As a WAHM, I LOVE sharing avenues to help other moms earn a living from home. Being able to contribute to my family financially while being there for my kiddos, participating in their childhood, is a HUGE blessing. It’s awesome to be able to fill my breaks with Mario Cart tournaments with my 5-year-old and family parties on the living room floor.
Today, I want to share a new online WAHM opportunity based on a long-standing work-at-home career: transcription.
**This post contains affiliate links which help keep MiM up and running. This costs you nothing. See my Affiliate Disclosure for the nitty-gritty. Rest assured that my opinions are my own and I only ever promote businesses I actually believe are worth it.**
Yep. I know. Transcription isn’t new. But the transcription industry has taken a huge turn in a direction that I think will put a new spin on this old work-from-home gig.
Most people have heard of medical transcription. You transcribe audio medical reports from medical professionals into text for medical files. In fact, I actually enrolled in a full medical transcription course a few years ago myself. And while medical transcription used to be a viable career choice, that is no longer the case. Sadly, the MT field has all but died, virtually wiping transcription off the radar of anyone looking for a legitimate work-at-home opportunity.
But transcription is a viable career choice — and the industry is growing! Say what? Let me explain.
While medical transcription has all but ceased to exist, legal and general transcription have grown exponentially in both viability and opportunity! Here’s how I know:
Almost a year ago I discovered Janet Shaughnessy, an experienced transcriptionist, well versed in both legal and general transcription. At the time, I was working as a legal transcript proofreader and thought transcription would be an excellent service to offer to my clients, so I enrolled in her course, Legal Transcription: The Zoom Method.
At the time, the course was a downloadable file with practice audio files and lots of content. And while the content was great, I felt that it lacked a bit in its then-current form. Even so, the program equipped me well for the work I did as a transcriptionist.
Soon after I completed the course, Janet made the AWESOME announcement that she was upgrading the course in a BIG WAY, changing it from a downloadable .zip file to a full, multi-media intensive course on a completely different platform.
Needless to say, I was thrilled!
Her new courses went live earlier this year under the new name Transcribe Anywhere, and her award-winning curriculum is starting to turn heads. So I am super excited to shed some light on why people are talking about her new courses! Here is a peek inside:
Prospective students who head on over to TranscribeAnywhere.com will have the option to enroll in either one or both General Transcription: Theory and Practice and/or Legal Transcription: Theory and Practice. Each course covers the specific skills necessary to excel in transcription, either general or legal.
What’s the difference between general transcription and legal transcription? Here’s how TA defines the difference between the two:
“General transcription [GT] is the practice of transcribing from audio and video files for all different types of industries, such as academia, marketing, interviews, films, among others. Legal transcription [LT] requires all of the skills necessary as a general transcriptionist with the added knowledge of legal terminology and documentation.”
To clarify, a transcriptionist is someone who takes audio and video files and turns them into written documents for record. As a legal transcriptionist, I transcribe a LOT of trials, depositions, examinations under oath, pleadings, hearings — pretty much any recorded legal proceeding or correspondence.
General transcriptionists are trained to transcribe pretty much everything else. I’ve even had the awesome experience of transcribing blog interviews, multi-media course tutorials, and even some car accident reports. It never gets boring, that’s for sure!
What do you need to become a transcriptionist? Answer: not a lot! There are four main things you need to become a transcriptionist:
- Really, really good training. And I mean training that’ll not just teaching you how to type, but training that’ll teach you everything you need to excel at the skill AND build your business from the ground up.
- A computer. This is a no-brainer, obviously. You can use a desktop or a laptop computer, whichever you prefer. Here’s a tip: Desktops are great for home offices, but if you really want to be able to transcribe anywhere, a laptop is perfect!
- Transcription software. Want to know what’s awesome? The most preferred software (Express Scribe) is almost always on sale for between $20 and $30. That’s nothing compared with other software out there (and this is the software Janet trains all her students in!).
- Good headphones. Listening to audio files and being able to hear every. single. word. requires you to have really good quality headphones. If you have some you like, awesome! If not, no worries. I got a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones for under $20. No, they’re not Bose, but they definitely did the trick!
- OPTIONAL: an audio foot pedal. What the heck is this? It’s a pedal you connect to your computer via USB whereby you can completely control your audio with your foot. You can rewind, fast forward, play, and stop without ever having to take your hands off the keyboard. I, personally, never transcribe without it. It saves a ton of time, increases speed, and, thus, increases earning potential. Woot, woot!
What does Transcribe Anywhere offer with its courses? Both courses offer multiple modules teaching proper punctuation, formatting, hotkeys, and how to use the software. It also includes lots and lots of practice audio files, templates, and how to build and market your business. You’ll learn how to do the work and how to get the clients — a HUGE benefit to taking free-range courses like this. For more in-depth information on the course offerings, head on over to the TA website and check out the course syllabuses. (Click on Courses at the top and go down to the course of your choice.)
Students also get lifetime access to student support and upgrades, meaning whenever the content is upgraded, you get the upgraded content. LOVE this because it means when TA grows, so does its students. BIG win in my book!
In addition, students also get access to an exclusive (secret!) student Facebook page, which is one of my absolute favorite perks. Janet is VERY active in the student FB page, so you’ll always have direct access to her AND other students and graduates if you ever need any help. It is a great place to pose questions, get help, and really grow in the skills you learn in the courses.
Is transcription a good work-at-home career for moms? I totally think so! For me, having young kids at home (ages three and almost six), I would exclusively work at nap time, after bed time, or whenever my husband was off work. Now, I could never make this a full-time gig simply because I don’t have the schedule for it. It’s really NOT something that can be done during times your kids need your attention and supervision. That’s why I opt to work while my kiddos are sleeping. No noise and no distractions.
If, however, your kids are school aged, then yee haw!! You can totally make this a full-time gig while your kids are at school! If you can find a quiet place with a chunk of time to get your work done, then you can definitely make money as a transcriptionist.
All in all, I highly recommend Transcribe Anywhere. The courses are SUPER affordable, and the results are superior. I was able to find clients pretty quickly (like, within a week of finishing the course!), and my best month I made over $1,500 transcribing part-time! I love having the flexibility to be able to take on work when I want/need it and to be able to take time off for my family whenever I want. I can take my work with me wherever I go since I work exclusively via email and using file-sharing programs. Can’t do much better than that!
