General transcription encompasses a wide range of transcription services. It can include focus groups, podcasts, meetings, presentations, investigations, interviews, sermons and anything else that can be recorded. The wide range of possibilities delivers a large demand for services. Due to the sporadic nature of the demand from any one source, many companies do not maintain a full-time staff of transcriptionists or secretaries and most outsourced general transcription services are done by a telecommuting transcriptionist working as a contractor.
What do I need to know to be a general transcriptionist?
As with all transcription careers, general transcription requires excellent English skills – grammar, punctuation and spelling – as well as proficient use of the computer and word processing programs. For contractors outsourcing this work, general transcription is frequently paid on a piecework basis; therefore, typing skills are essential.
Technical ability is also important. Most jobs are transferred electronically, over the internet. A general transcriptionist must have a simple method for sending and receiving files. If you are working as an independent contractor offering services, it will be necessary to know what methods are available for file transfers over the internet. You must be able to communicate effectively with clients how to utilize the file transfer system.
How much can I make?
There are many factors involved in what a general transcriptionist can make, including audio quality, what type of recording it is, how many people will be speaking (such as focus groups), client requirements and the ability to obtain work at a fairly steady rate.
There are general transcription outsource companies that may contract with independent transcriptionists or may hire them at telecommuting employees. This work is almost always piecework, as well.
If the project is priced right and typing speed is excellent, you can earn up to $30 per hour when you work. However, you should not expect to have a steady volume of work and can expect to earn approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per year if you are fast and can obtain a sufficient volume of work.
General transcription requires flexibility and excellent basic skills but there are no formal education or training programs available for becoming a general transcriptionist.
