TranscribeMe Review – Scam or Legit? Truth Exposed!

Are you looking for a TranscribeMe review? But you may wonder if it is a scam.

You’re not the only one who wishes you could do your work from home. Eighty-two percent of telecommuters report feeling less stressed than they’d if they worked in an office. I can identify with that, and I imagine you can too. If you have a job that’s too demanding, you know how you feel.

The challenge is finding a suitable job that allows you to work from home. It seems like TranscribeMe could be useful, but is that really the case?

The difference between the life you want and the time you don’t can be as simple as knowing what you’re getting into.

In this review, I’ll discuss who TranscribeMe is, what they offer, and how they work. I’ll also address whether or not transcribing is a legitimate way to make money on the side.

As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with TranscribeMe. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.

At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative to TranscribeMe that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.

What Is TranscribeMe?

TranscribeMe was founded in September 2011 as a transcription service for clients and independent transcriptionists worldwide.

The company has offices in New Zealand and Singapore in addition to its headquarters in San Francisco.

A transcriptionist’s job is to listen to audio and/or video files and then type what they hear into a document. This is obvious, of course, but if you’re just starting out, it’s important to know.

If you want to earn some extra money with a transcription job and are just starting out, you should check out TranscribeMe.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Does TranscribeMe Work?

If you pass the transcribe test, TranscribeMe will hire you for part-time employment. The flexibility to work whenever it is most convenient for you is one of the many benefits of being an independent contractor in this role.

In addition to its own internal task platform, TranscribeMe also functions as a social network where you can interact with company employees and freelancers from all over the world. This is the perfect place to clarify a task and ask other members for help.

Through the WorkHub interface, you can request audio files to transcribe and check the status of your requests. You will not receive files in your inbox. 

Alternatively, you can transcribe them yourself on the website and then share your results with the community. When you are done with the job, you’ll get paid and can search for more audio files to transcribe.

TranscribeMe Application Process

You do not have to have a specific skill set or live in a specific area to be considered for a job with TranscribeMe. Since no special hardware is required, the barrier to entry is low. 

However, you should have a recognized high school diploma, be able to read and write English, have Internet access (high-speed Internet is an advantage), and be able to type quickly.

Apply for the Job

To get started, you need to create an account on our website. You do not have to fill out your entire work history or anything like that, but you do have to provide some basic information.

TranscribeMe Overview

In the next step, watch a short video that explains the application process in detail. It also covers the steps involved in transcription and how to use the TranscribeMe platform.

Entrance Exam

Finally, you have to take an entrance test. Some people may feel intimidated by the word “test,” but rest assured that this test is simple. There are only two tests with a total of 10 questions that you must answer in order to gain access to the style manual. To have the best possible chance of passing the exam, you should study the style guide in depth before taking the test. A perfect score is required for this section.

And then there are the three six-minute audio clips that must be transcribed. If you need more than one attempt at the test, you will receive three. To pass this section with flying colors, you must achieve a score of 98% or higher.

Your application will be accepted if your transcription meets the required accuracy standards. Then you can work from home every month while earning money online.

With the best headphones and footswitches, you can increase your typing accuracy and speed to hit the bull’s eye.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

TranscribeMe Job Requirements

If you’re just starting out as a transcriptionist, you’ll love TranscribeMe.

The needs of the market are fundamental:

• A high school diploma is required. Do not have a high school diploma? Look for ways to work from home without needing a computer.
• You must be able to communicate in English.
• You should also be proficient in English grammar and punctuation.
• Good hearing is also an advantage: if you can easily distinguish between different speakers and filter out background noise while listening, you will do well.
• As for technical equipment, you must have a home computer with a reliable high-speed Internet connection.
• The website recommends using headphones to listen to the audio files. Headphones facilitate transcription by enhancing the listening experience.
• A foot pedal is also a useful tool, according to experienced transcriptionists. It allows you to control the playback of an audio file with your foot without having to take your fingers off the keyboard.

TranscribeMe Equipment Requirements

TranscribeMe is more open to the public than competing services, many of which have strict standards for their employees. It’s a great relief that you do not have to pay for transcription software.

Of course, you need a computer and Internet access. The faster and more reliable, the better.