If you’re looking for a lucrative at-home career that’ll give you great flexibility, look into TA. It’s made a major difference in our financial life as a family, and I’m betting, with some hard work and dedication, it could do the same for you! Head on over to TranscribeAnywhere.com to check out her free (yes, free!) intro courses in both general and legal transcription to get familiar with Janet and the industry as a whole!
So what do you think? Have you ever thought of transcribing for extra income? What’s your biggest hang-up over jumping into a work-at-home career like transcription? Comment below and let me know!
Hi there, could you please share which noise canceling headphones you have for less than $20? Thanks for the review, I think I will be doing the course after I raise the funds. This pandemic has kinda cleared my bank account due to my industry being shut down last year. Time to rebuild and add to my skills!
So sorry for my late reply! My system has stopped notifying me of comments. Yikes! I’m so sorry to hear the pandemic has hit you so hard. I’m wishing you all the best as you work to build new skills. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have!
Hi Katie,
This is really a nice blog & I am interested in exploring this field of Transcription.
Hi, Katie
I’m looking into the potential of becoming a transcriptionist, and would love to ask a question of someone (you!) who has been through the TA course. After completing this course, do you have to drum up your own business through a blog and social media, or can you simply find work through a job board similar to Rev, and still make a solid income?
Thanks for your help!
Linda
Hi, Linda! So the answer to your question is BOTH! I believe Janet at Transcribe Anywhere does help students find work (but double-check with her on that) as a help, but you can absolutely create your own website, peruse social media job boards, or find work on Upwork, Rev, or Fiver. There’s really no limitation to how you can find work when you own your own business. 😉 Janet will have more insight on which sources provide the highest paying and most consistent work. I personally found my clients through Facebook and that was all I needed. The income you earn is honestly reflected in your dedication to network via the above means and retaining clients with excellent work. The BEST way to increase your client list (and your income) is referrals. Wow your clients, and they’ll keep coming back—and tell their friends about you! 🙂 This is how you earn a solid income. It may take a while to find what works for you, but it’s definitely doable.
Hi Katie
Is this just in America or is it international aswel?
I’m from Australia
Hi, Melissa!
I believe it is international, but definitely confirm that with Janet before you enroll. From my understanding, as long as you have a good command of English, you should be fine.
I’ve had a taste of transcription with a dictaphone machine (cassette) and loved it. When I took a test for a company online I bombed. I had no control over the speed and using keyboard controls were completely new to me. Which software program and usb foot pedal would you recommend or is compatible with the training program?
Hi, Lisa! GREAT question! I believe I used the Infinity USB foot pedal with Express Scribe during the program, but you might want to double-check with Janet over at Transcribe Anywhere to confirm which tools she recommends. You can contact her over at janet@transcribeanywhere.com. 🙂
Hello Katie!
I’ve been debating for a while now on whether or not I’d like to take the leap into starting the Transcribe Anywhere course. I’m very skeptical of the authenticity of this course & these days it’s so easy to be scammed by the internet (impossible to know who you can trust anymore). I’ve come across your blog a few times now while doing more research on the TA course and I have found it very encouraging.
However, I read your comment about how Caitlin from proofread anywhere helped Janet revamp her program/website, then I noticed that you no longer endorse Caitlin’s Proofread Anywhere course because it lacks a positive learning environment.
Would you still recommend TA, consider it a positive learning environment & say that it’s worth pursuing?
Great question, Jennifer! As far as I know, PA and TA are completely separate at this point. Yes, they are affiliated, but TA is owned and run by Janet. I still recommend TA and think it’s definitely worth pursuing. My encouragement, however, is that everyone do their due diligence to make sure they’re 100% comfortable with the program they spend their hard-earned money on. My current experience with TA still stands true. I feel Janet has created a wonderful program and really knows her stuff. 🙂
Transcribe Anywhere is a catch-22 type program. I think most people, like me (I purchased the entire program), who consider this are introverts who don’t have wide networks and are relatively uncomfortable trying to make connections in order to get meaningful employment. Unfortunately, this is the exact thing that Transcribe Anywhere is terrible at. I was hoping to get some concrete avenues for work, and all I came away with was “Get out there and get jobs”. So, my opinion of Transcribe Anywhere is that, if you’re considering it, it’s most likely not going to be able to give you what you need.
Thank you so much for your thoughts, Scott! I haven’t heard the same from many students. In fact, I’ve seen Janet post available jobs for students right in the student group. However, I do know each student has their own unique perspective and experience. My recommendation for anyone who enrolls is to not be afraid to ask Janet those hard questions about where/how to find work after you complete the program, especially if you feel the program lacks in that area. She may just need to be made aware so she can be more helpful to her students in that area. 🙂
Hi Katie,
Thanks for your review. When I told a friend of mine I wanted to start a transcription businesses, don’t you think technology can or will replace human transcribers? Thereafter, I did a Google search and found some software. Do you know of any software that transcribes hours of audio accurately?
Hi, there!
That’s a very common concern in the transcription industry. The truth is, they have yet to create a software that can offer the same attention to detail and care that a transcriptionist can. And they can certainly not rival the accuracy of a human transcriptionist. The problem is that a program is very formulaic and cannot interpret tone, context, etc. It’s based on voice recognition, and can often misplace words that sound very similar. It happens ALL the time. For more information on this question, I recommend reaching out to Janet at janet@transcribeanywhere.com to see if she can offer you any more information on this concern. The more information you have, the better! 🙂
Hi Katie,
Thank you for your review. Forgive my skepticism, but I am trying to find out the legitimacy of your information. First of all, how long does it take to get through the course? The course seems expensive and right now my husband and I are struggling financially. It will be hard to convince him to allow me to spend the money on something like this when we are wondering how we will get our bills paid next month. I was a medical transcriptionist at our local hospital for a little less than a year before I was let go due to not being at a level they thought I should be at. I had zero experience when they hired me (I was already part of the HIM department working in medical records) and was promised a year of training. I was placed in a high traffic area next to a copy/fax machine and was asked to perform other job duties other than transcription. So, needless to say I felt like everything was against me to succeed. It got really stressful for me and I was very depressed. I was glad when it was finally over. I enjoyed what I did, but was very discouraged by everything that had happened. It’s been 8 months since then and now I am thinking of getting back into transcription. I like the idea of doing this from home. I worry that maybe I am not any good at this and that’s why I was let go. Also, my husband and I started an eCommerce business and I am looking for a way to earn some income until we can get our store to generate a profit. Since I never really had any formal training the TranscribeAnwhere course looked interesting. I guess what I am wondering about is are you just trying to sell us onto a product that you will benefit from or did you truly enjoy these courses and found them to be helpful? I guess I am desperate here. I have a crippled foot that hurts all the time due to a car accident. Going out and just finding a job is difficult due to my physical limitations. I also like being home and having a flexible schedule. I don’t have any children. It seems like transcription would be perfect for me. However, I also like the idea of proofreading too. If you have any other at home job suggestions, these would be most helpful. It’s hard to figure out what’s not a scam.
