe software by following a guided tutorial.
Show steps
  • Watch a video tutorial on how to use Express Scribe.
  • Download and install Express Scribe.
  • Practice using the software's basic features.
Transcribe a Blog Post
Gain experience transcribing audio by creating a transcript of a blog post.
Browse courses on Content Creation
Show steps
  • Find a blog post that interests you.
  • Transcribe the audio file of the blog post.
  • Publish your transcript on your own blog or website.
Transcription Practice
Improve your transcription skills by practicing with real audio files.
Browse courses on Transcription
Show steps
  • Load an audio file into Express Scribe.
  • Play the audio and transcribe the spoken words.
  • Edit and proofread your transcript.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Transcription Workshop
Enhance your transcription skills by attending a workshop led by an experienced transcriptionist.
Browse courses on Skill Development
Show steps
  • Find a transcription workshop that fits your needs.
  • Attend the workshop and participate in the exercises.
  • Apply the techniques you learned to your own transcription work.
Transcription Portfolio
Create a portfolio of transcribed audio files to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Browse courses on Audio Transcription
Show steps
  • Gather a variety of audio files to transcribe.
  • Transcribe the audio files accurately and professionally.
  • Assemble a portfolio of your best transcripts.
Mentor a New Transcriptionist
Solidify your understanding of transcription by teaching and guiding a new transcriptionist.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Connect with a new transcriptionist who is looking for a mentor.
  • Provide guidance and support to the mentee.
  • Share your knowledge and experience with the mentee.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Become a Transcriptionist will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Transcriptionist
This course is specifically designed to help you become a Transcriptionist and includes a module on 'Applying to Transcription Companies.' This course will not only teach you how to transcribe audio files, but will also help you create a professional transcription resume and cover letter.
Court Reporter
Court Reporters often need to transcribe audio files, often at a high speed, and this course can help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Captioner
Captioners create subtitles and closed captions for audio and video content, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Legal Secretary
Legal Secretaries often need to transcribe audio files, and this course can help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Transcriptionists often need to transcribe audio files, including dictated medical records, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistants often need to transcribe audio files, and this course can help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Paralegal
Paralegals often need to transcribe audio files, and this course can help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Journalist
Journalists often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Writer
Writers often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Editor
Editors often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Consultant
Consultants often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Analyst
Analysts often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Researcher
Researchers often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Teacher
Teachers often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.
Professor
Professors often need to transcribe audio files, and this course may help build the basic skills needed for this role.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Become a Transcriptionist.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of transcription. It covers everything from the history of transcription to the latest technological developments.
Is more targeted, as it deals specifically with medical transcription, which potential career path for course participants.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of transcription. It covers everything from the history of transcription to the latest technological developments.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of transcription. It covers everything from the history of transcription to the latest technological developments.
Provides a comprehensive overview of business transcription. It covers topics such as the different types of business transcription, the skills and qualities of a good business transcriptionist, and the ethical considerations of business transcription.
Provides a comprehensive overview of broadcast transcription. It covers topics such as the different types of broadcast transcription, the skills and qualities of a good broadcast transcriptionist, and the ethical considerations of broadcast transcription.
Provides a comprehensive overview of natural language processing. It covers topics such as the history of natural language processing, the different types of natural language processing systems, and the applications of natural language processing.
Provides a comprehensive overview of deep learning for speech and language processing. It covers topics such as the different types of deep learning algorithms, the applications of deep learning for speech and language processing, and the challenges of deep learning for speech and language processing.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to How to Become a Transcriptionist.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser