General Transcription: Your Entry Point
Expected Salary: $15-25/hour | Training Required: Minimal | Best for: Beginners
What Is General Transcription?
General transcription covers all non-medical, non-legal transcription work. It's the broadest category and the easiest entry point for new transcriptionists.
Common projects include:
- Podcasts: Converting podcast episodes to text for blog posts, SEO, or accessibility
- Interviews: Journalist interviews, research interviews, qualitative studies
- Corporate meetings: Board meetings, team meetings, conference calls
- Focus groups: Market research, product testing discussions
- YouTube videos: Creating captions or transcripts for content creators
- Webinars and seminars: Educational content, training sessions
- Academic research: University interviews, oral histories
Why Start with General Transcription?
- Low barrier to entry: No certification or specialized training required
- Forgiving audio: Usually clear audio without technical jargon
- Clean verbatim standard: Remove filler words, less stressful than full verbatim
- Diverse projects: Every day is different (podcasts, interviews, meetings)
- Skills transfer: Everything you learn applies to medical/legal if you specialize later
Salary Expectations
| Platform/Source | Pay Rate | Effective Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Rev.com (beginner) | $0.30-0.60/min | $8-15/hr |
| GoTranscript | $0.60/min avg | $12-20/hr |
| Upwork (private clients) | $1.00-2.00/min | $20-35/hr |
| Direct clients (podcasters) | $1.50-2.50/min | $25-40/hr |
Required Skills
- 60+ WPM typing speed
- Excellent grammar and punctuation
- Understanding of clean vs. full verbatim
- Basic audio editing skills (identifying speakers, inaudible sections)
- Time management (meeting deadlines)
Getting Started (4-Week Plan)
Week 1: Build Typing Speed
Test at TypingTest.com. If below 60 WPM, practice daily with Keybr.com.
Week 2: Learn Style Rules
Study our Clean Verbatim Guide and practice with our Practice Lab audio files.
Week 3: Get Equipment
Buy headphones ($40-100) and a foot pedal ($50-80). See our Equipment Guide.
Week 4: Apply to Platforms
Apply to Rev, GoTranscript, and TranscribeMe simultaneously. See our Job Directory.
Career Progression
Path 1: Stay in General, Increase Rates
- Months 1-6: Work on Rev/GoTranscript ($10-15/hr)
- Months 6-12: Build portfolio, find private clients on Upwork ($20-30/hr)
- Year 2+: Direct clients (podcasters, researchers, businesses) ($30-40/hr)
Path 2: Specialize in Medical or Legal
- Year 1: General transcription experience
- Year 2: Medical or legal training/certification
- Year 3+: Specialized work ($25-40/hr)
Best Platforms for General Transcription
- Rev: Best for absolute beginners (see Job Directory)
- GoTranscript: Better pay than Rev, still beginner-friendly
- TranscribeMe: Micro-tasks, good for spare-time work
- Upwork: Transition here after 6 months for 2-3x higher pay
Common Mistakes
- Applying without practicing (most fail application tests)
- Not using a foot pedal (slows you down by 30%)
- Over-removing filler words (lose context)
- Guessing inaudible words (mark as [inaudible] instead)
Next Steps
Practice Your Skills
Test your transcription accuracy with free practice files.
Access Practice Lab →