Thank you again for your review.
Sincerely,
Amy
I completely understand where you’re coming from, Amy! It’s really hard to discern what’s real and what isn’t with all of the scammer pushing garbage around the internet. So I don’t blame you one bit for being skeptical. And because I value honesty and transparency, I want you to know that I do receive a commission if anyone enrolls through my affiliate link. However, I am very picky about the programs I recommend to my audience because I’m very protective of my readers. I’ve sifted through too many scams myself to find legitimate opportunities, and my hope is to prevent my readers from wasting their time and resources on dead ends. 🙂
I specifically promote Transcribe Anywhere because I’m a former student and know that the program is very good and produces well-trained transcriptionists who go on to earn a living doing what they do. I can’t honestly recommend any other transcription programs because I haven’t personally had the opportunity to review the curriculum. I’m sure there are other great programs, but there are none I can personally vouch for like TA.
Regarding how long the program takes, that honestly varies from student to student and depends on the time you have to dedicate to the program. It could take you a month or two if you’re working on it every single day. It could take two to four months if you have less time to dedicate to studying.
If you’re looking for other ideas for legitimate work-at-home careers, here is a post I put together listing some great options. While the title says implies that these options are for parents, they’re great options for anyone who is looking to work from home. 🙂
I hope this helps! Please feel free to shoot me an email if you have any other questions or concerns. I’m happy to help point you in the right direction. 🙂
Katie,
Are you still actively working as a transcriptionist? If so, is the available work still as consistent as it was when you first started? How many hours a week would you say you spend working on transcription alone? Is your income still comparable to the $1,500 you reported in this blog at one point in time? I’m very, very interested in transcription but also incredibly hesitant to take the leap as I don’t personally know anyone that has done the TA course and been a transcriptionist.
Hi, Stephanie!
This is a really great question! While I don’t currently work as a transcriptionist, I can tell you that there is still a LOT of opportunity out there for those who want to become transcriptionists. There are so many different media outlets that use general transcriptionists to turn recorded audio/video into the written word (like bloggers, podcasters, other business owners, etc.). In fact, as an example, the blogger I work for has her own transcriptionist that she has hired to transcribe the video courses she has into transcripts for her hearing impaired customers.
The opportunities are many, so I hope you feel a little more comforted. Unfortunately, I cannot give you honest feedback about income because I no longer work as a transcriptionist. That said, with the opportunities available, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to do it again should I need to earn extra income. 🙂
I truly understand your hesitation. This was the same kind of hesitation I felt when I first enrolled. To this day, I don’t regret my decision to enroll. I hope this helps ease your concern a bit.
Thank you for your quick response! That was definitely helpful.
There’s one more thing I’m curious about after reading your response. Do you mind telling me why you quit being a transcriptionist?
I’m going to be giving birth to my first child in November and I’m desperately seeking a way to be able to work from home with a flexible position. I’m hoping this is my solution- or that I come across another one. Thank you!
Absolutely! The reason I started venturing away from transcription was because I found myself really enjoying virtual assisting. I found it very exciting and engaging, which piqued my interest. After pouring into my VA skillset, I’ve created my own work-at-home career as a project manager working for professional bloggers and digital marketers. And I LOVE IT! I’m actually coming out with an extensive project management training program next month, so stay tuned for news on the launch!
I still think transcription is a great option for people who want to make a living from home. I just found myself pulled toward project management. 🙂
That said, it’s my personal opinion that transcription, while doable for new moms, is best suited for moms with kiddos that don’t need constant supervision. That’s because you’ll be required to have headphones on and be looking at your screen while you transcribe. And some of the recordings are really … well, poor. So you’ll need total quiet in order to hear the spoken words you need to transcribe to guarantee accuracy. I don’t want to discourage you, but I do want you to have all the knowledge you need to make an educated decision.
I had young kiddos when I was transcribing, but I also did all of my transcribing when my husband was home and can help with the kids.
That isn’t to say it can’t be done! It’s just something to consider. 🙂
If you’d like to do something that doesn’t leave you so tied to your computer and headphones, virtual assisting might be more your speed. Proofreading is also a really great option because you’ll still be able to hear your little one if they need you.
Here is a post I did of some other options that are good for stay-at-home parents. I even included my thoughts on what age ranges these options will work for with regard to having children at home. I hope it helps! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions! I’m happy to talk shop if you need any other pointers. 🙂 Katie@momismore.com
I’m in a similar situation as Stephanie – giving birth to my first child in early August! So, I just had to comment and thank you, Katie, for your thoughts on how transcription (which I’d begun seriously looking into) might not be best for brand new parents right at the beginning. I’m also going to check out your post on proofreading and the “5 work at home careers for parents” post. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for being so attentive & helpful to your readers!!
My pleasure, Sharon! As a mom of littles, I know first hand the kinds of obstacles we face as we look for legit ways to bring in extra income while being home with our little ones. My hope is to continue to provide insight into what it takes for moms like us to really succeed at working from home and where to go to find real opportunities that won’t waste our precious time. 🙂 So glad you found this helpful!
Hi Katie,
May I ask, are you doing any of the listed gigs on your blog (transcriptionist, proofreading, bookkeeping, etc.) ?
Hi, Heidi!
So sorry for the late reply!
I’ve been a proofreader, a transcriptionist, and a virtual assistant… among other things. I have never been a bookkeeper, but I’ve reviewed the bookkeeping course content myself. (Bookkeeping isn’t my jam, but it is for some people!) As for scoping, I’ve also seen the scoping curriculum inside the program and know the scoping industry from my time as a court transcript proofreader. It’s very good. 🙂 I don’t do all the gigs I’ve recommended, but I don’t recommend anything unless I vet the program and the content first.