Since you will be working with transcription, I recommend investing in a good pair of headphones, preferably ones that fit over your ears. Using your computer’s built-in speaker is an option for transcription, but the audio quality may be poor, and there are many different voices or accents to decipher.

The better your listening equipment, the less effort you will have to expend. Minimal or no background noise and a distraction-free work environment are also beneficial.

Even if it is not necessary, a foot pedal can speed up the writing process considerably. It allows you to control the playback of audio files without having to take your hands off the keyboard.

TranscribeMe Accuracy Requirements

When you submit your paper, it is reviewed by a team of editors who can change up to 30 percent of the paper. That seems like a very kind thing to do.

However, your file will be rejected if it requires more than 30% corrections.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

What’s It’s Like Working for TranscribeMe

The Transcriber’s Handbook contains more information. Despite appearances, there are a few things to keep in mind when transcribing.

While working as a transcriber from home can be very rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. I’ve already mentioned a few problems.

Also, the companies you work for as a freelancer are your clients. In that sense, you’re the customer of your own “freelance business,” and you should treat them as such.

This includes being able to work well with others and meet tight deadlines. Data entry, listening, and typing skills are especially important here.

Rejection is another taboo subject among those who work in data entry transcription. Online work can be a great way to make money, but it’s important to be prepared to receive a “your work has been rejected” notification at some point.

Fortunately, this doesn’t automatically disqualify you, and Transcribe me offers the option to ask for a rejection. If you believe your work should have been accepted, you can file a complaint by filling out the Job Rejection Inquiry form and waiting for a response from Operations staff.

However, you cannot consider this a career path.

How Much Does TranscribeMe Pay?

Pay at TranscribeMe is competitive with other services. The usual hourly rate is between $15 and $22. It is common for transcription companies to pay their employees by “audio minutes” or “audio hours” You are not paid by the hour for your transcription work, but for the entire project you are working on; your hourly rate reflects your typing speed.

So being a fast and accurate typist is useful. You can make more money in less time if you can transcribe audio quickly and accurately. Transcriptionists who work at TranscribeMe earn an average of $250 per month, though the best can earn up to $2,200 per month. 

Each week you will receive a payment if your PayPal account has a positive balance of at least $20. If you have a PayPal account and your balance is at least $20, you can request payment the following Thursday.

If you are able to perform specialized transcription tasks, such as those involving medical words, the company may promote you to a higher-paying position.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

TranscribeMe Exam

To be considered for a position with the company, you must first take a TranscribeMe test as part of the application process. Before you take the test, you will be given access to the company’s style guide.

It is crucial that you study the guide thoroughly, as TranscribeMe-specific style questions will be asked in addition to your knowledge of English syntax and punctuation.

Once you have logged into the portal to take the test, you can easily get started. The first section requires you to choose the best answer from a series of multiple-choice questions or type in the correct text. The next two sections are audio files that need to be transcribed.

You will have two opportunities to go through the screening process. You will have to wait 30 days between the two attempts if you did not pass the first time.

Is TranscribeMe a Scam or Legit?

The good news is that TranscribeMe is not a scam, in case you just skimmed over and wanted to know.

Since their inception in 2011, they have earned an excellent reputation.

They have a real storefront, a LinkedIn page with over 4,000 followers, and a Twitter account with over 1,600 followers.

Those are not huge totals, but they are more than you’d expect from a scammer.

With around 8,000 likes and followers and a rating of 4 out of 5, their Facebook page serves as a community for their employees, clients and transcriptionists.

About four thousand people have subscribed to her channel on YouTube. Watch their videos to get a better understanding of their system and how it works.

What I like about them is that they have many five-star ratings, which is not the case with many other transcription services.

TranscribeMe is indeed reputable and is becoming more popular as more and more people are looking for ways to work from home.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

TranscribeMe Reviews and Complaints

Let’s discuss the praise and criticism of TranscribeMe.

Glassdoor Reviews of TranscribeMe

The company has an excellent 4.1-star rating (based on 155 reviews) on the review website Glassdoor.com. According to the reviews on Glassdoor, there are some pros and cons here:

Pros:

• It is an option for working from home.
• You can be invited to participate in special teams.
• The earnings are higher compared to others.

Cons:

• The hourly wage is low.
• The sound quality is poor.
• There is very little available labour.