I am looking for a way to earn income from home and have considered transcription. I’m really glad I came across your blog as it has been very helpful. Thanks
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful, Kathy! 🙂
So this is only a training program, correct? After you spend the money then you have to cross your fingers you can actually find the work??? I’ve worked as a legal assistant/paralegal for 25+ years. Never have the lawyers/firms I’ve worked for sought to have someone outside the firm transcribe for them. I’ve never heard of anyone in the legal field doing that. Naturally, I’m SO skeptical. Transcribing court hearings? No. Court reporters are present and their transcriptions are transcribed on a computer-based program. I’ve never heard of the courts needing anyone to transcribe what a court reporter has already recorded. Disappointing because I really thought this might be something that would work for me. Do you know anyone who has completed the course and is actually earning income by transcribing at home? If that person is not an affiliate of the course, that’d be even better.
Hi, Bridget!
My apologies for not getting back to you sooner! I totally understand your skepticism. When I worked for reporters as a transcriber, I mainly worked for digital reporters who would record the session and then transcribe it outside of court. Digital reporters are as real as those who work with a steno machine. Some courts do not employ digital reporters. Some do. Some law firms dictate their correspondence to be transcribed by an out-of-office transcriber. Some don’t. The course does not necessarily teach transcribing for court reporters like I did, but she does teach a lot about transcribing legal correspondence, which is what she’s done for years. So while it may not be common where you are, I assure you it is elsewhere.
The reporter I worked for had multiple contracted transcribers. This allowed her to digitally report the court proceedings, then contract out the transcription of the actual transcript. She would look it over and edit it as necessary. This saved her time and allowed her to take on more jobs. In addition, I was able to work with my reporters from anywhere in the US. They would send me a sample transcript so I could follow the exact layout and guidelines of their state and district. I loved doing it. 🙂
I applaud your willingness to do your due diligence. I, too, was very skeptical of it all … until I connected with that area of the profession and realized that yes, it is real. 🙂
Another option for you given your experience would be scoping. A scopist, as I’m sure you know, is the editor of the legal transcript. Some reporters edit their own transcripts, but some hire scopists who are trained in the same CAT software to go through and edit all of the untranslated steno and mistrans (mistranslations). They also make sure all of the information is correct (defendant and plaintiff information, addresses, attorney information, witness information, etc.) It’s a fantastic work-at-home job, and may be more more your speed if you’re skeptical of legal transcription. I recommend contacting Linda Evenson over at Internet Scoping School. She’s very well-known in the industry as a whole and would likely be very happy to answer all of your questions should you have any.
Hope you have a lovely day!
Hi Katie,
I’m not a mom, but I have long wanted to find a good career path that allows me to work from home. I am single, no children, and currently employed in Sales/Marketing with a company that manufactures and distributes mechanical parts. Recently, I have considered taking professional writing certification courses, possibly pursuing an Associate’s Degree (I already have a Bachelor’s in Communications), and even establishing an Etsy page or online business for sweet treats/baked goods. Unfortunately, I find myself not having the time nor energy to sit down and tackle these things I want to pursue because of my full-time job. And while the pay is fair, I find myself wondering if I couldn’t get comparable if not higher income with transcribing (or any work-from-home career for that matter) so that I can use my time, energy, and money to reach for things I really want.
Based on your post, TA sounds like a wonderful course, and certainly not a scam. I’ve spent the past week or so searching for online transcription training courses (during this time I came across your post) and I’ve been highly wary of any site I’ve visited being sub-par or, worse, possibly a scam. I gotta say that seeing your feedback plus knowing you have firsthand experience with the course makes me feel so much better about making the decision to enroll in TA. Thank you for posting!
I also have a few questions. Have you (or anyone reading this comment) come across the transcription training site/course Transcription Certification Institute (TCI) at http://www.transcriptioncertificationinstitute.org? This site was almost always the top result Google would generate. From what I can see, TCI doesn’t seem like a scam, but I couldn’t find any information about it aside from what I could find on the website. What would be your advice to prospective studesnts in their search for online training courses? Are there warning signs for when a site or program is a poor-quality training program, if not an outright scam? What things should we be looking out for when choosing online transcription training courses?
I had initially considered enrolling at TCI (first I needed to save up for the course fee) but after finding your post and reading it as well as some of the comments, I’ve decided to enroll in TA instead when the time is right, and maybe even its other affiliate programs to broaden my skillset and experience. Thanks again for your insight!
Hi, Vicki!
I’m so glad I could help you in your search for viable transcription training! I have personally not heard of TCI, so I cannot vouch for their program. However, whenever I consider enrolling in a program, I always first and foremost reach out to the creator of the course. If you can get in contact with the course creator, that’s a good sign. In addition, do your due diligence by possibly finding people who have taken the course themselves. If you can’t find anyone who has taken a course AND that can vouch for the authenticity and effectiveness of the program, steer clear. While that may just mean the program is very new, it could also indicate that it may be a scam. 🙂
Wishing you the best as you work toward your goals!
Hey, is a guy allowed in here? 🙂 I’ve actually been looking at the TranscribeAnywhere, ProofreadAnywhere, and the ISS (Internet Scoping School) websites recently…..don’t remember how I originally stumbled upon them. I did daily general and medical transcription for a large commercial insurance company for 14 years, and have done other editorial work over the past 30+ years, so I think I have a pretty good background to take the transcription course and go that route. But I wanted to share my biggest concern with a group and possibly get some feedback. I can’t quite describe it, but there’s just something “creepy” about these three sites popping up recently, and all being affiliates of each other. I guess my perspective comes from subscribing to and purchasing so many AWAI (American Writers & Artists Institute) programs, reports, newsletters, etc., over the last 15+ years, and ending up merely spending money, being TOTALLY overloaded with more stuff than I can ever possibly read, digest, and retain, and going nowhere as far as actually getting a freelance business off the ground. I’m not saying that either AWAI or any of these three businesses…..TA, PA, ISS…..is not legit…..they probably are…..but I just want to be darn sure they aren’t just another bunch of folks “hawking their wares” so to speak. As we all know, the Internet is jammed full of scams and….well, pardon my French…..but, crap! Useless crap that just puts money in somebody else’s pocket. Any thoughts out there? Thanks! 🙂
Hi, Bob!
First, you are TOTALLY welcome here! 🙂 And I can absolutely understand your concern. There are a ton of scams out there, and I think you’re very wise to do your due diligence.
First, let me clear up the relationship between ISS, TA, and PA. Caitlin Pyle is the owner of BCP Media, Inc., the digital marketing company that has had a hand in helping the already established training programs of ISS and TA revamp their sites and their programs to be more effective. Caitlin is a transcript proofreading veteran who, after many people she knew asked her to train them in transcript proofreading, decided to create her own training program to teach people how to make a living doing it.
Well, her program was very well received and viola! Proofread Anywhere was born. Because of the success of Proofread Anywhere, she was able to help Janet over at Zoom Transcription make her already great program into a bigger, more effective transcription training program for both general and legal transcription. I’ve taken both the PA transcript proofreading course and the legal transcription course (before it was TA), and I was able to earn a nice part-time side income for my family with the skills I learned.
ISS was an already established program as well created by Linda Evenson, one of the most well respected scopists in the court reporting industry. She saw how well Caitlin was able to create an effective training program, so she partnered with Caitlin also to get help revamping her program into what it is today. So the connecting factor between these three programs is Caitlin Pyle because of the amazing work she’s done.
Now, not everyone loves Caitlin. As with anything, you’ll get backlash for starting something new. So Proofread Anywhere has its fair share of naysayers. But anyone who has actually taken the program or knows Caitlin can vouch that she’s the real deal. I’ve worked personally with Caitlin in many facets, and I know that she really cares about fighting against online “work-at-home” scams so people who really want to learn new skills can find legitimate training programs and opportunities through all the mess out there (which is why she created the Work-At-Home Summit).
I was probably one of her most skeptical students when I enrolled, so I totally understand your concern. In the end, none of these programs are magic. They take real work and require those learned skills to be applied in order to earn a living. A lot of people want a quick-and-easy way to earn money online. These programs are NOT for those people. These are real training programs created by real people who have actually worked in the industry they teach about for an extensive period of time. And unlike most college programs, they actually teach you how to find and get the work, too. 🙂
So I hope this helps clear up the connection with the three programs. I’ve personally had the privilege of working with each one of these course owners, and they are all wonderful. But in the end, you need to go with your gut and find the program that works best for you. I HIGHLY recommend reaching out to each of the course owners to make a connection so you can decide for yourself. 🙂
I hope this helps, Bob! I wish you the best as you carve out your own work-at-home journey. 🙂
Hi Katie,
I’m thinking about becoming a general transcriptionist and wondering if I would be able to find a job if my typing skills are less than 60wpm. Also, should I complete Transcribe Anywhere(7 lessons) before taking the TranscribeMe exam?
Hi, Sharonda!
I would say that typing less than 60wpm now isn’t much to worry about if you do plan on taking the course. Your typing speed will improve the more you do it. If you haven’t already, I recommend taking the free general transcription intro course from Transcribe Anywhere. She covers the important things to think about if you are considering to become a general transcriptionist. You can sign up for it here.
In my experience, it’s less about how fast you can type and more about how accurate you are and how quickly you can turn around work. The faster you type, the more earning potential you have because you can take on more jobs. So if you currently type less than 60wpm, I recommend continuing to work on your speed before taking any definitive exam. The general transcription course is a great way to do that. 🙂
Hi Katie,
Many thanks for your review 🙂
I came across your site, by accident (via Pinterest!), as I have been researching into becoming a transcriptionist and was overwhelmed with all the scam sites!
I was wondering if you would rather recommend going straight into the legal transcription course, or start off with the general course? The former does very much interest me, therefore I wouldn’t want to do the general one and then have to enroll in the legal transcription course, if it suffices!
I look forward to your response and thank you again for your very comprehensive review 🙂
Laura
Hi, Laura!
That’s a really great question! While I did legal transcription (and really liked it!), I personally feel there is likely more work out there for general transcription. I feel legal transcription pays higher rates, but if you aren’t getting as much work, then chances are you won’t make as much as a general transcriptionist would. That said, both are really great option, and I was able to earn a nice side income from legal transcription. What I recommend is taking the course that interests you the most, then use your earnings from that training to fund the other course tuition (invest back in yourself!). I hope this helps! 🙂
Hi Katie,
Do you happen to know anyone in Canada who’s taken the TranscribeAnywhere course(s)? Any job ads I see indicate that a transcription certificate is required from a recognized transcription school, so just wondering about this and whether you know if Janet’s courses are ‘recognized’.
Thank you for such a great article and it’s so awesome to see ALL of your detailed replies to everyone who’s had questions on this subject! Wow what great support for those of us in need of advice from quality, ‘real’ people 🙂 thanks again.
Hi, Paula!
That is a GREAT question! I’m not personally connected with any transcriptionist in Canada, so I’m afraid I can’t answer your question regarding jobs up there. However, you’ll be encouraged to know that as a transcriptionist, you don’t have to limit yourself to Canadian clientele. You can work for any company around the world who needs English transcription. Janet is really great at answering questions, so feel free to shoot her an email at janet@transcribeanywere.com to see if she has any suggestions regarding finding work in Canada. The term “recognized” is quite broad, as I’m sure you would agree. It sounds like some of the companies you’re looking into may have their own set terms on what is considered a recognized training program. Janet may have some recommendations on how to introduce them to Transcribe Anywhere and/or other options if you’re looking to work with Canadian-based companies only. 🙂
I hope this helps! And I’m SO happy to hear you’ve found this article helpful and encouraging. I remember how nervous I was to step out and try this avenue of earning an income from home. There were a LOT of courses, but there weren’t really any “real” people offering their stories and some real-life advice on getting started. So I’m super happy to be able to offer that to my readers. It can be scary starting something new, but I can tell you from experience that I don’t regret the decision to start transcribing one bit. Disclaimer: I don’t transcribe anymore, but I still think this is a fantastic way to earn a living from home. It has led me on to new career paths, and I’ll forever be grateful for the doors that have opened to me because of it. 🙂
Hi there, Katie! I’m in the midst of taking the TA courses. There are Canadians, Australians, French and others on the TA FB page! This community is awesome. I’m glad to be a part of it and continuing on in the course (and in the PA course too)!
I am thinking about signing up to take this becasue I am a massage therapist and I only work 4 days in a row. Pay is ok but I wouldn’t be able to live on my own for sure.
I am happy to see that you can make great money with this. Would working 2 days a week be good or should I try to do more? I originally tried to be a transcription but the college I went to stopped the program plus I couldn’t get into some of the courses that I needed becasue my test scores weren’t that high.
Hi, Jacquie!
As an independent contractor, you can take on as much or as little work as you want. So if you only want to work so many hours each week, just adjust your workload to fit. Since you had a difficult time during your last attempt at transcription, I recommend hoping over to TA and signing up for the free intro course if you haven’t already. That might help you decide whether or not it’s right for you. 🙂
Hi Katie,
I intend to build a part-time career in Transcription as it fits into my current life situation. I am however concerned that there could be a downside to the fact that I am NOT a US citizen/resident (I’m Nigerian) – such as tax issues or other restricitons.
Have you any idea about this, pls share.
Hi, MB!
Based on your email address, I believe I just responded to you in my last comment to Newman. Please see that reply. 🙂 I hope it helps!
Hi Katie,
I am interested in exploring this field of Transcription and have signed up for a GT course. However I am not a US citizen/resident, and I was a
little concerned if there could be a downside to this fact, such as tax issues or inability to contract US clients. Your insight will be appreciated.
Hi, Newman!
While I can’t really offer any advice regarding tax issues outside of the US, I can say that a LOT of transcriptionists work abroad and have no issues maintaining US-based clientele. You’ll need to consult with a tax professional in your region to get more information on how to move forward with abiding with your local tax laws.
I’m 19 years old, I currently work at a casino 35 minutes from my apartment. I absolutely hate the drive, and really my job in general at this point. I’ve been talking to my boyfriend recently, as I am pregnant, about starting my next job from home. I have done a lot of research on transcription and transcribe anywhere. I am super interested in this, I just want to know if it is really worth it? Are the “free mini-courses” helpful in determining whether this is really for you are not? I just don’t want to spend the 600-700 dollars to end up absolutely hating it.
Thanks in advance for any feedback I receive.
Hi, Brooke!
I’m so sorry to hear how much you aren’t enjoying your job. Transcription can be a really great option for those wanting to work from home, but I’ll be totally honest, it’s not a great fit for moms of little ones who need constant attention and supervision. To be able to do transcription well, you need to wear headphones and be able to hear every. little. thing. that is said. Some recordings are particularly poor, which makes it even harder. Having a baby would make this really difficult since your attention needs to be 100% on your work and 100% on your baby.
However, you can totally make it work during the times that you have someone else to watch your little one, like when your boyfriend is home or a family member can come by. You can also work when the baby is sleeping.
That said, if you’re worried you’d absolutely hate it (it can get boring and tedious sometimes), I think you might really enjoy virtual assisting. In my experience, the pay is better than transcribing (depending on what you do), and there are an endless array of tasks you can do as a freelance VA, making it much more exciting than transcription. Check out this post that I did about a successful VA mom and the course she now offers to help others out. Her course is also cheaper than the transcription course.
VA work is wonderful for moms because if you need to walk away from your computer to tend to your little one, you totally can. AND you can take your work with you very easily, which can be more difficult with transcription. It’s doable, but it’s difficult. 🙂
I still think transcription is a GREAT option for folks who don’t have a lot of distractions and like to keep things consistent. I really enjoyed my time doing transcription, so it’s still a great option if you can make it work.
Note: If you’d like to build a really great side business, you can actually offer transcription as a service to your VA clients, should you go that route. It’s a great way to build your offered services.
Is this a sponsored review?
Hi, Jennifer!
No, my review wasn’t sponsored by Janet or Transcribe Anywhere. 🙂 However, in the name of total transparency, so I do earn commission on referrals since I am now an affiliate of the program. That said, before I ever created my blog, I was a student of Janet’s transcription course and LOVED it. After working as a transcriptionist, I decided it was such a great program and work-at-home opportunity that I wanted to share it on my blog. 🙂
Hello Katie! I learned so much from your honest review about TA. . I am hoping to earn a decent amount of income for my family but I want to invest my time first to learn how to transcribe because I am still a newbie. But I am just wondering what kind of freelancing site would be suitable for me after meeting all the requirements to pass at TA? I am hoping for your immediate response. It is highly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi, Sylvia!
The TA courses really cover the marketing side of having a transcription business quite well. There are actually a lot of different ways to acquire work, like private Facebook job boards, agencies, and such. For general transcription, there are virtually endless niches that use transcriptionists, so there are a lot of opportunities waiting for trained professionals. Legal transcription, although nit as broad a niche as GT, is also a great field. For details on this, I recommend enrolling or chatting with Janet over at TA. You can email her directly via janet@transcribeanywhere.com.
Also, I know for a fact Janet works hard to bring job opportunities to her students, so you’ll be in good hands. 😉
Thank you so much Katie! I am currently enrolled with TA, I thank you so much for explaining these things very well for those who want to work at home. I will get in touch with Janet about my inquiries. Again, thank you so much!
My pleasure, Sylvia!! 🙂
Hi, I’ve doing some research into either medical or legal transcribing and I’m definitely leaning more toward legal and I’m glad I came across your blog. I’m ready to sign up but I have came across Transcribeanywhere and Proofreadanywhere By Caitlin Pyle the courses, the format of their website, and the prices are almost identical so I’ve become a little skeptical. Can you shed some light, if any, of why the resemblance is so uncanny?
Hi, Sonia!
Absolutely! Proofread Anywhere and Transcribe Anywhere are actually sister sites. Caitlin Pyle, owner of Proofread Anywhere, and Janet Shaughnessy, owner of Transcribe Anywhere, partnered up after Proofread Anywhere was established and revamped Janet’s previous transcription course into what we now know as Transcribe Anywhere. I actually had the privilege of working with both Caitlin and Janet during the creation of Transcribe Anywhere, so I can personally vouch that these two separate (but affiliated!) courses are excellent programs. I’ve participated both as a student and behind the scenes with both programs and would enroll again in a heartbeat. 🙂
I hope this helps clears things up! 🙂
Hi! I found your blog by way of a Facebook Ad for Proofread Anywhere which led me to look up reviews. You mentioned the transcription course in that review so here I am! I currently work as a legal secretary in a single attorney law firm. There are many aspects to the job but one of the things I do is transcribe dictation- letters, emails, court documents, etc. I think legal transcription would be a good fit for me so I am curious of how the pay is determined per project. I make $600 a week right now at my job, working four days a week. The hours are 9:30-4:30 though, which means I have to put my son in an after care program at school. The older he gets, the more I want to be around for everything and not worry about taking time off for doctor’s appointments, school events, etc. (I’m a single mom, so there is no one here helping)
My question is, do you think I could make the same amount of money or more doing legal transcription full time from home? I know I’m not rich by any means but this is the most money I’ve ever made, with the most decent hours and I’m nervous to take a chance and lose that. Any honest feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks!
Hi, Kristina!
Sounds like you have some excellent experience in legal transcription already! What you do in your current job is very similar to what a legal transcriptionist does. The only difference would be that you would also transcribe court proceedings, depositions, etc. You could work directly with attorneys and/or digital court reporters.
As a transcriptionist, your earning potential largely depends on two things: 1) Your proficiency and speed. The quicker you can turn over transcripts, the more work you can take. Since LTs are paid per audio minute OR per page (whatever you choose), the more work you take, the higher the earning potential. Therefore, your typing speed and accuracy can directly impact your earning potential. 2) Your commitment to finding clients. While there is certainly a need for qualified legal transcriptionists, it will be your job to find work as a independent contractor. The good news is that if you were to become a legal transcriptionist and work from home, you could absolutely offer your current employer your services. They could easily become your first client! The only difference would be that you’d be working from home for a set rate, providing the same services. 🙂 Food for thought.
So to answer your question, yes. I think you could definitely make $600+/week doing legal transcription. However, I wouldn’t quit your current job until your client load starts exceeding your ability to do both your day job and build your business (unless of course your current employer agrees to pay you as an independent contractor instead!).
Keep in mind one HUGE benefit to becoming an independent contractor (especially with your experience): You can very easily create your own legal transcription firm once you have enough clients by hiring other LTs to subcontract with you. You manage them and make sure the work gets done. You deal with clients and payments, along with any transcription work you take on yourself. You charge your clients a flat rate. You get a certain percentage, and the rest goes to your subcontractors. THIS is how you earn FAR more than what you’re currently making as a legal secretary. Not only does it provide more work for other LTs, it increases your earning potential substantially.
Janet over at Transcribe Anywhere knows a LOT more about subcontracting than I do, and I believe she may cover it in her curriculum (it’s been updated a bit since I took the course). I definitely recommend getting in contact with her if you have any questions about that. She’s very knowledgeable and has created a fantastic, supportive community in her student group.
I hope this helps! I know it can be scary to try and start something new. 🙂
Hi, great post! I am wondering, is the complete process remote? Marketing, and all?
Hi, Shanitha!
Yep! Every aspect of this job is remote, including the training. 🙂
Hi there,
I am about to enroll in Janet’s general transcription class, and I’m really looking forward to it! My end goal is legal transcription, but I am just starting out. Do you think I should to general transcribing for a couple years and move into legal once I’ve had experience and practice? Or should I just dive in, head first into Janet’s legal course and work? I’ve been doing lots of practice online and my main issue seems to be proper grammar. Not sentences and case, but more like commas, and when to break up run ons, and how to use commas vs periods in quoted text, etc. So I look forward on brushing up on those skills- I just don’t know where I should start if ultimately I would like to be on the legal side.
Thanks!
Kim
Hi, Kim!
SO sorry for my late reply. So with transcription, it is entirely up to you. I started with legal transcription because I had experience as a legal transcript proofreader. For me, it just made sense to go that route. Legal transcription and general transcription are really different, with the exception of typing out the spoken word. With legal transcription, depending on what you’re transcribing, grammar doesn’t matter. Your job is to transcribe the spoken word as it is spoken — improper grammar and all. Yay for those of us who struggle with grammar! (I feel you. 😉 ) With transcription, punctuation is key. Janet’s courses will teach you everything you need to know. So while her courses are both in transcription, they really are two different worlds of transcription. If you’re wanting to get your foot in the door and get experience with transcribing in general, then GT is where I’d start. Otherwise, neither is better than the other when it comes to which one to take first. They’re both very good options. 🙂
Hello,
I’m currently enrolled in the free trial classes, and I’m considering registering for the legal transcriber program through Transcribe Anywhere. I have some experience in legal/law enforcement, but that was many years ago. Since it’s been so long, I’d consider myself a novice. Would entering the field as a legal transcriber with minimal experience be a smart investment in Transcribe Anywhere program?
I have a disability and home bound, therefore being a transcriber seems like an ideal fit. Hoping this path can be a way to sustain myself. I know it takes a lot of practice, so I’m wondering after you completed the course work, did you feel ready to take on a professional role?
Thanks.
Hi, LuLu!
With your experience, I would say it’s absolutely a wise investment to go with legal transcription. Even if it’s been a long time, I’m sure a lot of your knowledge will come back quickly, which will definitely work to your benefit. Regarding feeling ready to take on professional work, the course really does prepare you for real-world business. I felt completely prepared to take on the work I was seeking. Linda does teach you how to find the work and, in some instances (at least for general transcription), she actually lines up prospects for her graduates. This isn’t guaranteed, but I’ve seen her do it before. I hope this helps answer your questions! If you have any others, feel free to email me at katie@momismore.com. 🙂
Thanks so much for your swift reply and contact info! That’s been my main worry-after completing classes, how to seek employment…Sounds like resources will be provided…I also like how TA offers flexible payment options. I think it’s a good way to gain insight if this chosen path feels doable for someone feeling uncertain. Thanks, again!
My pleasure, Lulu! 🙂 Yes, the course will give you everything you need to find clients. She also offers a free intro course that’ll give you greater insight into the field and help you decide if it’s a good idea to move forward. I highly recommend starting there, if you haven’t already. I wish you the best as you move forward with the course! 🙂
Hi, Just found your website as I was looking for reviews on Transcribe Anywhere. I was ready to take the plunge until I found your article on PA with Caitlin Pyle. Which do you think could be more lucrative, transcribing or proofreading? Both courses look fantastic. My kiddos are at school during the day, so I have about 6-7 hours a day to work. I have a good command of the English language – grammar and punctuation – just a refresher would help. Which of the two do you enjoy more? Thanks. Marilu
Hi, Marilu!
That’s a tough question to answer because there are so many variables. I think it would depend on 1) your typing speed, 2) your reading speed, and 3) your accuracy. Being able to do either of these jobs with accuracy requires a lot of training. To proofread legal transcripts, you need a lot more training than you might think. A good command of the English language is good, but there’s definitely a lot more to it than that, including terminology, formatting guidelines (which vary by state AND district!), and a thorough knowledge of the most common English manuals in the court reporting field. For me, I found proofreading to be a better fit because it was a lot easier to be mobile with it (you can do EVERYTHING from an iPad). However, I made more money as a legal transcriptionist. What I liked about transcription was that I felt there was a higher earning potential long-term for legal transcription. That said, I didn’t like being chained to a computer and headphones for hours. 🙂 I’m sure that’s about as clear as mud, but I wanted to get you a good idea. Remember this: Your earning potential depends solely on you. I know proofreaders that made $30,000 in their first 10 months, so it’s totally possible to earn good money as a proofreader! I recommend thinking about doing one, then adding the other as an “added service” you offer your clients. My thoughts are that you should never put all your eggs in one basket. I did both courses, and ended up enjoying both for different reasons. Plus, it broadened my reach for new prospective clients. 😉 Hope this helps!
Katie
I’ve read your reviews of PA and TA (in addition to scrutinizing the official PA website) and am considering taking the PA courses after the holidays. TA is something I didn’t know about until coming across your blog.
I know jobs will vary, but on average, what is the length of one proofreading job for one client? What was the shortest – and also longest – project you’ve had?
Thank you for your reply!
Hi, Stephanie!
I apologize for not replying sooner! For some reason, your comment was filtered into spam. So sorry!
As you’ve anticipated, jobs really vary a great deal. I’ve had jobs as little as 16 pages and others that were well over 200. However, I know proofreaders that have had transcripts that were a mere 4 pages and some that were thousands of pages long! Each case is completely unique, so there really is no average. I think most of mine were between 60 and 150, but that was an average of the few reporters I’ve worked with. Should you chose to become a transcript proofreader, your average could be much different. 🙂
Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to help. 🙂
Hi Katie,
I have been researching Transcribeanywhere.com and I think it will be a good fit for me but I am having trouble deciding between general or legal. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security with a minor in Media Arts and concentration in Criminal Justice. So having always been interested in the court systems I am leaning toward legal. However, I am concerned that there isn’t as many work from anywhere opportunities considering the sensitivity of legal information. I would appreciate any feedback you can give.
Hi, Shae!
I didn’t really have any trouble finding work as a legal transcrciptionist. I worked exclusively with two digital court reporters, transcribing their recorded court hearings, trials, pleadings, etc. Janet actually teaches a lot of different ways that legal transcriptionists can find work transcribing audio files other than court proceedings as well, including legal correspondence for attorneys. I think it would be a fantastic way for you to use your criminal justice minor! I recommend emailing Janet at janet@transcribeanywhere.com. She’ll have more information for you regarding other forms of legal transcription, since I only did court transcripts for digital reporters. 🙂
Hi! I have been doing some transcription here and there, and am thinking of doing more. I’ve read Janet’s blog and taken the free mini-courses, but my question is: since her full courses are definitely not free, do you really think it is a good investment? It seems like a lot of money to this not-so-wealthy person! Thanks for your insights!
Hi, Christine!
So here’s my take on this: I measure the cost of a course against the ROI (return on investment) and how fast I can earn my money back. With that in mind, I definitely think her courses are worth it. I was able to earn back my full investment with my first job. Now, this was back when the course was a lot different and cost a lot less. STILL, with the cost of the GT course today, a graduate can easily earn their tuition amount back in their first month of working, depending on how much time you have to dedicate to your work. The LT course is more expensive, but the pay for LT tends to be higher as well. So I think the ROI on that is definitely worth it as well. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi Katie,
I found your site after looking for PA and TA reviews, and you seem like the perfect person to talk to seeing as you’ve done both! I’m a single mom with a toddler and a lucky living situation that allows me to currently stay home with my girl in exchange for watching my nephew. However, this situation has an end in sight and I’m dreading the thought of putting my girl in full time daycare and joining the rat race and working for nothing. I’ve debated about both of these programs and am curious if you think one is a better jumping off point into the WAH world? TA is definitely more affordable but with PA going up in price in a week it’s also tempting. I’ve gone through both free intro courses and feel qualified for both. Honestly the scariest thing for me is marketing myself to get clients afterwards, as well as a less than awesome internet connection slowing me down! Thank you for your thoughts!
Hi, Deirdre!
I totally understand you fears regarding marketing. I can honestly say that almost EVERY student that enrolls has the exact same fears, so know you’re not alone. Both courses provide great help in learning how to get clients, so it really takes the guesswork out of it. As far as which to get started on, here’s my personal opinion:
I think proofreading is definitely better for people with small children. The reason is that transcribing requires you to have headphones on and total silence to be able to listen to everything in order to get every. single. word. down accurately. You’ll be dealing with poor audio sometimes, and having total silence is important. Also, it is very hard to supervise young children with headphones on and staring at a computer screen. Proofreading, on the other hand, can be done on the couch, in bed, in the bathroom, or wherever you need to be with your kiddo. It’s done right from an iPad. So with your kiddo being a toddler, I think proofreading might be a better fit for you.
I have a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old. I always have to have my husband watch the kids for me while I transcribe, but it is a lot easier to proofread without the extra help. Food for thought. Hope this helps! 🙂
Thank you so much for the honest and speedy response! I think it’s time to bite the bullet and start investing in the life I want 🙂
My pleasure! Many blessings to you as you start this new journey! 🙂
Hi, I’ve been looking into doing transcription work and trying to make heads or tails of the plethora of information out there. I have seen Janet’s site and it definitely peeked my interest. Plus the cost is the most reasonable of any I’ve seen. Now, I’m not a mom. My situation is this: I’ve been an Office Manager with over 20 years of experience. My last job gave me 3 years as a Receptionist and 17 years as an Office Manager until just recently. As is the trend these days, I was let go one week after my 20th Anniversary with them. Talk about blind-sided. Anyway, I’ve had it with the Rat Race. I want freedom and control over my own future. My biggest concern, I suppose, is the lack of health insurance. Are you familiar with insurance availability for full-time transcriptionists? What do others do? Furthermore, where can I find info about legalities such as taxes, etc.?
Hi, Marjorie!
These are all excellent questions. I’m not sure about full-time employment benefits for transcriptionists since most transcribers are independent contractors. I highly recommend checking out https://www.freelancersunion.org/ for information on how to manage health insurance, freelance taxes, and the like. That’s a fantastic place for information. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to Janet over at Transcribe Anywhere. She’s been doing it for a LONG time and might have some great pointers for you.
I do know that a lot of people are looking into health share programs instead of insurance. They are recognized as coverage by the government and are a LOT cheaper with better covered services. I’d definitely look into that. 🙂