Those who’ve a lot of experience and can type quickly are probably the ones who’re happy with the salary.

I can also understand why some reviewers feel the $1 per audio hour fee at TrasncribeMe is too low. A few dollars for a few hours isn’t enough when you’re just starting out and not particularly fast on the keyboard.

The poor quality of the audio is a typical criticism, although this isn’t unique to TranscribeMe. 

This is a problem for all companies in this field. If all audio files were easy to decode, you’d only need good speech recognition software to play them and make money with them.

Of course, things aren’t quite that simple.

TranscribeMe Reviews on Indeed

The comments and reviews on Indeed.com are also worth reading. The rating of 3.4 (based on 34 reviews) is not bad, but it is lower than what you find on social media and professional review portals like Glassdoor.

I read the reviews and they pointed out that this is a wonderful place for beginners. Also, some reviewers praised its method of cutting large audio files into manageable pieces.

Here are some of the most common criticisms from Indeed.com:

• It’s difficult to advance on their platform because the tests are demanding.
• The pay isn’t good.
• There’s just not enough work for everyone.
• Because they couldn’t withdraw their money, one critic called the company a scam.

The above positive and negative testimonials seem fair and informative. Although working for TranscribeMe can provide a good income, it may not be advisable to rely on it exclusively.

Some reviewers have claimed that a higher income can be earned after taking and passing their competency exam. Employment opportunities often increase after joining specialized groups.

This is a common complaint among employees of companies like this one that I researched.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

What I Like About TranscribeMe

It is convenient to be able to work with shorter audio segments instead of a single large file.

• Aptitude tests provide opportunities for advancement to higher levels.
• Friendly support and assistance.
• Tests can be repeated.
• Excellent for beginning writers.

What I Don’t Like About TranscribeMe

• Unless you are exceptionally fast and accurate, the pay per clay hour is relatively low.
• Daily work is not guaranteed.
• For novices, transcription can be a challenge. Not because of the work, but because it takes time to develop the talent, which can be troublesome and time-consuming for many.

TranscribeMe Review: Final Verdict

You are probably here because you have realized that making money online from home is a challenge and you are looking for guidance. Maybe not a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but I think TranscribeMe is a useful place to start.

Starting a freelance career is different than starting a regular job. It’s not easy to find a job that pays well enough to be a full-time job, especially if you can do it from home.

However, the best strategy is to work multiple jobs at the same time, whether it’s freelance writing on the side, ride-sharing, or a combination of these.

When it all comes together, it’s a fantastic feeling. The independence to set your own hours and work from wherever you want is a key element to true financial independence. To put it simply, it’s a relief.

Since TranscribeMe is a reputable company that hires truly inexperienced applicants, it’s a great place to learn transcription. There are a few suggestions to consider, such as taking aptitude tests and joining teams.

I too have been freelancing online for a long time and appreciate the availability of services like TranscribeMe.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

TranscribeMe FAQs

Is TranscribeMe a legal company?

Founded in 2011, TranscribeMe is a San Francisco, California-based transcription company.

The company has since earned a strong reputation, as evidenced by its consistently high Glassdoor rating of four stars or higher. So without a shadow of a doubt, they are a reputable company to work with.

Is working at TranscribeMe worth it?

Try TranscribeMe if you are just starting out. Not only is it user-friendly for newbies, but it also has helpful staff ready to answer all your questions.

Unfortunately, as a beginner in the transcription industry, you will not be able to earn more than $6 per hour.

Do people make money on TranscribeMe?

TranscribeMe has been in business for some time now and has a large number of reliable transcriptionists on its side, serving thousands of clients around the world.

And they’ve increased their income to a guaranteed $20 per audio hour, plus $2 per audio hour in bonuses. The money is distributed weekly on Thursdays.

How much can you earn with TranscribeMe?

If you’re just getting into the transcription industry, you can earn between $18 and $22 per audio hour with TranscribeMe.

A professional transcriptionist, on the other hand, can charge up to $60 per audio hour for high-profile jobs. The average wage is between $6 and $10 per hour.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Best Alternative of TranscribeMe to Make Passive Income

If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.

Affiliate Marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business. 

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.

To give you more examples, here are some of the other inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative